Rosaline

4

Rosaline POV

- Flash back / nightmare -

I curled into a tight ball on the ground, bracing myself as multiple sets of feet slammed into me, each kick sending waves of pain through my body. I tried to block it out, but it was impossible.

"This isn't any fun, boys," Matt, one of my father's friends, sneered. "This bitch should feel real pain."

He laughed, and the kicking suddenly stopped. I heard the clicking of something nearby, followed by the sharp crack of a whip hitting the ground. I peeked, my heart racing-and froze. It wasn't just any whip. Metal spikes lined its length, glinting menacingly in the dim light.

The usual whip hurt bad enough, but this-this was something worse. I should've known. His friends never just kicked; they always made sure I was screaming in agony. Every time, I looked to my father, hoping for mercy, even though I knew he hated me. He never let them kill me-but tonight, he was smiling, just like the others.

No. No, this couldn't be happening. Crack! The whip slammed across my back, and I screamed in agony. Before I could catch my breath, another crack tore through me, the pain worse than anything I had ever felt.

- End -

"Rosy," a voice called as the darkness around me began to shake. Hands touched me-no-I thought as my eyes flew open. A man hovered over me, similar to the beautiful one, but older. He was on top of me. No, he can't be.

Panic surged through me as I wormed my way out of his reach, slamming into something soft behind me-softer than anything I'd ever felt before. The light blinded me, and I quickly covered my eyes, shaking. The ground beneath me felt soft-too soft. This wasn't my room. Where was Father? Was this one of his friends? Father wouldn't let them use me like he did... would he? Tears streamed down my face. I didn't like this.

I felt the ground shift beneath me, or was it something else?

"Rosy... I turned the light off," the man said as he walked toward me. The ground moved again, and I backed up, pressing myself against the soft wall behind me.

"Rosy, are you hungry? You've been asleep for a while," his voice came in a soft tone-too soft. It didn't sound right. They usually just tossed me some bread after beating me.

I started shaking even more, shaking my head. But my stomach betrayed me, rumbling loudly. Had it really been that long?

"Sweetie, he's not here anymore. You're safe... I'll get you some food," the man said softly. He laughed, but the ground didn't move like it did when he walked. Slowly, I peeked my eyes open, relieved to see it was dark-comfortably dark.

I glanced over and saw him holding a small box of light, his smile warm when he noticed me looking. I quickly averted my eyes, staring at the ground.

"Rosy, I missed you. We all did. Your brother misses you, too." He tried to move closer, but when he saw me inching back with every step, he stopped and sighed.

The room was silent for a moment before the ground shifted again, and I heard something being moved. The man gently passed me a stuffed elephant.

"You used to love her. Her name is Ellie," he said softly. I stared at the toy. It felt... familiar, but before I could fully process it, there was a knock at the door.

I froze. The man got up and opened the door just a crack, letting light pour into the room. He spoke softly to someone outside, but I couldn't make out the words. My attention drifted back to the stuffed elephant. Ellie. I liked that name. Gently, I patted her head.

"I brought some fruit-you used to love them-and cereal, without the milk," the man said as another person entered and closed the door behind him. It was the beautiful, man from before. He carefully set the tray of food in front of me, his movements slow and deliberate.

I stared at the food, my stomach twisting. I knew I couldn't eat. Not until I was hurt.

"Princess, you need to eat," the younger man urged, gently pushing the food closer to me. I glanced at the tray, then at both of them. They were smiling, but I wasn't sure why.

Slowly, I reached out and took a piece of fruit, bracing myself for the pain that usually followed. But nothing happened. No punishment, no harsh words.

I ate it-then another bite, and then more-until half the food was gone.