Lets Play Darling

25

*Mr. Gray's POV*

I finish bandaging Kassy and all I can do is wait. I can't go to town, all the guards must be keeping watch for me by now. All I can do is sit with my thoughts til she wakes up. Hours pass and the sun is starting to fall. I sit in the chair by Kassy and prop my legs on the side of the bed and drift off to sleep.

*Mr Grey's POV in His Dream*

I look around. This place looks so familiar. I hear a woman and a few men talking outside. I hear people walking through the streets. Where do I know this place from? It seems so long ago. I sit up and look out the window. The man and woman are right outside my window and I listen into what they are saying. 

"I know he's a young boy, but he's a hard worker and he is really resilient. Please take him to work on your farm. For payment all I am asking is you give me some food please" the woman tells the man.

I remember where I am now. This is my home town, where I was born and I lived here until I was 9  when my mother sent me to slave away on a farm in exchange for food for her.

Everything goes black and I hear a man yelling. "What are you doing boy" I hear a snap and yell in pain. Everything lightens up and I see my arms tied to a tree "You aren't to disobey my rules" he continues on and whips me again. " I try to be nice. I give you one rule, to not take MY crops for yourself. That's the only rule I give you and you cant even follow it" I look back to see him drawing his arm back to whip me again and everything returns to darkness.

I hear another feminine voice. She sounds firm in her orders, but still nicer than the farm man. "No, no, no Eric" she says. My vision returns to me and I see a very familiar face. Mrs. Prindlen, I remember her well. " You don't eat with your elbows on the table. that is bad manners" She started out so nice and understanding but that quickly changed.

The illusion flips. Its the same place, just darker and colder. Most likely closer to winter. I'm at the same table and Mrs. Prindlen is furious. "How dare you mess with my findings! You know the drill" she points to the desk and I reluctantly put my hands on it palms down. I see that my hands are already covered in lines from previous mistakes. She grabs a small switch and smacks my hands with them. The switch is so thin, yet very sturdy. It draws a bit of blood with each smack.

Everything changes again. I'm standing outside on a porch. By the greenery I assume its mid to late spring. The wind is gentle and cooling. It's silent for a moment but then I hear the sounds of horses coming our way. Almost as quick as I heard it I see a man. I recognize them as Mr. Prindlen. He must be done with his research voyage. 

"Eric. Take the horse to the stable why don't you? And once you are done with that come down the dining room. Lunch is about to be through." Mrs. Prindlen says.

She didn't seem to excited to see him. It's not much of a surprise to me however. Mr. Prindlen is never around and when he is all they do is fight. She had many affairs while he was gone on his trip and I'm surprised they have not considered splitting ways.  From what the rumors say, she only married him for his money, and he only married her because of her high reputation in the community. They couldn't be more wrong together. But who am I to say?

I put the horse in the stable with a bit of hay for it to snack on then head down to the dining room. I hear them yelling at each other and it's sounding pretty heated. I run in to try and cool things down but before I can say anything Mrs. Prindlen orders me to my room. I refuse and Mr. Prindlen slaps me. "Do what you are told boy. You should know not to disrespect your authorities like that, but it seems my wife doesn't know how to teach you a lesson when you do wrong." 

I hold my ground, not wanting his wrath to be taken out on her. Women shouldn't be hit, but in his rage he doesn't know when to stop. He takes off his belt and begins beating me with it. He keeps hitting me till I'm on the ground unable to move from all the pain. Mrs Prindlen screams at him to stop "spare the poor boy" she says.

Everything goes black but I still feel the pain. Not just from him but from all of the people who had disciplined me with whips and belts and anything else they could get their hands on. With all this time passed I had hoped I would have forgotten by now.

*Mr. Gray's POV*

I wake up from that nightmare. I am on the floor, I guess I stirred a bit too much and fell out of the chair while reliving those memories. I look at Kassy, who is still passed out then look outside the window at the rising sun.