Chapter 3 Assault

• By the time it was night, a very heavy rain began to fall. I could tell the people on board, were unstable, from the unsteady waves and shouts.
• Bolts of thunder stroke countless of times, which made Piper extremely scared.
• I ended up narrating numerous stories to her, which I read at our village’s library. They were genuine pieces I remembered being whipped for.
• No one appreciated when females where in the library.
• “Please sing me a song,” she requested in an innocent tone, wearing a pleading expression.
• “Yeah, sure…”
• I trailed on my words, tuning out some traditional song from my village.
• Turned out she was a fast sleeper, cause in just a few minutes, she was asleep.
• I carried her gently, before placing her on the little bed, big enough only one person. I knew I was probably going to find some spot on the floor.
• “Goodnight,” I muttered, kissing her forehead.
• I sighed at the way she shivered from the cold, clenching her teeth which made scraping sounds.
• In a way, she so much reminded me of Jasmine, my little sister.
• She passed away at 9.
• And, most villagers didn’t think she’d live that long.
• Known to be insanely weak from birth, she battled with various illnesses. Until the last one, which seemed incurable took her life.
• I recalled crying on her grave, every single day bringing her a set of new flowers.
• And mum? She totally lost it...
• A faint knock brought me to reality. I looked towards the door and sighted some blankets being tucked under, by an unknown hand.
• “Thank you,”
• I said, but got a response of a foot thudding in retreat.
• Quickly, I covered Piper’s shivering body before taking some sheets at the end of the room, spreading it on the floor. It was just beside the chest. I was curious but I had no intentions of opening it.
• Covering myself with a blanket, I slept for the night.
• …
• I was awoken the next morning, by a creaking sound. It was more evident that it came directly from ahead. And some noises were backed up with it too.
• “You tiny witch! I’ve had enough of you!”
• The voice seemed unfamiliarly familiar.
• I opened my eyes, wiping them to see clearly.
• I sighted Piper standing on the bed she slept on, that night. Her clothes were stained with some orange stuff, and she was escaping someone’s grasp.
• I noticed it was Helen, the woman from yesterday who had brought her in, in a sack.
• “Come down from that bunk, or I promise you won’t see the light of the day!” she snarled.
• “Try catching me, then”
• Piper replied, mischievously.
• I arched my brows, at the entire scene, wondering why she would even think of going against her.
• “P-piper, just listen to her!”
• I yelled.
• But it seemed that it only diverted her attention. She directed her eyes to me. I noticed she had a seemingly trustworthy look in them.
• It had only been a day we knew each other and it seemed she already had faith in me.
• “Got you!” Helen said fulfilled.
• I sighed, with my hand on my forehead in worry.
• I watched Piper struggle in her grasp, giving her a glare. But it seemed, she was just too small and the woman’s strength was more than hers.
• “You’re sleeping in the dungeons for this, I promise!”
• “Get your filthy hands off me, scum bag!” she snickered.
• That earned her a startling slap from Helen, who was already fuming in so much anger.
• “You’re such a rude little kid!”
• From where I was positioned, I noticed the impact made her blonde hair go all over her face. And she looked so much in a pitiful state, with a remorse look in her eyes.
• It took someone close to understand Piper.
• She was just a little child and didn’t deserve this injustice.
• “A-Ava?”
• The sound of her voice calling out to me, awakened a soft spot in my chest. I stood still at my spot, having no idea of what to do.
• I watched Helen drag her through the door.
• “P-Piper…I’m so s-sorry,”
• I called out but the door slam shut on my face. It was bolted from outside instantly.
• I didn’t even know what I was apologizing for!
• But I knew I was sorry…perhaps it was my inability to help her.
• Because I was too much of a coward to go against anyone on this ship, if I wanted to live.
• …
• I spent the rest of the day, reading the old books which laid just beside the chest. I had always had this weird desiring for romance and science. It also amazed me when I learnt things about the word and why certain things were there.
• In a way, I couldn’t believe that some dutiful girls back in my village, didn’t know these treasures.
• Sometimes I really wished to share it with them, so that they could learn too.
• Right from when I liked reading, I knew I had to take the risk of being called a witch. And of course, ostracized by other villagers, marked off as weird.
• I had been so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear the door open. And someone from outside, walking in.
• “You seem quite pricey and beautiful,”
• I widened my eyes, standing up immediately.
• It was a man with a dark hair, average in height. I felt goosebumps on my skin, wondering how he entered the locked door.
• He definitely had the keys!
• Did someone lead him here, to me?
• He appeared to be one of those scoundrels, who drank so much liquor.
• “W-Who are you and what do you w-want from me?”
• I stammered, feeling so powerless.
• “Oh, quit the pretense. You’re such a little slut, aren’t you?”
• He said, scratching his beards with some sly smile. Some flies followed them from outside. This made me irritated more.
• I watched as he loosened his slacks, with haste bringing out his length. He held them in his hands and my eyes froze in horror.
• This was the first time I had seen the private part of a grown man!
• Wasn’t he ashamed?
• “Let’s do it quick, I promise it won’t bite,”
• He said, making a way towards me. I dodged him and ran towards the door, opening it slightly. But I was immediately dragged back by him.
• He pulled my hair, dragging me back like a rag doll, to the spot I just ran away from.
• “No! No! Help me!! Someone please help me!”
• “Now don’t be too much of a spoilt girl and make me pissed.” he said. “Stay still and it will be over soon,”
• “Get off me!” I said, kneeing his length. He groaned in pain, still pinning me down.
• I noticed he was quite strong and agile. I received a frightening slap, the instant he recovered.
• “You’ll pay for this dear, I promise,” he angrily let out, fuming.
• He clenched my two hands together, above my head. I struggled with every fiber in me, but nothing worked.
• Tears sprung out of my eyes as I felt totally helpless.
• He ripped my skirt. I closed my eyes shut, afraid.
• Just as I thought he was going to reach my panties, I felt him being ripped off me.
• A loud growl configured the entire room that instant. I looked above only to sight Captain Caspian. He looked really pissed and I noticed some dark furs on him.
• I wondered if the myths of the beast was true.
• Was he the beast?
• “K-King C-Caspian, I-I didn’t know she was yours…Please have m-mercy!” he pleaded.
• “Mercy? I know no mercy,” he seethed dangerously with his eyes dilating into a pool of black.
• “Guards!!” he exclaimed.
• About three men came rushing in, instantly.
• “Toss him in the sea,”
• They immediately dragged him out, leaving me with Captain Caspian who I just found out was the supposed King!
• How to not freak out?
• I sniffled, still on the ground. Slowly, I stood up with my cloth in shards.
• “T-Thanks for saving me,”
• I muttered, wondering what could have happened if he hadn’t come to my aid.
• I could h-have been raped!
• “Are you okay?” he asked.
• I nodded, looking at the wounds I had gotten from that man.
• To some extent, I thought being tosses to the whales was too much of a punishment.
• But…perhaps he wouldn’t do something outrageous in his next life!
• However, what was the King doing fetching the girls? Wasn't it meant to be the other way round?
• “Strip,” he spat out suddenly.
• I swallowed harshly.
• “W-What?”
• I let out, wondering why he said that, all of a sudden?
• Why would he want me to, after this?
• “I intend to inspect your purity as my chosen,”
• I gripped my clothes, in protectiveness, taking various steps back.
• My dried tears were beginning to form once more.
• “You heard me right, Ava. I won’t repeat myself again,” he added.