Queen Of Paradox (Unedited)

Past, Meet Present

Rose sat curled up in Randolph's lap, not daring to move an inch. She'd been in this same position since he arrived at the club. He'd scooped her up into his arms and she had immediately stopped screaming, and burrowed deeper into his chest. Now they were back at the castle, seated on his bed. "Rose...you need to let the doctor have a look at you.." Randolph beseeched for what had to be the hundredth time. Rose gave a small sigh and clung harder to his shirt.

She was still raw from it all. One moment she had been having a pretty good time and the next...she didn't know. She just knew pain like she'd never experienced before filled her head until it was all she knew. But now that she was back in the safety of the castle, in familiar territory, she felt fine. shaken up, yes. But fine otherwise. She also knew Randolph wouldn't believe that unless a medical professional told him, so she reluctantly nodded her consent.

* * *

"Are you sure?" Randolph asked for the fifth time. The poor doctor looked about ready to strangle him. "Yes, she's perfectly fine. Physically. Like I said, this is common in patients with memory loss. Often times, the first few memories that hold significance, can cause pain like she experienced."

Rose didn't really know how to take all this. Was he telling her she had a memory? Then why couldn't she remember it now? And more importantly, what triggered it? "Is there a way I can remember without the pain?"

"Eventually, yes. But the first few will follow in this same pattern, unfortunately. It helps if you have someone you trust there to ground you, sort of pull you back." Unable to help herself, she peeked over at Randolph and flushed when she realized his eyes had already been on her. Is that why she had stopped screaming when he showed up?

Well, it made sense when she thought about it. He always seemed to have that effect on her...

~ ~ ~

I groaned and shifted to my left only to feel a sharp pain blossom along my ribs. My eyes flew open and everything inside me stilled as my eyes took in as much as they could. I was in a bedroom that was elaborately decorated and reeked of luxury. But otherwise seemed safe...the breath I was holding whooshed out and I slowly sat up. Then it hit me like a javelin. I was empty. hollow. I didn't exist in my own mind. None of the things around me were familiar, and no memory of myself surfaced.

Panic like a tidal wave washed over me and I scrambled to my feet. I didn't stay up long. Like I marionette without strings, I crumbled into an ungraceful heap. The pain along my rib from earlier making another appearance. Hissing, I looked down at myself and noticed the source of my discomfort. The robe I was wearing was gaping open and displaying the bandages wrapped around midsection.

My eyes widened and I tugged frantically at it. It was covering what looked like a knife wound that was nearly healed. I shrugged off the robe and took in the rest of my body. Healing, or freshly healed, cuts and bruises littered my body from head to toe. Fear rippled through me and I started shaking uncontrollably. What's wrong with?! W-who did this? Why am I like this?

I clutched my head and screamed, my naked body bowing in on itself. It didn't take long for the room door to burst open. My head flew up and my wide eyes took in the three guards rushing into the room. I didn't have time to think through my next actions. I moved on pure instinct. Leaping to my feet I grabbed the nearest item, which happened to be a lamp, and flung it at the closet guard. It nailed him in the head and he went down instantly.

The second one cursed and reached for me but I was ready. I lifted my leg and delivered a quick succession of kicks to his midsection. He doubled over with a pained groaned and I took the opportunity to race past him. The third one was expecting my attack, and countered it. His brawny arm circled my waist and lifted me off the ground. I screamed and thrashed in his hold.