Chapter Seven

What seemed like years passed, the large man with the whip came back a few times to beat me some more. Sometimes it was with the whip, once he used a bat, another time his fist, I think I was burnt at some point but I lost track of what was happening to me after about the fifth visit. Trying to protect itself my body turned numb to the pain. Beaten, broken and alone I couldn’t find that part of myself that always tried to find the positive, that told myself I would be okay and to hold on. My parent died trying to protect me, they gave their life for mine and I always tried to be grateful for their sacrifice, I tried not to get lost in self-pity, but in this moment, I couldn’t help but be consumed by it “I’m sorry” I whispered to them hoping that wherever they ended up after they died, they could hear me.

Suddenly the door lock clicks open and I flinched knowing he was back for another round. Bracing and preparing for my hair to be pulled again, but instead I felt soft hands on my shoulder and a soft voice calling me name, I thought I must be dreaming

“Annalee, Annalee, sweetheart can you hear me?" her voice seemed so far away "are you alright? oh no what has he done to you?” it was Luna Sophia’s voice that called to me, and I realised she was crying. “Annalee listen to me, you’re okay now, I am so sorry my dear I had no idea you were here he said he took you to another packhouse, when I overheard him speaking to a guard, I realised that was all a lie so he could keep you down here. Look I’m going to help you get away from here, I am so sorry you must go before anything else happens to you I feel this may only be the beginning” she sounded scared.

“you’re kicking me out?” I started crying again “you don’t want me anymore”. 

“Oh sweetheart, I would love nothing more than to keep you here were I can protect you and make sure you are alright, I have always kept his temper at bay and convinced him not to abandoned you and leave you alone but fear does horrible things to the mind and right now he is blinded by it” she said

“I don’t know what happened, I didn’t do what he said I did” pleading her to understand and believe me.

“I know dear, I believe you, I don’t know why Brittany told him those lies, but I fear you’re not safe here” she softly brushed my hair with her hands.

“Where will I go, I have nowhere else to go Luna” shaking again, consumed by another kind of pain that was different from the physical pain in my body.

“An old friend of mine, her name is Evelyn, she lives a few hours away with her family, I have made all the arrangements for you to go and stay with them, you with have everything you need and they will protect you till your old enough to find your own path” her smile was a genuine one. “I am so sorry Annalee, I should have been stronger and protected you more” a tear ran down her cheek. “Now let’s go I have a car waiting just outside I will take you to Evelyn, but we must be quick the guards have been given a slight sedative and will only work for a short time”.

“How did you manage that?” I asked wondering how she managed to knock out two guards

“I just brought them some nice hot tea to keep them warm” she winked and had a mischievous grin on her face that looked so much like Axel, and for the first time since this nightmare started, I felt my hope return.

“My things, I do not have much but my bear the only thing I have left of parents please I don’t want to leave it behind” she pulled it out from underneath her shirt and I cried at the sight of it and hugged it to my chest.

“I have also set up an account with some money for you to get the things you need and to take care of yourself, but please we must go now” Helping me stand and she let me lean against her.

“Thank you” was all I could say and realised I still had no shirt on, suddenly feeling very exposed. Sophia handed me one of my baggy jumpers that I hadn’t realised she was holding.

“Can you walk” she asked helping me cover up.

“I will manage” she was doing so much for me I could complain about my sore ankle, and various other injuries I obtained over the past few days. Hobbling after her we made our way outside past the guards who were sleeping so soundly, towards a parked black SUV with very dark tinted windows. Sophia helped me into the passenger seat and hurried over to the driver’s side.

“You can’t come back, Annalee, you have to start over and stay away from here, you can make your way as part of the human world, hidden from our kind” knowing the truth of her words I just nodded not knowing what would happen next. What would happen to me? and who would be waiting for me? I guess I would find out whether I wanted it to or not my life was about to change, for better or worse.