Soul Master

10. Amèlie

Rape.

In my unconscious state the word hung heavy in my mind.

I opened my eyes, I was half expecting to have blurred vision, though I can't remember why.

I sat up on the grass I had been sleeping on, around me daisies and buttercups were growing, the sun in the cloudless sky warming my skin, around me the leaves of nearby trees swayed softly in the breeze. In the distance I saw the castle, a Disney palace of sorts, I remembered it from when I went to rescue Penteluck. From the outside it looked charming, magnificent and grand in pale pink brick work with deep green conical roofing, as you got closer you would see the ancient architecture of gargoyles and the angels, their stone figures crumbling and otherworldly, they looked so out of place on the pristine walls but I wasn't foolish enough to think what I was seeing would remain a pretty enchanted palace this time around, I remembered what it was like on the inside all too well. The gurgling sound of the stream to my left washed a peaceful feeling over me, I took a deep breath of the crisp air, and shook my head feeling a sharp pain in my neck. My hand reached up touching it, looking for blood that wasn't there, whilst wondering why there would be blood in the first place.

A light yip from behind me, and Asha pranced over to me in his wolf form, playful and happy. He sniffed my hand and nudged it, wanting head pats, I touched his head absently, with the feeling I had forgotten something, wondering why we had came here to this place, the realm between.

Are you okay?

He asked now that we had touched and his wolf mind had been able to reach my thoughts.

'I guess.' I mumbled, still somewhat disorientated by the feeling of having forgotten something important.

You look sad. He whimpered softly, his tail drooping.

I shook my head, that wasn't it, I didn't feel sad, or maybe.... I thought for a moment and answered. 'It's just, nobody remembered my birthday. Not without me reminding them.'

He whined. I did. His tail wagged slightly.

I shook my head. 'No you didn't, you would have wished me when I woke up. Not hours later in a picture after stealing my doodle pad.'

'No.' He answered, choosing now to change into his human form. His tall muscular body strode closer to me wearing nothing but his dark joggers, I involuntarily stepped back.

'Please,' He whined almost wolf like. 'I don't know what I have done to you, but I won't hurt you.'

He closed the distance stepping closed and engulfing me in his strong arms. Alarm bells rang out in my head.

Rape. Rape. Rape.

'No!' I pushed him back and covered my body with my arms, feeling vulnerable, exposed, and a little over dramatic. Not understanding what was wrong with me, as I trembled before this creature who had once been my best friend.

'Amel-'

'Don't say my name.' I whispered not willing myself to look at him.

A silence hung between us, was he hurting too?

'Amii,' his voice quietly pleaded.

'I can't.'

He looked confused. 'Can't what?' He reached behind him and pulled out from his pocket a little box. 'I remembered your birthday Amii, I wanted to surprise you.' He looked around, and frowned a little. 'I wasn't imagining I would have to do it here in your dream though.' He stepped closer but instead of entering my personal space, he placed the little black box on the grass for me to reach, stepping back to give me space, his careful eyes watching me, like I might take off running.

'I can't' I repeated. 'Let you in.'

'What?' He shook his head slightly in disbelief, his voice cracked. 'Amii?'

I turned away from him. 'Something terrible has happened,' I didn't know what, but I felt my words to be true. 'In the real world.'

'Listen,' He began, 'I owe you an apology, for the past few years. It was by order that I treat you so coldly.' He rushed his words.

'None of that matters now.' I answered quietly, looking down at his gift.

'Amii, come back. Speak to me in reality.'

I shook my head, I was safe in this place, where we first met, I could pretend the break down of our friendship was the dream and that we had remained here, happy. I didn't feel happy.

'You have to come back.' Asha said, as though reading my thoughts, 'I don't know what is wrong, but let me help you fix it.' He looked at the gift box I had made no move to claim.

'Open it.' He gestured to it.

I stepped forward and opened the little black box revealing a ring made entirely of Amethyst. It was pretty, it belonged to a pretty girl. Not someone like me. I put it down and blinked away tears.

'What happened?' He asked me, worry consuming his voice.

I looked over at the palace, I had fought for my life against the witch in them dank walls. When I was a child I was strong, I believed in the impossible, and in myself. 'Do you think Aphador is strong?' I asked.

He frowned at my question, avoiding it by saying, 'You aren't her.'

'Exactly.' I shot back almost frantically, meeting his steady green eyed gaze. 'She is strong. I could be her, I just need to figure out a way to accept her.'

'Amii, don't do this.' He stepped closer, his voice sounded broken. 'I am strong, I can protect you, just come home. Wake up with me.'

Rape. Rape. Rape

GOOD GIRL

I closed my eyes tight, willing the horrid little voice in my mind to leave. 'But you didn't.' I shouted back. 'You didn't save me.' I opened my eyes and looked up in time to see Asha jump towards me. Pinning me down below him, I froze.

Not again.

I panicked, my body convulsed, as my breathing came in short and sharp, quicker and quicker as my entire body trembled below him.

Trembled below him

Rape

'I have to do this Amii.' Asha's voice was loaded in anguish, his forehead pressing against mine as he gazed into my eyes with the same warmth he had so long ago. He sat back and taking my hand in his, he kissed my fingers rubbing his cheek on them afterwards. 'Please don't worry. Breathe Amii.'

My breathing had become so hitched, I was panting like a dog and wheezing. How was he able to remain so calm in my moment of fear.

Fear of what?

My mind challenged.

He leaned over me, his entire form, becoming a shadow of darkness.

No

His lips touched mine.

No

His hands in mine were warm and gentle.

No

And then he was there, invading my mind, searching my memories.

In this world I passed out.