We are all entitled to be beautiful

Chapter Twelve- Bruised and Bloody

Rose's P.O.V

My eyes snapped open, to see only an abyss of darkness. The metallic taste of blood plaguing my mouth. I begin to adjust to the darkness but there's nothing here in this room apart from me. I stare down at my hands and see ugly black and purple bruises on them, they're bound to a chair with large strips of metal.

I can only vaguely remember being interrogated, refusing to reveal my 'plans' just sitting there, because I didn't have any plans and I don't know why they seem almost...intimidated by me. All I wanted to do was show people what true beauty is.

 To think all this happened because I wrote a few words on a scrap of paper. I thought they were going to kill me because I wasn't telling them what they wanted to hear.

That's when a thought struck me, something that had been nagging at my brain.

But I'm still alive...I should be dead but I'm alive-

Despite everything, I feel my lips curl into a small smile.

If I'm still alive that means they need me for something and I can use that against them.

I won't tell them anything even though I don't know anything, they can torture me all they want but they're going to have to stop after some point either because I black out or because if they carry on they'll kill me which means they won't get what they want and whatever information they think I have would be lost.

Click- the door swung open.

Staring upwards, I can see the faint outline of a tall figure but nothing more. The room is still absolutely dark and my eyes haven't adjusted enough to see who it is. I don't need to see them though because I know exactly who it is. I stop looking and just stare down at my feet.

"How nice to see you," a voice filled with feigned affection, a voice filled with arrogance a voice that can only belong to the Queen. "Rosalind,"

"Don't you dare call me that," my voice is a raspy croak but you can still hear the anger in it, the boiling anger that keeps building up. I feel a pang of pain as I hear that name only my parents ever call me. I can't help but think the Queen has done something to them.

"If you've done anything to them I swear I'll kill you," I hiss. She laughs in a shrill manner. My ears ring at the noise.

"Oh don't you worry your parents are still safe...in the castle obviously." she cackles.

"What!" I cry, my heart pounding what has she done to them.? Horror fills my features. My eyes were wide with fear.

She continues to laugh coldly, " You always were so naive, of course, I don't have your parents in my own castle my quarrel is not with them," She pauses now coming closer and closer. With her long pale fingers, she grabs my face forcing me to look up and stare into her eyes. "Your parents are actually quite good citizens very admirable indeed such a shame you aren't like them,"

"What do you want with me, why am I still alive?" I need to know what they want if I'm going to have any chance o using it against them.

"That's simple," she lets go of me and begins to sigh. "You're the only way to control him," she whispered coldly before adding, "He'll do anything for you,"

 "The deal is," she begins. "If he doesn't obey us then you die."

I take a moment to process this before snapping," Why would he care if I die or not? He didn't seem to care about me before so why now?"

"Because he loves you," she sneers in a disgusted manner.

"He does not!" I shriek hardly able to control my anger because I know it's true, deep down I think, despite everything, I've known for a long time. 

She begins to walk away, opening the door with that irritating click sound.

I shout after her, "YOU CAN TELL HIM TO LET ME DIE! HE DOESN'T NEED TO SAVE ME!" She stops a moment her hand still firmly grasped on the door. I take my chance and continue shouting, "Because he's the one who needs saving from you! All of you! He is the only one who can change everything, everything you destroyed. If he truly loved me he would fix it." 

" I would do anything to show people what true beauty is if he can do that, change the beliefs you drilled into the minds of everyone, and the only cost is my life I'm willing to pay it, even to help someone I once hated. If I die he will be free because you have no way of controlling him without me. You said it yourself. I've finally realised that even after everything I forgive him. " I'm talking more to myself than her but I can see her tightening her grip on the metal door.

"I found that I need to forgive but not forget, remember why I forgave them and hold onto that forever," I whisper so softly I can barely hear myself but I know she does because she slams the door as she leaves.

The abyss of darkness still engulfs me as I close my eyes and listen to my ragged breaths. Thinking only one thing over and over again.

"I forgive you, Xavier," I murmur.

Note to reader:

I hope you liked that chapter. Now you may be wondering why on Earth did  they beat Rose black and blue when the Queen claims that the only reason Rose is alive is to control Xavier, pretty twisted I know, but the thing is that's exactly what's going to make Xavier obey her if he sees her all bruised up and bloody, hence the chapter name, he'd get angry, yes but it pushes him to do what they say. He doesn't want her to be hurt anymore. Plus, they actually do think that Rose has some master plan to start a revolution.

Anyway I know it was a pretty dark chapter but I liked Rose's speech do you think it's really really idiotic of her to forgive Xavier after the book ban and the chemicals or do you agree with Rose that we have to forgive and remember? I think it's a really interesting question. Do you also think that she is being pretty stupid by saying she'd die to show everyone what true beauty is?

Just something to think about. Until the next chapter...

Lavender