My night in the basement was unbearable, all I could think about was that dead girl and her grey eyes. Vivid memories of my previous masters replayed themselves over and over again in my mind; they were all the same. They possessed the same twisted habits, the same thirst for blood and suffering, the same grotesque features and my current master was no different. He had all these things and I had a feeling he would never change.
I was relieved, however, when he came to tell me to clean up before his father arrived because it meant I could leave that wretched place.
I had just finished cleaning when I accidentally crossed paths with my master and his father in one of the corridors leading to the living room. Luckily, they did not stop me nor ask for me. However, I knew I had just become the new topic of descussion.
"Son, I told you to take care of her..." The king muttered, exasperated.
"She's alive, is she not?" My master argued, equally exasperated.
"Can't you see that she's dying?" I was getting tired of people saying I was dying and/or malnourished.
"Then what do you want me to do? Turn her?" My master questions.
"Over my dead body..." The king replied sternly. "I told you to build a relationship based on communication, ask her about herself, do things for her, become her friend... This is your chance to learn how to take care of someone other than yourself. Its a small task compared to what is expected of you if you take over the throne. Empathy is key." I really couldn't believe my ears... Me? Friends with that monstrosity of a man? Never.
"Humans are filth, Father. I do not mingle with filth." My master spat out nonchalantly.
"Son, I gave her to you so that you can learn to put away differences -"
"For fuck's sake, I am never going to 'befriend' a human! Especially that slave!"
"Watch yourself, boy! Know your place!" The king snapped then took a deep breath to calm down.
"Jamaica is not your slave, she is an opportunity to fix yourself...-" I didn't like the things I heard; I didn't want to be a pawn in some grand scheme and be discarded the minute Master got what he wanted nor did I want to form an actual relationship with him. I also didn't want to be his slave either. I needed time away. Time to think...
I went to my room and locked the door behind me. I didn't like the idea of my master trying to 'get to know me'; that was not my  shtick, I hated him too much.
My heart felt burdened and I felt like I couldn't breath anymore as I tried to stay optimistic for once.
I was suddenly brought out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. Bracing myself for the worst, I straightened out my newly acquired shirt (courtesy of my master, the frog he is...) and slowly unlocked the door.
"Your Highness..." I mumbled to the king, somewhat glad it was him and not the Prince.
"Jamaica..." he replied with a small smile. "May I come in?" I'd never been given the opportunity to voice my opinion on even a matter so insignificant and I was elated for some reason.
"Please do..." I couldn't help but smile too as I opened the door for him and awkwardly gestured around the room in an attempt to tell him to make himself comfortable. He paid no mind as he just told me to sit down.
"I know you heard what I said to my son earlier..." oh boy... "I meant every word. You need to help him too, you know... Kill him with kindness." He waved his hands around while he spoke.
"With all due respect, your Highness, I'm just a girl... A stranger even. Besides, I don't think this is the job for me." That and I hate your son's guts with all my heart. I had to bite my tongue to keep from letting that last part slip out.
"That doesn't matter. Just do whatever you can to make him feel something other than hate and anger... My boy has done many wrong things and he thinks its normal to hurt people. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you to do whatever it takes to get to him." And with that, he gave me another small smile that seemed almost remorseful and showed himself out.