Hold Me Down (The Badlands Series) Book 2

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: This chapter contains talk about rape, self harm, and suicide please be warned. If you are in danger or need help please reach out to someone.

Chapter 3: Lock Down

Emlyn and Stella headed out of the castle that morning with their mind set on making people be hopeful.  Stella also wanted Emlyn to achieve her destiny of bringing back everyone's happy endings. Although convincing Emlyn that she could do this would be the challenge.

"So Stella, how did everyone not have a happy ending? Why do I have to bring them back?"

"Well Emlyn, many years ago when Horrace first became king there was a rivalry to it. His brother Stephan. Stephan was cast out of the royal family because of his dark intentions. Which would make Horrace next in line for the throne." Emlyn listened intently to what she said, hoping this would help her to achieve her destiny. 

"Stephan cast a curse that made everyone's stories ultimately come to a halt. They could still live out their days, but they could never achieve their destinies. Horrace asked for the help of the season empresses. They control our season changes and he hoped they could change the course of the curse. Sadly they could not do so, but they did make Stephan pay the price for such dark magic. The strength of the magic resulted in his death but it left everyone's stories frozen."

"So you think I can change the fate of that curse?" Emlyn asked and Stella nodded with a smile.

"Yes, it's your destiny. You didn't come from this land therefore you can still achieve yours." Stella responded and Emlyn thought to herself briefly before returning her gaze to Stella.

"What's your destiny?" Emlyn asked and Stella looked away, before sighing. 

"I don't know, I was born well after the curse so I never got to find out what mine was. It seems everyone born after the curse don't have a destiny." Emlyn knew for everyone born after it would be tricky but she knew she had to help everyone, especially Stella.

"Well where should we start?" Emlyn asked and Stella looked around and thought briefly to herself then looked at Emlyn.

"Do you trust me?" Stella asked and Emlyn nodded cautiously. 

"Yes...of course but why?" Emlyn asked but Stella turned away climbed up on a nearby stack of hay that farmers where hulling through town. 

"Hey everyone! Emlyn Lovet is here! Your queen! She wants to help you find your destiny and happy endings, so come over here if you want help!" She shouted before jumping back down and Emlyn looked at her with wide eyes.

"Stella...I'm going to get mobbed! Was that the best idea?" She asked and Stella chuckled giving her a side hug.

"I said trust me, you won't get mobbed I promise." She said as people calming came over but simply lined up as if they knew what to do. 

Emlyn calming pulled out a notepad and began asking each person one at a time questions that would help her determine what they needed. She enjoyed getting to know her people and learn their stories. They all seemed so interesting. 

After she was done with her notes she brought Stella back to the castle with her. "Where are we going?" Stella asked as she was pulled along.

"The library." Emlyn said many things turning in her brain she felt inspired she was glowing with imagination. Emlyn and Stella entered the library and Emlyn began scanning the entire room which was full of books from floor to ceiling. The room was circular and the only place where there wasn't a book was the door. There was even stacks of books on the floor.

Emlyn walked across the room and pulled an empty book of the shelf. She sat down at the table in the room and waved her hand over it. She created a brand new book right before Stella's eyes whos mouth dropped open.

"How'd you do that?" She said and Emlyn shrugged as she began to write a title, 'Hold Me Down.'

"Not sure, but this story isn't over yet. Mine isn't and neither is anyone else's. It's time for the next chapter in this saga. It's also time for everyone to start the next chapter of their lives."

"So you know what to do then? Just like that?" Stella asked and Emlyn smiled at her and motioned for her to sit.

"Almost, there's one persons story I need to hear first." She said as Stella sat down across from her.

"Who's?" She asked and Emlyn began to write without looking up at her.

"Yours." Stella didn't respond which caused Emlyn to look up at her and stop writing. "What's wrong?" She asked and Stella sighed.

"It's not the prettiest of stories, but I'll tell you, if you're sure." Stella said and Emlyn nodded quietly. 

"Go ahead, I'm all ears." Emlyn said not sure how bad this story could be but she was ready.

"When I was 17 my father had passed away and I lived with my stepmother. She made me think my real mom had abandoned me but really she had killed her. I told my stepmother I was not interested men...that I only liked girls." Stella paused as a tear rolled down her cheek. Emlyn reached across the table and touched her hand gently wanting to show her support.

"After I told her that she brought a guy into the house who was around 19 or 20 and watched him rape me. She thought it would make me like men, but it lead me down a dark path. I began self harming and was going to kill myself." She said as she traced the scars along her arms.

"Horrace was on a late walk through the town when he found me getting ready to throw myself off the troll bridge. He stopped me and invited me to the castle with him. He's the only other one who knows my story and that's why I live here he protects me, he saved me." Stella finished her story in tears and Emlyn wrapped her arms around her friend. 

"Stella it's alright, you never have to go through that again. Thank you for telling me, and you will find your happy ending. I promise." Stella smiled and hugged Emlyn tightly. 

"Thank you Emlyn for being there and not judging." She said.

"Of course Stella, what are bestfriends for." Emlyn turned back to her writing and started on writing the happy endings and story and Stella looked away and sighed.

"Right bestfriends..." She said quietly and trailed off.