Chapter 37.5 (o_0)

UNEDITED-

Annabelle POV-

Being this close to Florence would usually spark some kind of reaction in me but, I feel nothing. I'm happy to be free but the things Florence usually makes me feel are gone, when she looks at me I feel more lost.

I had been sitting on Florence for some time now. I had my head laid on the back of her neck and nestled my face into her soft white fur.

That and the rhythm of her light footsteps swaying my body didn't help me to stay awake.

Everytime I drifted off I found myself slipping, shocking myself awake again.

This went on for what seemed like a little over four hours before we finally came to a stop.

Bea looked back and then continued on, rounding a tree out of our sights. Florence laid her body on the ground allowing me to get off safely.

I trailed my hands down her soft fur as slid off, my feet making a thudding noise as they clumsily hit the floor.

"Thank you Flo" I tried to smile through tired eyes. She bowed her head closing her eyes before walking in the opposite direction as Bea, leaving me alone.

I need to sit down, my head is foggy and my view is clouded. I am essentially a weak human again, for how long? Until this crap wears off.

I hate feeling powerless, not only that but I feel empty too. I took a seat up against a dead log of a fallen tree. I rested my head back closing my eyes.."I'm out".."I'm free" I had lost all hope of ever escaping, even saying it doesn't feel real.

Another minute passed before I heard footsteps approaching.. "Anna?" asked Bea in a soft tone as not to startle me..

"mm?" Was all that came out. I opened my eyes but my head remained rested on the log.

"I'm sorry it took us so long to get you out." she said looking extremely guilt stricken. Her eyes fell for a moment before meeting mine again.

"It's alright.. I'm just happy you came for me" I croaked.. I'm so thirsty. I tried to console her with a half hearted smile. Don't get me wrong, I wished for a long time that someone would rescue me. They took so long I had lost faith of ever being free again. I was mentally and physically tortured, in solitary confinement for almost a year. But still... I really am happy that they showed up.. eventually.

"Sit with me.." I said patting the ground next to me.

She didn't reply, only walked over and sat on the ground next to me leaning up against the log.

I lifted my head to face her.. "I really am greatful you came for me." I said pushing my arm through hers, simultaneously resting my head on her shoulder.

"How could I not?.. we still need you Annabelle" She said, gently patting my head with her free hand.

"I wish I belived you.." I sighed closing my eyes.

"You'll see.." was the last thing I heard.. still holding onto Bea's arm I fell asleep.

Sometime amidst the night Florence woke me and made me drink some water. I assume that's why she took so long getting changed, she must have been gone at least an hour bless her. She looks exhausted, I looked to my side to see Bea laid there fast asleep, she must be pretty drained too. It's been a long day.

After I drank some water Florence laid down next to me.. I laid my head on her chest and fell asleep to her gently stroking my hair.

When I awoke I smelt the familiar smell of the dirty dank room I'd been living in, my eyes shot open and sure enough the same four walls were glaring back at me. My heart began thumping in my chest as I came to the realisation that.. I must have been dreaming.. as quick as my eyes had opened the sound of chains rattling filled my ears..tears began streaming down my face as my arms were stretched, leaving me helplessly dangling in the middle of the room.

When the cell door opened only the king stood in the doorway. His dark figure was unmistakable..

He walked towards me slowly, I could barely make out his face but I could see that he was smiling ear to ear from the slight shine of his teeth, lit up from the light outside bouncing back from the walls of my cell.

He grabbed my neck pulling me towards him, why do they always go for the neck...dogs will be dogs I guess.

He stopped with his face centemetres from mine, I spat in his face in an attempt to get him off me, panting and hysterical I didn't know what else to do.

He waited a few seconds before twisting my head to the side and licking up the side of my neck, I could only cringe unable to escape his firm grubby grasp.

"Get off me!!" I shouted squeezing my eyes closed..

His free hand reached around my back sliding down and onto my butt cheek..

"Get the fuck off me!!" I yelled again squirming and wriggling in my chains..

"Anna".."Anna" Came a voice in the distance.. "Annabelle please!" Came a much closer one.. I shot my eyes open to see Bea standing over me, Florence had her hands on my shoulders shaking me awake... My vision is cloudy.. then I realised it was not my eyes.. I was watching steam rise, when I look to see where it was coming from... it was me.

I looked down to see the buttons on my jacket melted and the fabrics slightly charred.

I don't know what's going on..

"Are you alright?" Florence asked, quickly taking her hands away...

"Does it hurt?" Asked Bea before I could reply.

I'm not exactly sure what 'It' is..

One minute I'm back in the cell, the next minute I'm free, it felt so real.. I sat up holding my face in my hands, the heat coming from my body seems to be subsiding but my heart is still beating out of my chest. I just did my best to catch my breath..

"Annabelle?" Asked Florence softly as she remained at my side.

"Am I dreaming?..which one is the dream?" I whispered to myself confused. I've done this a few times while in captivity so it wouldn't be a first for me. I never burned up before though..that's definetly a new development. It's one of the main reasons I thought I was dreaming.

"You are awake Annabelle" Florence said firmly as she placed a hand back on my shoulder.

"Look at me" she said, gently tracing my face with her other hand. I don't want her to see me like this but as soon as she got to my hand I removed it and let her lift my head to face her.

Her beautiful icy blue eyes were looking back at me. How I dreamed so long to took into them and feel the safe, euphoric sensation that the mate bond brings.. but still nothing..

I couldn't hold it any longer.. tears began to well in my eyes, the taps had been turned on. I buried my head in my hands once again, quietly crying. I don't have the energy to explain right now.. nor do I think I want too.

I felt Florence's arms immediately engulf me into a tight bear hug.."I've got you now..your here with me." a few seconds passed before I heard Bea's footsteps grow quieter as she walked away. After a minute I had somehow calmed down..

I pulled myself back from Florence taking her hands in mine as our bodies separated.. she hissed and pulled her hands back..

"Was that..me?" I asked in a worried tone. I know it was but how? ..."Let me see"..

"It's alright" she smiled showing her red raw hands to me.. "It will heal soon". I could see the blisters were only just starting to appear... she might be part Lycan and will probably heal quickly but still, it's my fault that she even got burnt.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's happening to me".. honestly I wish I did. "If there is ever... 'a next time' please don't touch me.. I don't want to hurt you."

"I couldn't just leave you like that.. I won't just leave you like that.. besides, we can't have you alerting anyone of our presence here.. the Skrill could be anywhere." She argued..

"What do you mean I would 'alert' them?" I asked..

"Annabelle you were.. you were shouting in your sleep." she answered cautiously.

A faint "oh" was all that came out of me as I looked away..

"Do you remember what you were dreaming about?" she asked with a sincere tone.

My mind travelled back to what I was dreaming about.. usually when a dream feels that real it's a memory...but that never happened. Maybe the drugs are distorting memories, they mess with everything else.. though I feel much better now.

I know someone did.. maybe it was the King, but why?

"Annabelle?" she asked.. snapping me back into the present time.

"Yeah?"

Oh right she asked me a question.. what was it?

"Do you?" She asked again.. Ah the dream.

"I don't remember." I lied unable to look her in the eyes as I did.

I looked back to see a knowing, warm smile spread across her face, even in this moment I couldn't help but smile back.

I just want to forget my whole time spent in that dungeon, though I think I'll die before that day.

NOTES-

Soooo, somehow I got motivated at 2 in the morning, it's now 4am and I am most definitely going to sleep. Here's the other half of the chapter that I said I wasn't going to write today, I really hope you guys are old enough to be reading this..

Love, Love. Peace.