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wannahug13

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           “Is she still alive?” I heard a man whisper as I felt cool fingertips press against my throat, feeling my pulse.

            “Yes, she is alive, her pulse is slow, but she is alive,” Another voice, a woman’s, spoke quietly to the man, who I now recognized as Vincent. The woman’s voice was still unknown to me, but I did not care, for pain surged through me within a moment of becoming aware of Vincent voice. I whimpered and gasped as the sharpness pulsed through my chest, arms and legs.

            I heard heels click lightly on wooden floors as the woman departed for a short time and brought back with her a second visitor for me, “Fresia…” I heard Henry’s voice brokenly whisper my name before I heard his weeping. Something horrible must have happened to me.

            I opened my eyes to see I was within castle walls, my abdomen, chest, arms, and legs wrapped with bloodied bandages. I moved my head to look at who was there watching me: Henry, Aquarloftyne, Vincent, Valeria, a strange woman, Brin’e, and the creature that I supposed attacked me in a cage on the other side of the room. The creature met my gaze, still looking like a monster version of Henry, and winked at me; I was disgusted.

            “What happened to me?” I gasped lightly, bringing all their eyes to me. Henry practically squealed when he heard my voice and hugged me, eliciting a gasp of pain from me, though I really did enjoy being hugged.

            He backed away with a sad look on his face, “I am so very sorry, I was just so happy that you are alright…” He smiled at me happily. He was acting more like a normal person now, not as much like a royal, and I felt as much pride as a mother eagle does when her eaglets finally fly.

            “There is nothing to be sorry about,” I reached my hand out and touched his face, wincing at the movement, but wanting to make it, “I enjoyed the hug. Now, will you be willing to answer my question? I still have no idea what happened to me… except that he,” I glared at the thing in the cage, “Attacked me.”

            Vincent stepped in within a moment, stopping any answer from Henry, “That is one of the abominations the Duchess of Purge has plagued on this land,” He glared over his shoulder at the creature, who then suddenly changed to look just like Vincent, but with the face of a monkey. Despite all my pain and anger at the creature, I giggled as it danced around.

            Vincent backed away, appalled by my obvious entertainment from the creature, which was now a tall blonde man, handsome and muscular. The only problem with him was his red eyes, bloodied black teeth, and his grotesquely lengthened, sharp nails. He motioned to me with his index finger, smiling the whole time. I looked away to the woman who was now in front of me, “He can be seen by whom he pleases; he will pull whatever disguise will fool those he wills to see him into trusting him before he attacks. We questioned him… well, torture is closer to the truth, and his name is Akar’manak. Now, how are you feeling?”

            “How did you know what I was thinking?” This strange woman was short and slightly plump, but still quite pretty. Her brunette hair was pulled back in a bun, and she had a tight smile stretched on her face. She was obviously not the happiest person in the world when around Vincent, for she kept glancing nervously at him.

            “No need for you to know, sweetie; now, if you wish to speak to him,” She motioned toward the man in the cage, “I would advise you do so now,” She stood and walked out of the room, her heels clacking lightly.

            “Shall I bring the cage forward to you?” Henry’s voice broke me from my musing about the woman. I guessed bring the creature closer was a better idea than talking across the room, so I nodded my approval and waited.

            The cage slid toward us at the snap of Vincent’s fingers, and Akar’manak changed into a plain looking man, short brown hair with light green eyes and an average face. He smiled, showing his disgusting teeth again, and I winced.

            “Hello, Princess,” He said, his voice smooth and pleasant to listen to, like music; but why did he call me Princess?

            “What are you talking about? I am no Princess,” My friend that had previously been surrounding me, had now left, leaving me alone with this creature, or man, or whatever he was.

            “Do not toy with me, Princess, I know things you do not. I may see the future of this land and others if I wish, but only if the decisions are big, or set in stone.”

            “May I ask why you call me Princess then?” He changed form, turning into the handsome blonde man, with the gross teeth, eyes, and nails, again.

            “I am not obliged to tell you anything, dear girl,” Akar’manak winked at me again, and stuck a finger through the bars of his cage. His nail grew long, closing the distance between his finger and my forehead, “Just know that I can see what will happen to you later,” He said tapping my head lightly, causing me to wince.

            “Now,” He withdrew his finger and changed shape again, turning into a fishlike man, gills and all, “Is there something you wish to speak with me about? Like, hmmm, I don’t know, maybe my attacking you?”

“Yes, I would like to speak with you about that.”