Peony

chapter : 7

The crunchy crumbling sound of leaves under my feet is wrecking my nerves - i will collapse in a second.
My whole body is begging me to stop.
But the adrenaline rush isn’t letting me.

I ran - they are close : so close.
I could hear their laughter.
The mocking laughter of Master's guards. They are playing with me.
A game : of hide and seek.

After a kick in my stomach I came to my sense. I was still in that table covered with broken glass in my skin and dried blood all over my body.

I could not understand what was happening and why. Master then shouted at me to run. If i could hide till the sun rise he will let me go. If i can't then he will punish me. That's what he said. Without thinking much i started running. Even if it’s a narrow chance i will take it.

My legs are numb, it will fall out soon.

I was wondered about the fact that they are fast... Extremely fast.
How?

I stumbled and my nose almost broke due to the force.
But it was late.
I saw shoes before my eyes.
Looking up only shadows all i could form with vision.
No face.

Soon i got scooped over one's shoulder, they brought me at a open area - i could see people surrounding and whispering.
Due to lack of blood in my system i was dizzy.
That guy threw me before Someone's leg. Everything was hazy.
That long lagged guy picked and made me stand before those whispering crowd,
"I present you - my half soul and your mother. Bow and show respect. If i saw anyone defying the rules i will punish them in a way you will be thrilled to see."

What?
Am i being delusional?
Then i saw flowers and heard cheerful voices.
After that I don’t know what happened.

Now i am in my bed.
In the Castle.
But i don’t know what to feel.
Everything is blurr.

But i clearly remembered those words from Master’s mouth.
I tried to stand but my legs gave up.
Then i realised my hand is wrapped in a cast, i have a bandage in my head, my legs were covered in marks.
Bruises were present all over my body. That means all that happened.

Now i have to escape.
This isn’t good.
I can't stay here.
They will kill me eventually.

I slowly came out of the room.
Then saw it was another side of the Castle - away from that mansion i was previously. 

That only means it’s Master’s place.
My body got chills with the realization. No one is allowed in this side. What am i doing here?
No, i have to go.

When i reached the front side, i saw lots of black dressed people standing still. My mind drifted to the previous night. I automatically got shut. I was shivering in fear and pain.

A hand engulfed me from back,
"My love where are you going?"
I dreaded to look behind.
"Come, you need rest"
He picked me up and took me back to that lavish room.

I couldn’t make myself to look at master.
"You should rest instead of roaming around. You almost died yesterday."
He snickered making me flinch.
I was trembling looking downcast.
A group of maid came inside with foods in hand.

"You should eat. You will need energy more now."
My mind wasn’t ready to eat.
It was shaking.

"Ok fine today is a special day. So i will feed you myself."
He took the spoon filled with spaghetti and brought to my lips.
I hesitated, " love just listen at once or you will realise the value of food in most unexpected way "
Tears immediately came to my vision.
"Open" he motioned with his eyebrows.
I took a small amount in my mouth as my lips were torned.

After eating he called the maids to take those plates.
Those medicines worked fine on me.
I got drowsy and sleep took over me soon.

______________________________________

After 17 days :

My life has turned 180 °
I have been followed by people everywhere i go. Servants are constantly roaming around me.
I didn’t step out of the castle after that day. And I haven’t seen Master also.

But I feel him around.

Zhang has glaring too much at me these days. Like he wants to grill me.
If he could he would have swallowed me alive.

Now i am sitting at that lake area.
Painting another picture of my imagination. 

"Zhang, if you want to say something then say it" i sighed
He is still looking grimace
"No I don’t have anything to say to you, Mother"

My nerves got ticked.
It's been like this after that fateful declaration. I have asked what's the meaning of this. But no one answered.
Actually no one even talks to me here.
Only Zhang.

I looked at him with anger.
"I told you not to call me that"
He smirked " none can do - Master’s order "
"Where is your Master?"
He retorted "why? missing him?"
I huffed "no.... Why would I? Just asking. I need answers. That night nothing was normal. I want my answers. Understood?"

He just stayed silent for few minutes
"Some answers should remain unspoken - it’s for your good"

If I said i didn’t get chills all over my body then i would be lying.

"But I would like to have my answers even if it terrifies me..."

He just nodded.
"I would convey your message. And he is in Norway - the answer to your question."

This guy knows how to get on my head.
He is just like his Master.
Psycho....