but I accepted her insightful words.
"Thank you, Alisha," I replied. She blinked a few times, returning to her usual expression. With a nod, she picked the napkin and patted her lips.
"I'm tired. I'll head out first."
"Thank you, Alisha! See you around and definitely next week."
"Bye, Alisha," I whispered. "I can call you that, correct?" I was asking a little too late, but I did want to make sure she was okay with me addressing her as Alisha and not your majesty.
"Fine by me. We're a connected trio for now. Though..." She got up and glanced at the empty space next to her. "I feel one more will complete the supernatural prison nest."
One more.
"Have a good night." She bid us farewell, walking away before either of us could respond.
"Isn't she awesome? Good thing she's a female or she'd be sweeping women off their feet. Not like she isn't doing that now. All the male prisoners are desperate for her, but no one is bold enough to ask her out."
"That reminds me," I noted. "Why haven't I seen any male prisoners?"
"They go to eat at different times. The only chance you may get to see them is during shower time. You're sometimes forced to share a sectored shower because the hot water is a little funky for Levels One and Two. Threes get the royal treatment, and if the Jacuzzis don't work, they get to go to some of the top prison hotels."
"Prison...hotels?"
"You'd be surprised." Ivy gleamed and shuffled over to whisper in my ear, "Sometimes being trapped behind bars is more of an illusion for the enemies that reap the dark. In Alisha's case, she has amnesia, so she can't recall who she is, but I bet you if she did, whoever put her here would be quaking."
"What about you?"
"I'm still figuring that piece out." It was the first time I'd seen Ivy completely serious as her eyes darkened. "The only benefit of being here is getting three meals a day and decent warm showers. However, when I got here, I vowed I'd locate my captors and destroy them with my very paws."
Her vow triggered goosebumps.
With a pleased grin, she rose up. "I have a feeling you're not here due to breaking the law. Just like many in here, especially females. I overhear things and many of us were taken when we least expected it. To think massive kidnappings are happening left and right in our cities, and nothing is being done unless people of importance are taken." She looked away, lowering her voice for my ears only.
"I'm a misfit with no family. My disappearance didn't trigger news podcasts and posters. Alisha's amnesia is a hindrance, but her power is so close to absolute that many probably assume she went to hiding. Only you, Cassandra Thorn, are getting the attention to get yourself right out, but I suggest you pinpoint what is within you, because it is powerful. If trained, you may be able to save all of us in the future."
With an exhale, she looked over her shoulder; that upbeat look of hers was back and brewing. "See ya next week. Don't worry, I'll wave next time, so I look less emo. It's honestly the beanie. Bye, and don't worry about the trays. Alisha's servant will get them once you leave the table."
She headed to the exit, putting her hands behind her head while summoning a tune. I stared after her, waiting until she was gone before I decided to make my exit.
Rising up and heading to the exit, I noticed the servant was back, passing by me to retrieve the trays. It wasn't until I was heading down the hall that I let the smile form on my lips and the spark of happiness swarm inside me.
This may be early, but I think I just made my first set of friends. Connected Trio in the depths of supernatural captivity.
Unexpected Cell Mate
~TWO WEEKS LATER~
* * *
"I'll die in here. I can feel death just watching me in mockery," I muttered to myself as I stared up to the brown-black ceiling, counting every crack and imperfection to pass the night.
It had been four weeks since I'd been kidnapped, and I wasn't sure if I could live much longer. Aside from the agreed-upon dinner meet-up I had with Ivy and Alisha, prison life was becoming a boring wasteland of ceiling staring, stale food, and me actually missing Omarion's check-ins.
I hadn't seen him since our last confrontation in the Doc's office. With the