All That Is You

Chapter 20

The flames were licking their way up my body. Every brush of silver brought a stinging pain that I didn't understand. My feet were bound in chains but my hands were free and Papa was gripping my wrist, dragging me.

The pain brought tears to my eyes but I held them back. Papa had always told me not to cry and to be a good girl. He was probably taking me to see Mama. Today was my birthday after all.

The thought of Mama brought a smile to my face despite the rough ground digging into my skin and the bleeding cuts littered across my bare legs. Mama had disappeared a few days ago and Papa wouldn't tell me where she went. It was probably a surprise.

I lightly giggled at how the surprise was now spoiled. Papa was never good at keeping secrets from me.

I looked around and saw that he was taking me downstairs to the area I was told to never enter. A frown marred my face but it quickly disappeared once I remembered it was Papa that was taking me there. If Papa was with me I wouldn't get in trouble.

There were people staring at me with angry expressions and I couldn't understand why so I smiled brightly, hoping they would smile back and I could erase all their worries. Their faces stayed the same and some had gotten angrier. My smile faltered once I spotted some of my friends with the same expression.

Papa pulled me through a doorway and down the stairs which made me wince from the impact of each step. The light filtered in from the entrance and I could still see everyone staring at me before I was pulled down another flight of stairs.

There was no light down here and I wanted to ask Papa if he could turn them on but once I locked eyes with his back I knew something was wrong. He suddenly stopped and roughly dropped my hand, my body harshly colliding on the cement floor. I could faintly smell blood and I wondered why Papa brought me down here. I looked around for Mama but I couldn't see or smell her.

I stared up at Papa but he wasn't looking at me. He walked towards the strange silver bars and slipped on his gloves before unlocking the door.

"Get in," he growled. I looked at him with a confused expression but he looked serious and I didn't want to get in trouble so I quickly crawled my way inside. He shut the door behind me and walked away, leaving only darkness behind to accompany me.

It was cold down here and I didn't have anything on but the white t-shirt Papa had given me earlier. I curled up into a ball to try and generate some warmth but winced as pain shot up my legs from where the silver rested against my ankles.

I tried to remember what I did wrong and why everyone looked so angry at me. Papa had refused to come out of his room since Mama disappeared and I had been locked in my room. This morning Papa had taken me outside to where the pack border was and he told me to step over it. I didn't know why but since Papa had told me to do it, I was forced to comply. Maybe he would finally smile at me if I did what he wanted.

I felt something snap inside me the moment I stepped over, but I knew it wasn't dangerous since the pain quickly disappeared. I turned around, hoping for a smile but what I got were chains around my ankles. Papa must have not known it would hurt me but if I didn't complain maybe he would see that I was a good girl and he would be happy again. Maybe if Mama came back he would be happy again.

"I love you," I whispered to the darkness, wishing he would reply but all I could see was his large form retreating from me.

I refused to cry because I was a good girl. If I didn't cry Papa would come back. I knew he would.

My body shook and I flinched, my eyes quickly snapping open. I was met with Levi's dark gaze from above me and his hands were clutching my wrists, pinning me down. His knees were locked on both sides of my body, preventing any movement from my legs.