Crimson

Chapter 1

For all she knows, there is nothing that can hurt her anymore. Numb. She feels nothing but numbness despite the never-ending whip and slashes, or being forcefully drowned in a freezing, cold water river, or an attack from a bear (pet of her enemy/captor) which almost cut her head off (thankfully, she's got good reflexes – intensely good, if I may say), and even the mind control of the Sid Brothers that can torture your mind and soul in the most painful, agonizing way. How she survived them all and the others, she had no idea.

But, numb. Yes, she is numb now. She doesn't cry like she used to whenever she sees the cell that reminds her of another punishment she thinks she never deserved. She doesn't scream anymore every time she sees the Lawlers, the one who arrested her and brought her in the place one should not and do not want to go, the Queen's House. One may think that it is a nice place to go to from the sound of its name. But in truth, everyone, even she, is aware that there is nothing good in there. Only pain. And blood...and of course, death.

How many months have gone by? Or, was it years? Elena's not sure. She doesn't even remember other details of her life. There's a farm, a small house, a fence, and then there's that big old tree. Who is that sitting by the hearth? Oh, her mother! And the man who's all drenched up with sweat from cutting woods? Father. A little boy's playing with other little kids by the yard. There are also other older men and women all dressed the same. All smiling. Everyone's talking as if all of them are connected, a family. Wait...what? Elena remembers. She came from an orphanage.

That doesn't matter now though. Although she doesn't feel anything, her head has always been clear: she needs to escape. No matter how impossible it may seem, to her, being here alive is as good as death, and she doesn't want to die yet.

Elena looks around her cell. She doesn't want to die yet... just like everybody else in the room with her.