- Samantha's Point of View -

We rode up to the grand villa pretending to be these grand wealthy royals when in reality we probably had less money then most of the servants. We stopped at the front gate and I saw a small light flash in Callum's eyes, like he was going to go psycho on us. It was quite easy to see the rows of slaves working in the garden and to think that Emma could be one of them was almost unbearable for me. So multiply that by twenty and that was most likely what Callum was feeling.

"Calm down Callum," Joe said quietly. He had noticed as well.

"I'm fine." 

Joe and I shared a quick glance and I sighed saying, "That's one thing you and Emma have in common."

Callum turned his blue gaze on me in an attempt to be intimidating but I knew him too well to think that he was going to hit me or something.

"What does that mean?"

"Both of you are always 'fine'."

Callum chose to ignore me, probably a wise choice, and we rode on in through the gate. Earlier Joe had written a very convincing note to the lady of the house, Margaret, saying that we were wealthy travelers from across the ocean who had heard of the magnificent villa and wished to see it for themselves. Lady Margaret promptly send a reply and was expecting them. Suddenly I let out a small chuckle as I realized a funny scenario. We were pretending to be millionaires on four dollars and sixty five cents.

We were led up a long stone path and into a grand courtyard, pillars scattered everywhere with exotic plants climbing up them. On the front step stood a tall woman wearing a white robe and golden belt, her red hair piled on top of her head in the fashion of that country and several golden ribbons wrapped around it. To me she looked more like she were from the islands just outside of the North sea, not from Tarabinthia.

"Greetings! You must be Sir Joseph," Lady Margaret said elegantly.

We all dismounted and Margaret came to greet us with a wide smile.

"And you must be the sister!"

For a second my brain stumbled a little before I realized what she meant. Joe was a two-faced liar and put us down as 'siblings'. Not just 'friends', oh no! We had to be 'siblings'!

"Yes...I'm his sister alright," I replied, glaring at Joe.

"I'm afraid my husband is not home right now but if you would like to freshen up before dinner your rooms are ready and waiting."

"Thank you, we would!" I answered before Callum or Joe said something untactful.

Lady Margaret opened her mouth to say more but a small girl with flaming red curls came walking out, a gold candlestick in her hands.

"Oh, sorry my lady, I didn't know you were busy," the girl said quietly, bowing her head timidly.

"Its alright Katrina, what is it?"

I watched while Katrina explained and suddenly the words of the old man popped back into her head. 'She got sold along with that little red head girl'.

"Alright Katrina, just finish polishing that one and I will give you another job."

The little girl nodded and ran back into the house, her curls bouncing as she went back into Sir Clemons grand dwelling. We were all then shown to separate rooms in order to 'freshen up'.

A tall girl showed me to my room which was on the second floor at the end of a long hallway. It was fairly simple but quite elegant at the same time. The bed was soft and feathery with way too many pillows and there was a large footlocker, a rocking chair, a writing desk equipped with stationary, and a large closet for clothing. My things were brought up for me and I just told the maid to put it down by the bed.

Once she left the room I let out a giant sigh and walked over to the window, looking out over the magnificent garden where several slaves were working. I could not help but let my mind wander to the subject of Emma. Was she out there? Was she breaking her back over hard labor from sun up to sun down? The thought was terrifying.

A knock on the door woke me from my thoughts and I quickly said "Come in!". The door squeaked open and the small red headed girl Katrina walked in, carrying a pitcher of water and a towel.

"Lady Margaret told me to bring these to you," she said quietly, not making eye contact.

I smiled and took the things from her, placing them on the table.

"Thank you very much," I said, trying to seem as friendly as possible.

Katrina stood there, waiting to be excused. I felt bad for her. She was so young.

"My name is Samantha, what's yours?" 

Of course I knew her name but I just wanted her to trust a little before I began to ask her about Emma.

"Katrina," she said quietly.

"Well Katrina, would you like to help me with something?"

"Yes ma'am," she nodded slowly.

"When Sir Clemons bought you, did you come with a tall brunette girl?"

Suddenly Katrina stiffened and her blue eyes clouded over in fear. She knew where Emma was. I knelt down in front of her and placed one hand on her shoulder, smiling.

"You can trust me Katrina. Please, tell me you know where Emma is?"

The girl began to squirm under my gaze and I could see that she did not want to betray Emma, so I pressed harder.

"Katrina it's alright. I'm Emma's best friend. She was kidnapped in the forest and my friends and I have come back to get her. Please, for the love of...Please, just tell me?"

Suddenly Katrina burst into tears and her body began to shake by her giant sobs. I immediately wrapped my arms around her in a giant hug and stroked her head. After she had calmed down a little I let go and sat her down on my knee.

"Now Katrina, would you tell me what you know?"

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- Callum's Point of View -

I pretty much felt useless. I did not know what else to do. Emma was out of reach somewhere on this forsaken island and Joe would not stop looking at me as if I were insane.

"Callum, pacing isn't going to help," he said quietly, plucking a grape.

"This is my fault...If only I have been a better friend none of this would have happened."

Joe snapped his head toward me and stood up. He walked towards me and, looking me right in the eye, shot forward and slapped my face like it were a punching bag.

"Don't you dare say that!" he warned, jabbing a finger in my shoulder.

"You only start blaming yourself when you've given up and really it's pathetic!"

I opened my mouth to reply but a light wrap on the door stopped me.

"Come in!" I called, still looking at Joe.

It was Sam and she came running in, a giant smile on her face.

"She's here! Emma's here!"

- Hello everyone! Yeah, sorry I haven't updated in a crazy long time but now that I've finished my other book I have re-started this one. Thank you for your patience and I hope you liked this chapter :D - Anna