• Chapter 7

    “How many lashings did Helen say my parents told her to give you?”

    “Twenty, but she said it wasn‘t enough.”

    “Well, there’s about forty on your back.”, he whispered, “I can’t believe she would go over like that. That’s ridiculous.”

    “I can, she doesn’t like me. Of course she’d take any opportunity to make me miserable.”

    He kissed my cheek, “Hopefully she won’t get the opportunity again.”

    I sighed, “I told you that you shouldn’t be in the room every time she’s here.”

    He smiled, “I won’t, but I could always get Erick to be here. He won’t let her go over the punishment.”

    “Alright.”

    I heard the door unlock and the knob turn. I tried to get up and see who it was. “No, don’t try to get up, it’s alright.”, Rian whispered.

    “Well I guess Helen’s already left.”, Erick said.

    I laughed, “Well speak of the devil.”

    “Excuse me?”, Erick almost sounded offended.

    Rian chuckled, “She wasn’t saying it to be offensive. She was saying it because we were just talking about you.”

    He laughed, “Oh, what about?” He walked over to us and sat a tray down, I guess that’s when he caught sight of my back. “Woah.”, he whispered. “I’m sure your parents didn’t order this many lashes Rian.”

    “They didn’t, Helen doubled them.”, I said.

    “That’s why we were talking about you Erick.”

    “I don’t understand. What does that have to do with me?”

    “I was wondering if you could be here whenever Helen comes around.”

    “I don’t know Rian, I’m just supposed to bring food and make sure Angel doesn’t escape.”

    “I can get another guard to make sure she doesn’t escape.”

    I snorted, “Like I’d be stupid enough to run out the door.”

    “We know, but my parents would be unnerved if there weren’t at least two guards outside of your door.”

    “What do they think I’m dangerous or something?” They laughed.

    “No, I don’t think it’s that. They’re probably just paranoid.”, Erick said.

    “So will you do it Erick?”

    “Sure that’ll be no problem if you get a replacement.”

    “Okay. Will you stay with her while I go talk to my parents?”

    “Alright.”

    After Rian shut the door Erick helped me sit up. Then he set a bowl of soup in my lap.

    “I guess now would be as good a time as any to have lunch.”

    “Thank you Erick.”

    He nodded, “I really don’t understand why Helen would do this to you.”

    I talked between spoonfuls of vegetable soup, “I don’t know. She seems to have a big problem with me though. I’ve never known the woman before now so I can’t even begin to understand her resentment towards me.”

    He shrugged, “I’ve never really understood Helen’s reasoning.”

    The doorknob turned and I set my empty bowl back onto the tray as Rian came through the door.