My Long Lost Mate

A familiar scent lingered in the air, slowly entering my senses and waking me up from my slumber. My mind was still a little hazy, and my eyes were heavy with sleep. It took me a few moments to take in my surroundings, to finally realize where I was in.

The damp floor, the musty smell, the suffocating silence, the darkness. Everything was the same. There wasn't the slightest difference from what I remember in my memories, even after the time that passed.

What in the world happened? I was on my way back home with Luke, but how did I end up here? I've tried everything I can to get out of here, but why am I back to this place? Did... did my dad find me? Were we attacked on our way home? 

"N-no, I can't be here," I shook my head vigorously as tears began to well up in my eyes, "I... I need to go," I stammered as I attempted to stand, my body trembling with fear of repeating the years of torture. 

I tried to walk to the old, rusty door, but something stopped me from going any further. One of my legs was chained, preventing me from escaping the room. I yanked on the chains with all my might, hoping that it was old enough to snap, but all my efforts were in vain.

Nothing snapped the chains, no matter how hard I slammed, kicked, or pulled. Both my legs and hands were bloodied with how hard I tried to broke the chains, but I still couldn't escape. My breath started to hasten, going rapid and unsteady as the anxiety grew in me. 

The thought of staying here dreaded me the most, yet there was nothing that I could do to escape. What more does he want from me? Why did he bring me back here? Why—why can't he just let me be? 

Were all those years of torturing me not enough for him? 

"L-Luke," I desperately called for the man, but there was no one but me in this room. I was alone, just like how it used to be. No matter how many times I called for him, there was no response. All I could hear was the deafening silence and my uncontrollable sobs. 

My body slumped to the floor, losing all the strength I had in me. Ahh, was it all a dream? Those few months of freedom, was it nothing but a dream? 

I pulled my body closer, hugging my knees. Will I ever escape this place? Will I ever be able to go back to Luke, to where my home is? Will I—will I die here?

Minutes after minutes, there was nothing but me and the darkness. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to stop my tears from falling. I don't want to be here. I don't want to suffer again. I don't want to die. 

The sound of footsteps shattered the silence, alarming all senses in my body. The sound grew louder and louder as it progressed down the stairs to this very room. My heart was thumping so loudly inside my ċhėst that it seemed like it was about to explode any moment due to the fear of what was coming. I hugged my body tighter and closer, my brows furrowing as my gaze remained fixed on the entrance of the cold underground room. 

I found myself holding my breath as I dread what was coming, and even hugging myself was no way to stop my body from shaking with fear. I kept on praying, praying that this was only a dream—but, as usual, my prayers went unanswered.

And there... there stood a man, a man of my worst nightmare. Norman Quinn. 

"Ahh, there you are, Violet," he exclaimed, his voice joyous as if he had found his lost treasure, "My lovely daughter."

His voice brought terror to my whole body, and the sight of him made me lose the last bit of my sanity. Everything turned much, much colder, and I could feel the surge of panic washing all over me. Every part of me was screaming for me to run, but I was paralyzed with fear. 

"No... no..." I frantically shook my head, hiding my face in between my knees. Perhaps, when I open my eyes, he will be gone? This can't be real. This must be a dream. 

I could hear his footfall coming closer and closer to where I was, stopping just a few inches away. 

"Don't you miss me, Violet? Why are you hiding from me after all the time we have lost?" he asked, but I gave him no answer. I was too caught up with my own fear to give him an answer.

"Show me your face. I want to see my daughter," he said, and I only shook my head, mumbling a weak no. I didn't want to follow his words, even though I knew what would happen if I didn't. Even for one more second, I didn't want him to see me, and I didn't wish to see him either. 

A chuckle came from him as he looked at me, who remained in my curled-up position. He squatted down, his hand ċȧrėssing my hair which ultimately made my whole body flinch at the touch. 

"Did you not hear what your father said, Violet?" he asked, gently ċȧrėssing my hair. "Let me repeat it once more then. I said," his gentle ċȧrėss soon turned into a violent pull on my hair, lifting my head by force, "Show me your face." 

"Ack!" I screamed, his hand still harshly pulling on my hair even after I lifted my head to face him. I had no choice but to raise my head, looking at the man who I wished I could forget. 

Everything about him reminded me of myself, from his brown hair to his green eyes, our similarities were impeccable, and yet—I hated that. I despised the fact that I looked a lot like him, the fact that his blood ran through my veins, the fact that I was his daughter. 

"Why are you crying?" he asked, wiping the tears rolling down my cheeks, "Are you not happy being back with your father?"

Even though tears blurred my vision, I could tell that he was smiling and that he was overjoyed to see me here, as opposed to me, who would rather be anywhere but here. The thoughts of staying in the same place with him again made me feel sick to my stomach, but the little hope of an escape seemed to be too far to reach. 

"The time you spent without me must have turned you into a mute," he released his grip on my hair, his hand going down to ċȧrėss my cheek, "What made you think that you will be able to run from me, Violet? Here, let me tell you something," he walked a step closer, whispering, "You will never be able to escape me, as long as I'm alive, and as long as you're alive." 

"N-no... no!" I desperately shook my head, wanting to back away from him but was stopped by the wall behind me. "W-why... why are you doing this to me? Why did you bring me back here?" I asked, my voice hoarse and weak. 

Hearing my question, he let out a laugh, the loudest one I have ever heard from him. 

"Why do you think?" he returned my question, the amused smile still on his face, "It is because we are a family, and family—stays with each other forever." 

...

"Violet! Violet!"

I awoke with a gasp, my breath heavy. My eyes immediately looked around my surroundings to see that I was sitting in a carriage, realizing that what happened was only a dream. 

"Violet, are you okay?" Luke asked, cupping my cheeks for me to look at him, "You are sweating all over."

I drew him into an embrace as my eyes met his, relieved to be back with him. I've never felt any safer than I am right now, and it was thanks to him that I felt so secure. 

"Am I dreaming?" I asked, wanting to make sure that this was not another dream, "Are you real?" 

"What are you talking about? Of course, I am real," he said, wrapping his arms around me. "What's wrong? Did you have a bad dream? I was so shocked when I saw you crying in your sleep."

"I did," I nodded, "It was a really, really bad dream." 

I used to dream about my father a lot, about the sufferings and the pain he caused me. However, after meeting Luke, the dream has been less frequent, so I ȧssumed I was no longer plagued by this nightmare. I never imagined having this dream again would be so terrifying. 

Was it because I felt content with my life now? I was scared that I would be stripped away of this happiness, and I would have to go back to the life I had before. I was terrified that the dream would come true, that I would have to suffer once more.

I may have escaped my father physically, but mentally—have I, truly?

"It's okay," he said, "Everything is going to be okay."