Don't Touch Me. [ON HOLD]

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴ - ʙᴏx

SCRATCHES DECORATED ONE side of my face, while a swollen bruise covered the other. I stood in front of the, once again, closed gate. There were no trees for me to climb this time. I grabbed the gate and began to shake it.

"Hellooo?" I called, hoping someone would hear me.

Nothing.

I continued to shake the gate before letting go in frustration. It was seriously cold.

"Is anyone there?" I yelled again. I stood in silence for a couple of seconds. Okay, well, someone'll come to the gate eventually. I just needed to wait.

Not a big deal.

I sat down, leaning against the gate. My legs had started to feel sore. The wind whipped around me, harsher than earlier, with dark clouds gathering overhead. What felt like lots of time passed by as I stared idly at the ground.

A fat drop of water suddenly hit my head, awakening me from my dazed state. I shut my eyes. The only way this could get any worse was if it rained.

And, as if summoned by my thoughts, it began to pour. Slow at first, it quickly became a violent shower of freezing rain. My hair and clothes were quickly drenched, water dripping down my face and neck. Still, I sat there, cross-legged and shivering fiercely, watching the rain as it hammered against the ground.

I looked down at the hands that laid in my lap. My hands. I wiggled my fingers to the best of my ability, but they moved sluggishly. It was so, so cold. I raised a lazy hand and pressed softly against my swollen cheek. It was numb. I exhaled shakily, warmth suddenly dripping down my cheeks.

Why does everything turn out this way?

My eyes felt hot as tears dribbled down my face, mixing with the rain. I sniffled and gathered my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. It's just a bit chilly, Ana. Stop crying. This isn't a big deal.

"Aine? Is that you?!" I snapped my head up as a voice called out in the rain. I searched around me, twisting my body, until I caught sight of a hooded figure on the other side of the gate. They were running towards me, water splashing as their shoes slapped against the wet pavement. They crouched and grabbed the bars of the gate, sticking their face in as close as they could.

It was Nick.

"N-Nic-" I murmured shakily, turning my body to face him.

"What the fuck are you doing?! Why didn't you use the call box?!" He yelled angrily, pointing to my left. I jumped a bit, the tone in his voice something I didn't expect from a happy-go-lucky asshole like him. I turned my head slowly, catching sight of a small black box installed on the fence. My eyes widened. He groaned furiously, getting up and running to his side of the call box. Pressing a few buttons, the gate creaked lowly and began to open. I stumbled to my feet, staggering backward as I avoided the gate. Could I have called them at any time?

He dashed through the still moving gate and ran to my side, wrapping one arm around me as support, part of his raincoat covering my back and head. I shoved him away.

"Stop, Ana." Nick stated hotly, pulling me back into his side. I felt myself choke on the frigid air as he dragged me along to the estate.

"L-let me go." I slurred and stuttered my words, my mouth not opening as wide as I'd like. His grip tightened as I struggled, which didn't help. At all. He continued, forcing me up the steps as I tried to keep it together. Reaching the top of the steps, an incredible sickness was hitting me in waves. I swallowed and begged my stomach to resist. Nick began guiding me to the front door. My head spun, the events from today and memories from long ago muddling together in my mind. His face suddenly came to mind. I faltered. Coughing, I collapsed, vomiting just a couple steps from the door. Nick looked on, stunned. I gasped for breath as tears dripped from my face, falling into the puddle of [you don't want to know] beneath me. The front door swung open as I continued to catch my breath. I could feel people gathering around me, someone patting my back and holding my braid back. I shrunk away from their hand, my eyes wide as I looked around me. My brothers were staring down at me. All of them. Dimitri was behind me, crouched, my braid still in his hand. His mouth moved, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I just stared at him, wide-eyed.

A rough hand grabbed my chin and wrenched my head in their direction. It was Vasi, crouched, his harsh eyes staring at my cheek. I cried out in pain, him immediately letting go as I tugged away from his grasp. Angry, muffled voices grew quiet as I started to shakily get up. They shuffled around, following as they guided me into the house.

"Start a bath, now!" A frigid voice suddenly rang clear in my ears. Vasi was directing a pair of maids who immediately ran off. Since when did we have maids?

"Ana, what happened? Where were you? Why are you hurt?" A concerned voice drew my attention. Sergei stood at my side, a hand on my shoulder. Behind him Nick and Anastasius were in the middle of a heated argument, with Dimitri trying to mediate. Alexei stood at my other shoulder.

"I-I went to town, and some girls wanted to f-fight me, so..." I explained, trying to compose myself despite my chattering and slurred speech. Vasi turned to face me, absolutely furious as he stomped over.

"One of the rules was to not go out without permission. Why didn't you listen?" He towered over me, seething, his glare getting scarier by the second. I opened my mouth slightly to respond, but a yell interrupted me.

"Then why the hell was she like that?! We already talked about this and agreed!" Anastasius was being held back by Dimitri, red in the face. Nick looked upset.

"I know, I know, but I had to get her out of the rain! What did you expect me to do?!" He defended himself, waving his hand at me.

What were they talking about...?

"Anastasia." I snapped my head back to Vasi. He waited impatiently for an explanation.

"I-I'm sorry." I apologized, not having a good excuse. My jaw ached. Sergei sighed.

"Vasi, let's just let her rest for now. She can explain later. Besides, we have someone else we need to deal with right now." He stepped forward, glancing at Anastasius. He was yelling at Dimitri now, trying to tug out of his grasp, Dimitri looking down at him indifferently. Alexei guided me away as the two walked over, me looking back as we walked. Vasi was speaking in a low voice, probably scolding him. Anastasius glared up at Vasi but stayed still.

"The bath should be ready by now," Alexei commented as we walked into the hallway, opening the door to Anastasius's room. I removed my shoes before stepping inside, cringing at the puddles I left behind me. Alexei followed me as I trotted to the bathroom, stepping inside with me. The bath was full of hot water.

"I'll go wait outside." Alexei pointed behind him and I nodded, closing the door once he stepped outside. A thud against the door could be heard.

"Uh, you g-good?"

"I'm just sitting at the door. Do your thing." I stared at the door. Alexei piped up again.

"Chill, I'm not into little sisters. Vasi wants me to. He thinks you'll pass out or something." He stated nonchalantly, laughing a bit. Although I was skeptical, I took off my clothes and slipped into the bath. I winced as the water stung my body. There were scratches on my back and arm, from the bushes, along with a couple of bruises on my knees and stomach. God, that bitch.

So fucking annoying.

BEGONIA