As I struggle to get there, failing with every blow he delivers, I wonder if I am a bad person. I must be for him to punish me like this.
Just when I’m trying to picture my happy place, he shakes me violently, making my eyes fly open.
“You’re a fucking freak!” he spits. I try not to cry when he begins to cut my arms and legs with a big knife. He slams his fist across my head, making black spots appear in front of me before he begins stabbing my back.
Everything is going dark, and I want it to take me. I want toescape from here.
Suddenly he throws the knife down, the clang making my heart thunder in fear.
“You were hungry, weren’t you?” he asks, now dragging me around to face him. He begins stroking my hair and I freeze. When he does something that is meant to be caring, it means he is going to do worse.
“Let me go get you food,” he whispers, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. My lip quivers as he leaves the room quickly. My body is in agony, and I wish I would just die. Is hell as painful as this? I’d rather the Goddess just send me to hell. I just wish I knew what I did wrong. If I knew, I promise not to do it ever again.
I hear the door opening, and through my blurred vision, I can see Papa standing there.
“Look, I got you some food, princess,” he says. I look up. He has a pot in his hand. Through the dim lighting, I see him open it.
He’s giving me food. I’ll keep some for Indy! Have I been a good girl today that he wants to give me food?
“Say thank you,” he orders as he glares at me, his eyes turning dark green once again as he towers above me.
“Th-thank you, Papa,” I whisper. A scary smile crosses his lips and for a moment, I wonder if it is a trick.
“Here.” He raises the jar and suddenly pours its contents onto me. Stinging, agonising pain erupts from my wounds and I scream as the powdery substance hits me, the strong smell of chilli flakes hits me as it clings to my open wounds.
I scream again, rubbing my eyes. It hurts so much! Please, someone help me!
I writhe and scream in pain, scratching at my eyes and arms, trying to rid myself of the pain. I hear Papa laughing manically.
“Sleep well, princess,” his voice is distant before I hear the door shut and I’m left alone, crying and screaming as I convulse in pain on the cold hard floor.
“Scarlett!”
My eyes fly open and I gasp, the fear pounding in my chest. My entire body is aching as I wrap my arms around myself, and it takes me a few seconds to realise I’m not in that dark torture chamber.
It was so vivid… I let out a shuddering breath.
“Red…” Elijah’s hands rub my arms soothingly and I take a deep breath. The side of my neck is aching, as if I have been stung by several wasps at the same time.
I reach up and touch it gingerly, frowning when I feel the heat radiating from the spot.
What happened?
Elijah takes my hands, encasing both in his as he kisses them tenderly, making my heart skip a beat. I’ve never seen him look so… vulnerable.
“How are you feeling, Kitten?” he asks softly, cracking that sexy trademark smirk of his, making me smile slightly, welcoming the warmth that fills my chest.
“You look worried, I’m liking the concern, maybe I should get hurt more often,” I attempt a weak joke, but the pain and anguish in his eyes surprise me. Since when did Elijah display such strong emotions in his eyes?
“If you want me to show you concern, I’ll make sure to, day and night. Don’t ever think about getting hurt though,” he growls lowly, but it is more the sound of an unhappy wolf than an angry snarl.
“What happened?” I ask. I can’t remember much.
“It’s a long story,” he replies quietly.
“So, tell me, were you worried?” I ask softly as he gets up and sits on the bed next to me, one leg on the floor, as he faces me completely.
“That is the fucking understatement of the century,” he sighs, cupping my face with one hand, the other still holding my hands. “Fuck, Red, you could have been killed.” He looks into my eyes before his gaze flickers to my lips.