"And what did you do?" He said glaring at me.
"Des-"
"You are not allowed to speak unless I say so." I looked down but he held my jaw and forced me to look at him.
"So, you are scared of me? That's what you told Savannah." He said in a deadly serious tone. My heart stopped when I heard this. Did she tell him about it? My eyes widened, I shouldn't have trusted her. My trembling lips cannot even produce a single sound.
"You see. Everyone here is abided by my rules. None of them can break it and you are not an exception. Besides..." He looked down at me.
"You shouldn't be scared of me"He leaned in, I felt his breath on my face. Then, he continued,
"You should be petrified of me." His voice sends shivers down my spine. My whole being stiffed when I heard this. I dug my nails in my palm. He let go of me and spoke up again in his dominant tone,
"Open your hands." I don't want to anger him more. I hesitantly opened my hands.
"Hold them out." Fearing the worst I held them out. My heart almost stopped. I closed my eyes as a stream of tears rolled down my cheek. I looked down. I squeaked when a sudden pain shot through my hands. I let out a cry. But, Didn't dare to look up. His presence is enough to make me feel like some kind of inferior being. He hit my hands with his belt. I began to cry. After a while, he threw the belt away. My hands were red and swollen. My eyes were puffy from crying.
"If you break any rule of this house ever again.." He spoke up. He moved to my crying face and whispered in my ear,
"I won't hold back...Got it?"
"Y-yes.." My terrorized form said. Without looking at me he left. He never fails to induce terrors in my heart. My vulnerable form always lost against his cold and cruel deportment
I began to cry. I looked at my red hands. They hurt so much. I never thought that Desmond would hurt me physically too. His words are absolute and meant to be followed. I understand this much today.
On the other hand, Savannah. How could you do this to me Savannah? I felt so heartbroken. I felt like I was betrayed. There's no one here for me. Today I realized that in this house, everyone is cold and cruel. Everyone just seeks its own good. I finally understood,
In this house, People don't live, they survive... from Desmond's cruelty.
Feeling utterly broken, I didn't dare to move and lost consciousness.
"I am sorry. Please forgive me. Please. Please. I am sorry. I have to push us away. "
I heard this voice again. This time, It was crying. I felt a strange knot in my heart for that voice.
The most mystifying thing about it is that I can't recognize it nor can I tell whether it's reality or illusion. I hope it's true. That brief moment, I wanted to leave Desmond and went far away with this voice. At least, I'll be loved...
I woke up and rubbed my eyes, a sudden pain shot through my hands. My eyes felt heavy. My throat was dry. My hands are still red and swollen. It hurts a lot. I sat up. I realized that I am in bed. I remember sleeping on the floor. I cried so much last night, enough to dry my eyes out. I looked at the nightstand to pour me some water. I saw a gel. I picked it up. It is a gel to relieve pain. I smiled at the thought, who is in this house is that kind? I am sure Desmond can never do such a thing. It must be someone else.
He shouldn't have done it. He can mock me and do whatever he wants but with his words not with his actions. I won't forgive him for this.
The door knocked as I asked,
"Who's there?"
"M-Ma'am, It's time for B-Breakfast." I heard a trembling voice. I recognize this voice belongs to Savannah.
"Come in, Savannah!"I called. The door opened revealing Savannah. She was looking down. Remorse is written all over her face. It's clear that she felt bad about it. But I have already learned that I shouldn't trust anyone from Emily and she is my second lesson. Besides, what's good gonna happen if I stay angry at her?
"Good Morning Savannah!" I smiled at her.
"G-Good M-Morning " She looked scared.
"Look at me," I said as she hesitantly looked up. Her eyes teared up, she quickly looked down,
"I am sorry, Ma'am. I didn't want to." She cried.
"It's alright. I don't blame you. All of us are bound to follow Desmond's rules" I smiled reassuringly at her. She smiled faintly.
"Anyways, thank you for that." I thanked her for the gel.
"I didn't bring that," Savannah said. My eyes widened for a second. I looked at the gel again. The only one who can bring it is ... NO! Desmond can't do anything like this. He has become an animal. He can't do this. He doesn't even care. I got ready and left for breakfast.
I saw Desmond there, with his usual cold look.
"Good Morning" I coldly said and took a seat. He stares at me for a second and then at the table.
"Good Morning." He replied monotonously; too much to my shock. For the first time, he actually replied to me. I raised my eyebrow at him and scoffed. The food was served. I gripped the fork, but the pain in my hands didn't fade away, So it hurt and the fork fell on the ground. I winced in pain and began to blow my hand. Desmond stopped eating and looked at me. His expression looked puzzled, almost like he wanted to say something, but couldn't. I looked at him. A hint of concern is clearly shown in his eyes.
"What's with that look? Didn't it feel pleasurable to you that I am in pain" I rudely spat at him as he looked down.
"I don't care." He said slowly.
"I know and you never will. You know why?" I stood up and gave him an exasperated look aroused by his seething.
"Because you can never love anyone!" I yelled at him. "You don't have to tell me." He uttered, looking away.
"I thought you were all talk but no, you have shown you are an animal." I ridiculed him. "Look at me. Take a look at my hands, Desmond." I said, showing my palm which was red and swollen. He didn't lift his gaze to look at it.
I leaned in close to his face, giving him a look filled with extensive anger. "You did it." I hissed. He curled his hands, not even daring to look at me. "Does it feel good?" I asked mockingly, moving away. He stood up and was about to leave, "You did it." I repeated myself. "You." I scowled and he left.