Their Princess

Chapter 47

It's too dark here. No matter what I do, this darkness doesn't fade. There's light above me, but it's so distant that no matter how higher I jump, I just can't reach it. 

It's too late. They're here already. I know this fact without having to turn my back. I can feel their eyes on me, mocking me.

I jump when one of them throw something on the back of my head and starts laughing hysterically. Still, I don't turn. Scared enough from their presence only. But I immediately pick up the half eaten fruit they hit me with.

There's almost nothing left in it, but beggars can't be choosers. I sit in a corner with my back to them so that they don't snatch the only food I've received since I don't know how long. But the moment I take a bite, it disappears. 

I'm hungry.

I'm thirsty.

Why aren't they feeding me? I cry silently so that I don't disturb them. Maybe they will feed me, if I'm good.

When I look up, I notice that I'm sitting under a tree. It's still dark, but I can see people moving around. I'm sitting right in front of them, hugging my knees to my chest, but nobody pays me in any mind. They keep doing what they're doing, ignoring my presence.

Tears never stopped running from my eyes, but now I don't stop the noises coming from my throat. I want them to see me. I want them to hear my pain. Why are they ignoring me? What did I do? 

A whimper slips from my lips when I hear a gentle whisper in my ear, calling me back from this nightmare. 

“ Hey. Daddy is here now. Come back to me.” I sniff harder, trying to compose myself but can't do. When I open my eyes, I see his pained expression. Is he hurt somewhere?

Before I can ask him about his pain, he hugs me to his chest and starts rocking my body with his. I notice others when a peck lands on the back of my head.

“ You're so brave, princess.” Someone mutters under his breath.

I recall what made me cry, and almost instantly, this huge room started to make me feel claustrophobic. I claw at my throat, trying to breathe properly, but a hand stops my movement. 

“ You'll get yourself hurt, baby. Tell me. what do you want?”

I try to shake his hand away but don't get any far. 

“ I think she is having trouble breathing.”

“ Out. Please.” I push out the words almost painfully. Without any delay, Alerix gets up and takes me outside in the garden, where I try to compose my breath.

It feels like an hour has passed when I move my head from Alerix’s shoulder to look around me. Eli, Zed, and another guy are here sitting around me in a semicircle. 

“ You okay now?” I nod at Alerix absently. They look worried for me. It's embarrassing. I don't want these handsome guys to think that I'm a broken girl. I want them to like me. 

I jump in surprise when the unknown guy falls to his knees in front of me. Looking at his red swollen eyes, I can guess that he had some rough days. I don't like the broken look in his eyes. It pains me.

I'm startled when he throws his head on my lap. I hear him sniff loudly. What happened to this poor guy? Who hurt this gentle giant? Something in me wants to fight for him to bring him justice or at least bring some comfort to him.

So I cup his cheeks and make him face me. I kiss both of his cheeks and then hug him to my chest just like what Alerix does for me. It always makes me feel that I'm not alone, and when he rubs my back, I feel like there's someone who has my back. That I don't have to do this alone.