OUBLIETTE

My Mistress

LUKAS KOVÁČ

"One more thing," the hairdresser says as he sprays some perfume on my neck and wrists, and then continues, "he's ready."

"You're coming with us to the library." Antoine replies.

"Of course."

With that, Antoine and the hairdresser help me stand on my good leg, and then walk me to the library in a slow and careful pace. I keep my eyes closed as I try to cope with the throbbing pain.

"Wait here." Antoine says as we stand before a large wooden double doors.

Unable to carry my own weights anymore, I stumble toward the wall while the hairdresser quickly put his arm around my waist, trying his best to steady me.

"Whoa, I got you, young man!" his voice shakes, and then continues, "You don't look well."

"Thank you." I murmured.

"What happened?" Antoine asks.

"He needs a doctor."

"Let's bring him inside."

And then I feel Antoine's strong arms holding me tight against his sturdy, muscular physique. And with all the strength I have left, I force myself to walk on my good leg.

"You look... much better!" says a familiar voice. It's the girl again.

"Please, have a seat!" she says, again with a benevolent smile on her face.

There's something different about her, especially the way she dresses; she's wearing an all black attire that compliments her athletic build- not that it looks bad on her, in fact, she looks rather ravishing. Intimidatingly ravishing.

"Do help him, Antoine." She says, and then she turns to face the hairdresser. "Thank you, you did great."

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss!"

"Antoine will walk you out."

Once they walked out the door, I look at the girl in the eyes and ask, "Why am I dressed up like this?"

"You're a part of the family now."

I try my hardest to keep my stare focused on her, but the intimidating ambiance around her makes it impossible for me to do so. "I'm not one of you. I'm nothing more than a prisoner here."

"Well, you are my prisoner, and it comes with a lot of perks."

"Of course." I say sarcastically.

"For a start, you get to keep your pathetic little life." After a brief moment of silence she continues, "And just so you know, you are the only subject that walked out of that slaughterhouse alive, and it is all because of me."

"And what's the purpose of you keeping me here? so you can torture me again once I'm healed?"

The girl closes her eyes as she takes a deep breath. "I'm not going to say this again, so you better listen carefully; I've decided to keep you here with me because you are special. That is all I can say for the time being."

"Now, why don't we put everything behind and start over?" she adds, with a forced smile.

I nod.

"Glad we finally agree on something. I don't think we've been properly introduced, my name is Svetlana. Svetlana Vladimirovna Moskalev." She says as she dangles a hand in my direction.

I gaze at her.

"Lukas Kováč, though I'm sure you already knew that."

"Oh, my apoligies. I completely forget that your hands are still-