The next morning, Ann's eyelids fluttered open, and she was met with a wave of despair. She lay on the cold, hard couch, her body aching and her mind reeling. The room was dark and oppressive, the shadows cast by the flickering candles dancing across the walls like malevolent spirits.
She tried to sit up, but her head spun, and she fell back onto the couch with a groan. Panic set in as she realized that she was still wrapped in the same cloth, her body still heavy with the weight of Minor's passion from the night before.
As she struggled to free herself, she saw the plate of food on the table, untouched and congealed. Her stomach growled in protest, but her heart was heavy with shame and regret. She had never felt so vulnerable and powerless in her life.
The sound of footsteps outside broke the silence, and Ann's heart skipped a beat as the door creaked open. Minor loomed over her, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.
"Good morning," he said, his voice low and menacing.
Ann's eyes flashed with anger and fear. "What have you done?" she demanded, her voice shaking with rage.
Minor's face twisted into a cruel smile. "I've kept you safe," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're not going anywhere near Ethan."
Ann's eyes filled with tears as she realized that she was trapped. She was at Minor's mercy, and he was determined to keep her from ever leaving him again.
"You're just using me," she spat, her voice venomous.
Minor's smile grew wider. "Maybe I am," he said. "But you're not going anywhere. You're mine now."
And with that, he turned and left the room, leaving Ann alone and feeling like a prisoner in a living nightmare.
The darkness seemed to close in around her, suffocating her. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, with no escape from the clutches of Minor's madness.
At the middle of the night…
Ann's eyes fluttered open, and she was met with a wave of pain and confusion. She looked down to see that her dress was stained with blood, and she felt a wave of panic wash over her. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her abdomen, and she fell back onto the couch.
Minor rushed into the room, his face pale with worry. "Ann, what's happened?" he exclaimed, his voice shaking with fear.
Ann's eyes locked onto his, and she saw the guilt and remorse etched on his face. She knew that she was bleeding, and she knew that Minor had something to do with it.
"Get me out of here," she whispered, her voice weak and strained.
Minor's eyes filled with tears as he quickly moved to help Ann. He gently lifted her off the couch and carried her to the bathroom, where he quickly turned on the faucet to warm up the water.
As he held her in the tub, Ann's eyes locked onto his, and she saw the guilt and shame written across his face. She knew that he was sorry for what had happened, but she didn't know if she could ever forgive him.
Minor's eyes never left hers as he held her close, his hands trembling with emotion. "I'm so sorry, Ann," he whispered, his voice cracking with despair. "I never meant for this to happen. I love you, and I would never intentionally hurt you."
Ann's eyes searched his face, trying to see if he was telling the truth. She knew that she had feelings for him, but she also knew that she couldn't trust him anymore.
The cave was dark and damp, the only light coming from the faint glow of embers in the fire pit. Ann lay on the cold, rocky ground, her body trembling with pain and fear. She could feel the life slipping out of her.
Minor crouched beside her, his eyes wide with fear and guilt. He had never meant for things to go this far, but in his passion and anger, he had lost control. He reached out a trembling hand to touch her face, but she pulled away, her eyes flashing with anger and pain.
Ethan burst into the Minor's Chamber , his face twisted with fury. "What have you done?" he thundered, his eyes blazing with anger.
Minor rose to his feet, his eyes defensive. "I didn't mean to hurt her," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Ann bleeds, she miscarries."
Ethan's face turned white with rage. "You didn't mean to?" he repeated, his voice dripping with venom. "You didn't mean to hurt her, but you did it anyway. You're a monster, Minor."
Minor's eyes dropped, shame and guilt etched on his face. He knew that Ethan was right. He had let his emotions get the better of him, and now Ann was paying the price. Minor left the room into the deepest part of the chamber
Ethan turned back to Ann, his eyes filled with concern. "Ann, I'm here," he said, his voice soft and gentle. "I'm going to help you."
Ann's eyes locked onto his, and she saw the genuine concern in his face. She knew that Ethan was a good man, and she knew that he would do anything to help her.
Ann's eyes never left his face. She knew that she was going to die, but she also knew that she was going to be at peace. She had found a good man who loved her, and she knew that he would take care of her until the very end.