(Updated to fix mistakes)
Stockholm syndrome
Chapter 4
I felt good. Lying in the tall grass, I was enjoying the warmth of the sun. Fresh air was filling my lungs. I smiled hearing their candid and childish laughter. I felt good. A hand touched my shoulder furtively.
-Tag, you're it!
I opened my eyes and found Iris, leaning over me, a huge smile on her face. I got up and started chasing her.
-Hurry, she will catch you! Julie shouted to encourage the little girl.
I ran faster than her. I caught her and we fell to the ground. I began to tickle her, she burst into laughter. Our big sister came to join us. We finally stopped, all three of us laid on the ground side by side, looking away into the sky.
-Our life is good, eh? I asked.
-I love it. Julie replied.
-Same. Iris stated.
Suddenly, as if it came out of nowhere, a cloud hid the sun. It began to rain cats and dogs. We got up and began to run for shelter.
-The first one to get home wins! I yelled over the noise of the rain.
We were running all speeds across the field. I loved the rain, the regular sound of falling drops, the freshness of the water streams that pierce the air, the dark light filtering through the clouds, the sweet smell of the wet earth. Rain was frequent around here. Some were complaining, others rejoiced. I would have loved to stay there, to listen to it, to feel it, to watch it, but we had to return home, otherwise we would catch a nasty cold.
I was lost in my thoughts and very quickly, I could no longer distinguish my sisters with me. I turned to see where they were. But suddenly I thought my eyes was playing tricks on me. What I saw, two great lights halfway between green and yellow pierced a dense black cloud that was split by a scarlet line. I started worrying. I brought my look to the ground; they were there, standing next to one another.
-Well then, are you coming? I shouted, almost frightened.
They didn't move. I looked more closely, thus distinguishing the horrible spectacle that played before me. Blood, blood everywhere. The thick liquid spread all over their white body. It came out of their mouths, their eyes. Their hands were smeared. Their skin oozed. I screamed, I cried.
-You killed us, you're a monster, you killed us, you're a monster. They repeated these terrible words in unison before darkness swallowed them.
I heard a whisper seemed to come from the depths of the abyss:
-Eres mía.
*You are mine.*
Emilie opened her eyes quickly. She was breathless and sweaty. She was trying to regain her senses. She looked around her, she was lying on a bed, in a room she didn't know, there was someone beside her.
-Ah, you're awake, how do you feel? The unknown person asked.
-Strange. Emilie said, a little worried.
She looked at the person she didn't know. She was a girl. She looked pretty young, she had strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes.
-Don't worry, this is normal. You should rest. Don't move; I'll change your dressings.
Emilie watched her. She removed the bandages she had around the leg and inspected the wound. Emilie did feel good. She saw the huge wound in her thigh. So it was all true? For a moment she thought it was all a bad dream, she would wake up her home, safe and sound. But it was real.
-Who are you? Emilie asked.
-Ah, yes, I didn't introduce myself, forgive me. I'm Agnes. She was speaking to her with a radiant smile which reassured Emilie in a way.
-Where are we?
-In Vaas's room.
When she heard the name of Vaas, a shiver of fear run up her spine. She tried to get up but the pain stopped her.
-No, don't rush, it will start bleeding again. Agnes said, helping her to lay down.
The young woman continued her nursing. Emilie couldn't help asking her questions.
-Why do you take care of me?
-Because I was ordered to do so.
-By who? Vaas? You work for him?
-That's it.
-Are you a pirate?
-Not exactly, I'm more of a prisoner. I help them as doctor. In fact, my skills in medicine saved my life. She said with a snort. Thanks dad! She then exclaimed with a laugh.
-Dad?
-Yeah, he taught me everything I know.
Her tone became melancholic. Emilie could see small tears form in her eyes. Agnes sighed and tried to smile.
-I'm done! Your leg should heal soon. Well, I gotta go, see you!
She started to leave, but Emilie retained her.
-Stay with me please.
The young woman stopped and turned around. She smiled and went to sit again on the chair beside the bed. Emilie felt comfortable with her, she only knew her for a few minutes, but she trusted her.
-What happened? Emilie asked.
-Excuse me? Agnes didn't understand.
-Your father, when you spoke about him, you almost cried.
Emilie was curious. Maybe too much, she wouldn't have asked this question. Sadness appeared on Agnes' face again.
-Excuse me, I shouldn't have...
-When I was about twelve, we both lived on this island. We lived in peace with the native people. But one day, Vaas and his men arrived. They came to my home and my father was forced to work with them. As for me, they took me by force. My father tried to dissuade him but he couldn't do anything. It's been five years since this happened, I haven't seen him since, frankly, I assume he thinks I'm dead.
-These men are heartless monsters. Emilie said angrily.
-Everyone seems to think that, here.
-Because it's the truth.
-No, Vaas is not what he seems to be. There is… another person inside him. A good person. But what he experienced led him to suppress this nature. In truth, he just needs someone to help him, trust him, and love him.
- Did you smoke something before coming? Emilie joked. Sound like a fucking shrink.
Agnes smiled at her remark. She looked into Emilie's eyes.
-This island changes people.
She stood up and prepared to leave the room. She opened the door and stood in the frame.
-I brought you something to eat on the night table.
Emilie turned her head as if to confirm her words. A plate of fruit and a glass of water. She took it and started eating. Agnes looked at Emilie one last time.
-Don't let the island devour you.
She went out with these words, closing the door behind her. Emilie kept on eating. She thought about her dream, she felt bad. She shed tear thinking back to her sisters. She was alone now. Her whole life was destroyed. In no time, everything had changed. She was missing her old life so much. She huffed and wiped her tears. She would get through it; she would run away, she would go home.
She put the glass and plate on the table. She could hardly move because of her leg and her whole hand was hurting. He has beaten her severely, and even if she would recover soon, she would keep scars, both physical and moral.
Emilie took advantage of the relative tranquility to inspect the room in more details. In front of her was a large window that let daylight into the room. There was a couch, a large table, a wardrobe. The room was pretty clean unlike what she expected. She managed to get in a sitting position on the bed.
Suddenly, she saw the door opened. Vaas appeared. Emilie panicked. He was approaching more and more, he didn't speak, he was staring at her with his green eyes. She backed up on the bed until she was stuck in the corner. She was terrified, she was scared of what he would do to her, she was scared of him. She curled up against the wall, she was breathing hard and fast, her heart was pounding. He sat on the edge of the bed, facing her. He wasn't doing anything, Emilie would have been relieved, but it worried her even more. He brought his hand to her. She tried to avoid him but she was stuck. He caressed her wounded thigh gently.
-I'm sorry about that… He said quietly.
Emilie was wordless. Was he really… Apologizing? He didn't seem to be in his normal state. Emilie had no time to ask more questions. Vaas lay next to her and closed his eyes. He sighed deeply before saying:
-Hoyt found a buyer for you.
Buyer? That's it, it was decided, she was going to be sold and she was going to end her life as a slave. Tears welled up in her eyes.
-Why do you do that? She asked sobbing.
He started to laugh. He opened his eyes and look at her.
-For the money, what else?
At this words, he got up and went into the room adjacent to the bedroom. He returned in the bedroom a few minutes later. Pointing to the room where he came from, he said:
-I ran you a bath, I gathered new clothes and all the shit you need. You have one hour to make yourself all beautiful and join me outside, comprendes?
Emilie nodded. She started to get up from the bed but she could hardly stand up. She almost fell in the process but Vaas caught her just in time. He had one arm wrapped around her waist and he was holding her arm firmly.
-If you want me to carry you, you just have to ask, Querida. He joked.
She glared at him; she freed herself from his grip and stated:
-I can walk by myself, thank you.
She walked unsteadily and held herself up not to lose balance. She finally entered in the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She heard the pirate's footsteps get away and the bedroom door close. It was quiet again. She examined the room, a bathtub filled with hot water, a sink and a mirror, toilet, a towel rail… It looked like a normal bathroom.
She watched the mirror for a long time. She was hesitating to look at her reflection? She was scared of what she would find. She finally dared to approach. She was a little surprised but, honestly, she expected worse. She had a few bruises on her face, dark circles under her eyes, dirt and dry blood here and there. Her hair was tangled and dirty, her skin was tanned because of the sun. Her features had lost a bit of their roundness, she had lost weight.
It's been what, one, two weeks since she arrived here? She hadn't had a chance to wash and take care of herself for a long time. That's why she hastened to remove her old torn and dirty clothes and plunge her battered body in hot water. She washed her entire body and hair. She cut her fingernails and shaved. Everything had been done. She felt good in her hot bath. So good that she stayed in for a long time, too long. The door burst open. She jumped and buried her body in the water to hide it. Vaas had burst into the room, shouting.
-What the fuck are you doing, chica? Did you fucking drown? You should have been at least an hour ago!
So long? She really didn't see the time pass. He walked toward her, grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the water. She tried to hide her body with her hands but it was useless. He took the towel and handed it to Emilie. She tried to catch it quickly, but at the last moment he pulled the cloth to him and raised his arm in height to prevent her from reaching it.
-You want it? Come and get it. He chuckled with a smirk.
She stared at him with a glare. She wouldn't go into his little game but she wanted to cover her body and she was starting to be cold. She tried to grab the towel, raising her arms, but she couldn't do it. She tried again several times and, without realizing it, she approached more and more of him. He laughed when he saw her struggling. She ended up crashing her naked body to his. She managed to take the towel and began to walk away but Vaas put an arm around her waist to keep her close. The cold water beading on her thin skin was soaking the pirate's clothing. She tried to escape but he restrained her. He whispered in her ear, smiling:
-I like when you rub yourself to me, Querida, especially when you're all wet.
He then let her go. She didn't waste a second, and wrapped her body in the towel. She was so embarrassed, exposing her body before this man, the idea was disgusting. He then gave her the clothes she had to wear. She took them with a quick movement that showed her anger, it made him laugh. She waited for him to leave to put them on but she saw that he wasn't ready to move.
-Can you go out please? She asked with despise.
-No, you're going to take ages if I'm not here, and I don't like waiting.
-Then turn around and don't look. She ordered him.
He complied. She also turned her back to him and began to dress. She put on a red lace underwear, decorated with ribbons and beads. She never wore that kind of sexy underwear, she hated it, but she didn't have a choice.
Vaas turned to look at her, obviously he wasn't going to deprive himself of the spectacle! He watched her curves. He was looking at her thin muscles moving, the water dripping from her hair and running down her slightly arched back, her buttocks, her thin, long legs. He savored every picture his eyes offered him.
She then put her 'dress'. It was black, short (about mid-thigh), rather tight, slightly flared at the bottom. It was tied behind the neck and had a bare back which plunged towards the small of her back. Emilie didn't feel dressed at all with that, but never mind, it was better than nothing. Once finished, she dried her hair with the towel. She tied them in a ponytail and put the heel sandals that she was given.
They left the cabin a few minutes later. Vaas had tied her hands behind her back, 'just in case'. She was walking better than earlier, but her injury still hurt her. He led her through the camp. The pirates stared at her, as usual, whistling and making jokes like 'Hey Vaas, don't you want to lend her, for a minute?' or 'Hey, you could have found an even longer dress!'
Emilie hated it. Her anger clearly showed on her face. Vaas watched her, amused by her annoyance.
-Don't blame them; they haven't seen a nice little ass like yours for a long time. He said, smiling.
-If they don't know how to control their dick, then we must cut it off. She replied, upset.
-It's an idea... He replied sarcastically.
They walked in silence a few minutes before reaching a sort of parking. Trucks, jeeps and motorcycles were parked there. Vaas led her to a car, opened the passenger door and ordered to Emilie:
-Get in.
-Why? She asked.
-Because I'm ordering you to fucking do so. He replied, annoyed.
She sighed but complied. He slammed the door and climbed on the driver's side. Before starting the engine, he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a joint. He lit it and inhaled the smoke before exhaling it inside the confined space. He finally started the engine and took a dirt road to get out of camp. The beginning of the journey was silent but Emilie couldn't help but asking questions:
-Where are we going?
-To the port.
-WhY?
-The guy who wants to buy you will retrieve you there.
- Wasn't your superior supposed to handle that?
-Yes, but he has more urgent things to attend to, and he's not my 'superior'.
She felt him a little annoyed by her remark, she decided to have a little fun by insisting:
-However, you seemed to obey him like a little dog...
-Shut up. He answered simply.
He did not argue anymore. Emilie took it as a small victory. She touched a very sensitive point. She could not help continuing:
-It must be nice to have an obedient dog to serve you.
-Are you comparing me to a dog, puta? Shut the fuck up!
She went silent. She was trying to contain her laughter, thinking about this grotesque scene: Vaas crawling behind Hoyt with the tongue hanging outside the mouth. Sometimes it was scary to think about stuff like that in her head. She contained her hilarity and the journey continued with the same stony silence. Vaas was still smoking. The thick white smoke filled the vehicle. Emilie began to cough. She caught the attention of Vaas who turned his head toward her, smiling slightly.
-Your little lungs are fragile, Querida? He sneered.
-I hate smoke. She said. Plus you take drug while driving, you're going to kill us.
-Relax, It's just weed, it doesn't do anything.
His response made her snort. He took so many drugs that it didn't affect him? Fucking junkie!
Vaas finished his joint and opened the windows to let the smoke out. The wind rushed into the vehicle and was twirling blonde girl's hair. Vaas continued to drive by throwing an occasional glance at her plunging cleavage or at her thighs which were revealed when the dress was lifted by the wind.
-Oh no, don't bother. She said sarcastically.
-No, no, don't worry, I don't. He replied just as sarcastically.
None of them talked for the whole remaining of the journey. Emilie looked at the landscape scrolling by the window, thinking about nothing. She felt the insistent gaze of Vaas on her, but she said nothing. In fact, she was used to it.
I apologize if this chapter seems to end a little abruptly, I had to cut it or it would have been too long. Thank you for your attention, post a review to tell me what you think... Bye bye!
Badi-otaku.
