「UNTITLED」

Heavy footsteps thudded against the ground and a solemn creaking of the door was heard.

‘Just what do you think you’re doing? Get up! Your master is waiting! Hurry up!’ a man yelled in a loud gruff voice.

It was dark and cold. I had no idea what the year was, much less the date. The cell in which I was kept didn't have anything which let me see the outside world. The only source of light was an almost blinding light just slipping through the cracks of the semi-closed door. Whether or not it was actually blinding, I will never know for being trapped down there for God knows how long had allowed my eyes to adjust to the darkness extremely well.

I didn't stir. Or rather, I couldn't  My body which was already frail and thin from the lack of food as well as the countless bruises which were like tattoos I couldn't get rid of, refused to move. No matter how much my brain willed it to go, it just wouldn't obey me. It was as if my body was going through an act of rebellion.

‘I said MOVE!!’ ordered the voice.

I felt a sharp pain hit my ribs. I didn't know what was going on and at first I thought it was just one of my cuts stinging again until I realised that the man was kicking me, forcing me to move. I coughed and sputtered as I wheezed for air whilst still being kicked. It was excruciating to bear. I tried to block the kicks by curling into a ball but all that proceeded in doing was having the man smash my back with his thick heavy leather boots. I tried to scream but nothing could escape from my mouth. All the energy I had was put into (what seems merely) breathing and living.

‘Now, now,’ said another male voice with a smirk, ‘that’s not how you should be treating a lady! You have to make them feel like they have choices that appeal to them to choose from!’

‘Ah? Who’re yo- Oh, it’s you. What’re you doing here?’

‘Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to help you escort the girl. I was going to go see one of the maids but I wondered what was taking so long. Turns out you’re just satisfying yourself after losing in mah-jong today.’

‘Sh-shut up! So, uh… what do we do with this one? She’s not moving.’

‘Let me handle this. Go and wait at the door.’

‘Alright Mr. Playboy. Since you have it your way with the ladies every time…’

A pair of leather boots with softer footsteps headed towards me. I tried to mask my fear by my body betrayed me, shaking uncontrollably, as if I were in a seizure.

‘Why hello there, Miss,’ the man grinned.  I flinched, not daring to look at his face.

‘You see, women love to have the freedom of choice, so, we have to give it to them or else they won’t cooperate with us. Anyway little miss, shall we have some fun?’ he grinned maliciously, ‘Or would you rather go an spend time with the master? It’s your choice.’

Shaken with fear, I forced myself to get up. My knees buckled in, but somehow I managed to remain standing. Just the mere act of trying to stand had made me feel overly exhausted.

‘Hmm? Leaving are we?’ said “Mr. Playboy” with a hint of amusement in his voice, ‘What a shame. I really would’ve liked to play around with you, you know? You have such a nice body. Alright then… Hey! Go take her to the master. You shouldn’t have any problems now.’

‘Huh? Where are you going?’ the other man asked.

‘Sorry, I have a little maid waiting for me. You go on ahead.’

‘Alright then. Oy girl! Hurry up and get over here. Any longer and the master will have both our heads.’

I sauntered over to the door where I was grabbed roughly by my chains and practically dragged down the hall behind him. I knew my fate would be sealed by the time I reached my ‘master’. There was nothing that I could do to escape... Or was there?

I began to think. If my ‘escort’ saw a lot of blood would he begin to lose his cool? Would he take me someplace else? What if I feigned death? Would I be thrown out of the castle? Or what would happen if I were to get rid of him? A plan began to formulate in my head. I didn’t get many chances to leave my cell so I had to be certain that I wouldn’t mess up if I were to escape. I looked up around me for the sight of anything sharp and the first thing I saw was a dagger on the wasitbelt of the man in front of me.

I pretended to stumble forwards and wrap my arms around the man in front.

‘Oy! Watch it, girl! Do that one more time and it’ll be the last thing you ever do!’ he snarled at me, threateningly.

I shivered, intimidated by his ferocious glare. Countless thoughts began to run through my head. What if I failed? What would happen to me? Would I be killed? Or would I be tortured until my death? I started to hesitate on whether or not I should continue my plan. I contemplated for minute or so and made my resolve to continue with the plan. I knew that if I didn’t try then it would be guaranteed that my fate would be sealed here and any hope of freedom was enough motivation for me.

I took the blade of the dagger and made a moderately deep cut across my thumb. I grimaced and clenched my teeth, trying not to make what I was doing noticeable. From a standard point of view, it seemed like I was in pain after being mistreated so violently. Small droplets of blood began to fall on the carpet, leaving a small trail behind me. I lined the edge of the blade with my blood and gently pressed it against my neck, making it appear as if I had just sliced across it.

Taking the blade, I dug it deeper into my thumb, making blood spurt out in clumps and run down my finger. I felt like screaming but stopped myself from doing so. Taking my thumb, I wiped the clumps of blood on the line that I had imprinted. Not knowing what it looked like, I waited until I walked past a reflective surface.

Seeing myself, I was shocked at how well it had turned out. It wasn’t long until we would soon be reaching the room in which I would possibly spend my last moments.  At that moment, I wiped the blade clean and pretended to choke, making gagging and choking sounds, whilst feigning collapsing on him. In that position, I snuck the dagger back onto his belt.

‘What the-?!’ he exclaimed in surprise, ‘Oy, girl! That’s it, you’re so -! Oh my God! What the hell happened?! Hey, wake up! Oh God, master is going to kill me!’

‘Well well… What do we have here? It looks like someone didn’t want to obey my orders…’ said a sleazy and arrogant sounding voice.

I felt myself fall free of the arms holding me. I hit the floor hard with the chains landing on top of me. Fear took hold of me and I shook slightly, but not enough for it to be noticeable.

‘M-master! Wh-what are you doing here? N-no I didn’t! I was escorting her to you and then sh-‘

‘SILENCE!’ interjected the voice of the “Master”, ‘I was wondering what was taking so long for you to bring the girl to me but now I see why. I had very clear orders to have you escort her to me alive. It seems that even that task was just too much for you. Guards! Unchain the girl and throw her body into the river. As for you… I will make sure you are dealt with personally. That is all.’

Heavy footsteps and clanking armour filled the room and I felt a massive weight being lifted off of me. A clink was heard and my hands were freed. I was no longer chained. But I still couldn’t move yet and I knew that if I were to look around I would be tempted to. So I kept my eyes shut and somehow my conscience slipped away from me.

What my emotions were like next was something I can’t explain. It was a mix between happiness, fear, relief and it felt like cold water. My eyes snapped open and I tried to breathe in but only succeeded in drowning out my lungs with water. But I didn’t care. I turned so that I was on my back and allowed myself to float to the top of the river. The current washed me up towards the bank and I hung onto a stray tree root.

Finally, I was free.