SURVIVOR of the WOODS

(5)

~Flashback~

"My name is Dorothea Woods. I'm 17 years old and I'll be joining the arts academy with you as my classmates. I'm looking forward to spend a great year with you all and learn new things each and every day. Thank you!" I said.

Everyone clapped and Mike, my friend, sat next to me and cheered me up. I had met him in the forest near my house one day. I was only 15 years old and was homeschooled. Mike was camping with his parents. We basically met on the first day and became friends. When my father found out about him, he restricted me from meeting him and I was locked inside the house. Even the maid couldn't help me.

When I met him again in the arts academy, he recognised me instantly and we became friends again. One day, as the driver picked me up after the course, Mike had beaten up the driver and we rode to a nearby bar. It was my mistake to follow him. In my mind at that time, I thought that we were only going to have fun while spending time chatting and narrating our lives to each other, but this turned out unexpected. In the bar, Mike introduced some of his friends to me and they were glaring shamelessly at me.

Despite having told him that I felt uncomfortable around them, he didn't listen and kept on chugging his drink. Suddenly, the atmosphere got toxic and those boys, along with Mike, started to touch me inappropriately. I was begging and pleading them to stop. But it got worse when those guys started to slap me. I felt miserable and was frightened to the core! I was so helpless and I hated it. I had no experience about how to fight. I did threw my fists at them, but they were laughing at me and continued touching me.

All I could remember after that was some of my father's men barging inside the bar and saving me. The men beat up those guys and Mike and  dragged me outside. I got a slap on the cheek on that day by my father. It was the first time that he raised his hand on me.

~End of flashback~

I felt the same way today when Freya was being a bitch to me. I felt the same helplessness. In order to avoid future crisis and prevent her from punishing me, I need to follow the orders. And that's exactly what I'll do. I need to get away as fast as possible. Only then, I'll be able to save myself and live freely. All I needed to do was obey and follow her rules to achieve freedom.

After cooling down with a soothing shower, I wore a long blue floral dress, reaching my knee and it had revealing neckline. I had to wear what was found in the wardrobe and there were no pants or shirts! How boring!

*knock knock*

I was hoping it wasn't her.

"It's Damien. May I come in?"

I sighed, "Yeah"

He opened the door and when he saw me, his jaw dropped, "You look stunning!" He complimented.

"Thanks, I guess."

"Are you okay?"

I nodded.

"You know, you don't have to worry about Freya. She may overreact sometimes but she has a soft corner for you."

I scoffed internally, I bet you, she's a reckless bitch! I tried to calm down my intrusive thoughts and instead said, "mm..."

"You probably think I'm taking her side since I work with her, but trust me she's not what you think she is."

"Trust? A little too powerful word to be used in your context." I sighed, "Freya invited me for dinner, so excuse me Damien, but I gotta go." I walked past him while keeping my chin up.

When I descended the stairs, I kept on thinking about ways to get out of here but each time that scene would pop in my head. Is she a lesbian? Am I her attraction? I've never been against the pride flag or whatever but I've never imagined myself being one of them. I'm attracted to the opposite sex not to girls. I do compliment girls cause that's just courtesy and girls power! Now, Freya seems to make it hard for me. I did feel attracted to her when we first met and other times like in the gym and even in the room. Oh my gosh! What am I thinking! Shake it off, Dorothea, she's a girl and you're a girl too. We can't be together! Besides, she's more of a beast than a girl.

The lounge was decorated with magnificent candles and red balloons. So, that's her way to make a move or apologise?

I then saw Freya, dressed in white long sleeved shirt with a black scarf and black crepe wide classic pants. She had gold jewelry, which consisted of a Rollex watch, a beautiful pendant and some rings on her fingers. She had black boots. She looked dashing.

I just stared at her with a strong feeling of suffocating her with the hardest pillow.

"Remember Dorothea, as long as you live here, you're under my supervision. I decide what you should do or not. I'm the one you can also rely on and we'll protect you from danger. But, if you flee, you're digging your own grave."

"The outside world has never been a problem to me."

"It will be. Actually, it already is."

"What are you talking about?"

"During those 3 days, it was pretty hectic for you. But we managed to bring you here, safe and sound."

"You killed my entire family!"

"Let's eat okay? We'll talk about it some other time."

"Put yourself in my shoes. How'd you feel?" I asked, tears begging to slide down my cheeks but I retained them.

She thought for a moment then said, "Grateful to have meals."

"It's better to die and go to hell than staying here with a monster like you! I'm not hungry, eat by yourself!" I started climbing the stairs but she grabbed my wrist.

"Dorothea..."

I cut her off, "Your rule was to not get out of this mansion right? Fine, I'll stay but I'd rather starve to death than see your face." I removed her strong grip from my hand and ran upstairs. Damien heard the whole thing as he stood at the top of the staircase.

I went in my room and closed the door. I changed into pajamas and laid in bed.