Hints of child sexual abuse (considering she is only 12, she's still a child) ahead. NOTHING GRAPHIC! I couldn't stomach it myself. But, for dramatization and story development, it's there. So be warned.

Blood Pact

Chapter Sixteen

When Zetell's eyes opened, she could see the sun setting through her window. As she rose up, her head throbbed. Looking around, she was alone.

She pushed back the blankets to reveal her nakedness. She was covered in multiple bruises. Several of them on her upper thighs had turned black. Zetell eased herself up, but her head began to whirl. She immediately fell onto the floor.

Zetell rolled on her back, trying to figure out what to do. Again, she slowly got up and tried to move toward the bathroom. Again, she fell.

"You have a concussion." Vegeta said, leaning against the doorway. "You don't need to be up and moving around."

Zetell looked up and wondered how long he had been standing there, watching her.

"Please… help me." She said softly, not caring how she looked to him.

Vegeta walked over and picked her up, placing her back into bed. "You require rest. I need you in good health so that you can continue to send messages." He said hatefully.

Zetell smiled. "Yeah, of course." She felt extremely weak. "I think I need some food." She said.

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do? Cook for you?"

"Just some soup…anything…" Zetell told him. "Otherwise, I won't be able to get my strength back…."

Vegeta grumbled. "Fine." He left without saying another word.

Zetell tried to get comfortable, but she hurt all over. She did manage to smile when she heard the noises being made downstairs. "He's destroying my kitchen….all for a can of soup…" Then, Zetell remembered, her kitchen was already destroyed. Her memories flooded back to her. What Nappa had tried to do, and how Vegeta had showed up to stop him. She wondered where Nappa was now? She shivered from fear and the cold that seemed to seep into her bed.

She closed her eyes.

Talia had spent a total of six months in isolation. She adamantly refused to cooperate with Frieza and was as disrespectful to him as often as she could manage. She received very little food or water. And for the entire six months she had been without clothing.

She had many visits from Frieza, each one more chilling than the one before. He managed to terrorize her within the small six by six room. Understanding that breaking her will was vital to his plan, he molested her repeatedly. Never doing any real damage, at least not physically.

But, mentally, Talia had resigned herself to die. She would never let herself be what Frieza wanted her to be. Knowing that she was not strong enough to kill him, it was her only alternative.

His most ominous visit was about three weeks ago. He informed Talia of her 12th birthday and that in a few short weeks, they would begin their lives together. Talia tried once again to attack Frieza, but in her weakened state she was helpless. He beat her severely, and if it weren't for Zarbon's intervention yet again, she would have been killed.

Frieza announced that his patience was gone and he began to make arrangements for her to be released from isolation. Released into his personal care.

Since that time, Talia had been unable to speak. Although weak, she had been able to verbally communicate to her few visitors. But, it was as if the fear had gripped her so tightly, her voice was gone. Even when she cried, her whimpers were almost silent.

Also, the complete darkness had affected her eyesight, and she was not able to tolerate even a modest amount of light. So, when the guards came and pulled her outside for the first time, Talia was blind.

She knew guards surrounded her, and that making any attempt would be futile. She could see nothing; she could not stand on her own. She was filthy and the odors coming from her body were unspeakable.

Talia was thrown down onto a carpeted floor, and heard the door close behind her. Still unable to open her eyes due to the light, she waited.

"I'm here." The voice said soothingly.

It was Adedda.

Talia reached out and the two embraced. Adedda held the girl while she cried for what seemed like hours. Finally, Adedda began to whisper in her ear.

"Do not let on that we are talking? Do you understand?" She said quietly. "But, a plan has been devised. You are going to be set free…trust me…" Adedda held onto her tightly.

Talia could not believe what she was hearing.

Free?

From Frieza?

It sounded too good to be true, but she did as Adedda had asked and kept quiet. In a while, two other women came in to help clean Talia up. Food and clothing was brought to her, and being unable to see, Adedda fed Talia herself.

The girl ate slowly; her stomach having shrunk so, that too much food would make her sick. She had lost weight, and was little more than a shell.

Adedda also noticed that Talia could not or was not able to speak. She kept her eyes closed and made noises but nothing more. Adedda wondered what, if any, of Talia's mind was still in tact.

As Adedda combed the lumps out of her long black hair, she again spoke in a whisper to Talia, hoping the girl could comprehend what was being said.

"Frieza will not come for you for a few days. He knows that you must gain your strength back or risk losing the baby." As Adedda spoke the words, Talia started to cry.

"Shhhh." She told her. "It will not come to that…I swear to you." Adedda continued with her hair. "There are others that are involved in this, so we will all work together. Just because someone seems like an enemy, do not be deceived."

When Adedda was done, she left Talia alone. No one else came, except to bring more food and drink. Talia turned off all the lights and slept in her own bed. Although fitfully, Adedda's words had managed a small amount of comfort.

All Talia could do was wait.

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