Prison of Tides

Chapter 11 - Cherry

 Jasmine's Point of View 

     That night, my dreams were filled with Cherry. What her life was like before. What her life was like at the cave before my arrival. How it changed when I arrived. Where was she now? While our time together had been fleeting, we were bonded through an experience that no one else could dream of understanding.

     I woke in a sweat, the waning moon peeking through Caspian's windows. His arm was around my waist, and Royal was curled up against my stomach.

     I stood and went to the window, craving the moonlight on my skin, the mighty force that controlled the tides.

     Deciding to leave my phone, I found a pen and paper in Caspian's desk and left him a note.

     Couldn't sleep. Went for a walk. Love you - Jasmine

    Making my way outside, I found my feet taking me towards the beach. The waves lapped onto my toes and I pulled my shawl tight around my shoulders, protecting myself from the chill of the sea breeze.

     I needed to be able to think. I needed the water around me. I stripped my clothes and dove into the waves; there was something so tranquil, so serene about the sea at night. A quiet space for me to simply be. No expectations.

     A school of fish passed me as I made my way deeper. I needed to be empty, to feel like I was floating in an infinite space.

     I made my way to the drop off and swam to the bottom, where only the faintest moonlight made its way to me. My back to the underwater cliff, I hugged my legs to my chest as the darkness surrounded me.

     It was all too much. My parents, so generous, their lives snuffed out because of Raymond's lust for me. The betrayal of his own wife, whose sacred vows he desecrated.

     It had been so easy to accept that it had been an accident. Heartbreaking, but a tragic accident. I had flourished despite it, carefully cultivated by the king and queen, as though I were a delicate flower that they just knew could be nursed back to health. I was looked out for by the remaining advisors, including Raymond.

     Anything you need, I am here for you. Always.

     He took great care to dote on me. Now, I knew why.

     Now, the endless pain seeped from me and permeated the water that enveloped me.

     Raymond, who I had trusted.

     Raymond, who helped me learn how to drive.

     Raymond, who had helped me pick out an outfit for my first date with Caspian. No man who sees you in this could resist you.

     Raymond, who had given me a necklace and matching earrings for my senior prom. A special gift for a special girl, he had told me, giving my shoulders a squeeze after fastening the necklace, his fingers hovering just a second longer than necessary at the nape of my neck.

     So many moments I thought innocent, turned to ash by the searing truth.

     Raymond, who was plotting to have me as his own from the time I was a child. What we found in the caves has brought us to the conclusion that it started seven years ago, when she was 15.

     Raymond, who watched my every move for years. I've been planning this for a long, long time now. You belong to me.

     Raymond, who killed my parents. We found evidence in the cave that he hired someone to tamper with the breaks before they went out that evening.

     Raymond, who took Cherry when he couldn't yet have me. I have been preparing her for your arrival for quite some time now.

     Raymond, who subjected Cherry to horrors I knew all too well for months on end. When he is inside me, he calls me by your name.

     Raymond, who beat me.You will never see him again! You are mine now. He will never touch you, never feel you as I have felt you. You are mine and mine alone!

     Raymond, who had designed a perfect prison with no hope of escape. There's no point in trying to escape, Jasmine.

     Raymond, who kidnapped me. I know you can't move. Because I drugged you.

     Raymond, who r***d me. You'll take exactly the amount I want you to take.

     Raymond, who put objects inside of me, measuring me with the careful calculation of a seamstress measuring her subject. Now it's time for the rest of your examination. Where do you want me to start?

     Raymond, who cut me. You need a reminder of who you belong to, Jasmine. It's time you had a permanent reminder.

     Raymond, who drugged me and sold my body to other men. He brought in men who paid to r**e her. Whatever drug he gave her, she was awake, but she doesn't remember. She was wide awake for all but three of the videos.

     Raymond, who recorded my deepest shame to be sold to the highest bidders. Have you ever heard of something called the dark web?

     Swimming to the surface, I let myself float under the light of the moon. I let myself feel it, let myself grieve what had been taken from me. No one here to try and comfort me, to distract me. I needed to feel this. I was allowed to feel this.

     I took a deep breath, and the water shuddered around me as my mouth opened. I screamed. No one around to hear me. No one around to panic and rush to my side.

     Weeping from my broken heart, the water cradled me, and I prayed that she would wash my soul as she cleansed my body of the atrocities committed against it. The salt of my tears mixed with the salt of the ocean.

     I asked the waves to bring me back to shore, and I floated for what felt like a healing eternity until I was deposited onto the shoreline.

     Laying there, I let the wind blow over my form, drying my breast as the soft glow of the moon cast over me. It was a balm to my soul, and I felt as though I was glowing, radiating peace by the time I was done.

     I had made my decisions. Come morning, I would watch the videos.

     Now, I needed to see Cherry.

     I tried to wake Caspian. A futile attempt. The man could sleep through a tsunami. I admired him for a moment, the way his curls swooped over his face, before discarding my old note and leaving a new one on the nightstand.

*

     At the hospital, I found my way to her room. I couldn't explain how, but I could feel her, feel where she was, feel she was awake and alone. Feel her hurting.

     Knocking on the door, I poked my head in.

     "Cherry?"

     She looked up at me. "Jasmine." Her smile looked sad.

     I took a seat beside her and took her hand in mine.

     "How are you doing?"

     "I'm okay." Her answer was short.

     "You can lie to everyone else, but you can't lie to me."

     Finally, her eyes met mine. "No one has come."

     My heart ached for her.

     "They couldn't contact Aiden. My sister, either. My parents aren't in the picture, haven't been for a long time. I have no one."

     She paused, biting her lip.

     "They say I can go home at the end of the week if all goes as planned. I don't know where to go. I've been gone five months. Five. I feel so lost, Jasmine. I thought it was three. Two months of my life I thought I still had, erased from my mind."

I stood up and pulled her towards me, holding her as she broke down. I wanted to tell her about the videos, about the drugs. I sensed she couldn't handle that now. She was too fragile.

     "I'll find them, Cherry. I promise you."

     "How can they not be here? The only people I have, and they're not here. Maybe I was better off in that cave."

     "You know that's not true. You deserve so much better and are worth so much more than what he did to you. What he did to us. You survived. You are a fighter, you are a survivor. It may not feel like it now, but you walked out of hell alive. And that happened for a reason. Now tell me. What is your sister's full name, and Aiden's as well?"

     "My sister's name is Rain Hudson. Aiden's last name is Taline. They live in the city. Aiden worked at the restaurant on 2nd and 31st. Rain worked at the bank on 4th and 10th." Her voice held just a sliver of hope, but that sliver was better than nothing. I grabbed a pen and wrote down their information.

     After a moment, she broke the silence. "They say I have internal damage. They're planning on putting me into reconstructive surgery tomorrow. If it doesn't work, I won't be able to have children. It's a long shot, they said."

     She put her face into her hands and her chest heaved.

     "I'm here, Cherry. I'll be here."

     I couldn't even begin to imagine.

     "Jasmine?"

     I took her hand in mine.

     "Thank you for coming. I'm so tired."

     "Rest, Cherry. I'll see you tomorrow."

     I stayed until her eyes closed and her breathing evened out. Before exiting the room, I left my number beside her bed.

     I would find Aiden and Rain if it was the last thing I did.

*

     Returning to the palace, I made my way to Caspian's room once more. He was pacing the hallway outside the door, a frantic look on his face.

     When he saw me, he rushed to me, his hands gripping my shoulders.

     "Do you have any idea how much you scared me? I woke up in the middle of the night and you were gone. I looked everywhere and couldn't find you." His breathing was heavy.

     "I'm sorry, Caspian. I didn't mean to worry you. I couldn't sleep, and strongly felt I needed to go see Cherry. I tried to wake you, but you wouldn't budge."

     He began to calm down, but there was still panic in his eyes. "You couldn't have left a note?"

     "I did leave a note for you. I didn't want you to panic. From the look on your face, I see you didn't get it."

     I took his hand and walked into the bedroom, where Royal was curled up on the nightstand, directly on top of the note.

     "Oh, Royal! Naughty kitty!" She purred and nuzzled my hand as I attempted to shoo her away. I handed the note to Caspian.

     He sat down and read it before starting to laugh, his tense body relaxing. "Did I ever tell you what Royal is short for?"

     I sat beside him and put my arms around his neck, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "I can't say that you have, dear."

     "Royal pain in my ass." I laughed with him, standing and walking towards the closet to change back to my pajamas.

     "I'm so sorry I worried you, Caspian. I love you. Scaring you is the last thing I want to do."

     He turned and pulled me tight to his chest. "I thought you were missing again, love." He buried his face in my hair. "I'm sorry I got upset. Thank you for the note." His lips met mine slowly, as though he was cherishing something he thought lost forever.

     After what felt like an eternity, he pulled away. "How is Cherry?"

     I sighed and sat on the bed. "She's not good. She has to have surgery tomorrow. They're trying to save her chances of having children, but it doesn't look good."

     "Oh wow. I'm so sorry, love."

     "The worst part is, they can't find her sister or her boyfriend. It turns out that Raymond had her for five months. She tried to keep track of the days, but thought it was three months. I couldn't bring myself to tell her about the drugs, the videos, the other men."

     "It doesn't sound like the right time. Perhaps after she's recovered from her surgery."

     "She has no where to go, Caspian. It's awful. I promised her that I would try to find them, her sister and boyfriend. No one should go through this alone."

Caspian's eyes shone with sympathy. "She's welcome to stay here."

     I stared at him. "Really? You'd do that for her?"

     "Of course, my love. She lived with that monster for five months. She deserves to be helped. I know you haven't talked about it much, but I know that the two of you have a special connection. You saved each other in that nightmare. The only comfort in that horrible place. If she's important to you, she's important to me."

     "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

     "I believe you told me before we went to sleep, about five hours ago. Which is five hours too long," He pulled me to him, my head resting on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat.

     "Well, I do. I love you, more than anyone and anything in this world." I kissed him over his heart.

     "I love you too, Jasmine. You're everything that's good in this world. Tomorrow, we should be there for Cherry, for her surgery."

     "Yes, we should. There's something else I want to do, something that you may not like, but that I need to do."

     "What's that, my love?" His fingers traced small circles on my back through my shirt.

     "I need to see the videos."

     His arms tightened around me, and I heard his heart rate increase. 

     "May I ask why you feel the need to do that?"

     "I need to know what happened while I was drugged. Not knowing, it's driving me crazy. Eliza is who suggested I consider it. I think that knowing it, seeing it, would help me heal, help me accept that it wasn't my fault."

     He buried his face in my hair before planting a gentle kiss on my head.

     "Would it be okay if I... if I watched them with you? I don't think you should see that alone, Jasmine."

     I was ashamed to admit that I wanted him there, wanted him to know what I needed him to do to erase Raymond's claim over my body. I knew it wasn't logical, to think he held any sort of claim to me, but it was how I felt.

     "Caspian?"

     "Yes, my love?"

     "I... I need you to watch them with me."

     He held me close, his hands so delicate as he stroked my hair.

     "Anything for you, love."

     "I need you to see because..." I took a breath, gathering my courage before continuing. "Because I need you to take me the way that they did. I need you to replace their touch with your own, with your love." I hid my face in his chest as I spoke.

     "I promise you, Jasmine. I'll replace every bad, awful, horrific moment with one hundred amazing ones. More than that. I want to, more than I've ever wanted anything. I promise to show you the tenderness that you deserve, and everything you crave."

     I looked up at him and saw he was staring at me, an unfamiliar look in his eyes.

     "What is it that you crave, Jasmine?"

     I pressed my hand to his chest. "You."

*

     Morning came all too quickly, and leaving Caspian to sleep in, I headed towards the shower. I felt awful for worrying him the night before. He deserved his rest.

     After grabbing a shower, I headed downstairs, finding Queen Elenor eating in the kitchen. I sat across from her.

     "Good morning," I smiled, sipping my coffee.

     "Ah, good morning, Jasmine. I trust you rested well?"

     "Well, I had an eventful night," I took a bite of my egg in the hole.

     "Oh?" She inquired, her perfectly waxed blonde eyebrows arching.

     "I couldn't sleep, so I went for a swim. I needed some time to process. I can't explain it, but I felt Cherry calling out to me, so I went to see her."

     "Ah, Cherry. How is she doing?"

     "She's not doing so well. She has surgery scheduled today and the hospital didn't find her sister or boyfriend. I told her I'd find them, but frankly, I don't even know where to begin."

     "Why don't I help you? I have a feeling that people may be more forthcoming with me than with hospital officials." She winked, peering over her newspaper. "What is her surgery for?"

     "It's reconstruction, to attempt to save her ability to have children."

     Elenor set her paper down. Her blue eyes could have cut through steel in that moment. "I can't believe such a monster sat on my court under the guise of caring for our people. How you can do that to another human being, I cannot fathom. I am so sorry for what you, and poor Cherry, have been through. There's nothing that can make it better, but perhaps we can provide some solace in finding her loved ones."

     With that, she stood and headed for the garage. "Come, dear. We have people to find."

     After a quick text to Caspian, we were on our way.

     The city was ripe with life, and as we walked into the bank, cars honked as they passed. We wore sunglasses and scarves over our heads, attempting some anonymity before submitting our request to find Rain. The news was everywhere, and I didn't feel like fielding questions about my experience.

     We approached the counter, waiting our turn in line.

     "Next!" The teller's crystal blue eyes assessed us with a smile, her dark red hair pulled tightly into a bun.

     "Hello, dear. We are looking for Rain Hudson. She worked here about five months ago, although we're unsure if she's still here or not."

     The bank teller's eyes turned cold. "Who wants to know?"

     I spoke first. "Her sister."

     She smirked. "I'm Rain. My backstabbing sister bailed nearly half a year ago after a fight. When she left, she ditched half of the rent and left me with an eviction. Whatever she has to say, she can say it to my ass."

     I was shocked. Elenor spoke first. "I understand your frustration, Rain. Have you happened to see the news lately?"

     "Every night. Why?"

     We removed our scarves and sunglasses.

     Her jaw dropped. "Your majesty!"

     I spoke next.

     "I assume you've seen the story about the advisor who kidnapped Prince Caspian's fiance?"

     She nodded.

     "Well, that's me. Your sister, Cherry, who bailed on you? She was a victim of his as well. He took her five months ago."

     Her face paled. "What? Cherry's been with that psycho?"

     "Did you even try to find her?"

     Elenor put her hand on my arm, squeezing lightly. "What Jasmine means, is that Cherry is in the hospital. She's going into surgery today, and has been trying to reach both you and Aiden."

     "Oh, oh my gods. This whole time... When the hospital called, I thought she was in trouble and calling me to bail her out. I should have come. I should have listened. I should have trusted her..." Her voice trailed off. "Give me just a moment." She put up a sign that noted the lane was closed before disappearing into an office in the back.

     She emerged from the office without her nametag, practically running around the desk.

     "You said you need to find Aiden?"

     "Yes, that would be appreciated."

     "I'll take you to him."

*

     Aiden's apartment was only a block away, a shabby building with trash piled out front. We rode the elevator to the fourth floor, where Rain strode to the second door and banged on it.

     "Just a minute," A groggy voice with a British accent called from within.

     "No, Aiden. Open the f*****g door. Now!"

     "Who is it?"

     "It's Rain!"

     The red door opened within seconds, revealing a dark haired man in a disheveled pink bathrobe, holding a bag of frozen peas to his head.

     "Rain? What's going on?" Looking at Elenor, his eyes widened. "Oh, wow."

     "Hi, Aiden. I'm a friend of Cherry's," I extended my hand towards him. "I've heard a lot of good things about you."

     "Cherry? You found her?"

     Rain spoke. "You were right, Aiden. She didn't just run off."

     "I told you she wouldn't do that! I told you she must be in trouble, but you didn't believe me. Where the hell has she been, then?"

     Aiden looked at me.

     "Holy s**t. You're that girl on the news."

     Elenor and I looked at each other, before I looked back to him.

     "Raymond Mitchell took her before he took me."

     His face paled.

     "I'll be ready in five minutes."

*

     Caspian met us at the hospital, sitting outside of Cherry's room. I left the others in the hall as I went in. She was just beginning to wake.

     "Hi, Cherry. How did your surgery go?"

     "They weren't able to fix me," She sniffled and tucked her hair behind her ears. Looking behind me, she spoke again. "You're alone."

     "I'm so, so sorry Cherry. I do have some good news, though. I'm not alone. I didn't want to ambush you with everyone at once without checking with you first."

     "Wait, you found them?" I could see a plethora of emotions running across her face, from elation to anger to fear.

     "Yes, I did. They'll come in whenever you're ready, but for now, I wanted a moment with you."

     She nodded, her eyes looking up. I could see her fighting a wave of panic. I laced my fingers with hers.

     "Cherry, look at me."

     She kept staring at the ceiling.

     "Cherry. Look at me."

     After a moment, her eyes met mine.

     "I'm so scared," She breathed. "Nothing is the same anymore. Why didn't they come sooner?"

     I squeezed her hand. "Aiden didn't know. He never stopped looking for you."

    She smiled for a moment, gratitude washing over her face before a frown.

"And my sister?"

     I chose my words carefully. "She's so grateful that you're alive, that you're here and that you're getting help."

     "Jasmine?"

     "Yes?"

     "Can you stay? Just for a minute, before telling them to come in?"

     "Of course."

     We sat in silence for ten minutes, me rubbing her hand in a small gesture of comfort. I knew a fraction of how she was feeling. How would I have felt if I'd been gone for five months instead of a week? How would I have felt if the brutality continued and to the point I could never have children?

     Once her breathing calmed, she looked at me and nodded. "Okay. I'm ready. Can you stay?"

     "Anything you need. Before I call them in, I wanted to extend an offer to you."

     She raised her eyebrows. "Yes?"

     "I know we found your loved ones, and that's great. But if you need to, you're welcome to stay at the palace with us, for as long as you need to."

     "Thank you, Jasmine. Thank you so much. I'm terrified to go back home. I'm excited to see them both, but I'm so scared."

     I nodded. "I understand. Caspian and Queen Elenor are here too, and they wanted to be there for you. Would you like for them to come in as well?"

     After a moment of hesitation, she nodded. "Yes, but after I see Aiden and Rain. Can you ask them to come in?"

     Nodding, I opened the door and called them in.

     Aiden came in first, rushing to her bedside.

     "My darling Cherry," He kissed her hand. "Oh, how I have missed you."

     She pulled her hand away, and he looked at her in confusion.

     "I'm sorry," She whispered.

     "It... it's okay, Cherry."

     An awkward silence ensued, with Rain standing in the corner.

     Finally, she spoke. "So this whole time, Raymond had you?"

     Cherry flinched and shut her eyes. "Yes."

     "You don't seem yourself."

     I glared at her. Aiden stared at Rain as though she was speaking a foreign language. Cherry's lower lip quivered. Nobody made a sound.

     "What? I mean, you've been missing forever and you don't even seem happy to see us."

     "Why do you think she doesn't seem herself, Rain? Clearly she's been through a trauma."

     "You know, clearly I'm not wanted here. Way to stand up for your sister, Cherry. Have a nice life." With that, she stormed out of the room.

     I stood in shock. How could her own sister betray her like this?

     "I'm sorry, Cherry." Aiden reached for her hand again. This time, Cherry accepted his touch, holding onto him tightly. "I heard that you had surgery today. How did it go?"

     She looked as though she were about to lose her grip, about to break down. "The surgery was unsuccessful."

     "What was your surgery for?"

     She looked at him, tears lining her eyes once more. "They tried a new reconstructive surgery to see if they could fix what Raymond... broke. They couldn't. I can't have children now."

     Aiden brushed his thumb over her hand. “I’m so, so sorry, Cherry.”

     She nodded, turning her head into his shoulder and letting him comfort her.

     “Cherry, I think we’re going to give the two of you some privacy. I’ll be back to see you tomorrow, though. I promise.”

     “Thank you, Jazz.” She sniffed and smiled sadly at me, her rich blue eyes watering.