Chapter 28
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Tessa
Seconds.
Hours.
Days.
Weeks.
Time becomes a foreign concept as soon as the single window in the room is covered. The flickering ceiling light is my day, and when the switch is flicked off, it’s night.
The only human interaction I have is when Trent comes in for my “behavior training”. The first time ended quickly when I tried to bite him. Something heavy came in contact with the side of my head, then there was nothing. The second time I fought back, his answer was to fuck me till I bled. The third time got me the needle again.
After that, I listened to every word like an obedient dog.
I moved when he told me to crawl.
I swayed when he asked me to dance.
I fell to my knees when he demanded I suck.
Each session, I’m pet and fed scraps like a dog, rewarded for my docile behavior.
The dragon pokes her head in from time to time, she never participates in my torture, but I learned quickly how much she enjoys watching.
Physically, my body has already begun to wither as I can’t keep any food down. My stomach, much like my mind, revolts against being in this heinous prison. The only solace comes when I sleep. My mind, once a place I loathed, is now my only sanctuary; the only time I’m allowed to see his green eyes and crooked smile.
I think my dreams are the only thing keeping me sane.
And yet, I still have hope. No matter what the dragon says, I know Andrew will be looking for me. That my family will find me and get me out of here. I just have to get through this in one piece, which happens to be the one thing I’m good at.
I just have to survive.
The door flies open, the light clicks on, but I continue to stare into the distance. I keep one foot in reality and the other hidden in the depths of my subconscious.
“My, my what a beautiful day.” But it’s not Trent’s voice who rings out. I don’t know why she’s here without him, but every fiber of my being is suddenly on high alert. “I must say, I’m quite tickled with your progress. Trent has informed me of how well behaved my little sheep has become. Now, your new diet should be helping with your weight, don’t think dear old Mommy didn’t notice how chubby you were getting. Now, up. Up, and strip, quickly, I haven’t got all day you know.” She scratches the inside of her arm as her eyes flick wildly around, high as a kite.
Standing, I tug off the oversized shirt I was given to wear, and shiver in the cold room. Naked, I set my shoulders back and try to stand tall, it’s pathetic, but it’s all the dignity I have at this point. Circling me slowly, she emits a small gasp. Her face appears abruptly in front of mine, so close I can smell her foul breath. Grabbing my chin, she forces me to look into her eyes,
“Why did you keep this from me? I don’t like secrets you little bitch, this changes everything,” she spits, eyes wild with fury.
I shake my head in confusion. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Releasing my chin, she begins to pace back and forth. “Should have bled by now, this is true, very true. It’s been a month and dry as a bone.” Coming to an abrupt stop, she whips around to look at me. “You cannot fool me anymore, pup.”
It’s been a month? Dear God, please tell me it hasn’t been that long.
With an aggravated sigh, she points for me to look down. Tilting my head slowly, I let my gaze travel the length of my body. Below protruding ribs and stretched, pale skin is a small, undeniable, bump.
Falling to my knees with a scream, I rub the curve of my stomach, feeling higher, I cup full breasts with trembling hands. This can’t be happening, I was on birth control for Christ’s sake.
I clamp a hand over my mouth, willing myself not to cry in front of her.
Please, it can’t be true. If there is a God, make it not true.
A cold laugh interrupts my shocked silence. “You truly didn’t know did you? Oh dear, dear, dear, what did you suppose was going to happen when you kept spreading those lovely little legs, hmm? Still early, yes, should have payed attention, seen the signs. Oh dear, this changes the game now, doesn’t it? Clever girl, yes, yes, clever.”
Moving quickly to the door, she raps her knuckles against it three times and waits, her eyes never leaving my pregnant belly. When Trent enters the room, she grabs his face, forcing him to look at me.
“Look at her stomach,” she hisses.
His eyes widen. “Holy fuck, is she pregnant?” Thrusting him away from her, she takes a deep breath.
Spittle flies from her mouth. “You fucking idiot. I told you a thousand times to strip her during your training, but did you listen? Never.”
Eyes still glued to my stomach, he stutters. “I d—did a few times, but I never noticed I. . . damn it, you know she’s older than I like my girls. I wasn’t paying attention to her body.”
The dragon closes her eyes and lets out a deep sigh. “It’s fine. Everything will be fine.” With a few quick steps she stands by Trent once more, her voice is hushed, but I hear every word. “Do you know what this means, my love? I’ve been given a chance, a chance to do this right. I fucked up the first one. I didn’t know what I was doing, no, I was a foolish child. Now? Now, I know better. We could be a family, wouldn’t that be so lovely? Do it right this time. What do you say? After our baby is born, we can sell the slut to your friend who collects young girls. A little lie about her age, and we’d get a pretty penny for her. We could be a family. What do you say, my love?”
Trent glances over my way, eyebrows furrowed in thought. “You know I’ve never been able to say no to you. Looks like I’ll be. . . a father.” He smiles proudly at her, and she throws her arms around him with a squeal of joy.
Locking eyes with me over her shoulder, his eyes darken with a deadly vow.
Breaking the embrace, her expression becomes stern. “Now, no more training, no more needles, and no more punishments. You come in here to feed her, that is all. Do you understand, my pet?” He nods, allowing her to lead him out of the room. “Now, let’s celebrate, shall we?”
The light flicks off behind them, and I’m thrown into darkness. Reaching around blindly, I find the shirt and slip back into it. Curling up on the wooden floor, I finally release the tears I’d blinked back in their presence.
I think back to the first training when I attacked Trent, my initial reaction was to curl into a ball and protect my stomach. Then there has been all the vomiting, the constant nausea I wrote off as stress. For the first time, the dragon is right. There were lots of signs, and a part of me knew what was happening to my body, but refused to acknowledge it. I had an excuse for everything. It wasn’t a fact I could accept until thrust into the light of the harsh truth.
Waiting for Prince Charming to rush in on his valiant steed is no longer a viable option.
Heart of a princess, strength of a reaper.
I was playing the part, just as the fairytales had taught me. A helpless damsel in distress waiting to be rescued. Shivering, crying myself to sleep on the cold floor. Doing whatever it took to keep the drugs out of my system and the bruises off my skin.
No more.
I’ll say it again, scream it into the night if I have to.
Heart of a princess, strength of a reaper.
It’s time I tap into my forgotten strength, the part of myself that got me through the death of Andrew. The part that stood up to anyone who tried to drag me down.
The part of me that is a true survivor.
Heart of a princess, strength of a reaper.
This is not how my story ends. I’m going to change the narrative. I will do what it takes to get us out of here, to give my child the life I never had.
It’s time to ditch the ball gown for my trusty scythe. I’ll deal with the matter of my sanity when I can breathe free air. The gears in my mind whir as I consider my next steps. What would the old Tessa do, the one who would fight tooth and nail for her freedom?
The old Tessa. . . of course.
A smile steals across my face with an epiphany.
Rubbing my stomach, I whisper, “Don’t worry little one, I’m gonna get us out of here. I promise.”
Tessa the Reaper has come out to play.