Blood Red || Book I

Chapter 10: Danse de Petits Cygens by Tchaikovsky

Hell's Kitchen : 2016

Aleksandra's POV

The room is dark, but I can still see a bit. There's nothing over my eyes, it's just the room. The only light is coming from a small, barred window close to the ceiling, allowing me to see shadows of what's around me. Goosebumps are forming on my skin and if there was enough light, I could probably see my breath. I  go to rub my arms, but my hands resist, making me notice the shackles on my hands. I can feel stained tears on my cheeks, or maybe it's blood.

I don't remember much. There's a reason I'm in here, but I can't remember why. The thoughts "I deserve to be in here" and "it's all my fault" keeps popping up in my head.

"Мне жаль! Пожалуйста, выпустите меня!" (I'm sorry! please let me out!) I try to yell out, but it comes off as a whisper. My voice is horse, raspy.

I can hear faint talking behind the door, but I can't make out what they are saying. I'm scared to make a sound to upset them, scared they'll torture me for ruining their shift. I curl into a ball as much as I can, wanting to save body heat along with providing some form of comfort to myself.

The soft sound of keys jangling is coming from behind the metal door. Someone is coming in here. A small sliver of light peaks through, the door only opens a sliver. There was a slight pause before it was flung open. My eyes shut almost instantly, struggling to adjust to the light as it filled the once pitch-black room.

"давайте вытащим вас отсюда мисс Nikitana." (let's get you out of here Miss Nikitana.) I know that voice. How do I know that voice? Rough but very timid.

I try to slowly open my eyes. The pain of the light is still very noticeable, but I need to see who it is for myself. All I can see is the black outline. Before my eyes could adjust, the man is too close for me to see his face. He unlocks my shackles.

"Пойдем, дитя мое, пора показать миру, на что ты действительно способен." (Come my child, It's time we show the world what you can really do.) He touches my chin and tilts it up.

Dreykov.

I smile wide. He's here to save me again. I reach my hands up, hoping he'll help me stand. He reaches down for my hands when his face turns from a smile into a frown. I watch him bring his hand in the air. He's holding a syringe.

No.

This can't be happening again. I allow him to stab the needle in me. I deserve this, right? I did something bad, right?

The world starts to fade. Dreykov turns blurry.

I use all my energy trying to say one last thing before darkness consumes me again. "Мне жаль." (I'm sorry.)

I sit up with a gasp. I tried to get out of bed as quickly as possible but I'm pulled back in. Shit, the handcuffs. Frantically I search for the key to unlock them knowing I'll be punished for unlocking myself but I would be punished either way. I will rather be punished for this than for what I did.

What did I do? Tears start to form in my eyes as I look through my nightstand to find the key. I small wave of relief washes over me as I grab it and start to unlock myself. This feeling is severely short-lived when I remember why I unlocked myself in the first place.

Dreykov. I stand up instantly and start to search everywhere. I look under my bed, my desk, in my closet, and bathroom. Where did Dreykov take me?

I have to get out of here and explain myself and apologize more.