CHAPTER THREE – Pinch Me, I Must be Dreaming

I wasn't bothered from when Malachai slammed his door, until the sunlight streamed through the windows. Onto my god damn face. I groaned and slumped over into my pillow. The rough fibers of the worn sheets made my skin itch, and I eventually threw the covers off of me, and flailed out like I would if I were home.

An angry stomping tore me from my half-decent sleep, and I heard Malachai grumble, "Outlander!"

"Homicidal freak!" I shouted back.

Malachai kicked open the door. In response I flung my pillow at him, "could you KNOCK?!"

He caught the pillow and his knuckles grew white, "outlander… get… up."

"No."

"Now, or your punishment shall be worse than the lashes."

"Oh please. Get the fuck out." I turned away and wrapped my arms around my head. Almost immediately I felt Malachai grab my hair and pull me onto the floor.

"Outlander, either you will be put to work, or put to death."

"You wanna get thrashed again?"

"You're the one who's going to…"

"To what?" I stood up and faced him, pulling my hair back into a ponytail with one my last hair ties. They were so valuable.

He pulled the hair at the nape of my neck, bringing my face up to his. He then whispered into my ear, softly, "to be… 'thrashed'."

A malicious idea suddenly popped into my brain. I put my hands on Malachai's chest as if to push him away, and quickly twisted his um… nips.

He cried out, let go, and clutched his chest, confused and terrified.

"Sorry, did I interrupt your milk flow?" Wow, lame joke. Why DO men have nipples? I shook my head and folded my arms, smirking.

Malachai stared at me and ran at me. He grabbed my shoulders and I realized that I was in for the same treatment. "Oh no, no, no, NONONONONO! That is sexual assault my friend!" I shoved at him, suddenly anxious and giddy. The redhead wrapped a hand around my throat and pressed down. FUCK!

I struggled for air and I figured, hey, a quick purple-nurple wouldn't kill me. But if I struggled the hand around my throat certainly would. For a moment, Malachai did nothing but stare at me. I spit in his face. He snarled and found the spot, and pinched. I let out a cry that sounded way more sexual than I planned.

"Are you DONE?" I managed to sit up as Malachai eased off of me. "My nipple fucking hurts."

He smiled, "good."

"Good?!" I grabbed his shirt collar this time, and got up in his grill. "I'll file charges!" Wait, Elliot Stabler isn't here to save me. No Po-Po whatsoever. (Law and Order SVU reference).

As I stared at him, I felt a strange urge I hadn't been blessed with in a long time. Malachai just stood there, grumpy as usual, as I processed the emotion.

"Outlander, stop fooling around. Game are forbidden, and Isaac must see you immediately."

We both seemed perplexed and surrounded by a surreal, sort of out-of-body-experience.

"You're not going to kill me, are you?" I whispered.

He blinked, and backed away.

I pulled him toward me, "you don't really want to kill me. I think you're… jealous of my superiority. It's something you want to take from me." Just like they did. They wanted to take everything I ever had. My life, my pride, my happiness. Making me bleed only made me stronger.

"Someone as full of energy as me? Someone as angry as me?" I began to circle him, increasing his level of discomfort. He'd blow up soon enough. "He couldn't want to kill me, no. He would rather beat me, throttle me. But not kill me." I circled around to face him again. I glared, held out my hand. Malachai reluctantly placed his hand on mine. I stared at his palms, calloused from working and, um, killing. I compared my equally calloused hand to his, and though mine was much smaller, they were so similar. We're both so angry, hurt. I retracted my hand, and Malachai let his come to rest at his side once more.

"We will give you peace, one day, outlander. Even if it is against Isaac's will." He muttered.

"I'll give you some… PEACE. Now close your eyes."

Malachai glared at me.

"Fine, don't." I leaned up, and I fucking kissed him. On the lips. I pulled away and took a good look at him. Malachai was confused.

"Why would you do that?"

"Oh, it's um… It's … ah… it's a punishment, of course." I laughed nervously.

"But I—" Can't let him find out! Tee-hee.

I kissed Malachai again, and gently touched his cheek. It was so warm around me, so dream-like.

"Stop, s-stop!" Malachai pushed me back and opened the door. "This is forbidden. You'll be lashed again!"

Guilt spread through me and I looked at the floor. "I see."

"Well, Interloper, let's go. Isaac waits."

Malachai grabbed my arm and yanked me out the door, down the stairs, and to the church."

Well… the plot thickens I see.

I had to get on Isaac's good side. Once I did, I would be able to make my escape. Malachai would be the first to go… Unless, and this was highly unlikely, he decided to join me. Bahaha… how… silly!