Twenty-Three

The early morning comes as an invitation to become the agents of a new dreamland reality - one we can make each day with careful loving actions. There seemed to be an awakening magic this early morning, a sense of an old earth-spirit rekindled that seeks to knit together all that is good.

The hues of the world bloom anew is if each were a tiny flower reborn, daylight unwrapping each and every one of them.

In the soft white-gold light of the new day, the hues of my bedroom move from impressionist pastels to brilliant pop art.

But yet, on this early but beautiful morning, Crystal was having a nightmare. She was sweating outwardly and her breathing seemed to be rough, her heart beating faster. It felt like she was trapped in a world....not knowing how to get out of it.

"Crystal" Someone called, trying to shake her out of her dreams but Crystal didn't respond. Instead, she kept kicking her legs and whimpering in fear.

"Crystal" The person said her name with worry, as she continued to shake her the more.

And then her eyes snapped open as she got up, still shaking from the nightmare she just had.

"Crystal" Laura called as she reached out to her shoulders but Crystal shifted in fear away from her. She still was in a daze after the supposedly nightmare she had.

"Crystal" Laura called again.

"It's me Crystal. Of course you recognize me right?" Laura further asked, looking at the scared Crystal.

Fortunately, Crystal started to become calm, her fear gone as she tried to take in on her surrounding although she still was shivering.

"You had a nightmare?" Laura asked, still looking at her.

What was she doing here?

"Laura?" Crystal said as she looked back at her both in confusion and disbelief.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you and maybe escort you to your class. Since we are friends now i should do that because you are new here and i also tale good care of friends"

"But...."

"You will be late on your first day if you continue like this. Come on, go and get ready. Now you hurry up"

Crystal had no choice but to take her towel and enter the small bathroom which was also in the room. She started cleaning herself, trying so hard to get rid of the nightmare which seemed stucked in her head.

She had left that hell but it seemed it follows her now everywhere she goes.

It seemed Madam Luciana and her family won't leave her in peace no matter how hard she tried. She had left that hell but still it felt it left with her.

She won't deny this feeling of fear. It is even worse than the hell itself.

Looking around the bathroom as she continued to wash her body, she could not help but remember and incident that happened not that long ago in the bathroom.

*

She had been bathing just like this when she heard a knock on the bathroom door. Judging by the fact that this bathroom was down stairs, no one uses it. So she was surprised someone knocked at the door.

"Y...yes?"

"Crystal open the door" It was a male voice. She knew that voice anywhere. It was Madam Luciana's husband; Mr Samson.

"S...sorry sir. I...i am bathing"

"I don't care, open the door"

Crystal panicked as she got quickly into her clothes despite her unshampooed hair and her uncleansed state. Lather of soap were still on her body but she didn't mind. The last thing she wanted was for this man to see her nakedness.

He had been making advances towards Crystal and had even almost raped her a week before. She was glad Madam Luciana arrived at the house that moment if not....she didn't want to think of the results.

She knew she was not a virgin judging by the fact that she had always been raped. But then she had just started her menstrual flow and she really didn't want anyone to do that to her except her husband. She felt like a virgin even if she wasn't.

And she was quite determined to keep it that way.

"Sir?" She asked as she opened the door , bringing her head out in fear.

"I want to join you" Mr. Samson said as he put his hand on the door but couldn't ask Crystal closed the door immediately.

Did he.....did he mean he wanted to bathe with her?

No way! She wouldn't let him see her nakedness.

"I...i can't sir, i am sorry"

"If you don't open this door now, you will regret it Crystal"

"I rather pay for the consequences. I am sorry sir" Crystal's heart seemed to be beating faster than usual. She put her ears on the door again, as if checking if he was still there.

There was no noise.

She slowly opened the door slightly and peeked out.

He was nowhere.

She closed the door back and hugged herself to calm her racing heart. She knew she was in trouble.

She could feel it.

Luckily when she came out, he was no more at home which she was glad of. She quickly got the biscuits she was meant to hawk and quickly made way out of the house.

She had to be quick so she won't miss her afternoon classes. She came back early and also prepared and left for her afternoon classes. She came back around five, swept the house again and started cooking before anyone arrived.

Helen was taking lessons with her class teacher so she always came back home with her mother by seven. Mr. Samson always come back some minutes to seven.

She had just finished with her cooking and had decided to go read before they come when she heard a car enter the compound.

Looking out of the window, she saw it was Mr. Samson. He was quite early. She quickly switched off the gas and made her way to a corner in the kitchen.

Mr. Samson entered the house and walked straight to the kitchen as if he knew she would be there.

"Be in my room in ten minutes" And with that, he left and headed upstairs. Crystal was scared but she still did as she was told, knowing fully well that if she doesn't go to his room, she will get into trouble .

And right then, she didn't want any trouble.

Ten minutes later, she was in front of his room, her hands shaking as she raised her right hand to knock on the door.

"Come in" She heard, making her enter.

"You...you called me sir?"

"Yes. I want to sleep with you. Get your dresses off and lie down on the bed"

Crystal was surprised as she looked at him with both fear and disdain. He didn't even hide the fact he wanted to sleep with her.

"Didn't you hear me?"

"I am sorry sir, but i can't do what you are asking. I would be doing Madam Luciana wrong and you will be wrong too by sleeping with me. You will be cheating on your wife" Crystal said, her head bowed down.

"How dare you disobey me?"

"So...sorry sir, i can't.....can't do what you are asking of me"

"Very well then,since you are so adamant i wont force you because i don't like rape but i will make you to agree" He said as he got up, making his way into the bathroom.

Crystal filled as she watched his retreating figure. She won't do what he wants no matter what. He could beat her for all she cared but no way is she going to ever let a man take advantage of her....not ever again.

He came out and came to her, grabbing her hand.

"Please...please stop....please"

But her pleadings seem to fall on deaf ears as he made his way back in the bathroom, pushing her in as her back hit the wall.

"Sir please...i will do anything but not what you ask of me" She further pleaded, hoping he will free her then.

But instead he walked into the bathroom and put on a socket. Crystal's eyes widened in fear when she had seen the ceramic electric cooker which was supposed to be in the kitchen.

"Why is it here?"

Mr. Samson came to her and dragged her to the bathroom tub.

"Say you want me"

"S...sir....please"

But before she knew, he took her leg and put it on the electric cooker, making her shout in pain and fear.

"Say it and i will let you go"

"I...i....can't"

Her leg was still on the gas cooker and she could not shout anymore. The pain was unbearable.

"Sir please"

But he put her other leg on the gas cooker, making her shout again. He took her other left again and put both on the cooker.

"Say you want me" Let....let me go" She said as she pushed him with all her strength, making him fall on the floor earning him and injury on the head.

Crystal stood up but could not work. Her legs were burnt. But before Mr. Samson got up, she had already crawled quickly out of the bathroom, out of the room and had his in a corner.

He was looking for her but she didn't come out. He called her name, always making her jilt in fear but she didn't come out.