Mesmerized

Chapter One

I lay in the corner, curled up in a ball, crying silently. I hadn't eaten for 3 days, though I did get a small glass of dirty water once a day. Usually the only real food I got was from Vera, the sweet, pale faced, violet eyed girl who worked with the prisoners. She had the gift of spreading comfort, I certainly appreciated her secret visits. I forced myself to stop crying, or tried at least, and then stood on my feet. I then began to sing a song I had learned from a spirit in a dream, one of my new favorites:

Hey ho, nobody home,

Meat nor drink nor money,

Have I none.

Yet will I be merry.

Rose rose rose rose,

Will I ever see the red?

I will marry at thy will, Sire,

At thy will.

Aw poor bird,

Take thy flight,

Far above the sorrow,

Of this dark night.

The last verse was my favorite. It reminded me of myself, though, unlike the bird, I could escape whenever I wanted to. I was just waiting for the right time.

"She's so strange. I swear, she sings some sort of spooky song everyday. It's enough to drive a man insane!" I could hear a hushed whisper.

"Yes, I know, she gives me chills. What is the name? I have forgotten... "

"Katrair. But it is indeed a rather peculiar name, don't you think? I wonder who gave it to her."

"Guards! I want you all to go and fetch that disgusting Katrair from her cell. It is time," the King's voice rumbled, "But be careful, and don't forget to blindfold her, for if you forget, she'll steal your soul faster than you down a chicken leg. Now go!"

No. No, no, no. I... I wasn't ready for this. I hadn't rehearsed my chants... No! No... This can't be. What shall become of all I have created? My stories, spells, chants, potions... Where would they go?! I began to hear loud wailing and screaming.

It was a while before I realized the noises were emanating from me. They took me underground where Vera was waiting behind bars.

"Katrair! They want to kill me!" She was bawling, her voice dry, "They found out about my visits! I-"

"Vera, it'll be alright. Let me tell you a secret," I lowered my voice and she put her ear between two of the bars "Death is not as scary as this prison. You will meet a man- treat him well. He will be kind to you, I promise. You'll see me soon after."

"How do you know? They don't have plans to execute you! You have to take the souls to feed the king! They won't let you die! You're the only way he can retrieve souls, you-"

"Don't worry about it, I know what I'm doing!" the guards yanked my arms and drug me out of the cell.

"Your not going to..... NO! NO! NO! I won't let you! You can't kill yourself! Don't you dare!" she screeched.

"Vera. That's ridiculous. I love you though, okay?" I winked.

Vera began sobbing harder, and as the tears were falling from her I realized that she was the only person I had, as I was for her, as well. I couldn't do it. I couldn't be so selfish. I wouldn't. She was my strength.

And I was hers.

As the guards were pulling me away, I heard Vera mumble something.

"Promise?"

"Yes," I called, "I do." I loved her, with everything I had, which wasn't much, but the promise was empty.

They'll use me pitilessly. They're heartless. There was not another way. The voice inside my head, David, as I've come to know him, advised me not to wrap the rope around my neck. But as soon as I was in my chamber alone, I did exactly that. When I stepped on the chair to do it, I stopped short, not of my own accord.

"Don't do it, Katrair. What a selfish thing to do. Think about Vera. There are other ways."

"Like what?" I asked sharply.

"Get out. Escape."

I found that difficult and unlikely, but we still plotted for my escape anyways. That night, we lay awake for hours, coming up with