Protection

Protection
Arabelle can't even talk to the other prisoners inside the dungeon because of their state. She can't help but feel bad for them. They are all intelligent women for sure that's why they ended up there. Being different during this time is not a good thing. People will report you as a witch for knowing a lot of things. Although in her case, she is a witch even if she's not too confident about it. How can she escape from getting burned at stake using magic?

She suddenly felt a shiver down her spine as if there's a ghost inside. It's not impossible to happen since the dungeon is a little dark. Maybe that's the reason why those women looked as if in shock. Seeing a ghostly figure can be scary especially in that kind of place. How can she escape if she's locked up? She tries to summon her courage to avoid being like them. The only reason she's there now is to find Ralph and bring him home. 

“Hello, is there anyone out there?” She asked bravely but worried that someone might respond to her question.

Thankfully, there's no response but she's still hearing odd noises outside her cell. Maybe it's just the women from the other cells. She's not sure about that since she can't even see them. If it's from the other cells, why is she hearing it from the hallway? That thought gives her the creeps since she feels alone even if there are other prisoners. She can't help but to feel scared even from the faintest sound. As if the dungeon is hiding a creature.

Arabelle decided to cast a protection spell since she seems to need it badly. Although she doesn't have the things she needed for the spell, she has the intention. It's the most important thing when it comes to casting a spell. She needs to do it discreetly since she's already there for being reported as a witch. If any of the guards catch her casting a spell, she will get burned right away. Although she's not expecting that the trial will save any of them.

“I need to have protection in case something evil is lurking from the shadows.” she told herself quietly.

She started chanting the protection spell that she learned from a spell book before. Good thing her memory is good enough to remember it. She needs to try her best to protect herself. Armand will look for Ralph and they will save her from this mess. All she needs to do is to stay alive until they get to her. The odd noises seem to get louder and closer while she chants. Whatever it is, she needs to make sure that it can't get near to harm her.

A white light suddenly surrounded her cell as if she was able to create an invisible wall. She can't believe she casted the protection spell successfully without anything but her intention. At least now she feels safe from harm whatever creature she's hearing. She suddenly sees a tall shadow from the hallway. It tries to come closer to her cell but it can't because of the protection spell. She was able to feel relieved when the shadow gave up and left.

“Why can't I come closer to the cell with the new girl?” Lucious asked himself confused of what just happened.

He decided to hypnotize the new girl before the trial happens. The problem is, he can't even get to the same cell where he hypnotized the other woman before. He even remembered tasting her blood before leaving her. Now that there's another girl there, he can't come closer. Maybe she's a real witch unlike others. Most of the women the town guards arrested before were not. They just like to take women to burn at stake to show the townspeople. 

Luscious already expected that to happen sooner than later. When a real witch gets arrested, it will be impossible to contain her. They will not be able to burn a real witch since she can use magic. He was able to witness that from walking the Earth for 300 years. It's not unusual for some people to have special abilities. Although in the old times, ordinary people were scared of them. Power hungry people kill them to avoid getting replaced by them. 

“Let's see if they can burn that woman later.” Lucious laughed and decided to just hunt outside.

Arabelle felt weak from casting the protection spell so she decided to rest for now. All she needs to do now is to wait for the trial. She noticed that it would not be easy to escape the dungeon. The best thing to do is to wait to be taken to the stage for the trial. She needs to think about her escape when that happens. What if Armand or Ralph is nowhere to be found by then? She might need to save herself in case the guys are not around to help her out.

She suddenly noticed that the woman in her cell was now looking at her. Her eyes are no longer staring blankly as if she's no longer hypnotized. She didn't want to scare her so she decided to smile at her instead. The woman smiled back shyly at her but she looked better. She hopes that the woman can talk to her. That way, they can plan their escape together. Maybe they can also help others to get out of this mess. She needs to try to talk to her first.

“Hello, I'm Arabelle. What's your name?” She introduced herself to the woman at a safe distance.

“Aaa…Arabelle? I'm Sofia.” the woman responded but stuttered maybe because of dehydration. 

“Sofia, that's a beautiful name. Do you want some water?” she said and offered her some water.

“Ye…yes…please.” Sofia replied and accepted the steel mug with water from her. 

Sofia looks really thirsty because she drinks too fast, spilling some water on herself. Arabelle just waited for her to finish drinking. Good thing she was able to get extra water from the guard earlier. She has a way of making people give her what she asked for. The guard was just doing his job even if he seemed strict. Sofia finally put down the steel mug and smiled at her. It's been awful since she got arrested. Luckily, she met this nice lady.