Chapter 68: Hostages

The stairs creaked loudly as Caspian and I climbed up them. Caspian didn't seem bothered by the noise, probably because he intended to wake his parents up in any event. So if creaky stairs could do that job for us...

"This way." Caspian jerked his head to the left and I followed wordlessly. Caspian walked into a room and turned the lights on. His father was immediately awakened, but Mrs. Gray continued to snore loudly.

"Caspian?" Mr. Gray questioned, shaking his wife awake and at the same time reaching for his glasses. It was clear, from the way his eyes scanned us, that he was disoriented and confused.

The bedroom we were in was painted a light blue, making it seem like a tranquil place. The bed was situated on the far side of the room, and it was placed in front of a velvety headboard. There was a mural above the headboard that consisted mainly of blue roses. There was an en-suite bathroom, but no door separating the bathroom from the bedroom.

Mrs. Gray bolted upright, with her hair standing up everywhere. "What in Heaven's name?" She reached across the nightstand for her nightgown and wrapped it around herself. The red cloth engulfed her frame, and made her look slightly more put together.

"Mom, Dad," Caspian nodded, before slamming the door shut behind him and turning the key until we heard a click. "I'm sorry." He didn't bother elaborating on the apology, he just left it as that.

"What is the meaning of this?" His mother seemed to be only slightly alarmed, probably because she was used to her children's antics by now.

"We're holding them hostage?" I whispered into Caspian's ear.

Caspian didn't get a chance to respond, before his mother was pushing him out of the way. Caspian was stronger and quickly placed himself in front of the door. He wrapped his hand around one of his mother's wrists, and yanked her back. "I can't let you out until tomorrow afternoon," Caspian told her.

"My speech is tomorrow," Mrs. Gray calmly tried to reason with him. Her hair was all over the place and she looked very child-like, making it difficult for her to assert any kind of authority over Caspian.

"I know," Caspian replied, with the perfect poker face.

"You're insane," Mrs. Gray said, looking to her husband for help.

"Caspian, is this how you treat the people who raised you?" Mr. Gray got out of bed and made his way towards us. "Now, I'm going to ask you one last time and I expect the truth." His mouth was pressed firmly into a straight line as if to stop himself from screaming. "What are you doing?" He massaged his forehead with both of his thumbs. I was surprised to see he didn't have any tattoos; he just seemed like the kind of guy would have tattoos.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you,' he replied, shaking his head. "But I can't let you give that speech."

"You've lost it." Mrs. Gray looked at me accusingly. "I suppose you drove him to this," she continued. "He'd never do something like this unless he was being coerced into it."

I opened my mouth to defend myself, wanting to tell her I knew about Caspian's plans at the exact same time she did and no sooner, but I was cut off by Caspian.

"Don't you dare." Caspian gripped my waist tightly. "You drove me to this, mother. You sold me to the Stingers. If you hadn't, we wouldn't be here right now. I wouldn't have the guts to hold you hostage in your own house; so maybe it's a good thing you sold me, otherwise I'd be as weak and cowardly as you are."

Caspian's head was flung to the side. A bright red, hand-shaped size mark appeared on his cheek. I gasped.

"Is this the way you speak to your parents?" Mr Gray raised his hand, prepared to take another blow. His eyes looked oddly distorted; I didn't know if that was because he hadn't gotten enough sleep, or because his glasses were so thick.

I moved in front of Caspian, wanting to protect him from his father's wrath, even though my tiny frame couldn't cover his muscular one.

I don't know what stopped Mr. Gray from pushing me out of the way, but I was grateful he didn't touch me. He had raised his hand, but stopped when he saw me in front of Caspian. It had probably been drilled into him that he should never hit a woman. Either that or he took pity on me since I was small and probably couldn't take a blow, no matter how soft it was.

"Maddie." Caspian gripped my shoulder and moved me to the side, taking my hand firmly in his. "Unlock the door," he ordered, keeping both his eyes on his father. I did as I was told and kept the key in my palm. Caspian slowly backed away and dragged me with him. Mrs. Gray made an attempt to follow, but Caspian slammed the door in her face. He quickly took the key from me and locked his parents inside their room.

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