The Vale

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

"Undress Now " I stared at the wrinkly old woman who stood before me in shock horror, her eyes looked at me in disgust like I was something she had stepped in. she held her nose in the air as she spoke to me. After Carlisle continued to drag me down the numerous amounts of never ending hallways, he shoved me into a bedroom where two woman were already waiting. One of them stood infront of me the other was a young girl a little older then me. She had brunet hair and looked fragile, her eyes were trained on the floor and she never looked at me. " Are you deaf?! I said undress " the screeching sound of the old woman's voice shattered my thoughts and brought me back to the present. She looked at me like I was a pet that wasn't obeying her command.

I took a step back and wrapped my arms around myself. I had, had enough of people telling me what to do, so I squared my shoulders and stared directly into her eyes "No! " My defiance caught her of guard and for a second shock crossed her saggy face but it soon turned to rage, she raised her hand in the air ready to strike me " You insubordinate little brat" I closed my eyes and waited for the blow to come but when I felt nothing I opened them again to find Carlisle stood in front of me, his hand tightly wrapped around the old woman's wrist. " The king instructed that no one touch her, that means you too" the woman huffed and forcibly removed her wrist from his grip.

She rubbed at her arm and stared up at him with fire in her eyes but he didn't even flinch, seconds later she gave up and looked back at me. Her nostrils flared with anger and it looked like she wanted to do more than hit me. That realization caused me to step closer towards Carlisle. He didn't seem to notice my action and if he did he didn't say anything. " The king instructed that she is to be washed and for that she needs remove her clothes " the old woman spoke through clenched teeth as she looked between me and him. Carlisle sighed and turned away from the old coot " You need to undress " I shook my head. He let out a breath of disappointment " if you don't I will have to do it by force, and I'm sure you don't want that?" I looked away from him, fresh tears threatening to spill, I wanted to refuse, I wanted to be brave but deep down I was absolutely petrified. I contemplated my options for a moment. If refused for a second time my clothes and my dignity would be stripped from me and I would still end up naked. So I had to comply but it would be on my terms. Not theirs. I shook my head indicating that I agreed. Carlisle looked relived " But If I am to shower I want everyone to stay out here " " Absoloutley not! That is out of the question?! " the old woman's shrill voice cut through the air like nails on a chalk board. " Fine! You two " I pointed to Carlisle and the old bat " stay out here. She can come in with me " I pointed to the brunet. My words caused her to gasp and look up, shock was evident on her face.

The old womans face had gone bright red and im pretty sure she was about to have a heart attack. But before she could explode Carlisle stepped in. " Fine, but no funny business" he narrowed his eyes at me in warning. I rolled mine in response, what was I going to do in the shower? Condition her to death? He pointed to an open door and I walked towards it, leaving tall dark and brooding and the witch behind me.

When I entered the bathroom I had to stop and pick my jaw up of the floor, it was incredible and so, very sparkly. A large circle bath tub occupied the far end, while a walk in shower took up most of the space, and a small sink sat next to it. White marble decorated everything. A small squeaking sound startled me causing me to turn around. The brunet was stood behind me, her blue doe eyes staring at me. " please undress " her voice was soft and very timid. Atleast she said please. I sighed and removed my shoes, then slipped out of my tattered dress. It pooled around me feet, Leaving me feeling vulnerable.

I looked up into her eyes and for a second I saw sympathy but it flashed away just as quick. She nodded to my underwear and without her saying anything I knew what she meant. I held back the tears and decided that I could cry later, for now I had to be strong. So I removed my underwear and dropped them to ground. I tried to cover my self as much as I possibly could but with only two hands it was difficult. Thankfully she stared anywhere but at me.

She walked past me towards the walk in shower and turned it on. She indicated for me to walk into the water and I did so, my footsteps light on the cold floor. The water was luke warm and it did nothing to ease the tension I was feeling. I turned around letting the water fall on my face when a loud thud echoes behind me. I turn around to see the woman staring at me with curiosity. " What is that?" she points to something on my shoulder. I looked behind me as best I could and saw the outline of my tattoo. " oh, that's just my tattoo?" I say questioningly " What's a Tatto-oo " the words sounded foreign coming from her mouth. " A tattoo is a permanent kind of body art. Tiny little needles inject your skin with ink and the person doing this can create any type of pattern you want" Her face is full of wonder as she stares at the lines on my shoulder. " so it's yours owners mark?" I looked at her in disbelief " No, there's no such thing as owners brand where I come from. You get tattoos because you want them " She looked away from me, shame on her face " Forgive me I did not mean any offence " I patted my hand on her shoulder trying to reassure her " you didn't offend me. " I smiled at her and she slowly smiled back. " Do you have a brand?" the words came out of my mouth before I could even stop them.

She didn't say anything, instead she pulled the top of her dress to the side revealing a scar in the shape of a T on her right shoulder. " im sorry " I whispered the words but I knew she herd them. " Don't be, it's what happens here. Humans get marked by their masters so they can be recognized if they run away. " I was about to tell her that it isn't what happens that this wasn't right when the bathroom door burst open and the angry old woman stood in the doorway looking extremely mad. " What is taking so long?! " she narrowed her beady eyes at me and I could practically see the vein on the side her neck bulge out. I tried to cover my self as much as possible with my arms and pushed my self further into the walk hoping that it would somehow hide me . " Im sorry, I got carried away. I am almost done" " I don't care for your excuses Valarie, get her washed and dried now! The king is waiting!" and with those words she left the bathroom, slamming the door on her wait out.

*****************************************************************************************

Thank you so much for reading my seventh chapter! I really hope you liked it! please let me know what you think by commenting and voting!!