Bloody Shackles

Chapter 11: I Dreamed A Dream

Hey guys! Early update - yay! Well, this chapter was inspired by Anne Hatheway's version of "I dreamed a dream." I hope you all enjoy this chappie and please vote and comment. :D

Ellianna’s POV

            “Oh God, Elli,” I heard her gasp as she knelt beside me. “Come here,” she whispered, pulling me to my feet, her arms around me, “I’m here, I’m right here.” Cradling me, she leads me away from the water and the blood in the shower, to a place that is soft, warm, and feels like home.

            Emily…thank you, I thought as she pulled a nightgown over my head and rubbed my cuts with rose water and alcohol. But just thinking it wouldn’t suffice, I had to say it, for she deserved the gratitude I felt.

            “T-Thank you,” I croaked, my voice dry and raspy. Without words, she placed a cup to my lips and I drank. It quenched my thirst and calmed my spirit.

            “You don’t have to tell me,” she began as I pulled the covers back and nestled into the cocoon of warmth that was her bed. “But if you want to, whatever you say, I’ll listen.”

            I was taken aback to say the least, to think, to know, that someone cared enough about me to listen when I spoke. That is what it means to be a friend, I realized, with wisdom touching my thoughts for the smallest of moments.

            So as I stuffed forkfuls of leftover morsels into my mouth, she waited. And after, when my hunger was quieted, I told her. I told her my surprise, my fear, at what had occurred with Marcus. I told her my doubts of the only one who has ever been there, my God. I told her of the reassurance I felt from her, and the thankfulness I held for our friendship. I told her everything, and left nothing out.

            And she listened.

            She didn’t pipe out snarky comments, or helpful advice, like I predicted she would. She simply listened, and for that I thanked her – as surprised as I was. Yet I still crumbled. I had doubted, yelled in rage, at my protector, my God. Guilt and sorrow ripped at my heart, but Emily listened and she comforted me.

            “I-I’ve never doubted Him before. He’s always been there for me, and yet, now I doubted Him! How can I possible turn back to Him now and ask for His forgiveness?”

            She placed a calm hand over mine.

            “Because doubt is a part of living, if you never doubted someone, if you never doubted yourself, then you just be a fool rushing into everything. And fools bring nothing but danger and chaos.”

            I am shocked. She is a genius, a sage, an old soul, that knows much more than her age – or personality – portrays at first glance. A gem, Emily is, rare and beautiful, but not polished, though the most precious of gems are not.

            So with my stomach full, my heart content, and a cherished friend by my side, I closed my heavy eye lids, and I dreamed.

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            I could feel him. His hand on my back moves in slow, calm circles. With a soft and smooth voice, like velvet, he whispers sweet nothings in my ear. A peace washes over me as he leans down to place the softest of kisses on my forehead. Some of his silver strands tickle my nose, having fallen free of their hold – a tie at the base of his neck. I reach up, with pink-tinted cheeks and shaky hands to run my fingers through his shiny locks, pulling them free of the tie. They fall about his face and shoulders and his eyes flutter open. Inky, onyx pools that are filled with confusion stare into my own emerald orbs.

            “Why does everything you do cause my mind to be clouded? Why does your smile make my stomach feel light? Why do your shining eyes make mine appear brighter in response? Why do I-”he wonders but cuts himself off by ending the question in an exasperated sigh. Instead of answering, I slowly inhale, sharing his breath.

            Before I can reply to his question, he blurts out another. “Do you like being with me?”

            “Why wouldn’t I?”

            “Because what,” he paused, his eyebrows scrunching together, “what would happen if I hurt you?”

            “You’re going to hurt me?” I wondered, pushing him away slightly.

            “I mean – what would you do – if I hurt you?”

            “Me? I-I would cry. I would scream. My heart would break into so many pieces that it could never be put together again.”

            He faltered. Clasping my hands in his own, the tiniest of tears fell from the corner of his eye.

            “I don’t want that. I don’t want to see you cry, or scream. Having your heart broken would mean mine would be broken as well. I will never hurt you, Little One,” he declared, pulling me into an embrace.

            I smiled.

“Then I have nothing to fear.”

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            Yes, I dreamed. I dreamed of a world where God never abandoned me, and I never doubted Him. I dreamed of a world where friends and family were a necessity and not a chanced possibility. I dreamed of a world where Marcus Ishkov didn’t exist, because that man hurt everyone and loved no one. The man I dreamed of…was not Marcus Ishkov. I dreamed of a man that loved instead of hated me. He cared for instead of chastised me. He blessed me instead of marking me with bruises. I dreamed. But all dreams must end.

            There was a knock at the door.

            I sat up, my skin slick and sticky from sweat and being under heavy blankets. My nightgown clung to my skin and my hair was matted down on one side, while it stuck out in different directions on the other. While my hair is extremely short, seems that it can still get messy, I realized begrudgingly. Though my brain was fuzzy and my movements slow and started to get out the bed to answer the door, but Emily waved me away.

            “I’ll get it. Go back to sleep,” she stated while bouncing over to the door, her steps light and airy. I attempted a giggle, but it came out as a cough and I reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. Upon finding it I took a long sip, and sighed at the refreshing feeling that filled my mouth and throat that ran down into my stomach, coating it in warmth. I felt sleepy, although I had just woken up.

            “It’s probably just Abby with some breakfast,” Emily mused, opening the door with a smile. I nodded and moved to roll over and try to go back to sleep when I noticed who was at the door. My eyes widened and my throat felt tight even though I had just took of drink of water. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t think, and my heart pounded so loud in my ears that I was sure it could be heard from the Heavens.

            Because the person at the door…

            …wasn’t Abby.

            It was my master.

            It was Marcus Ishkov.