Black Rose

False pretences.

Trigger warning
Chapter contains indecent assault.

I ended up lying down again, and falling into a restless sleep. Despite being wrapped, my wounds still ached, and every so often I would wake up in a fit of pain and cry out. Gwen didn't come back, and neither did Blake, so I was left alone to suffer and attempt to sleep.

I was awake, lying still in the thin sheets, when someone finally returned. I turned my head, hoping to see Gwen walking through the door. My heart dropped when I realised it wasn't her.

Blake threw me a deceivingly soft smile, as he shut the door. He slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, and looked down at me. I tried not to give in and look away, holding his gaze as best I could. He reached out a hand to brush my matted damp fringe from my eyes and I couldn't help but flinch. He noticed the movement and pursed his lips.

After a few moments, he spoke. "I brought you down some food, my Rose. It is in the kitchen. You're going to have to get up to come with me."

My heart started racing with the prospect of walking all the way to the kitchen. I could barely sit up, let alone have the strength to walk. I wanted to refuse, to stay where I was, but the moment he mentioned food, I was suddenly aware of how hungry I was.

I clenched my eyes shut and with as much strength as I could muster, I lifted the sheets from my skin and pulled myself up so I was sitting on the edge of the bed. I heard a sharp intake of breath from Blake, then a chuckle. Hesitantly, I opened my eyes and looked up at him, only to find him staring down at my bandaged chest.

"Iris has been down here." He said, and I felt a twinge of guilt, hastily crossing my arms over my wrapped chest.

He let out a chuckle and shook his head, then reached out a hand. "Come, my rose. Your dinner will get cold."

Reluctantly, I took his hand and slowly stood. I felt a jab of pain as my bandages shifted with movement, and without meaning to, I fell against him, hissing with pain. He held me until the pain subsided, and I suddenly realised what I had done and quickly pulled away from him. He threw me a deceivingly warm smile, and I couldn't help but look away, feeling small and weak in his presence. You did this to me, I wanted to say to him. I wanted to wipe that false smile from his lips. But I didn't. I kept my mouth shut.

"Shall we?" He said, opening the door for me. I didn't respond, just passed him and headed down the hallway, ignoring the pain aching across my skin. 

The smell of curry filled my senses, and I quickened my pace, my stomach growling angrily within me. I pushed into the living area and headed towards the table, but before I could sit down in front of the plate of food, Blake grabbed a hold of my arm and tugged me away. I yelped at the pain the action caused, and instinctively reached for his hand to pry myself away. His grip only got tighter, and he shook his head and spoke.

"Not so fast, my rose. You remember the rule of our last meal together. You only eat if you eat with me." He slowly sat down at the end of the table, in front of the large bowl of curry and rice. There was more than enough for the both of us, but that wasn't what I was worried about.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and stared down at the food. My stomach was aching with hunger, and I knew with my wounds I needed as much nutrition I could get. But I wasn't ready to give up like I did last time.

Blake smirked at me, before he lifted the fork and started eating. He made a noise, almost moaning as he swallowed the mouthful. He looked up at me, grinning as he scooped some more onto the fork. The longer I stood there, the more my resolve crumbled.

He lifted the fork to his lips, teasing me as he chewed, and making a show of licking his lips.

Tears pulled at my eyes, and finally I gave in.

"Fine." I choked out, and in an instant, he tugged at my wrist and pulled me onto his lap.

It took all my willpower to sit still, when all I wanted to do was sprint as far away as I could, but with some effort I kept myself rooted where I was, and let him slowly fill a fork full of food, and lift it to my lips. Feeling like a coward, I let him feed me, too weak willed to stand my ground. I expected him to eat too, like he did at our last meal, but this time he only fed me. I wanted to ask why, but every time I opened my mouth to speak he shovelled some more curry in it. I ate until I was full, then he kept feeding me. I tried to move away, but he held me in place on his lap with one steady and strong hand, forcing the last few mouthfuls into my mouth with the other.

When he finally let me go, I scrambled to my feet, feeling ill and queasy. He let out a sigh, and pushed the bowl away from him across the table. "Clean up, my rose. And don't throw a temper tantrum this time."

My stomach churning, I picked up the empty bowl and carried it across to the sink. The room was filled with silence as I washed it, and I was sure that Blake could hear my heart beating. I carefully placed the plate in the rack to dry, and stilled, not wanting to turn around, or be the first to break the consuming silence. after a few moments, Blake spoke, his voice filled with mockery.

"Well done, my rose. Now was that so hard?" He asked. I bit my lip, holding my tongue, and slowly turned. As I stepped away from the counter, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed me and I stumbled back, clutching onto the marble to stop myself falling. When my vision cleared, Blake was standing in front of me, a worried look on his face. He gently took my hand, his frown creased with concern. I whimpered, and tried to move away, but he just hushed me, and simply moved closer.

After a few moments, he spoke. "How about we go sit down. I'm sure we can find something to watch on Netflix."

His voice was soft, yet somehow, it had a sharp edge to it, and I couldn't help but feel like he was threatening me.

He led me across to the couch, and sat down. Thankfully, he didn't make me sit on his lap again, and I let myself relax a little into the cushions.

He turned on the TV, and navigated into Netflix. Before the app filled the screen, a little bubble and a box came up on screen.

Enter password to proceed

He smirked over at me, then plugged in a series of mystery letters using the remote. I felt the crumpled mess of hope in my chest diminish even further. If he had Netflix password protected, chances were all of the apps were the same.

He didn't ask me what I wanted to watch, instead just aimlessly scrolling the front page until he settled on a true crime documentary, and relaxed beside me. He not so gently pulled me into him, and I hissed in pain, but didn't bother fighting. I was being docile for now. Play into his ego. Pretend to submit until I found out more, and figured a way out of this mess.

A few minutes into the documentary and it was clear he hadn't just chosen it randomly. It was about a kidnapping.

I watched in horror as the story unfolded. I was so intently watching that at first I didn't notice his roving hand. Then he rested it on my bandage covered breast, and stopped breathing. Suddenly I couldn't focus on the documentary, or the story, or anything else other than his fingers, teasingly playing with the cotton around my chest.

I tried to move, to swat him away, but my body wasn't responding. I couldn't even lift a finger. Not out of fear. I opened my mouth to scream but all that came out was a choked gasp.

He had drugged me.

Blake smirked across at me noticing my lack of movement.

I felt the panic truly set in as he shifted, lifting my legs up and laying me across the lounge. In one smooth movement, he positioned himself above me.

I whimpered, and he chuckled.

"Oh, my rose. You're so innocent. You didn't even see it coming. Now how about we take a look under those bandages, hey?"

I tried to voice my protest, but he paid no attention. In the background, the documentary continued playing.

Slowly, he began to unravel the bandages.