“Wait a minute, there is someone!” I heard his father, who suddenly changed his words just as he was about to reveal the name.
Panic rose as I realised that they had felt my presence and that I would have to act quickly. If they found me here, I am not sure about his father, but Ansell would surely kill me.
Gathering all the strength I could muster, I quickly scrambled to my feet and moved to the spot against the wall where they had left me earlier. The door to the room swung open just as I settled into position.
I pressed my face against the wall, keeping my eyes shut tight, even though my racing thoughts made it difficult to focus. My lungs screamed for air, and I struggled to regulate my breathing. These men were cunning, and I couldn’t afford to give myself away.
“It was just a misunderstanding” his father said, dismissing the conversation.
“Now, if our discussion is over, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave” Ansell’s voice sounded cold and distant.
“Hmm, I could see how much my son is desperate to push me out” his father said, “but remember what I said, if you don’t distract yourself, I will kill her”
My breath caught in my throat as I heard him.
Why does everyone here want to kill me?
I was expecting Ansell to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. Second stretched into minutes but no one said anything or moved from their places. For those minutes, I began today wonder if they were both plotting something sinister against me. It was really hard to keep myself still and maintain composure.
“I am going for now, but I will come back, soon!” His father’s hung in the air.
The descending sound of his shoes against the floor reached my ears. At least he was leaving, for now.
I hope that Ansell would follow his father’s lead and leave me alone. But it seemed he had different plans.
“Stop pretending, I know you are awake and heard the conversation” my eyes shot open as I heard him but I didn’t move from my place.
“I am not sure what you have heard and what you haven’t, but let’s make two things clear in your head, first you are mine and second I have killed your brother” he said, emphasizing ‘I’
But my heart is not going to be believe any of it.
When I didn’t respond, he also left me alone. I released a deep breath of relief and flipped my body on its back. My eyes moved to the door and I found it closed.
With every ounce of energy left in my body, I struggled to sit up against the wall. The effort it look to reach that position was excruciating, showing how weakened I had become under Ansell’s cruel treatment.
I am not sure how long he is going to keep me here. Now that I know that he hasn’t killed my brother, I have become even more curious. I want to know the whole truth.
Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours as I kept sitting in the same position. I didn’t even know what time of day it was. I was waiting for this punishment to end. My stomach was hurting badly because I was starving.
How could Ansell be so cruel?
On the one hand, he says that he liked me and on the other, he is torturing me the way one would not torture even his enemy. He wants only my body and submission and I know if I agree to his terms then there will be no turning back. I will be stuck with him forever as his toy, with whom he could do whatever he wanted.
Suddenly the door creaked open once again but this time I didn’t lift my head, partially because I did not have enough energy and partially because I knew who it could be.
“Leonara”
I slowly turned my head when I heard a soft, feminime voice. To my utter surprise, there was Desy standing at the door.
What is she doing in this place, and how did she even know I was here?
“Desy? What.. what are you doing here? My voice was barely audible, a mere whisper, as I stared at her in disbelief and hope.
“I have come here for you” she stepped forward and sat in front of me.
My eyes flicked down to her hands and I saw that she had brought water and food for me.
“How did you know that… that I was here?” I asked, my voice croaking as I fought back tears.
“I have been raised in this house. I am well aware of what happens around me”
She said in a soft tone.
“Have this, you need it” she continued, moving the plate of food towards me.
“How did you manage to come inside? Ansell…”
“He doesn’t know about my visit” she interrupted me before I could ask my further. “I lied to the guards, and told them that Ansell had sent me to feed you ”
“Desy, this is wrong” my palms shook as I spoke, my worry for her safety evident. ” What if he finds out? I don’t want you to get hurt because of me” the threat of tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke.
“He will not hurt me. Don’t worry about the guards, they do not open their mouths until they are asked to. And I don’t care even if he finds out about it. You should have told him that I helped you escape. He wouldn’t have hurt you so badly” Desy reassured me, concern and sadness evident in her eyes.
I am so surprised to see how much different both the brother and sister are.
“If he keeps doing things like this to you, I am afraid I might develop feelings of hatred for him” she admitted, her voice shaky.
“Don’t feel that way about him. As much of a monster as he is to me, he is doing everything for you. He has become like this because he couldn’t bear to see you in pain ” I stated.
He would have never kept me like this if William hadn’t done that to Desy. The situation is so complicated that I don’t know who is fully responsible for it, Ansell, William, or someone else.
She nodded, her gaze downcast, and I could sense the deep shame she felt for her brother’s actions.
“Have this” she said, pointing at the food she had brought.
“But….” I began to protest.
“You need energy to fight him” she interrupted gently, placing her palm on my shoulder. “Don’t you?”
I nodded and took the plate from her. Balancing it between my thigh and chest, I took my first bite. The food was so tempting that it only increased my appetite and I couldn’t stop myself from having bite after bite. My mouth was full of food and my stomach still wanted more.
Desy watched me with a sympathetic gaze, her eyes filled with understanding. I know I must be looking vulnerable at the moment but I care less.
Before I knew it, the plate was empty, and I had eaten faster thann thought possible. I took a sip of water, my stomach was now satisfied.
“Thank you so much, Desy” I expressed my gratitude as I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand.
“You need not thank me. I am already feeling guilty because of what you have to go through when you are not at fault at all” she said.
“I am sorry that you have gone to such lengths to help me, and yet I couldn’t take full advantage of it. I got caught before I could even taste freedom “” I said as I regretted every moment of it.
“I shared the way out with you because you were persistent, but I knew deep down that the chances of escaping this world are slim at best. It’s like a quagmire from which escape is nearly impossible ” Desy said softly, her voice carrying a sense of registration.
I nodded and a silence engulfed us. Though I had my fill, my head was still spinning a lot. I could see faint white dots dancing before my eyes. Mary be this is because there is very little oxygen here.
“Desy, you have already done so much for me, and I am not sure if I should ask for more” I murmured.
“Please, don’t hesitate. I am here to help in any way I can. Perhaps my actions can help offset the sin that my brother is committing” she said, placing her palm gently over mine.
“Your father visited today”
Her eyebrows drew and her eyes darted around in confusion as I revealed. Maybe he didn’t go to meet her.
“Father?”
I nodded.
“I… I heard the conversation between your father and Ansell and…. I heard that Ansell is not the one who killed my brother” I managed to stutter out and stopped midway to ask just in case she knew anything about this.
“That’s true” she looked down.
“Do you know who killed William?” I asked her, partially hoping that she would tell me.
But her reply left me stunned.
“Me”