Slave 5: Kindness of Strangers

1089 Words
Slave 5: Kindness of Strangers Minutes later, I look around to realize I’m in an elegant bedroom, where a large bed, upholstered in soft beige fabric, takes center stage, and is complete with a matching bench at its foot. The room is bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, adorned with flowing drapes. This is something that was far beyond my wildest dreams. If Lady Vida and Luna Dolores were to see this, that I am in this kind of room, they would be furious, their wrath a terrifying thought that made me tremble in fear. I felt uncomfortable and out of place. I am more accustomed to a dark, small, and cold space, and the thought of staying in such a lavish room filled me with unease. I feared someone would punish me for being in this room, a place I didn’t deserve. Suddenly, a creak echoed through the room, making my heart pound in my chest. Fear gripped me as I lowered my head instinctively while my body started trembling uncontrollably. As the door swung open, I braced myself for the worst, clutching my arm tightly to steady my shaking hands. Now that they were here, they might punish me for staying in this room and for stinking it up with my slave-like stench. I bit my lip, bracing myself for the inevitable punishment. However, seconds ticked by, and yet nothing happened. I knew someone was standing before me, this person’s presence was a heavyweight in the room. I waited while I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and fear gnawed at me as I lay there, helpless and vulnerable. Until this person approached the bed, and I couldn’t help but tense, and my breath caught in my throat. Until a male’s voice broke the silence, “Don’t worry, you’re safe now.” He said, yet his words did little to quell my fear. I instinctively recoiled as he moved closer, while a surge of panic rose within me. I did my best to maintain my composure, as long as I kept a distance between us. I hated being touched, I hated being near anyone. My every interaction with other people had ended in suffering, a traumatic experience that had left me deeply scarred. I never dared to look anyone in the eye, too, forbidden by my captors because anyone as they said, I am nothing but a worthless slave. That’s when I heard another voice, a woman’s voice, filled with concern. “Galvin, don’t,” she warned, her tone gentle yet firm. A moment of silence followed, and then the man’s voice, deep baritone, spoke again. “I apologize for startling you. I meant no harm. My name is Galvin, and I am your doctor,” he paused, while I never dared to look at them in the eye. “You’re safe here; you’re no longer in danger,” his voice was gentle and his words carefully chosen. But his presence, despite his reassuring tone, still made me uneasy. I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled over me. I had been through too much, and trust was a luxury I could no longer afford. I noticed that the man stepped back, allowing the woman to talk. “Galvin is right. You’re safe now,” she said softly, “we’ll take care of you. I’ll take care of you from now on.” I remained silent, my voice lost in the depths of my throat. I didn’t want to risk the ridicule and mockery that came with my stuttering speech. Instead of feeling grateful, too, and appreciating her thoughtfulness, I felt uncomfortable and scared. No one had ever done something like this for me before, it was the other way around. I was a worthless slave, unworthy of such kindness after all. I remained silent, my body frozen in place, afraid that I might do something that could anger them. “It’s good that you’re awake, but you still need more rest,” the doctor said. “And Lady Mariam will be the one taking care of you,” a moment of silence followed, and then the doctor continued, “Your body has been through a lot. It’s important to rest and let it heal. We’ll be monitoring you closely, and we’ll provide you with the care you need.” As I lay there, a wave of confusion washed over me. Why were these people so kind to me? I had been treated as nothing more than a slave, a mere object to be used and discarded. Yet here I was, being treated with such care and compassion. “I will leave now,” the doctor said, leaving me alone with the woman he called ‘Lady Mariam’. A moment later, the door creaked open again, and a maid entered, carrying a tray of food. After placing the tray on a nearby table, she left the room. While I noticed Lady Mariam approached me cautiously before hearing her soft and gentle voice once again. “You must eat. Would you like me to help you?” She spoke slowly, her words deliberate and kind. I hesitated, my eyes fixed on the food. The aroma was enticing, but the thought of eating made me uneasy. I had spent so long without proper nourishment and my body had grown accustomed to hunger, which made it hard to take food anymore. Lady Mariam, sensing my hesitation, didn’t pressure me. Instead, she spoke softly, her voice filled with understanding. “You must eat for you to take your medicine and regain your strength. We’ll take it slow. Just one bite at a time.” Her words were gentle, and her tone reassuring. Why is she so kind to someone like me? Isn’t she going to hurt me? However, I remained motionless, unable to bring myself to eat. Lady Mariam sighed, her voice filled with understanding. “I’ll leave you alone,” she said softly. “But please, eat your food and take your medicine afterward. You can call for me if you need anything,” with that, she turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I can’t trust them yet. I had learned to distrust the kindness of others and to view every gesture of goodwill with suspicion. I was wary of their intentions, convinced that their kindness was a facade, a mask hiding their true, sinister motives. Yet, I never imagined that I would one day trust Lady Mariam. ***
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