Chapter 3- Strange Beginnings

My eyes shot open, and I quickly sat up to look at my surroundings. I was somewhere in a field or was it a garden? All I could see were vibrant green plants and a bright light shining. I could not recall anything from before I awoke. Squinting my eyes, I tried to adjust to the light that surrounded me. When that did not work very well, I squeezed my eyes shut for a few seconds. Once my eyes were open again, I found someone standing in front of me. The person had seemingly appeared out of nowhere and was staring me right in the eyes.

The figure was that of a tall woman, but for some reason, she was dressed in gentlemen's clothing. She wore a black cutaway cloth coat with red trimmings, a white chemise beneath, and black breeches. Her straight brown hair matched her riding boots and landed at her slender waist.

"It is you!" she spoke in a cheerful voice as she held her hand out.

"Wh-who are you Mm-mi-iss and where am I?" I asked shakily, feeling confused and slightly uneasy. The woman possessed eyes that looked as if they could burn through the soul if stared at for too long. Her irises were a deep blue with hints of grey around it.

"You already know my name and you are near to home of course, so please come with me. They are waiting for you" the woman said. She grabbed my hand and yanked me upwards effortlessly. I looked around the empty space but could not recognize a single thing. I had no other choice but to walk ahead with this strange woman. "Who exactly are they that you say are waiting for me?" I asked hoping to get some answers. "You shall see when we arrive" she replied with a shrug. There was no resemblance of the village in my path as I made my way through some prickly bushes and stepped onto a cobblestone path.

All I could see before me is the light blue background that the sky provided and the warm rays of sunlight that streamed over our bodies. Suddenly, everything became consumed with darkness as if in a parallel universe. "We have been waiting for you dear chief. You need to see this " the woman pressed a kiss on my hand and walked away. "Wait, where are you going?" I asked as my stomach felt uneasy. Instantly a golden ray of light lit up the darkness to reveal an astonishing building. It was even bigger and bolder than the castle in the village. Soon there were many interesting figures walking on the grass in front of this building. The woman winked at me before joining them. They were conversing with one another, laughing and smiling as they walked around in a very carefree manner. This scene was very beautiful and there were others that seemed to be half-breeds just like me. It reminded me of what I wished to see among the villagers, I wished only for peace. If only they thought of coexisting in peace with everyone no matter how different they might look, the village would be a better place.

Boom! I heard thunder crash so suddenly and looked up, the sky was becoming cloudy. The people began to make odd noises, almost as if they were hissing as they all turned to look at me and bow. Am I dreaming or just plain crazy I contemplated in my head as I looked at them not knowing what to do. It was then I felt something harshly pulling me upward until I was high above the people. Was I floating?! I then looked down and it was like a wave of electricity had run through my body. My eyes widened as a gut-wrenching scene flashed before me. The people were fighting some dark figures. I squinted to get a closer look and realized those figures resembled wolves but their bodies were that of humans. I screamed as the scene before me unfolded. The wolf-like figures were ripping the people to bits and pieces. I tried to jump down or dive down to help but I was stuck, frozen in place and forced to watch this.

The once beautiful grass was now covered in blood and severed body parts. It was all too much to keep up with and my heart felt as if it was being ripped from my chest. I screamed with all my might and the scene dissipated. Now only the woman stood before me and spoke "The secrets hidden in the thoughts will bear wounds to the heart. Remember who you are, if you are to control what was hidden in the dark." I could feel heat beginning to seep out of my skin, along with an insatiable hunger. I began to feel weak and weary as if I had no strength within my body. It was then that my eyes opened. I let out a sigh of relief. I knew it, that was too crazy to be real and my dreams were normally crazy anyway.

I found myself in a soft comforting bed that made me wish to snuggle into it even more. It smelt of red roses and wine, a scent that reminded me of happier times. This was how the house had smelt when Papa used to bring Mama roses and she would thank him with wine. Could I still be dreaming? It was then that realization rushed through me.

I had not seen wine or roses in my house for a long time and my bed was never this comfortable. I jerked upright, wondering where I could possibly be. This bed was fluffy and larger than my entire room's walking space. It was fitted with silk sheets of a dark red color, very different from the tacky linen on mine at home.

I looked back and behind me stood a dark brown headboard with a golden dagger etched in the center. Looking down at the bed once more, I realized that my head had previously laid on the fattest pillows I had ever seen. A part of me wanted to lie here forever in this comfortable bed, but another part of me panicked. If I am not in my bed, then whose is it?

I began to look around the strange room. The walls were a deep wooden color with dark red trimmings bordering them. The wall was covered in paintings of horses, gardens, and a woman at the center. Getting up from bed, I made my way toward the painting of the woman to get a closer look. The woman was wearing a seemingly expensive blue dress that I could never even dream of wearing.

Her fiery red hair fell in tight curls around her waist, and she possessed dark brown eyes. With light brown skin, she looked exactly like me, only a few years older. How was this possible? Curiosity peaked within me as I continued to look around. On the far left was a large black marble bath that was structured into the ground with shelves above it that matched the color of the walls.

Sitting on the shelves were jars containing flowers, bath salts, and other items. On the far right there was a sitting area possessing two dark red setees and between them a fireplace that was not lit. It was then that the doorknob began to rattle, so I ran back to the bed and sat down trying to seem as if I had just woken. The door to the room swung open, followed by a man walking in. He made his way towards me, staring into my eyes, and stopped at the front of the bed. That was when everything came back to me.

I remembered being at the market in his arms. What had happened? Did I somehow end up at his dwelling?

"Hello again my dear," he spoke, wearing a small smile.

"Why am I here? What happened to me, my Lord?" I had many questions and longed for answers that I hoped he would be willing to give. In the midst of all this confusion, a burning sensation began plaguing my throat. I cleared my throat in an attempt to ignore it.

Lord Bellamy's expression remained the same as he walked over to the side of the bed and sat down. He took my hand in his, "I understand that you are confused and maybe even frightened, but I need you to follow my orders for a few hours. Afterwards, I will be able to give you all the answers you desire".

"My family, they must be worried as I was only to take a few minutes at the market, my Lord. I need to go, please allow me", I pleaded, feeling worried. He may have been nice to me at the market, but this man was and still is a stranger. I cannot believe him so easily.

"Your family was informed of your whereabouts so no need to worry. For now, please come to me. You need to get ready for later tonight as you will be presented to my family", he spoke with outstretched arms waiting for me to get up.

"Why do you desire to present a peasant to your family, my Lord? Please, I need to know what is happening," there he goes again, making me feel even more confused.

Without waiting for me to make any move, he picked me up and placed me to stand on the bed, bringing me much closer to his eye level. He placed his hands on my shoulders and a sense of shock ran through me. What is he doing? I pondered as I felt heat creeping up my cheeks. Just then, he rested his forehead against mine and whispered "It is such a relief that I found you. Tell me, do you not recognize me?" he spoke with so much emotion that my heart jumped, but it was not with excitement. It was almost as if my heart was crying out in agony. This makes no sense. Why am I reacting like this to him?

"How could a peasant like me possibly know you, my Lord?" I asked pulling back.

"Jagger, my name is Jagger. Please call me by my name and do not ever insult yourself as a peasant before me again. You are a person that is of great importance to me, and I have been waiting for you. That is all I can tell you for now," he said. He picked me up in his arms and carried me over to the bath. After setting me down gently, he began to speak once more.

"You need to get cleaned up. Dinner will be in two hours, so I will send a servant to tend to you and lead you there in time." He bowed and was about to exit the room.

"Wait! Please, I need answers. Ever since I was born my life has been hell and this situation is making me worried" I pleaded.

Jagger walked up to me and bowed. "You have no reason to fear me, I promise you" he whispered almost in a painful tone of voice. Taking a few steps back, he turned on his heel and quickly strode out of the room, leaving me frozen.