Shackled

Chapter 3

The only thing that was filling the room was my screams and the feeble pleas to stop everything.

"She's too loud. Cant you quiet her down?" A voice spoke in irritation. Soon after my mouth was taped, silencing my screams but the opposite could be said for my tears.

"Ah, look at her," he lifted my chin and made me face him. "Now, now, dont cry child this will be over soon."

The next slice on my skin caused my body to jerk up and the tears spilled even more, while my throat became hoarse with each muffled scream. The chains held me down tightly and kept me from running.

"Ah, thats better. No loud screaming this time," the doctor smiled in satisfaction and poured the acid onto my cut skin before administering the dosage.

I was writhing in pure agony and pain, but it didnt stop. It never did.

"Now to double the pain." He smiled blissfully.

I woke up with a start, my whole body shaking in fear and I sobbed uncontrollably from the recollection of that terrible memory.

I hugged my body tight to make sure that it was only just a dream, but that still didnt stop the tears. My body wouldnt stop shaking, and I had to cover my mouth to stop from screaming.

Why now?

Why did I have to recall that time now?

I couldnt seem to stop crying, until I started laughing through the tears.

"Why are you so weak, Imelda?" I questioned myself desperately.

Getting rattled and shaken over things of the past. Here I was crying, while the people who did this to me were leaving comfortably.

How could I do anything to them if a simple memory get me so shaken up?

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. It took a few tries but I finally managed to calm myself just before Suzette entered the room.

She took one look at me and her demeanor turned gloomy, "did you have a nightmare?" she asked, sadly.

I could only nod, for I was afraid I'd start crying again if I opened my mouth to speak. She quickly embraced me in her arms and I could feel her body shudder, "How I wish I could do something to break you free from this pain."

My body tensed up upon hearing those words, "Please never say that again. I dont want to relieve almost losing you again," I hugged her protectively, as my mind flashed to a time I could have lost Miss Suzette due to her caring heart.

"It's just hard to see you suffering and not try to do anything about." She reasoned.

"It shouldnt be done on your downfall!" I pulled back, and couldnt help but yell.

Her eyes looked sad and troubled, "but I want to."

"No! I wont allow it," I stood up and left to the bathroom, but not before seeing her grip the hem of her shirt, looking sorrowful.

I gritted my teeth and slammed the door, "I wont allow it," I whispered.

It was safe to say that Xavier didnt try to persuade me to ride with him to school, but I could see his brown eyes looking at me as I left home. I had enough to deal with and I was just glad he let it go for today.

But I knew it was just for today, he always started at the beginning of each week, get discouraged by the end of it then start everything all over again.

I reached school and unlike all other days, I was meet with pearly white teeth blindingly shining in front of me.

Chantel smiled, without a care in the world and enveloped me in a tight hug, "I missed you!" she cried.

"Isn't it a bit early to be acting like we've been friends since elementary?" I grimaced.

She only poked out her tongue and looked slightly offended, "Well, I feel like now that I have your numbers I know you a little bit better now," she smiled a dashingly beautiful smile.

She had texted me nonstop last night, asking me question upon question. From my favorite ice cream flavor to what my best quirks were. I couldnt answer all, but surprisingly enough it was fun and I got to know a little about her as well.

"Lets head to class then!" she marched to my locker and waited patiently for me to get my books.

"You do know that we dont have English first today, right?" I asked to make sure.

The shock on her face told me I was right on spot, "What? No way!" She frantically checked her schedule and saw her mistake.

"Oh no, I'll be late," she waved at me and quickly ran to get the right books.

Chantel and I only shared about three classes together, which were English, Art, and History, but the class times varied on each day.

I sighed at how absent minded she seemed to be, but my thoughts were interrupted when a shadow loomed over me. I turned around only to feel my heart stop and my body become paralyzed.

"What a surprise to meet you here, so early in the morning," I stuttered.

Devante didnt look impressed, he crossed his arms and looked at me with a frown, "How is it a surprise?" he inquired.

"Well, I mean, you are never on time for school. So I wasnt expecting to see you so soon."

"You didnt reply to my text," he stated matter-of-factly.

How was one supposed to reply to that?

Oh hey! I see, looking forward to having you scrutinize my every move from now on!

Uh, yeah. No.

"I wasnt planning on keeping contact with you until the assignment is over, but I dont want to act as if we are friends. Because we arent," I stated the facts.

I saw his jaw tick and his face looked irritated beyond words, "I wont be letting you out of my sight," he glared at me with such intensity, but I was not going to look away. I wasnt scared of him.

It was only after he left, that I gripped my chest and took a deep breath.

Now I could stop lying to myself.

I was worried, and dare I say it.

A bit scared.