For anyone who may have triggers, this chapter talks about sexual assault and kidnapping on a deeper level. This is a real problem happening all around the world. I know it was mentioned in earlier chapter but this goes into more detail.
I stare down at my hands while Atlas stares at me. "Is that why I didn't have those scrapes anymore? The ones I got from the mountain."
"Yes... that's also why your clothes were gone." I look up at him, raising my eyebrow. "You had a lot of injury's and I hadn't healed anyone in a while. I accidentally used to much power and dematerialized your clothes."
"But you said that they were dirty and-"
"I know what I said." He interrupts me. "I was being an idiot. I haven't spoken to a mortal in centuries. Let's just say you should never ask Impurity how to talk to girls."
"You asked Oleander?" I ask, trying to hold back a smirk. No wonder he was so rude.
"Yeah... not one of my greatest moments." He chuckles.
"No kidding. I could've done without all the sexual innuendos." I tell him, remembering all the disturbing things he said. "Was kissing me his idea too?" I almost certain he did. After all Oleander came in just this morning and tried to kiss me too.
"Partially." He admitted. "He had said I should take control. Which is something I'm used to because I'm the oldest but never to someone like you; Someone not in the family. I stupidly thought that kissing you would show control."
"You're right, that was pretty stupid of you. It just made me resent you more." I said, then walked around him and began to leave the room. He may have helped out just now but he's still holding me hostage.
Avianna-1
Atlas-0
It's just weird that he's suddenly acting sort of... nice. He was such a jerk only a day ago.
I stop in my tracks and turn around to look at him. He's staring at the piano in deep thought and his hands are clenched at his sides. I'm honestly surprised he didn't stop me.
"Why the sudden change of heart? You're actually being civil, and you haven't called me a single pet name." Whoops. "I mean, I didn't enjoy the names but you seemed pretty keen on using them."
Atlas looks up at me surprised. He probably thought I wouldn't give him a second glance.
"Also, the act of Oleander. Something about them 'making women like you more'. " He holds up his fingers in quotation marks. "As for the change of heart... you can thank Gilah and Lorelei for that. They give great advice and even greater threats." He chuckles to himself.
I send a little silent thank you to the two, hoping I'll get to tell them in person later.
"If you'd like you can go find Gilah. I'm sure she's not busy and probably better company then me at the moment." He says his eyes getting sad. Good. He should feel sad.
"I'd really rather just go home..." I mumble to myself then begin to walk away.
I'm almost out of the room when I hear him call my name again. I stop mid-step, turning my head slightly towards him but not all the way.
"I'm- Uh." He hesitates. He stays silent for a few long seconds, almost making me continue walking. Then he speaks again. "Gilahs room is down the hall, first stair case on the right. You'll find it right at the top."
I nod my head to him, not bothering to say a thank you. Then I continue walking.
As I'm walking, I swear I hear him give one last remark. Something along the lines of... "I'm sorry, sweetheart." But I'm out of the room before I can fully process it.
He's so confusing. How can someone be so cruel then all the sudden be nice? Oh, dear lord, this is Stockholm syndrome isn't it? That's what happens; there super mean and then they shower you with kindness so that you only stay for the good. Well I'm not wanting to stay for anything. If he begins to be rude again then I'll confront him about it. I'm not that easily tricked, at least that's what I tell myself.
I just don't understand why he has to look so handsome. The gods could have easily made him look like a warthog but no. They just had to sculpt him to perfection. Luckily his personality isn't so great. That takes him from being a ten to a four.
It's so strange to just be able to walk away from him: He isn't stopping me, isn't yelling at me, he's actually the one who suggested I find Gilah instead of stay with him. This definitely isn't your normal kidnapping case.
When I was twelve, a girl in a town a few miles away from my own went missing. Everyone thought that it was her dad who took her because her parents were divorced but that wasn't the case. About a week after she was last seen they found her body in a nearby river. She had been extremely beaten, mutilated and according to autopsy... raped more than once.
My father was a part of the investigative team on her case. He's a scientist for the clock but aside from that he is also a certified pathologist (a person who performs autopsy's). He's well known for his work in many things as well as my mother. My parents are both in there 50's and have more than enough degrees between each other. I've always just been the mistake that came along and ruined their quests for learning.
Anyway -moving along- because of my father's specialties he was called to the town to perform the autopsy. He came home afterwards and put the files in his office, not saying a word to me or my mother of what happened. I was a curious cat-much like I still am today- and snuck a peak at the files. Which is something that I regret doing every day.
In the files were pictures of her mutilated body. I remember her face was so distorted that it took me a moment to even realize that it was a person. She had dark bruises covering her skin, barely an inch of her body was free of abuse. I could've stopped at the pictures but I didn't. My stupid preteen self-decided to read the report. Clearly it stated where she had been beaten as well as that the assault was caused by more than one person. Then I got to the part about how deeply she was defiled. It was so bad that the skin between her thighs was rubbed raw and she even had burn marks from how forcefully they ripped off her clothes. I can't even begin to imagine what she went through. What happened to her, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I can only hope she's somewhere safe now. That was the first day I had ever wished to believe there was a heaven, because surely that's where she would have gone.
Sure, there have been a few scares here and there, but in all honesty, they haven't hurt me. They've fed me, gave me clothes and even let me wander around the premises. The only thing wrong that they've done has been kidnapping me in the first place... and Atlas kissing me. I can't really blame him for the clothes thing because he said it was an accident, and for some reason I believe him.
I hope I don't regret believing him later. I already regret being semi civil with him. Although it's not just him either. I've come to trust in both Gilah and Lorelei without even realizing it. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I guess only 'Time' will tell.
I chuckle to myself at my joke. I'm starting to understand why Lorelei was laughing so hard when she made her own joke about Time. I'm sure as siblings they make jokes like that whenever they can. I know I would.
"What are you chuckling at?" I'm taken out of my thoughts by Gilah opening her door and talking to me. I hadn't even realized that I had made it up to her door.
I stare at her for a second, debating on whether I should tell her my joke or not. "Oh, you know, stuff." I say making up my mind. I give a smile and gesture to inside her door. "Can I come in and we can talk for a minute?"
She stays silent for a second, almost making me think she'll turn me down. Then all of the sudden she lets out a loud squeal and starts jumping up and down. She grabs my arm and I am instantly yanked into the confinements of her room.
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We're going to be getting some girl time in the next chapter.
Oh my gosh! I can not believe that We've made it to over 1000 readers. I'm in a little bit of shock still.
I'm gonna be able to post a lot quicker this next week because I got my wisdom teeth out yesterday. So I'm pretty much on bed rest. So I'll suffer through the pain and post, haha! Love all you guys!!
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