Page 65 of Barbie: Dreamscape

Is she currently in danger because of my recklessness?

I wrap my arms around myself, but my skin prickles with cold. This is already miserable, and I’ve only been here for a few minutes. The rest of these prisoners… it looks like they’ve been here for years. How have they made it down here this long? What did they do to be imprisoned in the first place?

If the lord is really as monstrous as he seems… then they’re likely innocent.

Maybe they don’t belong here at all.

This is definitely worse than Rock Bottom. At least there, I had company. At least I could talk. At least magic eventually worked, and—

Posey.

Suddenly, I remember what she said, about the place she was from… She said it was dark, and lonely, and that she was trapped…

Come to think of it, some of those winged beings from the ball resembled her.

My chest tightens. Is this where she escaped from? Was she also imprisoned here?

My biggest regret is leaving without taking everyone with me…

All at once, I feel a purpose take root within me. This isn’t just about me getting out of here. This isn’t just about getting the key.

Maybe I can do some good in this journey, I think.

And just like that, I start to formulate a plan.

A few hours later, a plate of food is roughly shoved through the shimmering barrier, which ripples closed again before I can even think of escape.

My voice is still gone. But in my mind I say to the lion guard, Why do you follow Lord Evernight’s rules?

The guard doesn’t even look at me. He turns to go.

Wait! What did these other creatures do to deserve imprisonment?

No response. He begins to walk away.

They didn’t do anything, did they?

He makes it halfway down the hall.

I knew it! They didn’t!

Finally, a roar rips through my head and says, They spoke out against Lord Evernight. They deserved their sentence. Now quiet!

I frown. Imprisonment… for speaking?

Silence.

You don’t actually believe that’s just, do you?

The lion’s step falters. And I know this is my chance.

Why do you fear him?

The fact that I sensed his fear seems to surprise him, if his slight pause is any indication. Then he keeps walking, and my heart sinks. He won’t answer.

But, when he’s almost all the way down the hall, his booming voice rips through my mind again.

The lord and the crown are a deadly combination, he says. He feeds off its power and uses it to make others powerless. That is why we’re forced to listen to him.