Little Red Robin Hood

XXIV - Drunk

"Drink," Owen forced the bottle against my lips, grabbing a fistful of my hair and pulling my head back.

There was nothing I could do to fight except cling to his chest, nails scraping along his skin. The bitter liquid slid down my throat. I choked on it, coughing. He kept the bottle against my lips. The alcohol slid down my chin and neck, dripping down my bare chest.

"Fuck, that's hot," Owen growled.

"P-please, n-no more," I coughed, pulling away.

"We'll stop once you're drunk."

The bottle was put against my lips once more.

It wasn't long before I felt dizzy. The room spun. When I looked at him through my tears, his form was blurry and doubled. I hiccuped. My hands were shaking. I could barely feel my body. Everything felt... dark. Murky.

And then I was laying down.

"Look at you," he chuckled. "Already flushed and ready for me. All it took was a bit of beer. Now, what should I do to you first?"

I forced myself awake, sitting up in bed. I took a deep, slow breath, pushing my matted hair away from my sweaty forehead. I held my head in my hands, trying to push the memories out of my aching head. I could almost taste the alcohol, almost feel his hands pinning me down.

I sat up straight and took a deep, shaky breath, rubbing my teary eyes.

I laid back down, focusing on the ceiling.

I could feel his hands on my wrists. All over me.

I sat up. I curled up, whimpering and trying to stop shaking. I looked around the dark, painfully empty room. It looked so... fake. So... not mine.

I stole a glance at the clock. I sighed at the time. I got out of bed, putting on my new slippers and wrapping myself in my baby blanket. I crept out of my room and down the hall, cringing at the occasional creak of the floorboards.

I walked down the stairs to the first level. I flicked on a light, then winced and turned it back off. I let my eyes adjust for a moment before moving towards the kitchen. I passed a piano, and a picture caught my eye. It looked old. Black and white, with faded edges. I reached up and picked it off its place on top of the piano.

A multitude of people, eight of them being children. Four of the children had tiger tails and ears, and were dressed in dark uniforms similar to school uniforms, along with masquerade-esque black cat masks. My eyes fell on Cloud, dressed in his fancy god clothes, arms crossed, with a smug look on his face. Dexter and Sphinx were there as well, dressed in fancy clothes similar to Cloud's dress. Next to Dexter, there stood a younger man with long hair, and a woman with light pigtails and a kitsune mask.

Two of the other children looked younger, probably around 11 or 12. One of them had pure white eyes and held a sword slightly too big for him. The other two children were likely Prince Darkona and Princess Alivina, based on their white hair, pale skin, and animal features, with the prince having pointed wolf ears and the princess having smaller curved ears similar to Sphinx's.

The three other men stood off to the side, behind the two younger boys. One of them was tall, with white hair, and wore a neat suit with a faceless mask. The other two men both had dark hair, although the younger's hair was much longer and curlier, and pulled back out of his face. The second held what appeared to be an elk or deer skull in his arms.

And then I spotted another wolf man, with white hair. He wore long arm gloves up to his biceps, and a long sleeveless coat over a sleeveless, tight high-collar shirt and tight pants.

"You must be Ice," I whispered. "Cloud's older brother." I lightly touched the glass of the frame, running my fingers over Ice's relaxed but strong features. "They told me you disappeared. Found Kafyr and Saber, lost you." I sighed, then softly said, "Don't worry, your grandfather put me and Cloud together. We'll take care of each other. You just focus on getting out of... wherever you are."

I stared at the picture for a few more moments, then put it back on top of the piano. I sighed and walked into the dark kitchen. I looked around, searching for something to snack on.

I settled on the cookies and a pint of chocolate ice cream.

"Owen told me you're hotter drunk," Carter pulled out two beer bottles, holding one out to me. "So drink up, bitch."

"I-I can't," I leaned back. "Th-the caretakers at the orphanage will--"

I collapsed onto the floor, cheek stinging. I looked up at him, dark eyes wide and brimming with tears.

"This is my appointment," he crouched next to me. "You're mine, Swann. You do what I say. Besides, you're not expected home until eight. That's plenty of time." He harshly pulled me to my feet, tossing me back into the chair. "Now drink up."

"I-I can't," I insisted. "I can't keep lying to them."

He grabbed my throat, forcing my head back. I gripped the edges of the chair, staring at the ceiling. He forced my mouth open, pouring the beer down my throat. I choked and gasped.

"If you fight, it's only going to be worse for you," Carter sighed, pulling back.

I sat up, coughing and choking, spitting up as much as I could.

Carter held out the bottle for me, "Drink. Now."

I hesitated, hands shaking, then took it. I took a swig, forcing myself to swallow the bitter, cold liquid. I wrinkled my nose, whimpering. I took another swig.

Carter chuckled, petting my head. "This is gonna be fun."