Chapter III: The First Strike
Two days passed. My heart was still beating, and I was still ok. Or at least, that is what I think. I toiled, worked and did every chore Dimitri gave me to a T. I didn't dare disobey him, and worked as hard as I could. My hand grew blisters and callouses, but at least the wounds did not get infected. I coped with thoughts of my family, and the hope of returning to them.
As I was fixing his bed, making sure not a wrinkle was on it, Dimitri walked in. He threw off his shirt and tossed it to the ground. I rushed to pick it up, as he grabbed a new one from the cupboard. "I'm going out hunting again, during this time, you will be helping Jane and the others prepare for tonight's dinner."
"Yes Sir."
"Is that the only two words in your vocabulary? Yes sir?"
"No sir,"
Dimitri snorted at this. "You may look like a red jewel, but you're just as empty and hollow like the rest of them. Not that I'm surprised. You lot are all the same. So dark, so morbid...but then, I could have you killed at the flick of my finger..." Dimitri shrugged. "Keep at it." He trudged out of the room, and I wiped the tear that slipped from my eyes. He could say whatever he wanted to me, but dare I say a word against him?
Yesterday, one of the lads spit in his face, and he beat him to a pulp. To say I was scared was the understatement of the year. I finished the bed and headed out to the washroom. Thankfully, washing machines still existed, and I tossed his shirt inside along with the soap.
"Catch..."
My hand flung out and I caught the apple that was thrown at me. I stared in perplexion at the young blonde boy standing in front of me. It was Master Titus.
"Cool reflexes,"
"Thank you, Master Titus," I responded. I tried to give him the apple back, but he shook his head.
"Keep it, looks like you need it," Titus walked then turned around again. "I like your hair. It's funny looking, but I can't help but stare at it the whole time."
I smiled at this, and the boy smiled back. "What year did you come from?" Titus asked me.
"2020," I responded.
"Awesome," Master Titus turned around and left. Now I really wished I worked under him. He may just be a kid, but he had shown more humanity and mercy in this small interaction than the entire family did combined. I quickly devoured the apple, in fear of being accused of it being stolen. I even finished the core.
I walked outside, taking a shortcut to the dining room. However, I froze as a older bulkier man who I came to learn as the Uncle or better yet, Master Hevil in a black leather jacket tossed one of the younger slaves to the ground. He started kicking him, mercilessly.
"That's what you get for stealing!" Hevil snapped. The boy cried out in pain, and I started to walk forward when a firm hand gripped my arm and pulled me away.
"What are you doing! He's gonna kill him!" I cried out.
"Yeah, but he's bloody well going to kill you," Nathan snapped.
"I thought you said just yesterday you do not care what happens to any of us," I snapped back.
"Yes, I don't, that is why this is your first and last warning," Nathan growled. He struck my cheek and I gasped. Pain shot through my face.
"If you thought that hurt, then you don't know what's coming," Nathan spoke and he shoved me into the dining room. "Now go assist Jane. There is more where that came from...don't test me."
I glared at him, and Nathan raised his brow in surprise. "So she's got a fire in her. Good, use it to survive!" he rushed off, and I turned to help Jane.
Preparations took long, and I was assigned to help serve alongside Jane and other two girls called Larna and Michelle. I walked around the table, adding wine to the empty cups as that was the safest duty apparently.
The table was indeed full, but I saw no sign of Dimitri or the other brother I had come to learn as Donovan. Evidently their hunt was going to last longer. But what were they hunting?
"Mia, you look absolutely stunning tonight, might I add," Madam spoke to the blonde haired girl sitting across from her. She wasn't family, but evidently a frequent visitor. Desperate for Dimitri's affections, or so I've heard through the whispers of the servants.
"She was hoping to impress my brother tonight," Titus blurted out and a blush formed on her face.
"Ahahaha," Master Hevil walked in. Blood spattered on his shirt. "Don't worry, I'll replace him tomorrow."
"You better," Madam spoke. "You go through our servants faster than I do!"
Mia laughed and I gritted my teeth. I so wanted to throw the jug of wine over her pretty little head. One could only dream right?
"I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience caused...." I sensed Hevil's eyes on me, and I wanted to hide. It was far better to be invisible than to have this man's attention. "I see the jewel is serving us tonight."
"Yes," Madam spoke. "By the way, has the next shipment come in? Is my husband coming home?"
"In about a week, I should say...it would be good to have the old man back, finally have some decent company," another man spoke. His name was master Duke, and he was invited with his mother to dinner tonight.
"Oh, dear, that is no way to address these little people," his mother responded. I tried my best to hide a smile lurking in my lips.
"At least these little people own most of the city," Madam responded. "And you are indeed enjoying the best of our hospitality."
"If this is the best, then I dread for tonight," the woman sighed.
I took a few steps forward when I heard a gasp behind me. I turned around and saw Jane trip, the platter of food flying and heading straight for Hevil.
I jumped in the way and shielded him from most of the food. However, in the chaos and disarray, I was struck in the waste and gasped. A foot struck my face and I rolled on the floor in pain.
"Don't be overdramatic, Uncle! It wasn't her fault! And touch my servant, and I'll skewer you!" Titus snapped.
"You've got a feisty little tongue on ya lad, don't ya? If it were up to me and I was your father, I'd have you over my knee right now!"
I felt Jane tugging me up and I swallowed the pain coursing through my stomach.
"Clean this mess up now, Jane, and let us leave to the games room? I seemed to have lost my apitite." Madam arose and everyone followed them out.
"Thank you," Jane whispered to me, and I only nodded. I gritted my teeth however, because Hevil kicked me hard. I was miserable, in pain, but at least I saved Jane from a massive beating. But so did Titus. I liked that boy all the more.
It took us an hour to get the dining room spotless again. I was ready for a bath and bed when the doors burst open and Nathan stormed in. "Dimitri's back...but he's fallen of his horse."
"Oh no," Jane gasped.
"What's the problem?" I asked.
"If Master Monroe dies, Master Hevil will take over until the father arrives and Madam would have us all slaughtered...I'm sure of it," Jane whispered. "Go to him, you need to help where you can."
I nodded and limped towards his bedroom. Just the second day and I nearly died. I shook my head. Such thoughts would get me killed. I needed to help however I can to now keep Dimitri alive...
Or we'd all perish