The Alchemist's Starling

Trust and Obey...

Chisa's POV

"You hurt my twin sister..."

Joseph froze...
I froze...

My eyes widened in shock and I clamped my hand over my mouth, realising the mistake I had made. I just revealed to him that Chise and I are family...

He could use that against me...
Against her...
I should've kept quiet!

Cold fingers brushed over my cheek and I flinched. I refused to look at him, and he continued to caress my cheek, knowing how much I hated it. His creepy nature chilled me to the bone, and I was terrified. I've learned to read his actions... Before he hurts me, he's gentle; then, he strikes like a snake, going for the kill.

Abruptly, Joseph grips my chin, forcibly turning my head so that I lock eyes with him. My body starts to shake from the intensity of his stare.

"What did you say, puppy?" He asks sternly.

I can't say it... I won't say it... Not again. I have to protect Chise. I can't let Joseph use her against me, or vice versa; knowing him, that's something he'd do for sure. But... he already heard me say it, why would he make me repeat myself? So, I keep my mouth shut, chewing the inside of my lip, a vain effort to distract myself.

Joseph sighs. "You weren't in any trouble, puppy - I only wanted you to repeat what you said. But if this is the way you want it to be, then so be it."

I started panicking at his words. My pulse raced, my eyes grew wide, and I started struggling against him, trying to free myself from the hazy mist that surrounded my eyes - his spell. I can't move much because of his spell, but I still try. My arms flail feebly and my legs jerk consistently. His arm snakes around my waist, making escape impossible. He leans closer to my ear, hissing the same unintelligible words.

Suddenly, my senses were no longer hazy - he removed the spell! But the sudden change in my perception had disorientated me. Joseph used my weakness to his advantage, grabbing my upper arm tightly, and hauling me off his lap. He started walking and I stumbled, yet he kept walking, dragging me behind him. Fear ripples through my body - I had no idea what he was doing or where he was taking me... and that scared me senseless...

Joseph halts unexpectedly, and my disorientated body crashed into his. He releases my arm, quickly moving away. I don't know where he goes... but I soon find out... A few seconds later, I feel his ice cold palm press against my back, and fear spreads through my body.

"Just remember, Chisa. You brought this on yourself..." he whispers menacingly, before he gives me a rough push forward.

I scream in shock, forcing my hands to try and form some kind of barrier to protect myself from the hard, tiled floor. But I don't hit the floor... I hit stairs...

I feel each and every sharp edged step as I bounce off them, tumbling in somersaults. I feel pain everywhere... my head, my arms, my legs, my stomach - it's unbearable. I grunt as the pain continues, but because I keep tumbling downwards, gravity is my enemy, and I can't stop myself. It hurts so much... Tears sting my eyes, running haphazardly down my face due to the momentum. How did I deserve this?

After what felt like an eternity, I finally stopped rolling and fell onto a flat, cold floor, landing in a very uncomfortable position, my limbs splayed out at unhealthy angles. Every bone in my body ached and I whimpered when I tried to move. Tears flowed freely, matching the level of agony I felt. My chest felt tight and I found it difficult to breathe. My ribs felt like they were being stabbed repeatedly when I breathed... I was sure they were broken. I was going to get some nasty bruises out of this...