Survivor

Chapter 9 - A New Twist

    When I woke up it felt like I'd been sleeping for days. As much as I wished I had the pain where my cuts are and the sun slightly in the air shows it's the next morning. At least I got almost 12 hours of sleep. I gently and ever so slowly got up and baby stepped to the bathroom. The cool morning air in the house, border line mansion, nipped at my bare upper half. When I finally make it to the bathroom I look in the mirror to inspect the damage on my back. With all the dried up blood you can't tell where the actual cuts are. With that note I go get the shower ready and gingerly get in and wash all the blood and sweat from my body.

    When I get out there is a pink tint to my body and I feel clean but still achy. This time when I look into the mirror I know immediately it's going to take a good week for them to stop bleeding completely and start to heal. It's going to be pretty miserable.

     It slowly began to go into a routine: wake up, clean wounds, clean, get yelled at or beaten, shower, and eat when allowed. I was the same thing over and over. Soon enough the weeks were starting to fly by. Then those weeks turned into months, I'd say I've been here for a good three months. My hair is down to my waste. I can now count every one of my rib bones with out a struggle. Since Artemis only feeds us enough so we don't die but I think he's putting something in the food or drinks he gives us. My chest and butt haven't gotten smaller like they are supposed to. Instead I think they are getting slightly bigger. I know he is planning something and by the only changes I see, the chest and butt growth, I don't think I'm going to like it. I'm still sticking up for the others causing me to now have more scars than Rene and Linda combined. My cheeks are hollow, there's black circles under my eyes and no clothes without holes for us to wear. I have gotten exceptionally close to all the girls here, even Ariel has taken a strange liking to me. And I can honestly say I will not be warming up to any men for a long, long time.

    I was just putting away the vacuum when Artemis yelled out, "Rene, Linda and Neveah to the living room. Now!" He hasn't had a meeting in a while, maybe he's finally telling us what he has been planning. When we all are seated on the big couch, him standing in front of us like always, he begins, enthusiasm clear in his voice, "I have decided you girls will dance, it's not optional so don't even try to get out of it. There will be more humans there that are in your predicament but it is held at a high school for vampires. Every week day you guys will get dressed and ready in clothes in these bags," out of nowhere a black leather bag is getting tossed at us. Each has a black and purple zip in the front sports bra, black shorts with a thin purple line in the middle and black dance shoes.  He continues to talk while we look at the skimpy clothing, "in the morning, again no complaining. In the pockets there's deodorant, perfume, a towel and shampoo and conditioner. You will be drove there by me. The students will see you but I suggest don't be rude or say any snide comments. When you get back around 3 o'clock you will eat, do your cleaning and then go to bed. You will be getting fed more so you can last the whole practice and you'll be getting water bottles when you get there. But they will be staying there."

    He finally pauses giving us a chance to ask questions but none of us do.

    "You'll be starting tomorrow so I suggest hurrying up and finish your cleaning, eat then go to bed. We'll be leaving at 6 am sharp. There will be classes going on as well so stay in the dance room, do as your told and don't be loud." With that we all leave the living room.

    I'm kind of excited but I'm also nervous and cautious. I've always wanted to learn how to dance but I don't think this is going to turn out to be normal dancing. But who knows.

    I'm already done with my cleaning so I head to the kitchen to get something to eat. When I get there Edna is there. She gives me a nice smile and I return it. We don't talk while I'm in there which I don't mind. Soon enough I'm back in my room, getting ready for bed. When I lay down I can't help but wonder how this is going to turn out.