The Lion's Kiss

VII

"Vika...Vika..."

The voice was faint, but I heard it.

"Vika, wake up."

Then, it all came rushing back to me. I opened my eyes to see the one thing I didn't want to see. Vlad's face.

"Oh, good. I thought I might've hit you too hard," he said laughing to himself.

"Vlad, are you crazy? Let me go!"

"No, I chose you. Now, you must choose me," he said lifting my chin up to face him.

"We're only fourteen, Vlad!"

He slapped me. Hard. I bit my lip to stop myself from crying.

"Vika, look at what you made me do," Vlad said examining my cheek.

I was afraid of him, "What happened to you?"

He stood and without a word left me. The room was built of wood, that was newly chopped down. I was probably close to the village, because I could hear water running close by. 

"I need to escape," I whispered.

My arms were tied tightly, what more to expect of a warrior. I couldn't get loose at all, I could feel my hands tingling. My feet were free, so that was good. Then, I saw blood. 

"I haven't raped you, if that's what you're wondering," he said walking into the room. "I want you to be awake for that part."

I felt so disgusted, but to escape I need to get loose of these ropes. I spread my legs a little bit wider, beckoning him. 

"To do that, I need to touch you."

He gulped, turning away from me, "You know--uh, maybe a different night."

He left. I felt so relived that he went, but how come he was shy around me? He had known and touched a woman's body, so why? 

Vlad didn't come back that night. So, when the moon's beams shined through the cracks of the room, I realized I was alone. Without Anfisa, who was I? 

"They'll soon be coming to look for me," I said with hope.

Then, I noticed I was shaking. Not of the cold, but of how afraid I was. So, much for hope. I cried myself to sleep.

The next morning, Vlad was still know where to be seen. Then, later on in the evening he showed up.

"Oh, you must be starving," Vlad said waving food in my face.

Indeed I was, "Vlad, stop this. Let me go."

He paid no heed to me, "Come on, eat."

I slowly opened my mouth. He continued to feed my like this, slowly.

"No one's looking for you, they all think you went to go find Anfisa."

"Liar..." I said as tears fell down my face. 

"It's true," he said.

All that I stood for, all that I hoped for was being crushed.

"Someone will save me!"

"No, no one will."