Forced

Anastasia to the Rescue

I had spent most of the night crying, soaking my sheets until I couldn't possibly cry any longer.

At one point in the night, my mom came in and made circular motions with her hands on my back. It relaxed me.

"You'll be alright, Macy." My mother said. She sounded as if she wasn't really trying to convince me, but trying to convince herself.

That was reassuring. Note that that was sarcasm.

"I know, mom." I murmured.

Later in the night I woke up from a crazy dream. I had dreamt that Luke had poisoned my mom's tea, then... Luke had transformed into a pig and ate light.

I'm not going crazy. Well... Right?

Nothing like a big great lunch feast right after a restless night. Sucks to be me, I guess.

Yeah, I kind of forgot about the fact that I was going to be marrying Luke. So I was in a reasonable mood. Reasonable.

I had gotten out of my bed sleepily, heart pounding because I knew I had received news I hadn't liked last night. My throat hurt, although I guessed that was from the crying.

Why was I crying? That was the big question.

The carpet was warm on my bare feet. I sat at the end of the bed, bringing my knees up to my chest.

I fought back tears. I felt homesick, but I was in my room. Darn hormones, I guess. I looked to my left, observing my sitting room.

Facing away from me, was my cushy brown couch. It faced the roaring fire, embracing the heat of the flames. Another, shorter, brown cushy couch faced inward. In the middle of the two couches and the fire there was a circular table.

A large window faced me a few meters away. I could see the tips of the oak trees, the buzzing noise of nature relaxed me.

I didn't hear a knock, but I could hear the door click open. Sharp, muffled footsteps crossed the room to me.

I glanced up, and saw Luke standing there.

"Morning, sweetie." He spat menacingly, giving me a toothy grin.

"Good morning, nut head. You're nuttier than squirrel crap!" I snarled back at him, standing up abruptly.

I was about to run the other way, but he caught my wrist in a painful hold.

"Ah!" I whispered, fighting back tears.

I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to marry this idiot. I tried to tug myself free, but he twisted my arm. He pressed his fingers into my skin painfully. It burned, tight. Burning. Pain. Sting.

"Get away from me! Ow! Crap... Stop it! You're abusing me!" I shrieked, howling in pain.

My tears stung, burning my skin. He twisted me around to face him.

"Honey, don't ignore me." He muttered in my face. His face was red from the effort of controlling me.

He pushed me backward, my shoulders hitting the wall painfully.

"Ah! Luke! Ow! Stop it!" I cried in pain, "Help! Anastasia! Please! Anastasia! Anastasia! Help!"

Luke chuckled softly and threw back his head.

"Macy, you're very loud. I don't like it." He spat, anger flashed in his eyes.

"Get off her!" Cried a honey sweet voice from the door.

I peered around Luke and saw Anastasia running towards me.

Hair rumpled, a mad look flashed in her glittering eyes.

She made contact onto his temple with her fist, with a dull clunk.

The sound filled silence killed me. The crackling fire tortured me.

I glanced at Luke, who was laying across the carpet. His temple bleeding, he was obviously knocked out.

I looked at Anastasia curiously, who was panting. Her hands were on her hips.

I scowled at her, "No hitting people, remember?"

"I know." She mumbled, clearly ashamed.

My face split into a grin, "Anastasia! That was awesome! Come on, cheer up!" I cried, exasperated.

She smiled, which I was grateful for.

"I guess you're right."

"Heck yeah, I'm right."