Chapter 8 A Man in the Field
NIA’S POV “How is it that she is allowed in our midst?” One of my roommates, Penelope, questioned. She and the other one, Emily, had been at it all evening when we returned to the room after a long day’s work. They no doubt felt bored and saw me as a means of entertainment. They were insulting me and calling me names for being a half-breed. I thought my birth pack was the only one with an extreme hatred for half-breeds. I didn’t realize I walked into a dead end all by myself. I don’t know how to respond to them, not because I am scared to give them a deserving response. It’s more because I am exhausted from doing chores beyond me. I use half of my day doing chores that would burn me out with the hope that the Alpha is taking note of how much work I am putting in. The rest of the time, I contemplate how to escape and stay far away from here-zero friends and many foes. I don’t know how long I might be able to hold up. It’s more frustrating that I have to watch the bullies do their worst with me; fighting back would only lead to more punches from them. I don’t want to end up with too many cracked ribs. I sniffed, staring up at them like they had some odd heads on their shoulders. “Did you just sneer at us?” Emily growled. I sighed in exhaustion, “No, I didn’t.” I felt a sharp sting on my cheek. Penelope had slapped me with that hard palm of hers. “You bitch! How dare you talk rudely to us?” All of a sudden, somebody carried me off the ground, and I got hit from both sides. I couldn’t open my eyes to take in the scene. They didn’t let me go until my breath appeared to be fading. Satisfied at the harm they Inflicted, the both of them went back to their discussion like they didn’t just embark on an intent to murder. I lifted my broken body into the bed, sighing in relief at the comfort it offered me. The tears that seemed to have seized while I was pommelling let themselves loose as soon as my cheeks rested on my folded arms. I should go for a run in the woods, and I realized a bit later that I can heal from hurt bones if I shift. I had fallen hard one time in the Hayes household, and in my extreme pain, I didn’t know when my wolf let itself to the surface. Even though it was an extremely painful shift, It went through, and my body returned to its normal state. I was dragging my body with the remaining strength I had inside of me. I made my way out of the room. The witch’s eyes followed me, but I didn’t care. If they come after me this time, I can’t be sure what to do. Their blows feel like hell; each hit makes me ache feverishly. The moon shined brightly, making me feel like it was some compensation from the goddess. Bracing myself, I shifted into my wolf form, howling after taking off my clothes and keeping them safely behind a tree. I love that I got a wolf and not latent. It’s lovely to run freely without fearing hitting one’s leg and falling flat on one’s face. Racing with Kingston is the most enjoyable moment for me. Even though he is faster and stronger being a full wolf, it’s still fun. Taking a moment to rest after exhausting myself, I saw a pair of golden brown eyes staring at me intently in between shrubs. I shifted fearfully, and my wolf whimpered. Without stopping to affirm if the wolf was harmful or not, I made a run for it. I could hear the wolf running heavily behind me. Summoning my entire strength, I made it out of the woods. Shifting back to my human form, I changed into my clothes hurriedly. When I looked back, there was no one in sight, and aside from the men on g, nothing seemed out of place. I whispered a quick prayer of gratitude to the goddess and returned to my room. The witches had fallen asleep on my return. Throwing myself into the bed, I slept like a baby. My eyes fluttered at the feel of light on my face, and I groaned tiredly. Before I could get the hang of my situation, a cold splash of water got dumped on me, and I could have sworn that my blood froze inside of me. I jumped off the bed, gulping hard and searching around hurriedly for the assailant. The two witches cackle so loudly it makes my ears ache. I thought it was morning, looking around and staring at the wall clock. It’s only midnight. These two coven beings have chosen to torment me in the sacred hour of the night. My shaky hands wrapped around my body, and without a word, I made my way toward the blanket. Like someone cursed would experience a series of misfortunes. These bitches, I think I am in my right to cuss at them, dipped my blanket in the second bucket of water they had prepared for my doom. I fought back the tears stinging my eyes. They stood straight without saying a word, daring me to say something. Sniffing, I passed them and made my way out of the room. I can’t return to the bed without a blanket. I would no doubt die of pneumonia. But sleeping in the garden sounds better than sleeping in a room filled with this bloodsucking being called roommates. I feel unsafe around here; many people aren’t friendly towards me. And I am still haunted by those eyes following me in the woods. I paused in my tracks at that thought. What if someone is out there waiting for me to leave alone? The tears came in full force again, and I didn’t hold back this time. I made my way to the stairs that led to the underground part of the packhouse, shaking violently. A burning aroma filled the atmosphere, clouding my nostrils. I finally found where it came from: someone who appears to be a lady smoking blunt at the top of the stairs, which is quite a dark spot. She seems to have been there for a long while, with a large blanket shielding her. I tried not to stare too much to avoid getting beat up. At the same time, I felt hesitant and wanted to ask if we could share the blanket. “You want some?” She stretched the blunt towards me, her voice sounding so stiff it could pass for that of a grown man. My stare must have sent the wrong message. I shook my head in refusal, hurriedly walking down the stairs to find a suitable place to sit. I shivered vigorously yet again. I miss my parents so much. It’s so hard to survive without people who cherish one. I am beginning to doubt if the myth of dead families watching over the ones alive is true. I would have loved to call Kingston, but it’s late, and my phone is under my bed. Closing my eyes, I inhaled slowly. Just then, I felt something warm drape over me-a blanket. I turned my head to see who it was. I smelled smoke, and when I looked up the stairs, no one was there. The lady, who turns out to be a blue-eyed blondie with an almost crooked smile, bent over me. I could make out her features in the not-so-dim light due to the closeness. It was hard to figure out her face the other time.
“T…. thank you,” I said, shivering. My eyes are once over. Her blanket was what she offered me. She must have noticed my crumbling state. “It’s alright. Do take care.” She replied, walking away before I could curate the right words to say to her. My parents are probably watching over me, indeed, since the blanket lady blessed me. Resting my head against the railings, I sighed happily, letting the sleep evade me. Something doesn’t feel right around here; as I walked the field with the basket of food in hand, I feared that I might get hurt. Today is one of those days the other servants deem it fit to mess with me. I quickly ran off to the garden, where I felt more protected. Until one of them found me again, she told me to take food to the male servants working on the field, many feet away from the main house. It didn’t take long for me to see the men. I headed towards them with a weak smile. There were only about five of them toiling the land. They didn’t seem to pay me much attention even after I delivered the message as instructed. All of them except one with the golden pair of eyes stared at me too intensely, making me very uncomfortable. Putting down the basket, I ran off hurriedly. But I paused along the line, admiring the long line of hibiscus flowers next to me. It made the path beautiful. Just then, I heard footsteps behind me, almost like whoever it was, trying to be discreet. I turned around, and the golden-eyed man stood there with a sickening look. I had seen those eyes before, and I gasped at the fulfillment that it was the one staring intently at me in the woods. I swallowed, stumbling backward. “Hey there, beautiful.” He said in a baritone voice that made my insides churn. “Hi,” I whispered meekly, cursing my legs for not moving.
“Are you scared? You shouldn’t be. I’m here to care for you, and my eyes have been on you for a long time.” He licked his dry lips. “I want to chew you up.” He pulled me to himself roughly before I could get a hang of what was happening.
“Let go of me.” I struggled when his hold tightened, and I could feel his nails digging into my skin. “Stay put!” “No! Let me go!” He slapped me hard across the face, pushing me to the sandy ground. My life flashed in front of me when he pounced on me, attempting to tear out my clothes. My wolf struggled to the surface, but he was more potent, and I would have no choice but to surrender myself to him. I looked to the heavens as he struggled to pull my dress up. There is no way out of this, and no one would rescue me. So I thought until I felt a significant wind blow him off me. The blue eyes are blonde that had given me a blanket a few days ago jumped on the weird man and began punching him hard in the face without giving him breathing space. I had forgotten all about my pain as I stared at her with pride. Standing up with gait, she pulled at the hem of her shirt. “Now listen, you asshole! If ever do as much as cross her path again. I would make you pay hard. Also, you won’t be getting off this freely. I will make sure you get locked up.” She spat on him and gestured for me to get up and follow her. I pulled down my dress, feeling exposed while hurrying after her. She made a U-turn to what appeared to be another building that I didn’t exactly notice before. It looks like an abandoned clinic with a reception and different medical charts on the wall, but the large state of the building would easily pass up for a hospital. “Sit here while I get you something to change into. That cloth is doomed; it would keep reminding you of that horrifying moment.” She said, pointing to a chair for me to sit on. I wrapped my arms around myself while waiting for her to return. The space smelt strange, and burnt smoke sticks filled the table. When she returned, she handed over a pair of trousers and a loose shirt. I went into the room she directed me to go to. I changed in a hurry, like someone was on my tail. She was seated crossed leg on the chair when I returned, puffing smoke. I dusted off the smoke, “do you enjoy getting high?” She chuckled dryly, “Aren’t I obvious?” I nodded, taking a seat. “Thank you for saving me. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come to my rescue.” “You need to stay strong for yourself. Or else people will take advantage of you every time. You might not be so lucky next time.” Her words were harsh, but it’s no doubt the truth. I can’t keep playing the victim every time and letting people get away with whatever they do to me. It’s easier said than done, though. I fear getting hurt more if I try standing up to them. “Thank you all the same. I remember you from that night. I didn’t catch a cold, all thanks to you. I wanted to find you and return the blanket. Do you stay here most of the time? I want to bring it back to you.” “I think you would need it better than I would.”
“You can trash the cloth on your way out. There is no need to look behind you, and no one will come after you.” She said, taking another drag of her bluntness. “Alright. I will do that. Can I know your name, please?” “Perry.” “You have a nice name. I’m Nia.” “Okay, see you around.” She said, walking out on me. I had expected her to wait for me to leave first, but by the time I reached outside, she was nowhere to be found. I hastened my steps and returned to the main house. One of my nemesis, Penelope, growled at me as I neared the kitchen. “Where have you been, you lazy slug?” She yelled. “It’s been over an hour since you went to deliver the meal. Were you getting fucked by the men?” I swallowed, intending to give her a cold response, but I changed my mind when other maids stepped out with their eyes fixated on me. Even though Perry says, I am a coward if I keep letting things slide and have to fight for myself. Right now, it looks like a lost battle. I would rather keep my head.
“I’m sorry. I had a slight issue to attend to.” I replied in the most reserved tone I could muster. “Did you have a change of clothes?” One of the maids asked from behind. Penelope gasped; she didn’t notice the change in my attire. It slipped my mind, too. “you slut! I thought you said you didn’t do anything. What happened on that field? Are you trying to snatch our men now?” The irritating look on my face was inevitable as I stared back at her. Why would I want anything to do with people as filthy as that? “I don’t know what you are talking about. Like I said, something came up, and I had to change.” The shadow of a raised hand made its way towards me, and I bent a bit to shield myself. “What’s going on there?” A firm voice bellowed from behind. They squeaked in fear as they bowed hurriedly and returned to their jobs. With my head still bowed, I tried to see who it was. But he only turned his back to me as he walked down the hallway. For the second time in a day, someone comes to my rescue. I think it’s time I start trusting the goddess more.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.