7. Survival Extinct

Hit me one more time

One, two, three just give me more

Cause we're there for strike

I am stronger than before

Regiana's pov

It felt like I was being dragged. My scalp ached as if someone was trying to detach my hair from my head. I opened my eyes and managed to make out that I was being pulled downstairs, but I couldn't see much as it was very dark. I tried to struggle against the tight rope which was cutting through my skin but it felt like my body was paralyzed.

A dark, smelly, and dirty dungeon was where they were dragging me. I had never dared to go down to the dungeon, afraid of what I would encounter. They say, "Conquer your greatest fear" - looks like it's time for me.

The person who was dragging me down opened a door and threw me inside. The person then threw me into a chair and I groaned in pain. I looked up tiredly, trying to see the culprit. When my eyes finally adjusted to the darkness, I saw Bates standing in front of me with a smirk plastered on his face. I am not surprised at all

"Surprise sister! How did you like it?" Bates asked me with sarcasm dripping from his mouth.

"I was going to sleep, but a little bit of sport is good. All of us expected that you would try to harm me, but this soon - I didn't expect that." I replied with equal sarcasm.

His face was masked with confusion as if he didn't understand what I meant. I looked into the camera and shook my head disappointedly muttering "Dum-Dum".

His face twisted into an expression of anger, he slapped me until my cheeks were red and there was blood dripping from my lips. I smiled sweetly, unaffected from the slap.

"Try harder honey. I survived many slaps like this. I am a survivor!" I said sickly.

Bates dug his nails into my neck which would probably leave marks there. His eyes were blazing with anger, but there was also guilt constantly flashing through them. He tried to mask it, but I could see those emotions.

He grabbed my chin and said, "We will see how you will survive in the dungeon where no one comes. On my coronation day, I will bring you some of the feasts, but till then you have to stay hungry. Oh! One more thing, they are coming to kill you, so be careful." He then went away, the clicking of his shoes echoing in the dungeon of my misery. I tried not to scream from the pain that ached through my body and the frustration of my silliness. I should have been more alert!

A day and half later

I tried to scream for help but nothing happened. My throat was a desert. Now you could be questioning whether Bates is stupid for not tying a cloth around my mouth. The answer is yes, that stupid dum-dum didn't tie a cloth or anything because no one comes to the dungeon and the dungeon is so far under the castle that I have no chance of someone hearing me.

It's been a day and a half, and true to his word Bates has not given me food and water. My stomach growls in protest every half hour and I tried to explain to it that we will not be getting food any time soon.

I tried every trick I had up my sleeves, from falling back in the chair in hope of it breaking, to trying to untie my ropes, all to no avail. Now the only thing I could do was cry. It didn't require much effort, and also gave me a sense of relief.

After some time I heard a commotion outside the door. I pushed my chair back and rolled to the door. Through the bars, I looked outside and saw Martin standing near my door. Seeing this as my only opportunity to get out, I shouted, "Martin, Martin, help!" Martin looked around and tried to locate my voice.

I continued to shout with all my strength until Martin located me. Martin quickly located me and quickly broke down the old wooden door. His eyes widened at my state, shock flashed through them as he stood paralyzed in front of me.

"Martin!" I shouted one last time to snap him out of his trance. He quickly sprang into action and freed me from Satan's ropes. My feet wobbled as I stood up for the first time in one and half days, but Martin held me.

"You came for me?" I asked in a hoarse voice. I couldn't believe that Martin had found me! I will award him as the best brother ever. Martin guiltily smiled at me.

"No, I actually came to smuggle some pizza. I gave the delivery boy this location as it's at the back of the castle and no media can see him." I tried to focus on Martin's pizza tale, but I knew my body wouldn't last long. "Martin, water." I croaked before blacking out.

I felt myself being carried, the person holding me was running and behind him was a lot of noise. It felt as if someone had applied needles on my eyes, they stung so bad. I opened my eyes slightly to see that Martin was carrying me, on his left was our royal doctor and on his right was a very distressed Katherine. Katherine ran ahead and opened the door to a room. As Martin laid me on the bed, our eyes locked and he was surprised when he saw that I was awake, "Sister stay with me, stay awake. Stay AWAKE!" he shouted, but my tired eyes closed anyway.

Sorry, Martin, I don't follow rules. I am the Queen.