"I can't see!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. All I could see was a blur of swirling lights and color. A dozen candles must have been lit in the room. I must have lost my sight from the concoction before.
Had my experience been a dream? It had seemed so real. I had felt Gian's lips. My lips were now dry from the saliva.
All of a sudden I was lifted off my feet. I was in a strong man's arms.
"Let me go!" I screamed so loudly my echo raged through the cave-like room. I pounded on the man's chest and barbarically kicked my legs.
"I'm trying to help you stubborn jack," a deep male voice spat.
I continued to yell and scream kicking my legs and flinging my arms at his face. He roughly grabbed my hands with one hand while balancing my body on the other. He was unbelievably strong. I continued to kick my legs causing him to loose his balance and we both fell to the floor with a loud crash. The man cursed loudly as I tried to scramble away. I knew even if I tried to run away I had nowhere to go. It wasn't long till a sweaty pair of hands grabbed my ankles and pulled me backwards. I screeched not caring that my throat was sore. The man grabbed me harshly by my waist and pulled my body to his in an awkward position that made it impossible for me to move. I tried to ignore the many muscles I could feel through his thin shirt. This wasn't Gian, I knew this for sure. Gian didn't have such large hands and such a muscular chest.
The man slammed me roughly on a comfortable surface. I felt below me to try and figure out what I was sitting on. I guessed it was a bed by the many pillows and soft sheets. I listened intently to try and detect were he was. From a distance I could hear faint footsteps and the splashing of water. Then came more footsteps, this time they got louder. The noise stopped at my right side and I heard the splashing of water again coming from the same direction.
"Lay down," the deep cruel voice instructed me. I was completely shocked by his words assuming he was going to violate my body
"Excuse me?" I shouted in disbelief.
"Your nose and head are both badly swollen they need medical attention," He told me, A hint of anger still ringing in his voice. I was somewhat relieved by his answer, but remained intent to his actions.
A damp cloth patted on the right side of my head. The coolness of the water was refreshing, but I slapped the stranger's hand away not wanting him to touch me. He paused for a moment. I expected him to strike me. His breath quickened ferociously with rage.
"Do you desire your pretty little face to remain swollen forever or do you wish to recover?" he threatened. I paused for a moment not wishing to give in, but I knew I couldn't tend to my wounds by myself.
"Fine," I gave in with a sigh. His large hands began kneading down my face. I closed my eyes enjoying his soft touch. My aching body finally had some attention.
"This is going to hurt," He warned me. Before I could stop him he roughly grabbed my nose in-between two fingers, snapping it back in place. I cried out in pain and rolled on my side away from his grasp.
"You're a skinny little thing," he commented. I finally remembered I wasn't in anything but my white corset and bloomers. I could feel my cheeks grow warm. He had probably looked over my entire body once or twice by now seeing as I couldn't see to comment his wandering eyes. Sure enough I had a nice body, but that didn't mean I wanted strangers looking upon it as if it were their own.
"Have you had anything to eat lately?" he asked me. I suddenly sat up straighter. The thought of him having food lit a flame of hope within me.
"No, not for about a week now," I said. I waited for a moment as he walked around praying that he was getting some food.
"Here," he said placing something large in my hands. I felt it for a second to identify what it was and broke it in half. It was two firsts full of bread. I hastily stuffed an entire half in my mouth abandoning my manners and forgetting to thank him. It hadn't taken me long to consume the entire thing.
After I was done chewing I asked him, "Who are you?" He paused for a moment as if he was considering my question.
"You can call me whatever you wish. It doesn't make much of a difference now does it?" He said.
"You still haven't answered my question." I said softly to avoid his anger. He never answered me, just simply ignored my nags.
"Did he burn down your home too?" I asked him.
"Who?" He asked roughly.
"The opera ghost," I nearly whispered.
Silence filled the room. The only sounds that could be heard were that of the water dripping off the walls and stirring of the lake. For a moment I could even hear the man's faint breathing.
"Did I upset you?" I asked almost shocking myself with my concern for his emotions. I was still quite angry with him for snapping my nose back in place without asking me first.
"No, but I'd like it if you would not mention it again." He demanded coldly. His tone caused me to shiver.
"What, about burning buildings or the opera ghost?" I asked regretting it afterwards. He roughly grabbed my wrist causing me to squeal in pain.
"I will gladly allow you to stay here and I will take care of you while you are here, but do well to acknowledge the fact that my patience runs very thin," he grunted in my ear. As soon as he was finished he left me alone to allow me to huddle in a ball and cry.
I am alone in the dark. This temperamental man may be the only human contact I receive in weeks. I may never be able to see daylight again.