"Hey! Are you still alive?"
This voice sounds like Yustaf. It's probably him, but I don't have the strength to open my eyes. My body is aching all over; it seems like I'm still alive. Is the punishment lifted? I don't know. I can feel my stomach grumble too.
"Don't die on me now. If my master finds out about this, he's not going to let them go," Yustaf said as I felt my body being picked up. I could hear the heels coming closer. This must be my aunt. I want to tell him to run, but my voice wouldn't come out. If my aunt sees a demon in her house, she would scream and call the local soldiers to come.
"Who are you?" My aunt asked as her voice trembled. This might be the end of us. It's better if he would run. What if he hurts my aunt? Slowly I opened my eyes and saw my aunt's frightened face. I looked at Yustaf, and shivers sent down my spine as I saw his eyes. Without realizing it, I tucked his coat, which he, later on, noticed the slight movement.
"Why did you lock her up?" Yustaf asked, glaring at my aunt.
"I-I d-do whatever I want," My aunt stuttered. "Give her back. She deserves it."
I don't know what's going in the mind of Yustaf, but it's better if he didn't save me. It would not be good if my aunt reports this to the guards. It scares me to the bottom that something might happen between us humans and the demons.
"I'm all right," I spoke with my hoarse voice.
"How is this all right?" Yustaf asked me.
"I'm used to it," I lied because I never will and be used to this kind of treatment.
"Don't lie. You're someone who is supposed to be treasured, not treated like this. Master would be sad to see you like this."
Is someone sad to see me like this? That sounds like a miracle. Only a few treats me kindly, and that master whom he is speaking about. I want to meet him.
"Then will you help me out of this place?" I asked while my aunt clenched her fist. While pointing her finger at me, she said, "Runaway? Who was the one who raised you? I'm not allowing that."
Yustaf sighed heavily and looked done with my aunt. I guess anyone would be annoyed with my aunt since she always gets what she wants. Even my uncle gets annoyed with her from time to time.
She indeed raised me until now, but I was unlike any other girl. They go to school and have friends. Has a family who raises them properly. What about me? Stay at home and is treated like a lowly maid. I wish to see the world. I can't be forever locked up in this place.
"Raised? Not once I've acknowledged you as a guardian. It's cruel the way you treat me. I wonder what my parents would say if they see you treat me like this," I said as I clenched my hand onto Yustaf's coat without knowing. "I don't care where I'll go, but for sure I'll be happier than now."
I heard Yustaf chuckle, then he said, "Since she's made her mind up. I'll be taking her. She's not a kind anymore ugly old lady."
"D-did you just call me ugly?" My aunt asked while screaming.
"I did. Ugly old woman."
My aunt was about to charge towards us, but then she stopped when she saw a black portal opening. Her legs gave up seeing the black portal, but she wouldn't stop calling out my name. Yustaf stepped into the portal while I shut my eyes. With this I'm free.
It feels like a dream.