SOMEONE TO REMEMBER

(SERENE'S POV)

The room was ice cold and the walls seemed to press in, suffocating me. A violent chill spread through my body, I felt like I was being pierced by cold needles.

"Wake her up!" an angry voice barked from above me.

"She fainted," a second voice replied softly. "Maybe she is just weak. She couldn't handle the bullying."

"Are you insinuating I bullied a human, Gina?" The first voice snapped back, defensive. "Why would I ever do that?"

Gina went silent.

"Eveline, bring it here."

I felt it before it touched me, a basin of ice cold water was poured on my body. Surprisingly instead of the cold, I felt a fire rise deep within my chest, it was warm and protective. It caressed me rather than burned me.

Then, a voice echoed from my lips. It sounded like mine, but carried a dark, commanding power that was definitely not mine. “I dare you to touch her again.”

They went silent.

"I thought you said she was human!" someone whispered with panic in her voice.

"She is human, you dummy," the leader answered, though her voice was shaking. "This room is just creepy, like everyone says. Let's go. You can tell Raymond she is unpacking and resting. She will start work tomorrow."

"Do we just leave her like this?" Gina hesitated.

"Of course! What Gina, do you want to defy me for her?"

"No, Your Highness," Gina murmured and the door was slammed shut.

I struggled to stand up, my body aching, my hands shaking, but I still managed to peel off the soaked clothes, remove the wet sheets from the mattress and put on the fresh ones I found in the cabinet and finally collapsed on the bed. Let tomorrow worry about tomorrow.

When my eyes opened the next morning, the room was actually nice. There was sunlight despite it being underground, I guess I was at the end of the tunnel.

I pulled up a playlist on my phone, turned it on, and got to work. The bathroom was surprisingly big and the closet too, even though they were covered in dust. I wiped down every surface, scrubbed the tiles and once I was satisfied with my work I gathered my dirty laundry and matched out in search of a washing machine. Hopefully this old fashioned estate actually had a modern washing machine, I didn't fancy the idea of actually handwashing our clothes.

I found the shy girl from the kitchen in the hallway, she jumped when she noticed me. "Ohhhhh goddess! You scared me! Why are you up so early? Where are you going?"

I checked my watch, it was 5:30 AM. "It's not that early," I smiled, gesturing to the heavy pile of clothes in my arms. "And am hopefully looking for a laundry room."

Her shoulders relaxed, and she smiled shyly. "I will take you."

I followed behind her as we climbed the stone hallway. "This place is weird. Was it a dungeon?" I asked.

She laughed. "I thought the exact same thing when I first got here. You get used to it. How is your room? People say it's haunted."

"I am actually glad they say that," I laughed softly. "It’s so beautiful down there. I love having the whole space to myself, do you know it has a kitchen area?"

"And another tip, those stone walls are completely soundproof," she added mysteriously. "They say it was built as a hidden bridal chamber for a queen. The king adored her, but her heart belonged to a commoner."

“Ahhh!"  She screamed softly bumping into someone.

“Sorry” I said softly, trying to steady her but that's when my eyes caught the person she had bumped into.

"Amelia" I called softly and fiercely at the same time. 

“Miss Valelia” The girl addressed too, stammering as she quickly dropped her head into a slight bow.

Amelia ignored me and turned to my companion. "Watch where you are going, don't go knocking people down." she warned. Her voice was smooth and soft just like I remembered it during our first meeting.

She smiled and turned to leave but I stood frozen. That face, that cold yet soothing voice, the way she walked, it was definitely her. A wave memories formed in my head, memories I had buried for years. Before my mind could stop me, my legs moved.

I stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder aggressively forcing her to turn to me.

She gasped, her bright, piercing blue eyes full of anger and hatred. I did a double look and indeed her eyes were blue not the olive green I had spent years trying to forget. She tried to pry my wrist off her. I was holding onto her dearly, her manicured nails digging into my skin as she  tried to separate us.

"Where is she?" I demanded fiercely.

"Who?" she asked in confusion.

I stepped closer, my hands clenched. "Where is she?" I asked again with a voice that sounded foreign. "Don't play games with me."

She looked a bit scared, but she shoved me away, gently whipping her hands. "Are you crazy? Do I even know you?"

I laughed bitterly, staring directly into her eyes. "Look at me, Amelia," I whispered. "Tell me you don't recognize me. Look me in the eye and say it. Because I know you remember your worst nightmare."

"This is against the law. This is harassment!" Someone yelled as they tried to pull me back. 

Strong hands rested on my shoulders, forcing my arms behind my back and pushing me on the floor. Two guards had appeared besides us, some of the doors were open and heads popped up behind them, trying to catch the scene.

“I will forgive this, since you look new, but don't let it happen again.” She warned.

“How can it not happen again?" I spat, pulling myself away from the guards. "Listen to me, Amelia, you and I are nowhere near finished."

"Indeed we are," she murmured, but her smile was weird, cruel and calculating as I remembered it.

She turned and walked away. I watched her go, my mind in a race for my next move. This place had given me surprise after surprise but Amelia wasn't on the gift card I was expecting. 

"Mum," I called out softly. The word fragile from my lips but I knew it carried her deepest fears.

She froze and turned back to face me, that simple action proving all my suspicions.

"I am not your mother." She warned but I smiled.