Departed

Chapter 8: Queen of Darkness

Harumi's POV

     I remembered buzzing. Cool hallways. The sound of heels tapping the floor. I remembered cold objects being pressed against my lips, and burning liquid sliding down my throat. Sharp pain stabbed me in the arm. Cool sheets hid me from outsiders. More liquid in my throat. More pain. Everything felt woozy. It was hard to think, or see, or smell, or even taste. I had no choice but to submit to the treatment; I didn't have the strength to resist. Then, as quickly as it passed, it was over. The darkness carried pain and I wanted to step into the light.

     I opened my eyes to the faint sound of a fountain and the fresh scent of spring. The throbbing in my head was gone. I felt cool and light. Opening my eyes, I hesitantly rose to a sitting position.

      Silky covers moved with me. I looked down at their beautiful flowered print, showcasing several roses in an intricate pattern.

     What in the—

     I was in a bedchamber that looked twice the size of palace's in Ninjago. The domed roof above me was painted with stunning colors, showing a scene of Oni, Dragons, and their history. The walls were varying shades of marble with golden highlights. Soft pinks, purples, and greens filled the room with a peaceful feel. Large golden pillars were in the corners. Even the air carried elegance in its light, crisp feel.

      My jaw dropped open. I had fallen asleep nearly dead and woke up a princess.

     I had no care for any wounds or conditions I might still have left from dehydration. I scrambled out of the bed as fast as I could, ripping the sheets off me like they burned my skin. The floor was cool against my feet, which were covered in calluses from my years of training to be the Quiet One. A set of fuzzy slippers sat on the ground, awaiting use. I kicked them as far as I could across the room. I didn't want to be a princess again. I hated being a princess.

     The bed was in one section of the room, the outer one had a curtain blocking it from complete view. The bedchamber section had two sets of doors. I hurried over to first one, wanting with every inch in my body to figure out how to escape this torture.

     The first set of doors revealed a huge walk-in closet, which seemed like a room in itself. The walls were filled with every color dress I could imagine. Every shoe, every piece of clothing, every accessory a normal girl could dream of, it was all there. Bile rose up my throat at the sight. I rushed over to the next set of doors, yanking them open. Instead a way out, a massive bathroom stood before me. It tripled the size of my bathroom in the palace, and every wall was made of golden marble. There was a large bathtub, an oversized shower, a gold and dark wood sink filled to the brim with different cabinets. It all screamed princess at me. It shoved my past life down my throat in the most obnoxious way ever.

      I let out a screech, running over to the bedchamber's exit and ripping the privacy curtain hiding the bedchamber from the rest of the room off the wall. The perfectly carved bar holding up the fabric clattered to the floor, as the beautifully woven curtain fell on top of it in an elegant mess. Anger burned beneath my skin.

     In front of me was another large room. This one was redder and greener, but it was still luxurious. The fountain I had heard from earlier was here. It was a small one, and it sat in the center of the room, in a dip in the floor. The indent not only had the fountain, it had various plushy cushions, arranged in a circle for maximum comfort. The room had a small second floor filled with books of all kinds. I saw TVs, small refrigerators, and other little remotes. It was like the room had been designed to keep someone entertained and comfortable for hours.

     Or it was designed to keep a prisoner trapped for hours. I felt nauseous enough to retch, but somehow fought down the urge.

     I didn't want to be a princess again.