Life is Simple

Lesson 10

The dance hall was unparalleled to any I have viewed in any estate or plantation previously. Large planters with lush, exotic flora were placed in increments down the dance hall where the wall of windows exposed whomever danced inside to the outdoor wanderers. I thought of how lively the room would appear when a ball or event would take place. How beautiful everyone would look out on the cherry parquet floors, with their embroidered costumes and fine hairs. Certainly I would want to attend such an event as the one culminated in my mind.

"Have you hosted any balls recently?" I inquired through the silence Cain and I existed in for a lengthy amount of time.

"Not for some time now, else I would have pleasured myself in inviting you to join. Father, I believe, is planning to host a ball before the winter comes and confines us to our homes until the thaw season. I should like to host a ball soon, for I love the intermingling and scandal that emerges from those lively nights." Cain paced the floor easily, cradling his glass of spirits to his chest and looking up to the decorated ceiling.

"Have you sufficient dance lessons?" His gaze fell from the sky and pinned me down with a sense of dread. This was to be a night full of lighthearted conversation, but now the evening felt as though it was full of questions that itched at me more terribly than my taffeta dress.

"Yes, I do. Shall you entreat me to a dance? Perhaps a minuet, as I fancy them the most." I held out my delicate hand towards Cain who seemed to stand miles away near the farther corner of the room. Without a glimpse or grin, he gently placed his drink on a corner table afore taking my hand for a dance.

"I pray you not tell anyone about this." His whisper confused me, for it was only a dance. There was nothing romantic to come of it, and certainly my intensions lay elsewhere than romance at this time. I never like to test limits or tread unknown waters, nor have I the will to try. I enjoy innocence, as it is the easiest way to preserve youth and simplicity.

"About our dancing? Cain, I do not understand." Wide-eyed, I stared into the oaky eyes of Cain, who appeared drunk and smelled of alcohol. I began to panic and perspire, as I stepped away from the feral man.

"I believe we should return downstairs." I tugged at my jewelry whilst staring at the polished, wooden floor.

"No! We aren't going anywhere!" The long, pale hand of Cain squeezed the sides of my mouth so crucially that my cheeks began to bleed bright crimson. The taste I overlooked, but the wraith of Cain I could not bare. My face pinched in pain, the trickles of blood outlined my teeth, but I remained grounded.

"Let me go!" I attempted to wince, but my vocality was only answered with a rigid movement from the hand that held my done up face. Cain was intoxicated, clearly this was not the true form he lived his life, I rationalized. The back of my skull met with the wall as he dragged me forcefully across the room. He held me there, where extreme terror grew from my eyes.

"Cain, please! I beg of you!" My throat dried and the makeup on my face began to peel off from the tears which found their way down my face.

"You've much to drink this night, you aren't yourself." His perfectly groomed hair now fell into framing pieces about his face like drips of mud. The teeth bared beneath his thin lips were gleaming white and pointed like native arrowheads. Everything once supple about his face grew hard and jagged, and the look in his eyes frightened me so terribly I began to pray.

"I'm exactly myself." Cain spat as he lurched closer to my face. His warm hands wrapped around my neck and mouth squeezed with an exorbitant force, leaving the edges of my vision to blur.

"You will marry me, Annalise. You are the right one, you are exactly what I need." Before my vision corrected, Cain roughly, drunkenly, kissed my cheek. I began to cry hard, allowing my forehead to wrinkle into thousands of creases. Upon seeing me weep, Cain relaxed his grip and looked deep into my eyes as if another being had possessed his body.

"Oh, do not cry Annalise. Look what you've done, your makeup is all ruined!" His vision scanned me, up and down, and to the sides. He allowed his head to drop and shake, but then he lifted his head and laughed whilst licking his lips.

"I'm afraid I'm too far gone now, Annalise. That was only the beginning of me. I've not been so close to another female in my life, and you are the utmost beauty I've seen. You understand, do you not? Men have needs, they have dreams and desires. Women must submit and accept these drives, to support their partner." Cain gently set his hands upon my shoulders, but I could not shake the terror from my face. I was beyond scared, beyond nervous, and beyond any sharp-wit I carried with me at all times.

"I-I suppose. . ." I found enough strength within me to meet his stare.

"Good. I am pleased to see that you agree." His cheeks shone red and he was still wobbly from the amount of alcohol he consumed within the last hour. Perhaps it was all an accident, a mistake on his part. Maybe just this once he got carried away. I knew many unsociable men drank at gatherings to ease their minds, so that they could speak without a stutter and carry on rather gleefully. Cain may have attempted this strategy, I feel.

His clammy hands petted the sleeves of my dress, then toyed about with my jewelry. I remained stiff, knowing it was best for me not to distress him enough to go on another bout of madness.

"Beautiful jewels. Beautiful dress." He laughed incoherently.

"Thank you." I managed to say with a low, soothing tone. He laughed on a little longer.

"Take them off." His mood changed instantly again, back to the evil he was minutes ago.

"Pardon, Cain? I don't think you're in your right mind. . ." My remark was met with a slap across my face, which stunned me immensely.

"I know what I have said! Now follow my orders!" Deranged, Cain stepped back, allowing me to have some space to breathe in.

"I will not!" I stood as tall and as proud as I could muster myself.

"Clearly you don't know what's best for you!" Cain pounced on me like a hunting lion, and I his prey.

"Let go of me!" I pushed his shoulders in hopes of knocking him off balance, but the thin man was strikingly strong despite his outward appearance. His crazed eyes told me that there was no use in fighting, but I must try as hard as I can. I kicked at him whilst he held my ankle hostage with one hand, but it proved only minimal utility.

"Unhand me, beast!" One lucky kick knocked him off balance enough for me to stand and begin to run. The last time I ran I was a small girl playing out in the field of daisies near the far edge of my estate. Mrs. Woolstone was there, sitting down neatly on a blanket observing me. I miss that life, more than I could have ever imagined.

The next thing I knew I was beaten to the ground, my temple striking the corner of a hard surface ledge. Everything went cool and quiet, then I faded off into the deepest sleep and dreamed the boldest dreams. If only it would stay this way forever. . .