⚠ TW

Everything was going blurry before my eyes. I let my head hung low, panting heavily and struggling to remain conscious of my surroundings. I could feel the cold breezes making my locks fly freely to the side. Brushing gently on my exposed back. For a minute, I felt as if the wind was a soft hand. Patting on my back and telling me that everything is going to be okay.

But that feeling only lasted a couple of seconds. As I heard the whip crack, slaying its way through the air. And crashing harshly on my back. My whole body stiffened up, and I refused to scream no matter how much it hurt. I bit my lip again, tasting blood as I did so. Though, some groans and whimpers escaped my lips as a normal reaction to my body.

Only took two breaths in. And again, it crashed mercilessly on my chest this time."Agh!" A sharp gasp escaped my lips, but I quickly muffled that up. I clenched my fists tightly around the chains that held my wrists apart.

I closed my eyes tightly. I no matter what happens, I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. All of them. One by one. "I'll f-cking have revenge on all of you!"

And it strikes again harder this time. But I didn't care. "Don't think that I-I am...agh.. That I'll-.... Let this pass!"

Suddenly, the person whipping me stopped for a moment. I glanced at him and saw an evil grin across his face as he stretched the whip in front of me. My eyes winded. What was he...

He raised it over his head and started flogging me with brutality, the likes of which I had never seen before. He didn't let me even breathe or adjust my stance, that from the severity of it, my legs collapsed from under me. I could hear the dirty people watching cheering because I finally started screaming in pain. I started coughing, and I swear that for a moment, I thought I was really going to die. "Enough! Stop! Are you crazy, you psycho!?" I cried out loudly.

This was not just a punishment. This man was taking revenge on me!

Out of nowhere, the elder raised his hand as a sign to the man to stop. I was breathing hard and barely conscious at all. I looked brokenly at him. Until I felt like my entire body was falling to the ground with a loud thud. And soon everything went black.

~~~~~~

I groaned softly as I slowly came to consciousness. My body felt like lead, every muscle aching. I tried to move, but even the slightest movement sent waves of pain through me.

Blinking my eyes open, I took in the surroundings. I was in a small room, the only source of light being a small window on the wall. The air was damp and cold.

I tried to sit up, but my body protested against the movement. "Where am I..." I mumbled softly, my voice barely a whisper.

"Ugh..." I gritted my teeth against the pain as I tried to shift into a more comfortable position.

I looked around the room. My vision was still not fully clear. Suddenly, something snapped inside my mind and I sat up a bit too fast, causing my head to hit a wooden thing.

"Oww.." I hissed, slowly bringing my hand up to massage the spot where I hit. The room was filled with my pained breathing.

"There is no way in hell, I'd let them lock me up like that. I'll find that f-cking heart... I'll turn into a full human. I am not taking anymore of this torture and humiliation!"

I attempted to stand up, fueled by anger and the adrenaline pumping through my veins. But as soon as I put weight on my legs, they buckled underneath me and I fell back onto the bed with a thud.

"Shit.. Come on!" I yelled, frustration and pain mixing in my voice. I tried to push myself up again, but my body protested, too weak and sore to cooperate.

My legs trembled with the effort, but I managed to stand shakily.

For a moment it seemed like I was going to make it, but then my legs gave out again. I stumbled forward, my body falling onto the cold stone floor with a thud.

"Damn!" I cursed again, the pain from the fall making me wince.

I took a few more deep breaths, fighting back the tears of frustration that threatened to fall.

I closed my eyes a single tear escaped. I placed both hands over my face in irritation. "No! I am not a weak wimp. I'll escape. I'll find that heart." I clutched the gem tightly. "I'll save myself.."

And with all of the power I had left. I finally managed to stand up. I gripped the window frame for support. Fortunately the window didn't have a lock so I opened it easily.

I felt a surge of determination. I was weak, yes, but I would not give up. Not now, not ever.

The cool night air hit me as I looked out of the window, the cold a stark contrast to the heat rising from my body. The ground below looked so far, the jump dangerous and risky. But I had no other choice.

I took a deep breath and with a surge of adrenaline, I climbed out of the window. My body hurt, but I ignored the pain, focusing on my goal. I sat on the window sill for a moment, preparing myself for the jump.

Then, with a final moment of hesitation, I pushed myself off. My hand letting go, as my whole body flew out of there. For a second I actually felt free for once in my life. As if could grow wings and fly away forever. A huge grin spread across my face.

And then, just as quickly as it had begun, it ended, as my body impacted the ground with a hard thud.

The impact knocked the air out of my lungs, and the pain from my bruised and battered body came back in full force.

Slowly, carefully, I pushed myself up into a sitting position, wincing as I did so. The world spun around me for a moment, and I had to blink to clear my vision. "Ahh.. I landed on my butt of all places..." I muttered to myself.

Despite the pain, I couldn't help but chuckle. I did it! Only a few more steps. I had to go to the human city... At least it was safer than here.

~~~~~~~

After what seemed like hours of stumbling and dragging my half-dead body through the woods, I finally reached the outskirts of the city. I changed to my human form. I couldn't risk getting caught. Again.

I've seen the city before. I like to watch it from the hill everyday. But I've never actually thought, I'd go this far. I didn't have a plan. Nor a place to stay in. And it was literally freezing, my clothes were torn and dirty. And my body was full of scratches and marks. And to top it off, I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going.

I looked around, taking in the sight of the city that I had watched from afar for so long. The streets were dimly lit by flickering street lights, the occasional voices of people wafting in from a distance.

"What now..." I muttered to myself, wincing as I leaned against a nearby wall for support. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically.

As I was completely lost in thoughts. Suddenly, I felt something tickling my foot. I flinched and immediately backed away. It was a huge golden dog.

I hate dogs.

"Ah! S-stay away from me! Or-... or else I'll kill you! I am really strong you know..." I exclaimed fearfully. But the dog seemed completely unbothered, and only tilted it's head, then continued to sniff me.

"AHH! Stop stay back!" I tried to push it away from me again.

"Bella. Bad girl. We talked about bothering strangers. Come her." Suddenly I heard a soft female voice talk.

The dog immediately, jumped on the girl and knocked her down into the snowy street. "Omg, Bella ew! Stop licking me." She struggled, but eventually got up and dusted her clothes, she took off her green hood. And the minute she lifted her head and our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat.

"Mila..."

She looked at me with a more surprised and confused look. "The lack guy?! What happened to you-... you're injured!"

She rushed towards me. I wanted to act tough, so I won't draw suspicion.

But turns out I forced my body beyond measure. I used a lot of energy, only fueled by adrenaline. And the minute, that adrenaline started to subside. A huge wave of pain and dizziness washed over me.

"I-..." I tried to whisper, but even my ability to talk slipped away.

Melody's face started to get blurry. And suddenly, I felt as if there was a strong power pulling me down into the ground. Soon, my whole world faded away. And the last thing my eyes caught was a glimpse of her shoes.

I definitely lost consciousness.

<<<~~~~~>>>