The Reedemed Alpha

Refusal of games

Vena

The shock was still there.

It was almost a blissful numb to her system.

She had thought nothing could phase her. She'd seen and been through so many horrors. But no. This new discovery has been the thing that shattered her mind.

After she got out from the tub she took the clothes he had brought her off the sink counter and changed in the pantry closet that was off to the side of the kitchen. Now here she sat idly combing her hair over and over on the front porch. Blindly watching the sun set.

Her mind was blank now. Maybe she'd officially lost her mind. She knew she should be terrified. But her mind was just blank.

This kind of thing only happens in teen horror movies, fairy tales, and books. Not in the real world.

Neither had spoken another word to another. Well, he had tried. She could feel him hovering close by. He'd offered her food but she ignored him. He'd tried to place a blanket around her shoulders but she shrugged it off. She'd rather freeze to death or catch pneumonia then accept anything from him.

While she sat she just thought.

Thought about those she had to leave behind that she loved. Thought about her plan that she had that was now taken from her. She thought about her chances of escape. Considering he could morph into an animal that's sole purpose was to hunt prey she didn't think her chances were great.

If she had her gun she might have had a better chance.

After the sun had long set she stared around her. Looking down her eyes found a fist size rock by the porch steps in the dirt. Leaning down she brushed it off absently.

Besides the bright stars that sparkled above her darkness, surrounded her in every direction. The darkness did not scare her. Once maybe it would have.

When she lived with Victor, everytime she "disobeyed" she'd be put in the cellar of the house. Beaten then thrown down the stairs into the dark, cold, freezing cellar. It scared her at first. As it would any child. But she discovered she could disappear in her own head as a distraction tactic. Cherished memories of her parents. Of the once happy life she had. When those began to fade with time they'd turn into fantasies.

Countless fantasies of a prince saving her. Her and a prince slaying the evil king together. Then as she got older it was just her slaying the evil king. When she wasn't thinking of ways to end Victor she'd think of the stories she'd read. Or the maps she studied. The stories of the places the women had been to or were from. Sonia was her favorite out of all the women. Before Victor had taken her away too. Sonia would brush her hair and tell her stories before bedtime. Stories about Italy. About the village she grew up in. Before she was taken then sold.

As she told the stories Vena could almost hear the street music playing, could see the artist painting, the smell of the foods cooking. Smell fresh baked bread in the air.

Remembering these stories kept her sane in the cellar.

Until Victor would yank her back out after a week or two. Once almost a whole month.

Sonia was the only one brave enough to try and help a defenseless kid. Had tried to get her out. All it cost her was her life.

A tear splashed on her arm.

"Tu sei l'ultimo innocente e puro tra noi spezzati, piccolo." Sonia would always say this to her. The last thing she'd said to her.

"You are the last innocent and pure among us, broken, little one."

They had made it to the next city when they were found again and dragged back. Twenty-four hours of paranoid terror but yet they were free. The memory of her cherished friend's screams as Victor ordered his men to beat her were still fresh in her head. Vena knew even at only thirteen that they took other liberties before they all took turns beating her. Until Sonias screams went silent.

Vena could only listen helplessly as she sat in the chair tied up and Victor grinning at her with malice.

When Sonia's screams stopped he leaned down and stroked her face making her tremble in fear.

'Do you see now, Vena? This is what happens to bad girls who dont listen.'

Wiping the tears away she breathed the night air into her lungs to compose herself.

She felt him behind her again.

Her new jailer.

'You should come inside. It's too cold out here for you.'

It probably was but she didn't feel it. She felt nothing. Her last shred of hope…dashed and slashed.

'Vena…I don't know what else to do. In trying to be civilized but-'

Whipping around she glared.

'Civilized? This is what you call civilized? Maybe if your a caveman or…or-'

'An animal?' He lifted a sardonic brow at her.

She shivered at the memory of the beast she saw him turn into.

'Yes!'

'Well I am an animal. I can't change that no more then you can change what you are!'

'You don't see me snatching people up and holding the prisoner because I'm a psychopath who has a warped obsession.'

'I didn't choose you! I've been to town several times. I've seen many women there. If I was going to snatch anyone up don't you think I would have done it by now?'

'I was alone and not a local. I am an easier target. Believe me I know the game.'

'What game?'

'The game that I don't want to be a pawn in anymore. Nor will I.' Standing slowly she threw with all her might the rock in her hands at his head and then ran into the darkened woods.