Game of Desperation

    I turned around abruptly, only to see Mia standing there, smiling dryly. "Guess I underestimated you. I've always thought of you as a follower instead of a leader. But as it turned out, you're the one who's leading everyone to safety. What a hero! The hero who couldn't even save her father..." Mia exclaimed ironically. I could feel my face burning as blood rushed to my face. 

    How could she be so annoying? After everything... I actually thought that she was a friend! Thoughts swirled in my head as I thought about how I would strangle Mia. "Don't ever, ever mention my father again! Do you hear me?" I screamed, seething with anger and hatred. 

    Just then, a group of Siephriers arrived. "Take them back to their cell, but this time... Make sure that they have a view," Mia commanded with a heinous look on her face. "Chop chop! Time is running out!" Mia added while clapping her hands. The Siephriers looked at her with solemn faces. Yet they did not question her. They simply followed Mia's orders and took us to a different cell. 

    Once we were left alone, I asked my other colleagues, "Does this time running out thing have anything to do with the Siephriers being the 'Children of Time?"' 

    I regretted asking this question the moment the last word slipped out of my mouth. Their faces turned dark and avoided eye contact with me. "What is all of this about? Will someone tell me something?" I questioned. 

    "Yes, they are related. Legend and research both show that when the Siephriers' leader says that time is running out, it also means the end of their prisoners' lives..." 

English Corner

Underestimated (v.): 低估 regard someone as being less capable than they really are

Seething (adj.): 憤怒的 filled with intense anger

Heinous (adj.): 令人髮指 being extremely bad and wicked

Solemn (adj.): 嚴肅 formal and dignified

Avoided (v.): 避免 keep away from doing something or from someone