Page 31 of Uncrowned

Penelope

Hands. Pressure. Touch.

I cried out from the pain, slipping away again just as fast. I kept doing that. It was like I was there one moment and getting bombarded with agony overload the next. Then, I was back in the darkness. Back in moments I didn’t want to remember.

“Father, please! Father⁠—”

The repeating kicks to my side had me gagging. Pain tore into my scalp, and I was jerked up, only for him to hit my face while he let my weight bring me crashing to the ground.

Another kick.

Another threat.

Another degradation.

“You’re worthless! You make me sick. You can’t do anything right!”

Kick!

Whack!

Shaking.

Screaming

“Embarrassment!”

I gasped. My lids tried opening, but pressure registered. All I could see was darkness.

Had my father blinded me from the hits? Had he gone too far this time?

Panic reared and a light throb had me wanting to hold to my stomach. My hands tried to come down, only to stop after an inch. I was so heavy, but I was trapped.

My head jerked back and forth, and again, pressure along my face made itself known. Memories came barreling through so quickly, I could barely process them. A hand settled on my shoulder, gripping gently.

“Calm. You’re okay.”

“W-What is this? Why can’t I see?” I thrashed, feeling my legs get trapped as well.

“You’re hurt and you need to heal. I can’t have you running for the stairs or hiding from me. I’ll set you free when you’re better.”

“Free?”

“From the restraints. Not from me or this place. You live here now, Penelope. With me.”

My mouth opened to speak, but nothing came. The shock was too much, even if something… clicked. It was right there. So… obvious. And yet it eluded me.

“How’s the pain?”

I tuned into my body.

“Better. Manageable. What did you do?”

“You’re hooked up to an IV. It’s feeding you pain medication. Are you hungry?”

I ignored his question. I had too many of my own.

“You said I live here now?” My voice cracked at the end. Again, I pulled against the restraints. No matter how much I tried to keep out the fear, I couldn’t.