13 Fear

My breath was stuck in my throat and my hands were shaking just a little. I felt lightheaded with how scared I was. I've felt something like this before. It was back at home. I was at the mall with a group of friends. I went to go to the bathroom but they didn't wait for me. I was alone. A guy ran into me and when he did he touched me.

I remember looking back at him. His grin. His gross smell. How scared I was. I remember it all so clearly. I was practically reliving it.

The guy kept his hand on mine. His grip wasn't as tight as earlier but I knew I couldn't move it or attempt to go away. I was trapped. Just like back then.

Back then...

Something isn't clicking here. I feel like I'm forgetting something.

I felt the man's hand tighten its grip on mine and I quickly looked up at the man. His eyes were cold and dark. I knew there was so much he was hiding from me. It made me so uncomfortable. Not only because I had no idea what was going to happen to me but I couldn't remember something from my past. I just couldn't think of anything.

But that wasn't it. I don't really remember anything. I don't remember my home.

"Did you hear me?"

I shook my head and was back in reality. I was faced with the mans ugly face and I felt a shiver go down my spine.

Right. I'm still here.

"I-I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked where you're from."

"Oh."

How was I supposed to answer this? I knew nothing about this world. Then I remembered the village I stayed at for a bit by the dark forest.

"Barnsey." I said quickly. Too quickly. I hope he falls for it.

He leaned back and removed his hand. He put them behind his head and looked off in the distance.

"Ah Barnsey. I love that little town. I was there just last year. I don't remember seeing you there."

He gave me a look that practically said 'caught you'.

"Ah yes I remember that. I lived in the barn off at the edge of the village and I was very busy with my sister and her two kids. I couldn't really leave to visit. Too many responsibilities."

He looked back to the side and he frowned a bit.

What was he trying to gain.

"It's such a shame they hid you for so long in that farm. But you're out in the world now. I'm glad I was one of the first to see you."

He leaned back forward. His head hung low but he made sure to look up at me the whole time. It's like he didn't want me to leave his sight. I felt like a target.

Like his prey.

That wasn't very new to me.

Flashes of that memory came back. Being touched. Dragged. Knocked out.

Knocked out...?

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

I put on a fake smile and tried to seem like I wasn't uncomfortable.

"Oh nothing, just remembering home. I kind of miss it."

"Well, you aren't exactly out of the countryside. You'll feel even more out of place in the bigger towns and even the capital."

"What's it like there?"

I was genially curious. And for a second I forgot I was scared of him. He noticed how I changed. He knew I was really curious about this.

"Well it's full of people. There's always something happening. And it's more diverse there. Many different kind of people. And the closer to the castle you are the more interesting it gets."

"The castle..."

It felt weird saying that. I'd only imagine that stuff from fairy tales. And yet here I am.

"Yes ma'am. There are people of all races there. It took a whole war to get to that point."

Erevan mentioned that. It wasn't too long ago.

"What was the war like?"

The man laughed a bit.

"How old do you think I am? I wasn't there dear. But my grandfather and father were in it. I can tell you their stories if you want."

"Really?"

Curiosity had taken over. The fear I felt before was shoved down a bit and I had let my guard down for a bit. I just wasn't thinking.

"Why don't we go to my room and talk there. It's quite loud here."

That made me snap back to reality.

"Oh. I-I'm sorry I can't do that. I'm actually waiting for someone and he-"

He grabbed my arm and the grip was so tight that I let out a little squeal of pain.

"I said, let's go to my room and discuss things more. You don't have a choice here sweetheart."

His voice was low to where only I could hear him. And we were away from everyone so no one could see what was going on. I was really stuck here. Just like that time at the mall...

Oh god what would happen to me? I don't even remember what happened then.

I was beyond terrified. I didn't know a person could have this much fear in them. I couldn't move I was so scared. I couldn't think or breath.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

"I think you're hurting my lady."

I quickly turned and looked at Erevan feeling tears in my eyes. I opened my mouth to call out his name but he gave me a look as if to be quiet.

The man removed his hand from me and and stood up from his seat. He towered over Erevan by at least a foot. But Erevan didn't back down.

"You have a good servant miss. He has some guts that's for sure. Until next time my dear."

Finally he walked away and I let go of some air I didn't know I was holding. I looked at Erevan and smiled lightly.

"Thank you," I whispered. He smiled back and held my hand.

"Of course, my lady."

I laughed a little at the name but I quickly went back to looking at him and that lovely smile of his. I felt my heart pick up speed again and I lost track of my breath. I liked this feeling. It was a little scary but way better then what I was feeling before.

"Isabelle..."

I heard a voice in the distance. It sounded familiar but different at the same time. I shook the thought away and focused on Erevan.

"Let's go back to our room."

I nodded my head and followed him to the room, hand in hand.

avataravatar
Next chapter