Warning: Abuse

Disclaimer: ...Really? I need to state that I don't own the series 15 times?

A/N: Ok, this is the next chapter I got done while my computer was down. Please enjoy.

R&R

It was just one moment. Just little mistake. One moment of bad judgement. Just one. But even then I knew I would pay dearly for it.

It had been nearly two weeks. For half of the first week, I could barely walk. I lmiped around the house. And eventually, I could walk normally again. I still don't know what events occured that night, but I honestly wanted to.

I wandered into town to pick up more groceries, a smile gracing my face and a warm heart that seemed to radiate from the kiss Arthur had placed on my forehead.

I went through my usual routine, buying tea and most of what I needed. It appeared I had run out of money before I could finish buying groceries, taxes had been raised, again.

I pondered how much more pocket change I would need to buy food, but before I knew it, the food was splayed over the ground. I had bumbed into a boy- one much older than me. He looked down at me with a smile. His eyes seemed to sparkle and he radiated pure charisma. He held out a hand to me. "Sorry 'bout that kid. Didn't see ya there." He helped ne to my feet and I quickly gathered up my belongings.

He was speaking to several other men, and I listened intently- intrested in what such a man could have to say.

They spoke of something called the "patriots"...and I couldn't put my finger on what they were actually speaking of.

They were speaking of flags.

They were going to sew flags.

I got excited, I wanted to sew too. "C-can I come?" My smiling nearly hurt my face, but it seemed fun. like a club.

The man raised his eyebrow at me. "Kid, do you even know what we're talking about?"

My smile brightened. "Of course! You're going to make flags for the patriots! I wanna help!"

His smile insensified, as if he was trying to match my glee. He ruffled my hair, chucklng lightly. "Well alright kid, come with us."

So I followed behind, carrying my large bag of groceries with me.

The man sat me down with a group of women. They had several drawings in front of them, and were sewing them with an intense concentration.

They smiled collectively at me and put me to work. Several hours and bloody fingers later, and I had my very own patriot flag.

I ran home with it, greeting Arthur before I put away the groceries. I kept that little flag in my pocket, proud of my work... I would show it to Arthur later.

Later came rather soon, and I eagerly showed Arthur my flag- maybe it was good enough to hang up!

He gritted his teeth as I chatted away, happily holding up my flag.

I yelped as a hand tangled it's self in my hair and yanked, dragging me along. "How DARE you bring that into my house you little git. This is how you repay me for all I've done for you?"

I didn't know what he was talking about, but I couldn't question it as he pulled me by my hair. I felt strands loosen and fall from my head.

He finally released my hair, throwing me down a flight of stairs. It wasn't my first fall down stairs, but one could never get used to falling limp in a pile of your own limbs.

I groaned in pain, climbing to my hands and knees. I looked back up the stairs and watched as Arthur walked down them, joining me in our small celler.

His foot met my stomach and I toppled over, coughing and gagging on my own breath.

ifoot met my stomach again.

Then my ribs.

My face.

I felt a rib crack.

And all I saw were his perfectly polished shoes, now scuffed with dust and blood.

He turned and went back up the stairs, leaving me as a bloody mess.

I heard the door clink and lock.

I was locked in the small room.

I coughed, gagging on the dust that came with each staggered breath.

It hurt to inhale, and each time I did, it brought on another coughing fit.

There was nothing in that basement.

No light.

No food.

No warmth.

Just darkness.

I dug my nails into the wall, slumping down as my tiredness caught up with me.

I picked at the grainy sustance that had accumulated under my nails.

How long had it been? A day? A week? Two?

I leaned back against the wall, my dazed eyes darting around the room. At some point, during a time beyond my consciousness, I fell asleep. My tired body unable to support me any longer.

My breathing became more stable as my rib began to heal.

I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the small stream of light coming from the door.

Arthur stood at the top.

I ran up the steps, stumbing multiple times as I went.

I clung to him tightly, the mere force of the hug pushing him back a step. The tears came before I knew it and I buried my face in his chest. "I love you Arthur, I love you so much. I'm sorry. I love you."

His arms wrapped around me protectively, a soft hand running through my dirty hair. He shushed me and told me everything was alright, that he loved me too.

How could I do that to Arthur. How could I betray him. I loved him so much. I was his.

He took me upstairs to bathe, and put me in clean clothes. I was given a scone and some tea, and I swallowed both gratefully.

Arthur took such good care of me.

My hair was ruffled lovingly and things went back to normal.

I had been down there 3 days.

Reviews make me smile.