Part 2. Princess Castle
She skipped up the stairs to her room running the rest of the way there past several doors snaking throughout a long winding corridor. Al let out a long heavy sigh before entering the room, keeping his mouth shut until it was time to speak. It took everything in his power not to lash out...Unfortunately in the most perverted possible way. The little one didn't know it yet but she was gradually becoming sexually impossible to resist. The last thing he wanted was to make her life as miserable as his. Sure he wouldn't tell the child all this yet but that had been the least he could do until the time came, along with his other comrades.
There she stood at her little pink and purple table, mirror and chair set equipped with plenty of make-up and two pink hairbrushes. A small pink plastic table and four purple small plush chairs were placed in the room's center. A standard tea set was placed on the table as usual with tea that had most likely been made by Frankie who poured the then steaming liquid from out of the kettle earlier.
She hummed the tune "Mary had a Little Lamb" while playing with her lamb and cat dolls. Ironically, the cat's fur resembled Albert's hair in coloration, along with his eyes. There were lighter stripes around its tail, making Wynnie chuckle. She looked into the lifeless toys green eyes then back to him, waving the toy back and forth.
"Look Al, my daddy got me this new kitty yesterday. I named him Mr. Albewt Whiskers because he looks an awful lot like you but has my eyes."
He stood at the door, unwilling to come all the way inside. He hadn't spent all that much time alone with Wynnie yet, despite the child having been adopted by Oswell three years ago. Often he would make excuses how busy he always had been in order to avoid seeing her. Being around children bothered him immensely, incessantly reminding him of his own grim childhood. Being around her made him feel envious...jealous of how grand and easy she had it in life. She didn't have needles being forced into her veins or underwent a countless number of gruesome operations just to make certain that some powerful virus had continuously been accepted by the body.
He recalled time and time again how he looked down at his own entrails hanging from his diaphragm, his organs exposed while helplessly laying numb on an operating table, semi-conscious of surroundings. This process had to be performed at least once a month in order to ensure nothing went wrong with his gradual transformation. Oh, how he would always be reminded of the first time it happened; along with all of those other times in between. That scared, weak twelve year old boy getting his first shot, forced to train relentlessly from the young age of six. Nothing could remove those experiences from his traumatized mind; they were too deeply ingrained. Sure she could at least numb his pain when old enough but until then he would have to tolerate this situation.
Never would she understand what true pain was...Until she became a woman. Until either her "daddy" or himself helped her to become one. That remained as his only consolation, sating his boiling internal anger hidden below the surface. Each time he encountered Wynnie that recurring thought placated the internally frustrated creature.
'One day child, you will belong to me. You will repay all of this torment I had to endure because of both you along with this wretched family. Then and only then will you understand a mere fraction of what I had to endure for my entire existence; all for the sake of ensuring that damned creatures corrupt legacy.'
It truly hadn't been all that fair for Albert since a certain part of him had been mixed with her in order to complete the "medicine" or more accurately "control compound". That's what Oswell desired to create quickly after discovering how much of a failure the T-virus turned out to be. He wanted to reverse the Progenitor virus along with the newly created T-Virus's effects. He got his wish with the help of his cousin's child. He once had a cousin by marriage whom Wynnie had originally belonged to but all that changed whenever Ferdinand met his end as a result of injecting himself with the progenitor virus.
Sadly, the disoriented reanimated corpse had eaten his own wife before having been neutralized by Oswell himself. That's when Wynnie was found in her parent's bedroom closet, whimpering in fear. Oswell and a small group of his men came to investigate upon discovering a missing sample. Her life would never be the same after that fateful night. Ferdinand Trevor ceased to exist and only three years later would his second cousin, George Trevor, as well...Betrayed by his own blood.
Sure Oswell wasn't related to Wynnie since she had been adopted by Ferdinand and Tracey. Even so, taking her for his own selfish reasons didn't make things all right. Keeping her separate from another sibling would prove to worsen the quality of Oswell's life and those responsible as well. The fool was only prolonging his own living hell...His own misery.
"Hey Al? Can you please brush my hair when I tell you something? I had a bad dream last night but it was good too..."
His expression remained stoic at this interruption bringing him back to reality as he moved in behind her, the small child turning around for him. He picked up a brush, sat down then paused before accepting her request.
"I shall as long as you promise to refrain from calling me any other ridiculous name such as "Albert Whiskers". Also, you should have said "while I tell you something" instead of "when I tell you something". Your grammar and speech still need improvement, I see."
He began gently brushing her long hair, hold tightening around the brush's handle. She turned around giving a sideways look, cocking her head.
"Al, why are you always so cranky? Not only to me but everyone else too? You even act cranky with Frankie and he's the nicest buddy I know besides daddy."
He scoffed internally, snidely thinking 'Oh, you know not an inkling of the atrocities that monster has committed and still is capable of committing throughout his miserable existence...Silly little thing that you are.'
A smirk played at his lips as he placed the brush back onto the table, removing his gloves while running his fingers through her hair. Oddly enough, the sensation also settled him down.
"We were going to discuss your dream, were we not? Also child, you should have said "not only towards me" instead of "not only to me"."
"Why do you act like that though?"
"Why do you ask so many damn questions?"
She put a little hand up against her mouth, facing him on her knees now, holding onto the back of the chair with her other little stubby hand.
"Huuuhh, uh-oh! You said a swear word! I'm telling daddy when he gets home!"
Albert had a slight panicked expression raising his hands in the air subtly waving them a few times in surrender.
"No, come now little one. Let's not resort to such dire circumstances. What shall uncle Albert do to satisfy little Wynnie's desires?"
A little finger went to the corner of her mouth, head tilted in thought again. He knew very well that if his superior were to chastise Albert once more about his behavior towards Wynnie, a few meals along with more than a few nights of pleasure would be withheld from the now desperate man.
"All right but you gotta answer me, listen to my dreams and then give me a piggy back ride just how Frankie does. You'll be my fierce leopard cat knight that is a kitty by moonlight and a handsome boy knight by day."
Oh how quickly this little imp could turn the tables on him. He let out a defeated sigh while agreeing to her terms, internally cursing both Spencer and Marcus for filling her head with all of their crazy fairy tales before bedtime.
"Fine then Wynnie, I'll start by answering your question. Uncle Albert acts cranky because he needs more time alone with another in his bedroom. Go on then child, proceed with your dream."
"Oh yeah and you gotta call me Princess Wynnie. You're Mr. Whiskers in this play too, remember?"
He let out another defeated sigh, submitting to her wishes. Soon though, much sooner than she or anyone else thought for that matter, would their places be reversed.
"My mistake, Princess Wynnie. Tell me about your dream, won't you?"
She smiled, walking over to him and climbing up onto his lap. A look of discomfort contorted his expression, seeing as how he'd never been used to receiving nor giving affection in his life. Nonetheless, he slowly wrapped his arms around her, softly stroking her back and hair.
"Wait Mr. Whiskers, I wanna ask about something else real quick then I promise I'll tell you about my dream after...wards."
"Good self-correction. Proceed."
"What do you do with the others you take back to your bedroom?"
He averted his gaze briefly, unable to look her in the eyes while responding. It didn't help matters how she sat facing him with legs spread open on his lap.
"Uncle Albert talks to them first..."
His eyes drifted back to hers as he finished his momentary pause, ending the sentence which would seal his fate, wrapping him around her little finger.
"Then we wrestle."
"Under the covers?"
"Yes, under the covers Princess..."
"I can see why they want to wrestle with you. You look very handsome, uncle Al. How do you wrestle?"
His heart melted at those words. A faint blush appeared on his cheeks as he answered again, attempting to make each response as kid friendly as possible. No one had ever even given him a compliment before Wynnie...Not even once. And here this small eight year old girl sat on him, giving him what he craved most.
"We play wrestle, sweet Princess. Now, tell uncle Albert about your dream."
"Will you show me how?"
For the first time in his life, he let out a genuine chuckle. It felt warm yet sounded somewhat strangled, foreign, strange. Still, the sensation felt refreshing.
"One day Wynnie, when you are of age."
"Do you promise Al?"
He playfully held out a pinky to her which she grabbed ahold of with her own.
"Pinky promise."
She giggled, biting onto her thumb. He witnessed her and Oswell doing this numerous times; even with Marcus on occasion. If anything he used this memory to his advantage, mimicking the action in order to gain trust.
"I was just gonna ask that."
He softly bit his thumb too as both rubbed their digits together, smirking. She quickly pulled her hand away hugging him unexpectedly causing yet another unfamiliar warm sensation to stir from deep within.
"Can you rock me how my momma used to? Daddy won't do it for me anymore cause he says that I'm a big girl. Marcus says the same thing."
He stood, carrying her over to a rocking chair in the corner, slowly rocking her back and forth.
"We will do this for the last time, all right? If we continue this way, you really will become much too big for me."
She nodded, still holding onto him, starting to tell of that uncomfortable dream.
"My dream started with my real dad that I had groaning and getting up, walking over to mommy. I saw him get on top of her and start eating her as she screamed. He kept groaning kind of how Frankie does but Frankie doesn't eat people. Mom told me to be quiet if anything happened. She said she would try to talk to dad. Well, he got up after that...Not long after he started eating her and then I heard a gun go off. My dad fell on the ground beside mommy, dead. Another gun sound happened and then my second daddy, well Oswell, stood in front of me, helping me out of the closet. I remember my hands were over my mouth cause I know how mommy wanted me to stay silent for my safety.
Well, after that dream I had another one. A little boy who looked older than me...err...I'd say six years older was playing with me. So if I was five in the dream then he would have been eleven. Anyway, we were playing together. My first mom and dad told me that the little boy was their friend's son and he and I would be friends for a long time. I think that happened as well but I can't remember for sure. I woke up right when the little boy with black hair and black eyes was pulled away by a man in a black suit. He didn't want to go and said that he would miss me but he didn't struggle. I miss them, uncle Albewt...I really do."
She sniffled into his chest after saying this, burying her face there until moments later he gently lifted her chin, looking into those deep green, lipid pools of desire. He knew that he would have to take her far away from this place if either one of them were to ever be happy. Sadly, he doubted there to be much hope for that other child...Then and there, he made an internal sworn resolve to protect her with his life. He knew that he shouldn't but he couldn't help it. She had already stolen his heart.
He cupped her face in both hands, wiping delicate tears away from her angelic face. He couldn't help himself as he brought her to his face, kissing her lips briefly, almost how Spencer did. Almost, except with genuine affection. This was her first real kiss. Her eyes grew wide and face turned scarlet red as she sighed into his kiss, freezing in confusion. It made her feel good but bad also. She knew this wasn't how a parent or family member kissed a child...
'He almost kissed me how grown-ups do. I wanted him to stop but also keep going...'
He pulled away from her, whispering affectionately "This shall be our little secret Wynnie, all right? When you have a husband, make certain to kiss him that way upon greeting each time."
She slowly nodded, shock still displayed all over her innocent face along with lust in her hazed over eyes. She wasn't even aware of that concept yet nor old enough to understand or act upon it. Still, there it was. She hadn't even began menstruating yet and still felt that cruel, pleasurable feeling but could do nothing about it.
"What if...I want you to be him?"
She grabbed his hand while trying to kiss him back only to have his index finger pressed against her little lips.
"That was only one time. You're still much too young, Princess Wynnie. Now then, why don't you ride your jungle cat knight?"
He couldn't stifle his chuckle at the end of that sentence, bending down for her to climb on. Just like that, the spell seemed to break, the little one returning to her usual cheerful, playful happy self. She hopped on, pulling out a play sword and putting a small diamond tiara on her head as Albert leapt out of the window, reminding her to hold on. She laughed with glee as they glided over the rooftops, fading sunlight warming their backs. It was as though the bright star smiled down at them, hugging the two with its warm embrace.
As soon as the black sky swallowed the remaining light, he ran back to her bedroom window, swiftly opening the object with minimal effort. He gently placed her onto the ground giving a warm hug. Merely being in her presence made him feel whole...complete even. This must have been how Oswell felt. No wonder he had given Albert more assignments than he could handle. He supposed that the reason why he also made excuses for being unable to watch her had been due to both his fear of falling under her spell along with the fact that he had already been made used to being apart from the child or having another with him while in the same room. Regardless, somehow he wished for time to pass faster. He already desired for her to become a young woman.
Soon, both would discover how that fairy tale would be made into a grim reality. Time itself was going to begin passing by much faster than either one cared for. Their story wasn't going to have an ending quite as happy as the ones told to the child- not in this hell.