I pull open the door and sit down across from William, “Seriously? Why is she still here!? She isn’t useful even as a hostage, she’s a spoiled brat. No one would want her back! They probably got rid of her on purpose!”

He sighs while rearranging the papers on his usually neat desk, “Alexis, I know you’re trying hard, but-”

Suddenly there’s a rumble in the castle and the ground shakes. William and I both jump to our feet and run out the door. I look and see people scrambling to run out of the guest corridor. The ground starts shaking more and William stumbles.

“Uh… William?” He stays frozen for a moment and slowly looks up at me.

“Sapphire?” He asks, I can see his expression changing to something I can’t read.

I nod. “Who else?” and I run off toward the explosion. I make my way through the growing crowd and run into the corridor. There’s a massive crater in the middle of the hallway and I stop at the edge. In the middle there’s huge glowing orb of light. I strain to get a better look at the silhouette inside, but something catches my attention from the corner of my eye. I see Gretel at the other side of the hall before the light overtakes everything and another giant explosion knocks me back and I black out.