Something was off.
Though at the same time, everything was completely fine.
Kinda like when you wake up in the middle of the night with a horrid nightmare only to realize that you are completely safe; but in your head you know that monster is waiting for you to fall back asleep. You knew everything was fine, but didn’t want to give in and call your parents to come rescue you. You were a big boy now and wore the big boy pants to prove it.
I knew I shouldn’t be able to move or think without something screaming in protest for me to stop...but I was completely fine. Untouched even. Which hardly made any sense in my head. Though, the more I thought about it, the more I started to get chills running down my spine. I should have a broken foot or some kind of ghastly wound that would prove that this was all real. But no, I was as fit as a fiddle.
Opening my eyes, I tried to distinguish just where the hell I was, but coldly got rejected. Blindfolded, of course. Or possibly I had lost my sight..? Squinting just a tad, I began to see bits of holes through the thin fabric that had blinded me. I continued to squint until my vision had started to blur around the edges and my eyes grew sore. I had only faintly seen what was around and the rest of my sense picked up from there.
I was in a cemented room with a small window directly in front of me, though it was only around 2ft big, it was enough for me to gather some hope. A wooden chair was sitting comfortably right in front of that window though, as if making sure I would not move at all. Sounds of restless crickets and moving trees told me to relax, as if I was home in bed. The smell of rain was enough to drive me asleep, but the cold metal that held my arms up above my head said otherwise.
Everything was calm. There was no hint that there was any danger around, well except for the shackles, and that everything would be fine. I light smile danced around my face as I took in the cold air through my nose. It seemed like I was torturing myself with the thought of sleep alone. Letting the breath out from my mouth, I decided I would first find out where I was then…possibly take a nap.
I opened my ears for the faintest sound of a scream or a yell but it was quiet, except for the crickets that continually buzzed. Was it possible that someone had forgot about me…or was I just here to rot in this place till someone found my bones.? Or maybe they were saving the best for last? They were sharpening their swords and arrows making sure to get everything nice and clean for me.
My eyes suddenly snapped open at this conclusion as fear slowly began to fill me. I did not want to die. Not here and not now. Pulling at the shackles, I waited for them to break only to be slapped in the face by rejection once again. This cannot be happening. I did nothing wrong! Well, that I know of that is. Shaking my head, I took a deep breath. No, I needed to calm down again. This is what they wanted.
I just needed to calm myself down, but not make it so I was completely calm and start floating off into my own world.
“Just go to your happy place…Just go to your happy place…” I silently chanted as I slowly closed my eyes. Everything is fine. Nothing bad will happen at all.
My village then appeared in my head. A warm, large village that sat at the bottom of a lush, green mountain by a streaming creek with cold water. Small animals scampering around cautiously towards the water for a drink as others ate from the green grass. Deer jumped across the mountain in strides as wolves hungrily chased after them. Children copied the wolf as they chased after stray cats and dogs, then pleading to keep them when caught. The woman would be laughing to one another or spreading the new gossip around as they did their chores around the large village, while the men, further away were busy training the boys. The girls would idly be watching and staring as they picked the fruits and vegetables in the gardens.
A faint sense of calm and happiness then wrapped itself around me. Everything was indeed fine and I would be out of here in a matter of time. They probably just got the wrong girl. I wasn’t the type of girl who would run in the face of danger or disobey one of the soldiers that kept order in our village. Yea, I was completely fine. I was in no sort of trouble at all. They had just mistaken me for-
My whole body sudden tensed as I heard a bloodcurdling scream. My eyes snapped open, watching the door to see if anyone would walk in. The scream then echoed again through the walls, a man’s scream. It was hoarse and faint, but it did sound like they were in a lot of pain. Though, it sounded like it was trying to say something. I needed to find out what he was screaming about, maybe it was clue to where I was at...or something. Opening my eyes slowly, I opened my ears to hear the man’s yell this time. This time though, it was much louder and I could understand what it was saying.
‘Ciel’ it yelled.
He was screaming my name.
Then everything went silent…
