~Chapter 4: Meeting New People~

"Krystal, come here now!" Kathryn called as I just cleaning the chimney. Soot and ash covered me all over. I quickly made my way to her.

She gave me a menacing look and said, "Someone wants to see you." Her expression was suddenly happy as she opened the door to reveal John.

I began to backup, trying to get as far away from him as possible. He lunged for me, and I bolted away as quick as my legs would carry me. He grabbed my ankle causing me to fall.

I tried to kick him off me, but he was stronger. "Mom!" I yelled hoping she would do something about this quick. She didn't even acknowledge my presence though she was right there in the same room as us.

I was kicking and screaming, trying to get him off of me and my cold and heartless stepmother just watched.

Finally, I was able to kick him in the balls, as soon as I went for another kick to his face, his hand wrapped around my foot as he flipped me over.

He then grabbed my hair as he dragged me from the family room to the bedroom. I clawed my fingers into the couch for support. I took one hand and grabbed a broken piece of glass and I used it to cut his hand.

He let go and smacked me so hard, my head hit the floor. "Someone needs to be punished.." He hissed as Kathryn handed him a wooden baseball bat. He swung and all I could do was scream.

"Aaaaahhhhhhhhh!" I screamed as my eyes shot open. I was panicking thinking I was about to get hit, my heart was racing.

I took a few deep breathes as I tried to calm myself down. I had just realized that I was okay. I wasn't at home, but in someone else's room. I took in my surroundings; I was in a king sized bed with black and white sheets and a comforter. To my right stood a large wooden bookshelf with maybe a hundred or so books in it. In front of me was a wardrobe with a thirty inch flat screen T.V. above it. And to my left was a desk with a few school books on it.

The room was enormous! The floor was extremely polished brown wood and the wallpaper was white and plain. There were about three large windows in the room, each covered by a black curtain.

I pulled the covers back and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I was kinda cold and I wondered why. I had on my uniform right? Nope.

Parts of my thighs and legs were bandaged, as well as my stomach, chest and arms. At least my feet seemed to be okay. Judging on the expensive décor of the room, I would guess I was in a mansion or a rich person's home.

I had also found that I had on nothing but my bra and underwear. Amazing how they survived the brutal beatings eh. As I scanned the room for something to wear, I found a white robe. I quickly got out of bed as walked over to the chair.

What time is it? Who was kind enough to help someone like me? More importantly, where are my clothes?

All those questions and more ran through my mind. I put on the robe and it just seemed to fit me just right. I'm assuming this is a girls' robe.

I went to these all white double French doors that lead to a master bath. I decided to try and clean myself up at least, to be presentable.

While I found a comb to comb through my hair, a voice startled me.

"So, you're awake." I dropped the comb and look over at the entrance to the bathroom to see the Prince.

Was he the one who—

"Remember, you ran into me in the park. I tried to see what you were running from because you looked scared out of your mind. But you left and then passed out." He must've felt bad for me.

"Oh yeah." I replied sheepishly. "Sorry about that I—" I almost forgot who I was talking to, I quickly bowed in respect.

"Stop doing that." He said as if he were tired of seeing the same thing over and over. "You don't have to bow or anything to me, it's rather annoying."

I straightened myself back up and he could tell that I was curious. "Sorry for the intrusion." I told him slowly. "But thank you for taking care of me. Where is my uniform by the way?" I asked.

"It's being fixed; it was torn in some areas." He replied. He looked my body over from head to toe even though I was wearing the robe, I felt a bit violated. "What happened to make you have so many injuries?" He asked with concern.

I looked down at the ground and considered my options. Should I tell him? He did help me after all. I bit my lip and said, "I fell down the stairs at home yesterday." That was part of the truth.

"That explains some of the wounds but what about the cuts on your hands, wrists and arms. What about the—" He was cut off by another women's voice entering the room. She looked like him and seemed to be the same age as me,

"Brother, stop pestering the girl with loaded questions. Can't you see how uncomfortable she is?" She lightly hit Zero on the head with her fist. "Hello, I'm Zoey, and this is the one and only moody Zero." She introduced to me as she stuck out her tongue at him.

She had the same grey hair but it was really long and tied back into a high pony tail. She still wore our school uniform, I wonder if she just started as well.

Zero looked at me and came closer that the personal space was now intimate. "Sorry for throwing all those questions at once. Come on let's get you something to eat first."

Another thought occurred to me, I looked up at him and said, "Um, where am I?" I asked and he looked at me like I was slow.

"Are you that oblivious? You're in our castle of course." He replied as my face fell. I couldn't believe it.

"What's your name hun?" His sister called me back from my state of shock.

"I-its Krystal." I stuttered, I was so nervous. I hadn't really had any real conversations with anyone lately.

"Don't worry, you don't have to bow to us or nothing, just think of us as your new friends." She sent me a warm smile. I began to tear up and had to wipe my eyes before they began to fall.

Zoey sent me a worried look. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked.

I shook my head, "No, no! It's just I haven't had friends in a long time." I admitted. Zoey and Zero both raised an eyebrow in confusion. Before they could ask why, another voice interrupted them.

"Come on you two lets—oh my! Hello there dear, how are you feeling?" This woman was older but not super old. She had long brown hair tide back into a neat pony tail. She seemed very kind and welcoming.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you!" She seemed to be the queen I suppose. I was about to ask another floating question when caught my eye in the mirror. I turned to face it and I stepped back in fright. It seemed to be a great beast who was glaring at me with its great big blood red eyes.

"Honey, what's—"The queen started but the beast jumped out of the mirror somehow and I screamed running to hide behind Zero's back.

"Its just one of our many pets. He different from the others." Zoey said, as she looked at me, it looked like she was hungry or something. She was about to advance further when their mom stuck out her arm to stop her.

"Okay, time to eat kids!" She said as she lead the way to the kitchen. When I stared back at the beast, it was gone.