Dreams

Eight

I wake up in my room. Not the castle prison room, but my room. The one with the pasted stars, and all the books, and all the art supplies. I see my laptop on a nearby desk.

My stomach grumbles loudly. My mouth is completely dry. I run towards the door but it is locked.

"Damien!" I shout at the ceiling, holding my loud stomach. "Let me out!"

"You seem forget. Whenever I bring you to your normal room, we play a game. If you want to eat, you'll have to play first. Find the-"

"-lie," I finish, and I follow with a sigh.

Okay, you can do this, Lia!

I look around. I open the laptop, and check my emails and texts. Nothing new from Casey. Well, I didn't expect Damien to use the same trick twice. I check my closet for anything out of my usual wardrobe, but everything I know I own is there. I check my bookshelf, looking for something out of place. For a long time, I'm just wandering in my room.

I let out a groan, as I crash back into bed. I don't even care about the light hitting my face. I'm too hungry. This was much easier last time. Obviously Damien's not going to let me starve, but it's not about the food. It's about me failing, again.

Keep trying.

I open my eyes, and I gaze at all the stars on my ceiling. My eyes land on one of them. A glowing star. I stare at it for quite a bit longer before I realize. The sun is out. Why is that star glowing?

"It's the star!" I announce, but nothing happens.

Really, Damien? You're going to make me reach it?

I stand up on my bed, but even then, I fall a bit short. I begin to stack my pillows when I realize the easier solution. I get a pen from the table and I use that to hit the star until it falls.

The effect is so sudden, I am launched off the bed. The door opens right away, and I feel sweet arms trying to help me up. I see Tansy's kind looking face. "Oh dear, miss, let me help you!" she says. Once I'm back on my feet, she studies me for any injuries. "Good, you don't seem to have a concussion."

"Thank you." On cue, the monster in my belly roars. I need to feed the beast. "Breakfast?"

"I'm sorry, miss, I'm afraid you're not ready yet."

"I'll wear the stupid dress, I just want to eat."

"Miss, that's not what I meant. You need to be bathed first."

I'm led through several staircases, and various hallways. Hunger takes its effect on my body. My head spins and I feel sick. I cannot see straight. My legs threaten to give. I have one hand holding Tansy tightly, with my other trying to sooth my aching tummy.

We reach what must be the bathroom, one with a giant circular tub that could pass as a pool. The floor is made of white marble, and unlike the rest of the castle, it doesn't look like it's falling apart. I'm undressed, and bathed, and soon I'm in bubbles. The water helps my fatigued state, although only by a little. Throughout the whole thing, Tansy helps me.

If only she could help me in other things too.

Perhaps it's my dizziness, and my head failing to process things, but the next thing I remember clearly is being fully dressed and ready, sitting across Damien in his table.

The food is presented at last. This time, I don't think twice. I grab the closest plate, and mix it with some rice. Bite after bite makes everything all better. For a moment, I don't care that an evil, psychopathic, sorcerer is holding me prisoner in his castle. That is until the food takes its effect, and I remember my hopeless situation.