Chapter 3
2661 Words
I kept yelling about my innocence but no one cared about it and no one listened to me. I was locked up in the cell and I wept bitterly.
"Why does my father agree to kill me? Why does he have to treat me that way?" I thought. "Does he hate me that much? I thought I was supposed to be his only daughter. The one he claimed to love with all his heart?"
I had so many thoughts on my mind but knew I could do nothing about the decision my dad had made. That made me wept even more. I couldn't help but wondered why my dad had to make that decision. Other less severe punishments could be given to me.
"Why did they not ask me what had happened?"
I got tired of crying and crawled to the far end of the cell. I sat down on the cold floor and rested my head on my legs. I could feel pain all over my body as the anesthetic drug I took had worn off. There was silence for a while until I heard the sound of the door being opened and I raised my head quickly to see who had entered. Bella ran towards me and I stood up.
"Bella?" I cooed, dusting my trouser.
"Val?. Look at you. Are you ok? Have you been crying?" She asked, crying furiously.
Seeing Bella cry, I felt the urge to cry too but I knew that wasn't the best for the situation at hand right now. I smiled, hiding my pain behind it.
"Come on, Bella. I am fine" I lied.
"But you don't look ok to me"
I chuckled. "Yes, I cried at some point but that was all. I feel better crying my pains out. So when I say I am fine. Just trust me. I am definitely, fine". She sniffed. "And you should stop crying too or you might end up making me cry"
She wiped her face and sniffed. "I brought you some drugs and a blanket. I know the aesthetic drug you took must have worn out. I brought you some fruits too. I brought you..."
I hugged her. "You brought so many things for me and I am already feeling like I am back in the cave"
She smiled. "I just want you to be comfortable"
"Seeing you alone, is comforting. Thanks, Bell"
"I will ask the guard to bring it in"
She went to the door and one of the guards at the cave walked in, dropping the basket containing the stuff Bella brought and left.
"Some pain killers are inside the basket. They will help you reduce the pain. I also made your favorite snacks. You should eat some. They will help you regain some strength". I nodded. She moved closer to me. "I don't want you to worry about anything else. I will make sure to talk to your dad about the punishment and I am sure he will.."
I shook my head. "No. Don't talk to him, please. If killing me will make the pack members happy. I am ready to die..."
She frowned at me. "Are you listening to yourself? You want to die. For what? Do you ever think about your dad? About me. About how we will feel if anything happens to you? Do you care about our feelings? What about your mom? Do you think she will be happy with us if anything happens to you? Do you think she will forgive us? What about you? Do you think about yourself?"
Bella had tears dripping down her face and I couldn't help but cry too. I should have thought about how she will feel if anything happens to me. It wasn't like I wanted to die but I am in a very tight situation that only my death can solve. No one likes me. Every one of them wants me dead and my dad does not even have a say.
I sniffed. "B-Bella, I am so sorry. I did not mean it that way. I just..."
She sighed. "It's ok. I know you don't mean it but don't you ever think of dying and leaving me, ok?"
I nodded. "I promise. I promise I won't talk about dying"
"You know I love you right?"
I nodded. "I love you too"
She hugged me and then move back a bit. "Val, I am sorry. But I have to go now. You should get some rest. I will persuade your father, ok?"
"Bella..." She stared at me and I sighed. "Ok, Bella. Thanks" I muttered.
Bella left the cell and I dragged the basket of fruit closer to me. I picked up the blanket and covered myself up. The floor had been cold and I was already freezing out. I picked out a few of the fruits and ate. I also ate the snacks she brought and then took the drugs before laying down to sleep.
**
I kept turning around on the floor. I could not sleep a wink as the thought of being killed tomorrow kept lingering in my mind. At first, I had thought it was easy to die and I might be ready for it. I thought dying will give me peace of mind and bring the desired peace to the pack members too but as the day got darker, it kept becoming clearer that my days on earth are numbered. I sat up staring at nothing. I could feel shivers running down my spine and my legs shook with great strength. The cell was dark and quiet, you could hear the sound of a pin if thrown to the floor. And despite covering myself up with a blanket, I still felt cold.
So many thoughts about running away run through my mind but I was too weak and afraid to stand up and walk to the gate. I thought about what will happen to me if I get caught. I wasn't too familiar with the pack territory, since I spent so many years outside it and might get lost while trying to run away. The pack members also do not like me and being caught might mean a painful death to me. I clutched the blanket tightly to my body, shivering vigorously. The thought of leaving everyone behind even though they do not like me made me shiver in great fear.
"I won't be able to keep finding the one that had saved me. I won't be able to go to the stream and plug some fruit. What about my horse, Nara? I won't be able to ride on her"
Tears dripped down my face. I knew I wasn't supposed to be weak at a time like this. I was supposed to be strong and not cry but so many thoughts won't let me stay strong.
"What if I get killed by hanging? What if they decide to tie me to a horse like someone suggested and drag me all around the village until I give up the ghost?" I thought, covering my face in fear and groaning in pain.
I heard a sound and flinched in fright.
"They aren't here to kill me yet right?". I could feel my heart beating so fast.
"Who is there?" I asked more in a whisper but there was no reply. "W-who is there?" I asked a little bit louder.
The sound came again, this time louder than it was before. I clutched myself to the wall praying vigorously for mercy. I could not think of what to do or say. All I wanted was to be saved. There was a loud thud and I yelled in fright. There was struggling for a while and then everything became quiet. The light came on and a guard rush toward the door.
"Are you ok?" He asked but I was too frightened to answer him.
I looked through the door to see if something was wrong but everything seems fine. I could only see a guard rubbing his face and his butt.
"Are you ok?" He asked again and I sighed.
"I heard a sound and I thought something was wrong"
He sighed. "He must have frightened you. He fell off the chair while sleeping"
I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, understanding what he meant, and also mentally scolding myself for being a coward.
"I am fine. You can go back to sleep" I said when I realized he wasn't leaving.
He nodded and left. I decided to lay back down, even though I knew it was going to be difficult for me to be able to sleep now.
**
I opened my eyes slowly as the ray of light shun directly to my eyes. It was morning already and I felt better, though my body still hurts a little. The floor was less cold and the cave doesn't look scary anymore. I stretched myself and groaned. My back aches badly due to the hard floor. I couldn't remember when I finally fell asleep but I remembered laying on the floor and staring at nothing. I stood up from the ground and walked towards the door. The two guards that had being on watch since yesterday was outside the cell. There was another person with them and he seems to be discussing something with one of them.
The other guard listened with keen interest. I thought about how interesting or important that discussion was to have triggered their attention. I could hardly hear what they were talking about and did not care about it either. I stared at them, wondering if my dad had come to visit me, while I was asleep. I was curious to know if he came or not and decided to ask them about it.
"Hey. Guards?" I called and one of them turned to look at me while the others kept on talking. I gestured to him to come closer but he maintained his spot. "I don't want to hurt you. I just want to ask a question" I told him, with a smile.
I was harmless at that point. I have always been harmless. He stared at me for a while before moving closer to me. "What do you want to ask?"
"Did the alpha visit me yesterday? I mean maybe after I slept?"
He shrugged. "I don't think so. I did not see him"
I moved backward. So my dad did not visit me. Is he really, bent on killing me? Is he not going to save me? I suddenly felt weak and dizzy and fell to the ground. The room began to spin around and I felt a severe headache.
"Are you ok?. She is running temperature" someone said.
I felt hands lift me off the ground and out of the cell.
I was rushed to the pack's clinic and soon, I had a drip on. My eyes began to close and everything became blank.
"Val?" I heard someone call my name. I was in a dark room and I could hardly see what was in front of me. "Valerie" I heard again.
"Who is that? Who are you?" I asked
"It's me, Val. It's your mother"
"Mother?. Is that you?" I asked in disbelief.
"It's me, Val"
"Where are you? Why can't I see you?"
"I am right in front of you"
The light came on and my mom stood in front of me, just a distance away.
"Mom?" I cooed, running towards her. I hugged her tightly. "I have missed you"
"I missed you too" she replied, caressing my hair.
"Mom, are you here to take me?" I asked furrowing my brows and she smiled.
"I have already told you I can't take you with me. You have a lot to do over there. You can't come with me. Not yet"
I moved away from her and shrugged. "What is the point of not taking me with you? I will die soon anyway"
"Do you think your dad will kill you?"
I stared at her. "He won't?"
"Of course, he won't"
"But he declared that I will be killed today at the training ground"
"He doesn't want to kill you. He won't kill you. Be rest assured"
"But he locked me up in the cell and did not visit me"
She patted my shoulder. "Your dad loves you and you know that. So irrespective of what happened, you should know that he won't hurt you. And every decision he makes, there is a reason for it"
I sighed. "This is the kind of words I need now. Your words are soothing to me. Thanks, mom"
She pointed forwards. "Look, your dad is here for you. Can you hear his voice?"
"Val?" I heard my dad said
I nodded. "Yes, I can hear him speak"
"You should go back. He is worried about you"
"Mom.."
The light went off and everywhere became dark. I opened my eyes slowly to meet my dad's blue eyes staring at me.
"Val? Are you ok?" He asked, in a worried tone.
I smiled wearily at him. "Y-you came to see me. I-i thought you wouldn't come"
He held my hand, squeezing it gently. He sighed but said nothing. I could see the worried look on his face and I know a lot had happened to him. I wondered if he had any sleep. He stood up.
"You should get some sleep. I will ask Bella to come and stay with you" He said and turned to leave.
"Dad?" I called and he turned. "Will I still get killed?"
He batted his lashes in surprise but said nothing. I sat up. "Dad, if I will still be killed there is no point keeping me here. I..."
He moved closer to me. "Val, can you hang in there for a while?? I mean can you be strong for me? I definitely won't let them kill you, trust me"
I smiled at him "That is all I want to hear. I love you dad"
"I love you too"
**
I watched them whisper to themselves as I stood right in front of them to decide my fate. It's been two days since I got discharged from the clinic and my suppose death day had passed. There were murmurs in the crowd as we all wait for the final say from the elders. My dad was seated but this time he looked at me, giving me a reassuring smile. One of the elders stood up to speak and there was silence. I stared at him wondering what he wanted to say about my punishment and if it will be to my advantage.
"We have spoken to the Beta's daughter, Helen after she woke up and she had spoken the truth. She will address the public now"
I stared at Helen. She was said to have woken up yesterday but she looked too healthy for someone who just came out of a coma.
"Valerie Hudson did get into a fight with us. And she did hit me until I lost consciousness which made her guilty as charged. But I, Helen Smith, I am willing to drop all charges against her. The council can mildly punish her if they so choose" Helen said and I stared at her.
She had a smirk on her face. I could tell she enjoy humiliating me.
"I wasn't guilty of any crime," I thought. "Why am I charged guilty?"
The elder who had spoken before Helen spoke stood up. "With what Helen as said, we have decided as the elders to lift her punishment. So she won't be killed anymore," he said and I chuckled in excitement.
I could hear Bella's happy voice in the crowd.
"But that doesn't mean she won't get punished at all" another elder spoke up.
"Then she is thereby subjected to hundred strokes of canes," the first elder said and the happiness on my face disappeared.
- Writer
