Chapter 10 – A Helpless Mother.

Fiona woke up to find herself lying on a soft bed. The fire was roaring. She remembered the place right away. She remembered resting here when the ordeal had happened. She was back again. Fiona grasped at her knees, hugging them tightly.

"No…This cant be happening to me…"

Fiona suddenly panicked, realising Hewie was nowhere to be seen.

"Hewie! Oh no, Hewie please be alright…"

Fiona began to cry, curling up onto the bed. She could hear soft footsteps approach the door. Knowing what she had been through before, she put on a brave face, sitting up and preparing for the stranger.

The door opened and in walked a woman. Hewie was by her side. The woman shut the door behind her and Hewie ran over to Fiona with joy. Fiona held onto Hewie tightly. With a sigh of relief she gazed up at the woman. She had not seen her before. Her hair was long and dark. It traced down to her hips and she wore a beautiful dress. What stood out most to Fiona though was the woman's stomach. Fiona could only guess she was pregnant.

"Riccardo said I could bring your dog to you, Miss."

Fiona knew never to trust anyone from this castle. Fiona continued to hold Hewie tightly.

"Why am I here? Is Riccardo the man who kidnapped me?"

The woman nodded. A concerned look appeared on her face. She slowly approached Fiona, her hand gently stroking her stomach.

"Riccardo wishes you to have the same fate I have." She continued to stroke her stomach. She gazed down at it, a loving look knowing her child was inside of her.

Fiona gasped. She realised what the woman was trying to say to her. Riccardo wished to have her child.

"I do not wish to have his child! He is a monster! I must get out of here!"

Fiona stood up, heading for the door as Hewie followed. The woman watched her open the door.

"Maybe so…but he means no harm, Fiona."

Fiona paused. The woman seemed different from the other people she had met in here before. She seemed more human like than any of them.

"How do you know my name?"

Fiona turned to her. The woman smiled, taking Fiona's hand in hers. Her hand was soft and warm, her gentle touch calmed Fiona's nerves.

"I am Sarah…technically you could say, I am your cousin."

Confused, Fiona pulled her hand away from her and ran out the door. Sarah took no interest and sat herself down in the room. Her hand gently began to stroke her stomach once more. She began to sing to herself. It soothed her fear and her child's.

Fiona ran down the hallway, Hewie following. He found it exciting as if him and Fiona were playing another game again. Fiona knew is she found the large deformed man again, hopefully he would help her get out of the castle. But someone stopped her before she could go any further. There was Riccardo in his normal outfit, his hood down. He smiled on noticing Fiona.

"So you've finally awakened. I'm guessing you met my dear Sarah too I presume."

Fiona stayed silent. She was never the type to talk much. Even if she did want some answers.

"I know what your after…Debilitas. He was the one who let you escape. Well I'm sorry to inform you but he seems to have gone missing. I have no idea where he has gone…"

Fiona's hopes seemed to drop. Riccardo began to approach her. Fiona backed off, Hewie by her side.

"Do not refuse me, Fiona…"

He grabbed at her wrist firmly, pulling her to him. Fiona was still wearing the sheet he had wrapped her up and his warmth felt nice. His rough leathery skin touched her cheek as his lips pressed against hers. Fiona pushed him away from her.

"Go, Hewie!"

Before Riccardo could react, Hewie leapt on him, biting and tearing into him.

"Argh! You pathetic fucking mutt!"

He threw Hewie off his shoulders, taking his gun out from his pocket.

"Very well then, Fiona. Looks like I'll have to use force. If only you were more like Sarah was…Such a stubborn girl you are…"

Fiona was shaking, seeing he was aiming the gun at her. She began to run, Hewie chasing after and Riccardo followed. Fiona ran back into the room she woke up in. Sarah still sat inside.

"Please! You have to help me! He's coming!"

Sarah tilted her head at Fiona.

"…under the bed. Hide under there with Hewie."

Fiona and Hewie quickly scampered under the bed, Sarah got up waiting for Riccardo to enter. He rushed in seeing Sarah there.

"Sarah! Did Miss Fiona come through here?"

Sarah shook her head, gazing down at the floor. Riccardo pulled her face up with his fingertips and kissed her before running off down the corridor. Sarah shut the door and sat back down.

"He's gone now, Miss Fiona."

Fiona and Hewie climbed out. She couldn't believe the woman had helped her. Maybe she did not wish to be here either. Fiona calmly walked over to her.

"Were you kidnapped too…?"

Sarah nodded. She poured herself and Fiona a drink as she began to speak.

"I was just the same as you, Fiona…a pure azoth as they call it. He wishes us to be the mother of his children…what he is planning to do then, I do not know."

Fiona shook her head, taking a drink. None of this seemed to make sense but it must be true. Fiona gazed at Sarah's stomach, thinking that could be her if she was caught. The image made her feel sick. She was not even ready for a serious relationship yet a child. Sarah looked young almost the same age as herself.

"We must get out of here…!"

Sarah glanced at Fiona. Her eyes were tired as if she was exhausted. What did Riccardo do to her? Fiona did not wish to know.

"I can't leave…"

Fiona leaned in, not expecting this answer.

"Why not? That man, Riccardo is insane!"

Sarah let out a light chuckle, leaning back on the chair.

"I'm not physically fit to be running around, Fiona. I must look after my child…and as much as it sounds strange, I am fond of Riccardo…this family is all I have now."

Footsteps could be heard approaching the door. Fiona ran under the bed again with Hewie, hoping it was not Riccardo. It wasn't.

"Miss…is everything alright?"

It was Daniella. She shut the door behind her and gave her mistress a gentle hug. They had grown extremely close even though Daniella had no feelings. She cared for Sarah and wished to protect her as much as she did not understand this feeling.

"Fiona..its alright. You can stop hiding."

Daniella turned round noticing Fiona under the bed.

"Miss Fiona. Why are you under the bed? They are for sleeping on, Miss."

Sarah laughed. Fiona frowned and sat on the bed, petting Hewie quietly. Sarah got up, sitting beside Fiona and gently patting her hand.

"Daniella will take you somewhere safe to stay. I'll find a way to get you out of here. I promise."

Fiona smiled. As much as she didn't want to, she trusted Sarah. There was something gentle about her that was genuine.

"Thank you, Sarah…" Fiona gave Sarah a soft hug and followed Daniella out into the corridor.

Fiona and Hewie cautiously stayed by Daniella as Sarah bid them farewell. Sarah sat back down on the chair with a sigh. Riccardo entered the door from outside into the garden. He looked frustrated and sat down beside her.

"Sarah…you know where they are don't you?"

Sarah looked surprised. She sat up on the chair trying to keep a straight face.

"You mean Miss Fiona and her dog? No, Riccardo."

Riccardo frowned; he knew she was lying to him. He wasn't easy to fool. He poured himself a small drink and swallowed it in one go.

"Your lying…"

Riccardo stoop up, his body leaned over hers. Sarah paused in fear.

"No. I…"

Riccardo slapped her across the cheek. Sarah whined in pain as Riccardo gazed down at her with a smirk.

"My dear Sarah…do not lie to me. I do not wish to hurt you. You do know that, don't you?"

Sarah nodded, her hand held her cheek as it stung from his hand. Riccardo leaned down, kissing her passionately.

"mmmm…don't worry…I have a plan to get Fiona where I want her…"

Riccardo walked off, leaving Sarah in tears.