Stealing Beauty

Part 24- Burns and Beatings

*Natalie's P.O.V.*

They finally let me out of the box, only to be dragged back to my cell in chains and handcuffs. The Queen followed behind her guards, annoying orange heels clacking behind her. When I was put back in my cell, the Queen turned to me from behind the closed bars.

"You'll have a couple visitors today, then maybe a meal if I feel like giving it to you. I hadn't quite decided if your ribs are showing through your skin enough yet. You do look sick, however." She spat, with a smile behind her mask that reached her eyes. This woman was absolutely delusional.

"Go to hell," I said back, exhausted from all the pain she directly and indirectly inflicted on me.

"Oh sweetie, we're already here," she cackled. Where had I heard that laugh from?

No. Not her.

"Hadn't you noticed? I've been here for a long time, even demoted the Devil from his throne."

"Maeve," I started, but she stopped me.

"Uh-uh. I am the Queen. That Maeve girl died a long time ago." With that, she turned and walked away, her guards falling in step behind her.

It wasn't long until I wasn't alone again. Someone came in, wearing a black mask to cover her mouth, and a long black gown to match. Her eyes were brown, and they were natural. She wasn't wearing any contacts to hide her distinct features.

"Hello, Natalie."

"Great, another bitch in a mask. Who are you all trying to kid? Yourselves? What's the point in hiding?" I bitched, despite my low energy. They could strip me of my clothes, beat me until my throat bled from the screams, isolate me and starve me. But they couldn't take away my anger. It may be adding fuel to the fire, but they've already done everything they can to me. What more could they do?

They'd be doing me a favor if they just killed me.

"Who's hiding?" The girl said, pulling down her mask until her entire face showed.

I don't believe it. The girl from my nightmares and worst fears.

Chloe Stark.

"Well if this isn't a surprise," I blew out with a sigh.

"Konnor's doing real well. I saw him the other day in case you were wondering."

She smiled sickly at me, and if I hadn't been beaten bad enough, I might get up and give her a dose of kick ass.

This bitch...

"Cute kid y'all have together, by the way."

"Don't you say shit about my daughter. I swear I'll-"

"You'll what? Beat my ass? Yeah, okay. Not from where I'm standing. The way I see it, you definitely peaked in high school. Starvation has done nothing for you, Natalie. You know there are people you can talk to about your eating disorders?"

She was picking fights with me. I knew it. Chloe was trying to mess with my head just like Maeve does.

"Anyway, not only that, but you seem a little worse for wear. You look like shit."

"Fuck you."

"I'm sure I can get Avellino in here to take care of that," she smirked. So she met the dashing and oh-so-charming Avellino?

I swear to all that is good and holy when I get out of here...

"But until then," she started towards me, "I'll have to handle you myself."

Her first hit came for my nose, already causing blood to trickle down. Everything in my was yelling to fight, but I couldn't tell my muscles to move. I stumble backwards and reached for my nose, but she stopped me with another blow.