Back to the Dream Page
Chapter 14
The shadow figure looked curiously at her unconscious form, a strange look on his face, and a small, bittersweet smile on his lips. "I've waited so long, Mel. So long… And here you are, practically mine." He lightly brushed her hair away from her face. "Sleeping beauty… My sleeping beauty." He bent down and let his lips softly graze hers. "Soon, my love, you'll be completely mine. But first, there's the matter of purification." Gently, he drew her into his arms and made her sit up.
What's going on, Mel wondered. Her body felt on fire but she was shivering, and she hadn't the Energy to move. From far away, she could hear someone muttering to himself… Waited? Mine? Soon? First what?
She felt something encircle her wrists before she was drawn up to her feet, her arms straight up, and whatever it was that was around her wrists began to cut the circulation to her hands. She protested, trying to tell him to stop. She was too weak to stand and it was hurting. He didn't listen.
Cold air came into contact with her skin as he tore off the rest of her clothes. "So beautiful," she heard him say quietly.
No!! Her mind cried. Please stop! This isn't right! She tried to raise her head but it was too heavy…
His hands were warm against her shivering body, but as much as she craved warmth, he was making her feel so uncomfortable… She shied away from his touch and she felt his annoyance. He gripped her chin hard and raised her head. The blindfold prevented her from seeing him but she could still feel his eyes burning into her… "Your purification begins."
She felt him draw away and her chin returned to its position on her chest. Vaguely, as she fought to stay awake, she could hear his shoes scuffling the gravel underneath him. He moved behind her, deliberately taking his time as she waited for what was coming…
Silence…
And then a snap followed by a sharp cry…
Her cry.
She continued to cry out as the whip continued to cut deeply into her skin. In between her cries, she could hear him yelling at her, words that she couldn't put together. "Leaving… Fate… Love… Lonely… Regret… Hell… Pain… Free… Cursed…" With each word, an x left its mark on her skin. He went on and on but it wasn't long before she blanked out, finding relief from pain in her unconscious.