Chapter 7
Malon winced in pain while she got to her feet, her knee creaking a bit. She had been crouched on her knees for the past several minutes, visiting with her parents. She rubbed her aching limb gingerly and looked up at the bright gray sky. The moon was shining brightly behind a thin cloud as a light snowfall began. She looked back toward the house as a lantern went out and a room darkened. "Link's got the right idea," she whispered, shoving her hands into the pockets of her apron.
Since their picnic, nearly three days ago, Link had been back every day. Ingo didn't dare go near her while he was there, much to her relief. And tonight, Link was spending the night. Malon knew she would sleep much easier knowing he was just a few doors down. Throughout the day, she noticed how Ingo glared at Link, especially when he was around her. Perhaps he was worried Link would propose and he would be fired. That didn't matter though, because Ingo barely did any work anymore. Or maybe he was jealous… She sighed as she shook her work dress down to the floor of her ice cold bedroom. Catching sight of herself as she walked by the vanity mirror, she stopped. Yellow and blue swathes decorated her abdomen. A few splotches of red and purple were visible on her thighs.
She was once strong, unbreakable. She beamed whenever any recognized her as Talon and Lela's daughter. Those were her younger days before she grew up and had to face the harsh realities of life. There was no such thing as fairy tales. Everything didn't end happily ever after. The chapters in her life usually ended with a kick or a punch.
Sleep was not easily attained that night. She tossed and turned for several hours before she finally slipped into a light slumber, her mind clouded with dreams or more accurately put nightmares.
Her eyes fluttered open and once again she was standing in front of the vanity mirror in nothing but her underwear. She gazed around the room and noticed how everything seemed distorted. The walls seemed to swirl and the bed looked as though it had melted to the floor. Malon's eyes traveled up from her bruised midsection and limbs to her eyes. Her reflection stared back at her. "Who are you?" she said, stating her thoughts aloud.
I'm you…
Malon jumped at the voice. Who had said that? She gazed around the empty room and noticed there was no door or windows.
"How did I allow this to happen? I was strong, a fighter. How could he change me when no one else could?" she demanded, turning back to her reflection.
Because you let him…
Malon gazed hard at her reflection. And it stared back, mimicking her occasional blinking or hair rustling with the slight draft. "…I can't fight him. He's too strong…"
And who do you think gave him that power?
She shook her head; this wasn't right. She didn't give Ingo anything.
You let him do whatever he wants…
The voice echoed in her ears and her hands covered them. But the chanting only grew louder and louder.
You let him do whatever he wants…
You let him do whatever he wants…
You let him do whatever he wants…
…I let him do whatever he wants…
Malon woke suddenly as she felt the bed shift underneath her. There was a soft grunt and then a hand on her stomach, fumbling with the buttons of her nightgown. "Hey…" she started, but was silenced by lips pressing against hers, roughly. Ingo's large hands continued working to open her nightgown. Finally remembering she had hands, she swatted his away and slid back from him, "What are you doing?" she demanded, frantically pulling her nightgown back around her.
He grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her down again, straddling her. "I really shouldn't have to explain this to you," he hissed, pinning her wrists down, "Now be a good girl and don't make this harder than it has to be."
His mouth traveled across her face down to her neck as Malon struggled beneath him. She had to call out to Link for help but his lips found her again, nibbling at her bottom lip.
He finally released her wrists and sat up, his hands fumbling with his belt. Malon, realizing that her hands were free once more, shoved him away from her with all her might. Ingo fell backwards, surprised by Malon's sudden burst of strength. He hit the ground with a thud and a grunt. She jumped from her bed and ran for the door, rattling the doorknob noisily. Locked! It seemed her hands forgot how to work as she clumsily fiddled with the lock. Ingo had recovered and wrapped his arms around her waist. He threw her back on the bed and crawled on her once more. "Why are you doing this?" she cried, as he grabbed hold of her wrists, trying to pin them to the mattress again.
He stopped moving and looked down at her, "I'm going to take from you what I wanted from her."
"…My mother?" she whispered.
Ingo's smirk widened, "If I can't have her, I'll settle for the next best thing. Now hold still, Red!" he hissed.
Her adrenaline began to surge as her face flushed with anger. No one but Link was allowed to call her Red. It was amazing how just three little letters gave her a burst of energy. "Don't you dare call me that!" She said, her voice growing fiercer with each word
"And what are you going to do?" he sneered.