17 Chapter 16

Alibaba P.O.V. 1st Person

I was in some sort of carriage. The windows let in little light, and I couldn't see who was driving. The space was enclosed and I was alone, feeling suffocated. 'Where am I? Where am I going?' I felt the carriage rock as it traveled over the uneven road. Someone's voice spoke up from ahead of me, and I recognized him immediately. I went to call out to him, but then, it all went dark. 

'I can't see.' There was a pillar of light, but it was small and far off. I ran towards it as it slowly grew brighter. Was this my escape? Soon I came to realize though that it was a fire, and it grew until it filled the air around me. The smell of smoke; the heat on my skin. "Help..." I choked out. I stepped back, tumbling into something hard. 'A door?' I grabbed the handle, shaking it desperately, but it wouldn't budge. It was locked. 'I can't get out!'

Suddenly, it swung open behind me and I fell over finding myself seated in the front of a wagon. It was night, too dark ahead to see. I couldn't see a thing, and I had no idea which way to go. The reins were in my hands: I had control. I glanced back to see there were no passengers. It was strange, not having anyone to answer my questions or give directions. I had no idea where I was, or at least where I was supposed to be going. 

"Alibaba!" I turned back to see Aladdin there. He didn't sound quite like himself though. I smiled and we talked as light slowly came back. I could see the path, but it was still dark out. Aladdin didn't say much before I was distracted by a silhouette at the end of the trail. 

I could make out the figure of someone. They were familiar, something more than just someone I passed on the street. I caught their (e/c) gaze as color started to envelope their identity. They were approaching me, carefully, before smiling up at me so sweetly. They were beautiful. I ran a hand through their (h/c) hair and down their soft cheek.They looked up at me so… I don't know how to describe it, but they seemed happy. I stare at their lips, before hearing a clinking sound. They hug me before I can see the shackles around their feet. Then it's no longer them, but a python that's entangled itself around me. 

As I'm choked out I look up to see their expression, but come face to face with myself. He smiles devilishly at me and taunts me with his amber eyes. Then I pull myself out of... water? He's still there, but his expression is serious. "You can't forget."

My eyes burst open as I gasp on air. 'It was just a nightmare.' Sweat decorates my features as I realize what happened. 'Crap, when did I fall asleep? Wait… what's that sound? It sounds like ...water?' I glanced over at Aladdin who was still in deep sleep. 'That sound is too regular...' I ruminate over it before recognizing it. 'No way...' I gasped 'It couldn't be!'

Covering our lantern, I carefully crawled down the tunnel. It was a tight squeeze and hard to see, but soon I saw a light and four shadows of people. I started to shake and quiver, 'Oh no, oh no, oh no.' One of them was huge and muscular, he carried a light and a purse of some sort around his waist. His face was hidden by a mask, but luckily he hadn't seen me. The next was a man dressed in fine clothes with a woman at his side whose face was out of my view. I hadn't seen the fourth figure yet, but I didn't need to. I recognized the second man right away. 'He's the malicious ruler of the city!' I immediately started heading back. 'Coming in here is practically suicide, so what's a noble like him doing here?' I can't help but remember my boss's words. 'Has he followed me here?' I shake it off. He hasn't noticed me yet, so I should be able to keep hiding. Plus I was sure he didn't know my face. 'Aladdin isn't in good health. I should be extra careful.' I headed back to where he lay, pulling the sheet just slightly off our lantern. He slept soundly and was looking a lot better. I let out a sigh, 'We'll handle them when he wakes up.' I go to quietly lay back only hoping to not make a sound.

I then bumped into something, looking up to see a pair of red orbs staring into mine. I tumbled over in shock letting out a yelp as I pointed towards him. Then I remembered who he was. How he snatched the apple from my hand in the streets the other day. The same glare was carefully painted on his face. "You! What are you doing here?" He just kept staring, not even flinching. 'Is he a statue or something?' 

"Oh, there you are!" A voice called out as I turned my fearstruck face towards the Lord. He drags his feet up the ground, making his way into our hiding place. One hand raised in greeting, the other helping a slave up. "You've sure caused me a lot of trouble!" The giant of a man followed behind him. I was growing nervous, backing up to get away from them though it was hopeless. I looked closer at the slave. It was them, the slave I saw this boy with. Their (h/c) hair blocked their face, but I recognized them right away. 'They were his slave?! What do I do? I can't just ride this out!' Destroying wine and stealing a slave. He was going to kill me here, wasn't he? I considered running, but if they were only here for the treasure I knew I must be nothing more than an obstacle to them. But I doubt I'd make it far on my own anyways. Then I figured out how to react. 

I cleared my throat, "Oh, I'm so glad to see you! You're the local lord, right? We're children from the town! We got lost in the dungeon! My little brother has a fever! Can you help us?" They looked really dangerous, I was nervous about their response. "If it's alright, let's go togeth-" 'And... they walked right past me… Great!'

"I've been waiting, Magi," The Lord said, kneeling down in front of Aladdin. "I've waited ten years for you to appear."