Chapter 116
~ NYSSA
My assumption was that Henry was being a bit dramatic.
I ignored the bowl of oatmeal and spent most of my time scouring every inch of the basement, trying to find a way out. I did not try to pace myself, I figured it was only a matter of time before he would walk down the stairs with a new bowl of food.
I was wrong.
A few hours passed and my stomach growled loudly. My limbs ached from exhaustion, and every step felt like torture, but I glanced at the white door, convincing myself that it was only a matter of time.
I drank water from the bathroom for energy and sat in bed, waiting, but he never came.
The oatmeal had dried on the floor by now, and tiny ants gathered around, picking pieces of whatever they could find.
I turned on my side, keeping my back to the door and I forced my eyes closed. At least the hunger would not bother me as I slept.
I woke up a while later to a sharp pain in my lower belly. I groaned, pulling myself out of bed as I stumbled over to the bathroom. I pulled down my pants and cursed when I saw red stained on the insides.
“You have got to be fucking with me,” I mumbled.
I pulled myself out of the bathroom and up the stairs, banging loudly on the white door. I wasn’t sure if he could hear me. He told me earlier that no one would hear me if I screamed, I could only assume my pounding didn’t change much.
“Hey! I need help p>
I banged against the door with all my might for ten minutes with no response. I quickly realized that it was up to me to help myself so I grabbed my old clothes. They were dirty but they would have to do. I ripped apart a large chunk of the shirt and shoved it into my leggings. It was uncomfortable as hell, but at least I did not have to sit in my own blood.
Henry returned a long while later, whistling to himself as he made his way down the stairs.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I hissed. “I called for you… for so long p>
“I know,” he said simply, hands folded behind him. “I saw you p>
“Saw me?” I looked around, my heart racing as I realized that there had to be a camera in this room somewhere. “You fucking creep p>
I rushed to my feet, taking deliberate steps towards him. I’d changed in the room for fucks sake, I’d stripped naked thinking that I was safe.
“How dare you!” I shoved him back harshly. “What the fuck is wrong with you p>
I reached out to shove him again but he grabbed my wrists in a firm grip, tugging me harshly towards him. “Don’t think for a minute that my silence is weakness, Nyssa. If you put your hands on me again, there will be hell to pay p>
He released me harshly and despite the rage swirling inside of me, I did not touch him. I huffed, turning on my heels and storming back over to the bed. Until I found a way out of here, I could not risk it.
“I see you haven’t eaten yet,” he drawled, hands crossed over his chest. “I suggest you do so soon or maggots will start to form p>
“I need a pad, Henry p>
“After you finish p>
“Are you joking?” I scoffed in disbelief. “This is basic necessity and you won’t even give that to me p>
“You need to learn, Nyssa, and if this is the only way, then so be it p>
He turned to leave and I knew that if I let him walk out of that door, I would not see him again, not until I did as he asked and ate the food. I was starving, yes, but I was also prideful as hell and I would never give him that satisfaction of seeing me on my knees like a dog.
I scrambled for something… anything that would help me, but my brain came up empty. Fighting him would not help. Not only was I weak, but there was no way out. There was only one thing he wanted from me.
I took a deep breath and began to sob. Loud, ugly cries that echoed through the room. I buried my face into my hands as I willed the tears to fall and through a gap in my fingers, I saw Henry stop in his tracks.
“You’re acting just like him!” I whined. “I thought you were different, but he was right. You’re just as evil as he is p>
That did the trick because Henry immediately made his way back to me. “I am nothing like him p>
“You’re starving me like he does!” I lied. “You’re keeping me caged as well p>
“He lets you out of the palace, my spies have seen it. You go to work with Aria p>
I cursed mentally. I didn’t think he’d have spies.
He stared at me with accusing eyes so I sobbed harder, shoulders shaking with each sound I forced out of my lips.
“She is my guard, you idiot! Did you really think he would let me out of his sight without someone watching over me? If it is not her, it is that big oaf called Eric p>
He frowned. “I thought you and Eric were friends p>
“I thought so too, but it was all a ploy. The moment we left here, he changed. I would have come back, but you wanted me dead. I thought that a life with him was better than death. This is your fault p>
I cried harder.
The guilt hit him square in the chest. I saw it flash through his eyes as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. A long minute passed between us, tension stretched in the air. Henry didn’t speak, only the sound of my sobs carried through.
“Is this true?” he asked and I nodded.
“Why would I lie? You are all the same p>
“Nyssa p>
“Please leave,” I cut him off. “I want to be alone.” It was a huge bluff. It could explode in my face, but it was all I had. “Leave, Henry p>
He stumbled back, eyes wide, hands shaking. “I’m sorry. I truly am, Nyssa p>
I turned away from him, wrapping my arms around myself. “I don’t want to hear it p>
“I’ll get you something to eat. Just… I’m sorry p>