A Grimm Life

The Belladonnas

For what seems like an eternity, I feel myself slowly begin to awaken. As I wake, feeling begins to return to my body. A growing warmth envelops my body as my eye slowly opens up. Upon doing so, I see a golden light hanging above me. Even stranger, I see that I'm lying down in a bed, covered with a large red blanket. As comfortable as this was, I couldn't help but feel confused. How did I get here? And how long was I out for? 

I push myself to sit up from the bed. The blanket slowly falls down my body, revealing that I was actually dressed up in much warmer clothing than I had ever known! My torso was covered with a black t-shirt. It was really soft and warm. As I admire the new shirt and the room, I notice I can't see out of my right. I raise a hand to the right side of my face and feel around where my eye should be. Instead of feeling skin, I feel something soft, yet tough and cloth-like, almost as if I had some kind of eyepatch or bandage. 

All of a sudden, I hear a door slide open and I immediately look up to see an older woman with cat ears. I back up against the wall, unsure of who she was. She notices my fear and smiles reassuringly. 

Woman: It's okay, dear. Don't worry, I won't harm you. 

My gaze falls onto the tray in her hands. Steaming hot meat is laid out on the tray with a glass of water. Upon laying my eyes on it, my stomach grumbles, eager to eat. The woman's smile grows a little larger as she approaches me. 

Woman: You must be starving. Here. 

She sits down beside me and hands me the tray, laying it on my lap. I stare at the food with nothing but primal desire to devour. I grab the food and scoff it down into my mouth, relishing in the feeling of eating literally anything. After shoving the food down into my stomach, I grabbed the glass of water and downed it in one go. Miraculously, I didn't choke in my rush to eat and drink. 

Woman: Easy, dear. You've been through a lot. 

She speaks softly as she pats my back. Somehow, her touch brought a sense of peace I thought never existed before. It was just so... motherly. Not like I knew what that kind of peace felt like. 

Woman: I understand you're feeling scared and confused. I'll help you adjust. My name is Kali Belladonna. Like you, I'm a Faunas, so you have nothing to fear here. 

I nod slowly and look around the room, seeing how exotic it was. It was so much more different to everything else I had seen. Kali pats my shoulder. 

Kali: Can you walk? 

I open my mouth to speak, but no noise comes out. A frown comes to my face as I try speaking again, but like before, no noise. I hold a hand up to my neck and feel a bandage. 

Kali: Oh dear... I suppose that answers the question your friend had when he brought you here. He was concerned about your neck wound and worried that you might not be able to speak again. I'm sorry. I tried everything I could, but... 

So my voice was lost? I lower my gaze to my lap, tears building up in my eye. Not only was I blind in one eye, but I had lost my voice too?! How much crueler could those humans be?! They forced children to starve, freeze, work and die and then go on to torture anyone who just wants to be free?! I use my arm to wipe my tears and look back up at Kali. Her eyes soften, her cat ears fall and to my surprise, she wraps her arms around me, pulling me to her body. I can't help but return the hug and lean my head onto her shoulder. 

The two of us stay like this for some time before a voice calls out to Kali. 

???: Mom? Is he okay? 

Kali and I separate from the hug and turn to the door, seeing another girl, younger than me with black hair and cat ears. She bore a close resemblance to Kali.