Chapitre 3: A disgusting touch
The threshold of the grand estate beckoned her in, an opulent abode that mirrored the resplendence of a palace. Zia's steps faltered momentarily, awestruck by the sheer grandeur that enveloped the lone residence amidst the humble village. The air carried an ambiance of affluence, a stark contrast to her accustomed surroundings.
Led by Mr. Harper, scion of a venerable lineage steeped in wealth, Zia traversed the hallowed halls to an expanse of elegance on the first floor. A door swung open to reveal a capacious chamber, its expanse punctuated by a bed nestled in the center, flanked by a stately wardrobe on the left and a gleaming mirror on the right. An adjoining door whispered promises of another space beyond.
"I'll be in the adjacent room. Should you require anything, a mere call shall summon me," Mr. Harper's voice resonated, the door closing softly behind him as he departed, leaving her enveloped in the room's opulence.
She lowered herself onto the mattress, the tactile embrace akin to the tender caress of her mother's lap, stirring emotions long suppressed. Tears flowed freely, tracing silent paths upon the pillow, bearing witness to the tempest of emotions swirling within her.
Time slipped by unnoticed as tears ebbed, leaving in their wake a tranquil weariness. With the weight of emotions finally easing, Zia surrendered to the gentle embrace of slumber. The room, once a stage for turmoil, now cradled her in serene repose as her eyelids grew heavy and the world around her faded into the soft embrace of dreams.
In the midst of a sun-drenched forest, the vibrant rays of sunlight played upon the lush greenery, casting an ethereal sheen upon the foliage. The air held a paradoxical blend of heat and coolness, offering respite in the shade of the towering trees.
Ariana and Zia, amidst the wild bounty, were engrossed in the task of plucking wild berries. Ariana's cautionary tone sliced through the tranquility, urging Zia to refrain from tasting any of the enticing berries, her words ringing crystal clear in the serene atmosphere.
Ignoring her mother's stern warning, Zia impulsively savored the succulent juices of a berry, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of disobedience. Her mother's disapproval pierced through the moment, manifesting in a swift pinch to Zia's ears.
Before they could reconcile, a rustling emanated from the bushes, jolting both into a tense silence. Ariana, alert to potential danger, shielded Zia and prepared for a possible threat.
The once-peaceful ambiance shattered abruptly with a thunderous roar, freezing them in terror. Ariana's command sliced through the chaos, urging Zia into a sprint. A swift turn of events unfolded as a tiger, a ghostly apparition of striped fury, materialized before them, its menacing presence hurling both into a frantic race for survival.
"ZIA—" The cry dissipated into the forest, swallowed by the adrenaline-fueled chaos that engulfed them.
The tranquil setting had transformed into a battleground for survival, where primal instincts reigned supreme in the face of imminent danger.
As Zia awakened, a sudden jolt rippled through her body, causing her to blink in confusion. The world around her appeared hazy and indistinct, her senses struggling to make sense of the surroundings. Tremors coursed through her, and a film of sweat glistened on her skin, a testament to the distress plaguing her.
She gingerly scanned the room, her gaze flickering across the shadows that danced in the dim light. A peculiar sensation of chilliness clung to her lower body, an inexplicable contrast to the warmth that enveloped the rest of her.
Instinctively, she reached out to adjust her position, her hand brushing against the blanket that draped her form. A sudden realization struck her - a disconcerting absence, a void where her undergarments should have been. A shiver raced down her spine, and confusion clouded her thoughts, leaving her bewildered and apprehensive.
Fumbling with the covers, she hastily shielded herself, seeking solace within the cocoon of the blanket's embrace. A sense of vulnerability washed over her, intertwining with the growing unease that lingered in the air. Uncertainty loomed large as she grappled with the inexplicable absence of her clothing.
[what happened]
[I... I am sure I wore my underwear]
she looked all around and found Mr. Harper sitting on a chair facing the bed in the dark.
"Why do you have to wake up so fast *sigh* do you have sleeping issues darling?" he said as he stood up walking near her.
Zia moved back a little as she saw his eyes, the eyes of a person looking down on another. Thinking that they own them, like a slave.
[I am scared ...mom]
Those are the eyes Mr. Harper has exactly right now
He moved his hand front to touch her leg
she pulled her leg up immediately wrapping herself in the blanket
"Don't be afraid darling. It is cold so this old man needs the warmth of a young body" he came climbing onto her bed.
He pulled the blanket by force and threw it away.
Zia trembled trying to close her legs with her frock
He moved forward and slammed her down on the bed catching her both hands with his single hand.
[I…Don't touch me]
she wanted to scream but she can't
she struggled to get free
he touched her thigh and slowly moved his hands up
[please]
He groped her breasts hard and she shouted in pain and kicked him hard with her legs ...
he loosened his grip a little for the pain enough for her to push him down the bed and she ran out of the house. She ran inside her home and locked herself inside as she sat down crying in the corner.
She didn't exactly understand what happened but she know that she has to run and hide from him
In the early hours, the sun lingered below the horizon, casting a gentle glow that barely breached the veil of morning mist blanketing the surroundings. The tranquil silence was intermittently broken by the melodic symphony of awakening birds, their songs weaving through the fog-laden air.
Zia stirred from slumber, her senses slowly acclimating to the gentle chorus of nature's awakening. Murmurs, faint and distant, reached her ears, prompting her consciousness to awaken alongside the dawn, curiosity piqued by the soft whispers that drifted through the ethereal morning haze.
As she cautiously swung open the door of her abode, a sight that stirred both surprise and concern greeted her. There, standing at the threshold of her home, was Mr. Harper, an enigmatic figure often cloaked in mystery. Yet, what seized her attention most were the villagers, gathered like a flock of crows, encircling him with an air of curiosity and hushed murmurs.
Their collective presence around him hinted at a shared interest or concern, their gazes fixed upon Mr. Harper as if seeking answers or revelation. Zia's senses tingled with a blend of apprehension and intrigue, the tableau before her evoking a sense of both foreboding and curiosity about the unfolding circumstances.
Zia emerged from her home, stepping forth into the midst of the gathered villagers, her gaze instinctively drawn toward Mr. Harper. His presence emanated an air of peculiarity, amplified by the band wrapped around his head, adorned with a telltale streak of blood at its edge.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind, a faint recollection tethered to a past encounter. The memory stirred within her, whispering of a moment where a forceful push might have birthed the injury now embellishing his forehead. As the thought flickered through her consciousness, she reflexively clasped onto the fabric of her dress, an unconscious gesture betraying a blend of concern and perhaps a trace of guilt.
The lady's voice, laden with concern, pierced through the murmurs, directing attention to the blood-stained band encircling Mr. Harper's head. The collective worry of the villagers painted a mosaic of speculations, each whispered inquiry adding to the growing confusion that surrounded the enigmatic man.
Zia, already consumed by her own thoughts, was now bombarded with the conjectures of the gathered crowd. Their words, laced with suspicion and speculation, swirled around her, weaving a cacophony that made her head swim.
As Mr. Harper extended his hand forward, a surge of apprehension coursed through Zia's veins, compelling her to instinctively recoil, taking a wary step backward. The tension thickened, the atmosphere pregnant with anticipation as his unexpected words sliced through the murmurs.
"Be my daughter," he uttered, a declaration that rippled through the village like a stone cast into a tranquil pond, leaving behind a wake of astonishment and incredulity among the gathered throng.
The unsettling smile etched across Mr. Harper's face seemed to unravel a myriad of discomforts within Zia. Its eerie and unsettling nature sent an unsettling cascade of sensations down her spine, as if a multitude of insects were crawling across her skin, each movement sending shivers of revulsion that threatened to overwhelm her.
The sensation was suffocating, a dizzying blend of disgust and unease that settled in her stomach, threatening to turn it upside down. His smile, a facade veiling unknown intentions, instigated a visceral reaction within her, leaving her unsettled and queasy at the core.
He moved front and was about to touch her face and she slapped his hand away
A voice pierced the tense air, resonating with a sharp edge of disapproval. "How shameless," exclaimed a woman within the group.
Meanwhile, another, with a tone reflecting concern and care, extended a supportive gesture towards Mr. Harper. "Are you alright, Mr. Harper?" she inquired, her hand reaching out to grasp his in a gesture of empathy.
However, amidst the varied responses, a more apprehensive voice cut through the gathering. "Why do you wish to adopt her? She is cursed," uttered another woman, her words echoing the prevalent superstitions and apprehensions that lingered within the community.
"She has a pride of nothing"
the voices are making her feel like their hands are tightening around her neck in a dark room making her unable to breathe. She shut her eyes hard closing her ears
[Please go away]
Harper moved near her ear as her eyes are closed
"Then how are you going to pay for the firewood I lend you" he whispered
She opened her eyes fast and pushed him away and he fell down and started breathing heavily as she saw everyone surrounding her and staring at her.
"How dare you" a lady raised her hand to Zia in anger
Zia shut her eyes hard. While a tall large man stopped it.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone