Chapter Fourteen

Alice got up slowly from the bed shaking. She made small steps to the bathroom cradling her many bruises with her light steps. She closed the door behind her and sunk down onto the ground burrowing her face into her knees. She shook profusely silent, bitter tears running down her legs. Alice sat there waiting for the shaking to stop before crawling into the shower. The water was lukewarm and Alice waited for all the blood and semen to wash away before even attempting to grab the small bar of soap. Her mind was in tatters as she tried to work out what had just happened.

She had given Bumby her virginity and with it her dignity. He had hurt her, she felt raw. However he had also made her feel feelings she didn't even want to admit to. Outside the shower Alice heard shuffling, Bumby was cleaning up the mess no doubt reminding her she wouldn't be able to stay in the shower forever.

Alice got up slowly, her legs feeling weak. She dried herself as fast as her tender body would allow before dressing and exiting the small bathroom.

While on the way out, Alice caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her face was flushed, and her body felt scalding everywhere Bumby had touched her.

Alice just felt ready to get him out of her head, but he wouldn't go. He took over everything. She couldn't not think about him.

Bumby without words entered the bathroom behind her, leaving her alone and confused again.

Bumby could tell by the way Alice moved, and the look of her face that she was confused. He knew she would be. The problem was that he couldn't help indulging in some of his sadistic fantasies. This may be the reason she would want to leave but he couldn't let that happen.

Bumby washed himself, and for the first didn't need to stroke himself to relieve stress. He smirked at the thought that he may never need to again. First however he needed to convince Alice to be his.

Alice dressed herself, in the clothes she had before Bumby indulged her. She pulled on her stripy frock and fell back onto the bed of said experience with a huge sigh. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

Bumby stepped out of the bathroom dressed in the usual cotton bed trousers reminding Alice of the time. She suddenly felt very out of place in her day clothes. On Bumby's chest were large pink lashes created by her nails no doubt. A pang of guilt settled in her stomach but quickly disintegrated when she saw the key discarded on the floor.

She looked away, the key was perverted for her now, but she couldn't be mad because Bumby had a good reason to do it. She also couldn't be angry at it about the thrusting either, because even she got impatient and wanted to speed up. The second she admitted that to herself she felt her cheeks go hot.

Alice left the room without a sound and walked out the manor. She needed to clear her head and he air was definitely cold enough to do that. Bumby let her go, he knew she would come back even if just for her clothes.

Outside the snow started to fall and Alice regretted not taking her coat with her. Her temperature dropped in a matter of seconds and she needed to keep walking to keep herself warm. She was trying to think but it was so difficult. Her mind was so muddled.

Bumby tried to stay and allow Alice to think about things, but after some time he realized that her being out would not be a safe thing to do. Especially with the new people in town who wouldn't know Alice belonged to him, though technically she didn't even know… yet.

Bumby grabbed his coat and was out the door in a second. Slipping in and out of alley ways watching as Alice grew more and more confused. She had nowhere to go. At least not at this time of night.

I could board a ship and leave! Alice thought but dismissed the idea rather quickly.

He has been helping me for a long time to forget… he killed Jack Splatter for what he did to me… but I don't owe him anything! He took my virginity and dignity! But… he was so patient… I knew that he wanted me for a long time. Angus Bumby… cares? Or not… I don't understand…

Alice stood still in the middle of the square not noticing anything besides her inner monologue. She couldn't make sense of her feelings and emotions, she didn't even notice that a group of men had circled her.

"Heya, girly. Why are you out so late?" chuckled the biggest man with long brown hair. He reminded her a bit of a bear. He sure acted like one.

"I sure wouldn't tell you sir, now if you'll excuse me I must make haste" Alice tried to say politely while pushing out of the crowd but the bear's hand grabbed her wrist tightly stopping Alice in her tracks.

"I don't think so girly" The bear emphasised the word as if it had some significance.

Alice frowned, thinking now if she were to be sold to whoring herself out, or maybe just raped and killed; at least she didn't need to decide whether or not to be with Bumby, but that wasn't really much better.

But despite Alice not expecting anything Bumby walked out of the shadows in his grey cotton trousers but warm winter coat, looking menacing with his unshaved beard and shaggy bed hair, that Alice herself had caused during their connection, Alice blushed at the flashback.

"I believe you have something of mine" Bumby hissed at the bear, the crowd dispersed slightly allowing Bumby into the circle.

Without another word, Bumby wrapped his arm around Alice's waist pulling her to him gently. The bear let her wrist go.

"This is my woman! Do any of you want to challenge that? I'll have you know, you won't get off as easy as Splatter did"

Alice buried her head into Bumby's chest as he started to usher her out of the crowd. He was well known in the underworld of Oxford; for once he was grateful because at least he didn't have to stain his hands after he just had a wash.

"Alice, tell them that you are my woman and you will remain to be" Bumby whispered into Alice's hair.

Alice looked up at Bumby with wide eyes, her arms wrapped around him tightly like a child.

"Yes…" Am I his woman? Do I want to be? To be his, and his alone. No one else's?

"Yes, I am the woman of Angus Bumby! I will remain to be his and his alone…" Alice said her voice more certain than she thought it would sound, but she herself was still uncertain.

Bumby ushered her back towards the manor speaking softly.

"I know that you are still confused, I understand. Alice I want you to be mine, you are the only woman in oxford for me. It is your decision whether to stay or go, but I hope you make the correct choice and stay with me. I can make you happy. You are now able to move on and don't forget I am the man who was able to make that happen."

Alice stayed quiet but considered his words.

"I need… more time. I will stay till I make my decision… but! I would like to move back to my own room"

"Of course" Bumby replied hiding his smile.