Chapter 3 – Whispers of Rebellion
Miley stood frozen at the doorway, her hands trembling. "Here I am," she said boldly, trying to hide the fear pressing against her chest.
Jake, the dark king, swirled a glass of wine, his cold, piercing eyes locking on hers. The air grew heavy.
"You," he said slowly. "You're the one who refused to close your eyes during the dark minutes."
"Yes," Miley answered quickly.
"You excused it because of your clothes?" His voice cut like a blade. "I didn't ask for excuses."
The room turned frigid and quiet, every sound swallowed by tension.
"What did you see?" Jake demanded.
Miley swallowed hard. "I see you… you're the one I see."
His expression darkened. "Do you want to be prosecuted right now?"
Silence stretched until her trembling voice broke through. "I was just crying… Should I be happy? I'm stuck in this horrible place with a heartless, demonic king!" Her voice cracked as tears spilled, rising into a shout.
Jake's eyes flashed dangerously, but instead of rage, his tone was calm, unnervingly so. "I didn't bring you here. Fate did, just like the others. And I am not a demonic king… not to those who obey my rules." He sipped his wine, his gaze never leaving her.
Miley's anger flared. "Your rules are cruel! They crush everyone here. You're nothing but a wicked, heartless creature!" She stormed out, slamming the heavy doors.
---
When she reached the great hall, the other maidens were already gathered. As soon as she entered, they shifted into a large square formation, surrounding her. Confused, Miley looked around—only to see Jake walking in moments later.
"You are welcome," he said with a devilish smile, raising his glass. "Everyone… pay attention to the medium."
The maids and Zuzu servants began circling slowly, ritualistic and unnerving. Miley's stomach twisted.
"What is the punishment for raising your voice at me?" Jake asked coldly.
"The stones," they chanted in unison, pulling red bags from which they each drew jagged stones. Their eyes glowed a haunting yellow.
Jake sneered. "You're too ugly for me. I'll… modify you a bit." He raised his hand. "On my count—one… two… troll."
Miley barely covered her head before the first stone struck. Then another. And another. Pain shot through her spine, knees, and neck. Blood soaked her maiden's dress.
Tears streamed as stones rained from every direction. She saw Yolin's horrified face, her new friends forced to throw stones too, their eyes glazed with fear.
The last thing Miley saw was Jake, laughing like a man enjoying a cruel play. Three stones slammed into her face at once. Darkness swallowed her.
---
Yolin thought Miley would not survive. Thirty agonizing minutes dragged by before Jake finally barked, "Stop."
The stoning ceased. "You may leave," he ordered. He lingered, watching Miley's broken figure for hours before finally leaving.
As soon as he was gone, Aisha and Rachel ran to Miley, tears streaming. They checked her chest and gasped with relief—she was alive.
They carried her to a quiet, hidden room. With trembling hands, they cleaned her wounds, the bucket of water turning crimson.
Yolin burst in, panicked. "You have to move—the king is coming this way!"
The girls quickly lifted Miley and rushed to a small riverside behind the palace.
---
"What did you do to the prince?" Aisha asked, anxious.
Miley sat weakly, staring at the rippling water. "I told him the truth."
Yolin crouched beside her. "What truth, Miley?"
"That he's a demonic king," she said firmly.
Their eyes widened in horror. Yolin grabbed Miley's shoulders, her voice shaking. "Do you know how dangerous that is?"
But Miley's gaze stayed fixed on the river, as if it whispered secrets only she could hear. She slowly walked toward it, trance-like.
"Miley!" Yolin called. "Where are you going?"
Aisha stepped closer. "We need to tell you the rules of this place… or you won't survive."
---
Yolin's voice was grim as they sat by the water. "We were all brought here by curiosity. Some dragged in chains by Zuzu and his demons. Others wandered after something they loved… and were trapped forever.
"I was abandoned by my parents in a hospital for seven years. The Yaskis came, disguised as kind humans, promising me a home. Instead… they delivered me here."
Aisha's eyes dimmed. "I had wealth, privilege, everything… but one day I followed a Maine Coon cat I adored. I thought it was mine. It wasn't. It was a lure… and it led me straight into Orom's hands."
Rachel's voice trembled. "I had nothing. Lived on the streets. A Yaski offered me a maid's job. I thought it was salvation… but it was a trap."
Miley's heart pounded. "I chased a bird… desperate to feed it."
Yolin shook her head. "Not a bird—a collie spirit. They take forms you love and pull you here."
---
Then came the rules.
"Rule one," Yolin said. "During the dark minute, everyone must sleep. If you don't… you'll be prosecuted. Your head will be served to the king."
"You must bow and speak gently to him," Rachel added. "If you don't, you'll be stoned alive. He doesn't care if you die."
"When outside during the dark minute," Aisha said softly, "never return inside until daybreak." She pointed to the river. "And never, ever bathe or wash here. That's why we're filthy."
Miley stared at the water. "What's the punishment for staying outside?"
"Nothing," they answered together.
Aisha's voice dropped. "But creatures roam outside. Survivors return maimed… if they return at all. One woman came back with one eye… and one leg."
Miley's body chilled. "I was planning to wash in that river during the dark minute…"
"No!" Yolin shouted. "That's suicide!"
"Miley, why are you so stubborn?" Rachel asked sharply.
"What are you planning?" Aisha asked, concerned.
"I need to bathe. I need to clean this filth off me," Miley said, fire burning in her eyes. "Tomorrow, I'll uncover the truth about this kingdom."
The dinner bell rang at 11:30. They hurried inside for their meal, but Miley's mind burned with rebellion.
---
Later that night, as the dark moments approached, Miley slipped away. She raced through empty hallways and out into the cool night air.
She gathered bushes, leaves, thick bark, ropes, and twigs—everything she could find. Digging into the earth with trembling hands, she carved a hollow and reinforced it with planks. Branches were laid on top, covered with shrubs and leaves for camouflage.
Finally, she blocked the entrance with bark to hide her tracks.
At 11:55, the bell rang, signaling five minutes before the dark minute. Miley exhaled in relief. She had finished just in time.
Little did she know, this reckless act of rebellion would change everything.