Chapter 6

Lyra Pov

There was not much on the plate, a few loaves of bread, finely cutted meat, soup and some greens. It was just a simple dinner with a small portion of food but somehow this dinner was so overwhelming for me that I lost my appetite.

Maybe just maybe, because there was no one to serve me dinner or someone who would wait for me. This was not real I repeated in my head. I looked at him, he was too focused on cutting the meat which was already sliced into medium size.

Suddenly the room temperature fell and I started feeling cold so I wrapped myself with my hands. For some reason I wanted him to notice but glad he didn't. I pulled the plate to my lap and started eating the medium size meat using my right hand.

Wow! It tastes so good, I should learn to cook this way. I could feel all types of flavours in it and the most awakening part was that compared to its size it was soft.

"Does it suit your taste?" He asked his focus still on the meat. After a few seconds he lifted his eyes and looked at me with little disinterest.

"Put your plate on the table" He commanded in a stern voice and I immediately did as he asked.

"Wipe your hands" He passed me a box of papers. I pulled a paper out rubbing my hands on it. It felt like thin fabric with water soaked inside it.

He took my plate to his side which caught me off guard. Was he taking my food away from me? At Least I had a few bites of meat that will surely keep me full for four days. But then he did something vulgar he passed his plate to my side.

I looked at him confused as to why he passed his food to me. His actions made me feel small. What was the point of taking my food away and giving his? Did he see how hungry I was? I was thin, no argument about that.

I didn't touch the plate. If this is a dream then I hate being in it nothing makes sense nothing is known it's like floating in air which is not even mine.

"You need a fork and knife to eat the meat young lady" He said and slowly showed me how they were performed. I knew their uses but didn't know if we could eat with them. He asked me to follow him and I did as he did; taking the first bite in trust me it tasted awful. It was better eating my way.

Simply waste of utensils and energy. Cutting the meating and picking it up with a fork then putting it in my mouth was consuming a lot of time. I pushed the plate. He noticed my behaviour and seemed a little annoyed.

"Didn't you learn to never disrespect the food?" This time his voice was loud. He was starting to get angry. This is how it starts, I remained silent. Now he would definitely throw all the glassware on the floor and maybe slap me.

He didn't, instead he wiped his hands with that paper and stood up. I could feel his eyes and knew better not to make eye contact. He slammed his fist hard on the table. The paper box almost jumped.

"What are you cannibal? Using hands" He whispered the last part to himself but I heard him. Was he angry because I used my hands for eating? Isn't that what normal people do? Even if you are using a fork you still need hands.

Hold on! What is a cannibal?

I finished my dinner to show my respect towards food unlike him. I looked at my new clothes and they were washed. The bed was huge with clean blankets and neat bed covers. My emotions took control over me and I started crying.

I got up from the chair and slowly moved towards the basin in the bathroom. I saw myself in the mirror. I looked the same but my face looked different. It was free from bruises. Even though his behaviour was not appropriate he still was giving me life I didn't have.

For an instant I was thankful and could see a ray of hope but

Trillions of questions were taking turns reminding me that I was going to be caged again. If that was the case then I needed to escape. But I was so used to staying inside the room which was making it difficult to step out.

"Ahhhh'' I felt immense pain in my head and massaged my forehead harder. The mirror started to look blurry. It was happening again. I Started taking deep breaths and slowly it started to reduce but I knew it was going to come again. I have dealt with this for years before it was nothing serious but lately this is making me lose consciousness.

I walked up to bed and laid down, its softness engulfing my body covering the duvet felt heavenly. This is what I needed a warm bed to sleep, a full stomach and no beating.

After I closed my eyes slowly the room dimmed its light. It was better this way. I could feel slight pain in my back but this comfortable bed was making it up for it.

"Do you promise" He asked holding a huge candy in his hands.

"I promise" I replied slowly giggling to his words.

"You would always do what I say" He lifted my chin. His breath was smelling but I didn't complain.

"I will always do as you say" I told him quickly.

"I will feed you and in return you will worship me" He handed me the candy and without listening to my answer he picked me up and started running. I tried biting him but his flesh was fat.

He was chocking me I couldn't breathe. His words were sucking all my energy. He was taking me far away from everything.

My eyes flashed open and my breathing was heaved. I could feel my eyes filled with tears. I couldn't breathe. I needed air. I got down from the bed. I couldn't walk, my leg felt jelly, so I started crawling towards the door.

I pushed the knob of the door open to see the shadows of two men near the door. I peeped through the little opening one of them was busy lighting the cigarette. While the other caught my eyes he looked at me puzzled.

Who were they??