Treasured

48)

I also updated yesterday, so if you have not read chapter 47, please go back and do so! Thanks!

Richard was like a mad man, not slowing down, not allowing us to stop for anything other than fresh horses for nearly two days. I didn't even know where we were when we stopped. My body ached, my leg burned, my eyes stung.

Everything was numb. At first, I was in denial. The boys would come. I'd go home, I'd like in bed with them, kissing them like my life depended on it. I'd love them like it was my last day alive.

Everything would be alright. We could fix it.

But somewhere in the darkness of the second night, I realized it was over. They wouldn't know where to even begin to look for me. I was alone. I was alone with the one person I was afraid of most.

I had nothing and no one. I knew it was no use trying to run. I was going to die. Slowly, painfully, that's true, but the end result would be the same.

~

Richard took me to a remote home my parents owned when they were alive. It had long since been vacated and abandoned, but it was perfect for Richard's purposes.

He ordered the servants not to enter the second floor for any reason. And then he got to work. Unlike before, he shackled me, using thick, heavy chains to bind me in place. Since the place was rather empty, he laid a sheet down on the floor, and then pounded thick spikes into the floor boards to hold my chains. First my feet, then my wrists were pinned down. Afterwards, he blindfolded me, then he gagged me.

The first night he was blinded by rage. He didn't even force himself on me. He simply hurt me. He took burning candles and seared my arms and legs with the flame. When he was tired of that, he choked me. Then the knives came out, scraping against my skin and peeling thin layers off so I would bleed, but my muscles and tendons were undamaged.

Unspeakable words left his mouth, driving thorns of hatred into my heart. When I cried out in pain, managing to spit out the gag, he took a needle and thread and sewed my lips closed, causing me agony.

And then he left me there, unclothed, bare to the world, with my shame open for all to see. My heart was a tender, open nerve. I didn't know how much I could take.

The night was cold, and I knew I had a fever, from exhaustion, and probably infection. But I knew Richard wouldn't care. He wanted me to suffer, and his wish would be granted. I would die in pain, in anguish, yearning for Sal's tender smile, Cee Cee's passionate gaze, Branson's strong arms, Fletcher's calm presence, June's reasoning voice, and Robin's insistent cuddling. Tears rolled down my face, but I didn't have the strength to keep them inside anymore.

Time was a blur for me. I couldn't say if it was an hour or a week that had passed. I was simply amazed that I hadn't died yet. He forced himself on me for hours, laughing when I bled or cried. He bruised my hips, leaving his mark in visible handprints. His lewd remarks echoed in my ears.

At first I still tried to fight. I would yank on my chains, try to squirm away, or turn my face away from his when he leaned in to kiss me. But he had his methods to break me.

When I squirmed in the chains, scrabbling against the floor, he broke my leg, causing me to fall unconscious from the pain. From then on, moving was so excruciating I couldn't bear to even tense my muscles. Soon, I was to weak to fight anyway.

When I turned away from his kiss, he wrapped his hands in my curls, yanking my head toward him and making my scalp sting.

I became a broken husk. There was no room for emotion. My body was crushed, my spirit was broken, and my heart was empty and numb. There was nothing left. I couldn't fight anymore.

I couldn't even feel sad anymore. I used to cry for my loved ones. The thought of them finding me here was enough to make me tremble with sorrow. I fantasized about their reactions. The way they'd gently remove the chains, the tears they would cry, the loving words that would fall from their lips...

But now...

Now I just wanted to give up.

I was so tired.

My body was a mass of throbbing, burning pain.

Fever and infection raged through my weak body.

And what my body hadn't managed to destroy, my mind did.

The hopelessness, the feeling of darkness that grew inside of me, blocking out everything I used to cling to...

The very sound of the door opening was enough for my whole body to shake uncontrollably. I had been conditioned to expect nothing but pain.

Through the tidbits that Richard told me, I learned that my Aunt Matilda was being investigated, but nothing has been determined yet. Mr. Kendrick had broken things off with Annette though, and apparently my Uncle had been called home.

But even if they weren't convicted of any crime, the scandal would murder their standing in society. Their reputation would be irreparable, and their power would be gone for good.

But I didn't feel happy or justified in anyway. Because I was stuck with my tormentor. There was no way out of this hell.

My only wish was that my lovers wouldn't find my body here when I was gone. I only hoped they never learned of the horrors I endured before the end came.

I hoped I went in my sleep. My dreams were the only sense of peace I found. I always dreamed of them. And if I was to die in that personal hell of mine, I hoped I could see them once more, even if it was in a false reality. Because at least I could die with a smile on my face.

1,014 words.

This was a heavy chapter, so I just left it there. I tried not to go into too much detail, but I wanted to briefly touch on both the physical aspects, and Wren's mental state.

If you are feeling suicidal, please reach out to someone, whether it's a hotline, a friend, family member, or me (my DMs are ALWAYS open to you all).

I may do a double update, just because I don't like ending on this bitter note.