Red

04. Face to Face

That is Ms. Scarlett up there, except imagine her with freckles scattered about her face and that'll depict her perfectly (:

on with the story!

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My body was floating on lukewarm water, a gentle current tugging it along like personal baggage. Every part of my being felt like it was detached from my body and only connected by thin little strings that even by the force of nature they wouldn't snap. I was completely at peace, mentally and physically.

     At least, that's how I felt for what seemed like an eternity. Launched straight into darkness, only to appear in a bedroom much like my own, but visually way more appealing. My eyesight seemed to have enhanced as colors throughout the room appeared more vibrant and illuminating than I had ever seen in my life. The dressers, the carpet, the curtains. Everything, even in its grays and browns and blacks, was stunningly colorful and almost seemed to be slowly swaying as if it was alive. It was like I was in heaven. Was that where I was? I didn't even know anymore. Actually, I didn't even care. My body felt amazing as if I had run twelve miles and survived to live through the next day. It felt like I had drank from the Pool of Life.

     Or maybe the Pool of Death, if I was indeed dead. Maybe death felt better than being alive. At least that's what heaven would feel like, I assumed. If I was truly dead right now, I would be able to say immediately that this life feels much better than my other life.

     One thing I did know for sure was that I could not move my body. Not that I cared, since I indeed felt quite elated, but it would be nice to know my toes still wiggled or I could still stretch out my arms. My body was encased and supported by several irresistible cozy pillows that were filled with exquisite downy feathers. Even my pillows back at home, fit for a princess, did not compare. These were heaven. Truly heaven. To be honest, it didn't exactly bother me as much as I'd like that I couldn't move my body whatsoever, just because of the pillows. Even the silky blankets laid perfectly over my naked body felt like dream. I didn't mind at all—Wait. I was naked.

     I move my eyes just enough to peer down at where the blanket rested right over my breasts, which were only currently covered by the blanket itself. I was definitely naked, then.

     Who undressed me out of my coronation gown?

     My coronation.

     I had completely forgot. My mind had seemed to float away from my body, oblivious to what events had previously unfolded. My parents. My friends. Everything.

     And him, or at least the male voice I had constantly heard in my ears right before I blacked out.

Scarlett, I have come for you.

That's what I had heard, over and over again like inescapable music. The melodic, sensual tone of it sent shivers throughout my entire body as I remembered what I had experienced before blacking out. What was really going on? Where was I? Who has come for me, and for what reason?

"You will soon find out." A familiar voice boomed out from somewhere in the room, making me jump. Well, I must've just gained back feeling. Maybe becoming petrified instantly was the cure.

I quickly wrap the blankets more thoroughly around my body as I look towards the intruder. My breath escaped me when I saw him.

He was standing in the doorway with a wide, devilish smirk dancing across his face. He had deep, fiery red hair with an elongated but defined face with a square jaw, sensual, full lips, and enticing emerald eyes that seemed to cut right through the blankets. I pull them even tighter around me, as if that would help. Arrogantly stunning, his face was not of human beauty. No, he was far from it. He was utterly captivating and devastating to the eye. It made my heart flutter in embarrassment as I shrank farther down into the bed covers.