CARLISLE.

　　Tick tock.

　　Tick tock.

　　Tick tock.

　　It was always like that nowadays.

　　I lay on the bed, looking up at the cream ceiling. It was so beautiful, yet so bland.

　　Tick tock.

　　The clock in my room continuously ticked and moved. The continuous sound equally grounded me as well as blew me insane. It was a constant, just the silence of the room.

　　How the world became such a monotonous thing for me was a wonder. Before I used to travel the forests and go through every part of my elfin world freely... and here I was now.

　　I looked around the room. It was spacious, so luxurious, and so beautiful. But even then I felt empty. Because no matter how beautiful it was, it remained a cage for me. A beautiful cage, but a cage nonetheless.

　　I wanted to leave, but I didn’t know how. I did what I have done for the past few days instead, looking up at the ceiling whilst hearing the ticking of the clock.

　　Tick tock.

　　Creak! I heard the familiar sound of the door opening and looked at it, feeling my hackles rise. I wondered if it was Jake again, and my rage became more evident.

　　How dare he come here after what he did? I thought to myself. The last time he came I truly did not expect him, as the people who come most of the time are the maids who come to bring me food or new clothes. Back when I first came, some tried to comfort me but I did not let them.

　　After kidnapping me and forcefully holding me in his grasp, he dared to act like everything was normal, talking to me as though to impress me or get a reaction. I scoffed inwardly at his behavior. Originally I would have lashed out at him, but after much reflection I have done within the walls of the room, I realized that that was probably what he wanted, a reaction. Because in his sick, warped mind, hatred is much better than indifference.

　　So I decided that I will be indifferent to him. As he came in, I mustered all the rage and hatred I had as I looked at him, hoping to convey every feeling of loathing I had for him. I felt satisfaction at the slight shiver he had, but didn’t say anything. He began talking and aside from looking at him with my cold gaze, I did not give any more reaction, becoming indifferent as I wanted.

　　I could see the building up of frustration the longer he spoke, and I felt immense satisfaction at the sight. He had already done enough to me by locking me in this place, so seeing him even show the slightest discomfort was pleasing to me.

　　When he mentioned Damon’s name, my heart sped up, emotions filled me, sadness, regret and heartbreak, and I wondered how he was doing now.

　　Unfortunately, my thoughts broke my stoic visage and although I managed to school my face back again, it was already too late. Jack had noticed.

　　When he sat on the bed beside me, I avoided his eyes, stiffening up at the closer proximity. I made sure to hide my miniscule reaction well.

　　“Look at all this. I have a big palace filled with all the luxuries you can speak of. There are maids everywhere waiting for you by hand on foot. You don’t even have to lift a finger here. You would have never received all these luxuries if you were with him.”

　　‘But without any love, those luxuries were nothing.’ I thought to myself.

　　“I love you so much. And I will do anything, anything, to make you happy. Just say the word and I’ll do it.”

　　‘If you love me as you claim to do. Why will you keep me trapped here?

　　You don’t love me. You are only obsessed with me. It is only mania, not real love.’ I thought

　　"I'm so sick of you moping like this. Just forget about Damon and love me"

　　‘I can never love someone like you.’ I thought to myself. It was obvious to me that he didn’t understand what it meant. He couldn’t just demand for someone to love him. Then again, considering his status, he must be sure that he could get whatever he wanted. But as long as she is still breathing, she knows that she will never let him close to her heart.’ I maintained eye contact with him even as he looked at me pleadingly. Perhaps, in another situation, I might have been sympathetic, but after everything he had done to me, I felt no trace of sympathy for him.

　　We had a short stare down and his eyes looked down. I really did not know what I was expecting but the next action he took was far from it.

　　Because after the short stare down we had, he then proceeded to kiss me.

　　I was stunned at first, out of everything I had thought of him doing, kissing me was not one of them. The next emotion I felt was repulsion and hatred. The fact that he dared to force a kiss on me made my anger grow.

　　He using his tongue to gain entrance into my lips was the last straw.

　　I pushed him away, not caring if he fell to the ground. I told him to leave. He then proceeded to act stoic to save his pride.

　　"It seems like you are not in the best mood today…”

　　Best mood?

　　His words brought anger in me. After everything he had done me dared to make it seem like I was the unreasonable one? I could not hold myself back anymore, and found the closest object. I threw it at him. To my disappointment he had shut the door behind him already, and it rebounded with the door.

　　I scrubbed my lips until they were painful and raw and I brushed my mouth with toothpaste after, unable to stand the thought of any contact with him. Right after that I was left in solitude once more.

　　Until now.

　　I readied myself. If he dared to come here after the stunt he pulled, I will not hesitate to finish what started.

　　“Please calm your mind. I am not the majesty, but a simple maid.” A voice called out.

　　I was instantly relieved at the voice. Another thought came to my mind; how did she know what I was thinking?

　　It must have been her power I concluded. Telepathy was a talent some people had and no doubt, the maid had it too. Despite my worry at having my mind invaded, I felt relieved and reassured at her not being Jack. After all, better a telepathic maid than some obsessed, unpredictable wizard.

　　Fortunately, the person who came out was not the horrible wizard, but a girl instead. I didn’t even have to look at her for long to recognize her. She was one of the first people who attended to me when I came here.

　　I could identify her through her startlingly unique hair which were in hues of red and purple and the pointed nose she had. If she was in the elfin kingdom, she would probably have been praised as a beauty.

　　The girl bowed slightly before I looked away, leaning my head back to look at the ceiling.

　　“Why are you here?” I asked her curiously. There was no need for a maid to attend to me at the moment. Aside from bringing in food and a new package of clothes that Jack indulged in buying for me, they never came here. However, I had already eaten and there was no package coming with her.

　　“His majesty has asked me to escort you around the palace Miss.” the maid spoke in a monotonous voice.

　　My hackles rise at the statement. What did he think he was going to gain from doing this? I knew he had an alternative motive but I was not going to let him succeed.

　　“Well, go back and tell ‘your majesty’, that his offer is so dearly appreciated.” I spoke, sarcasm dripping from my words. “But, no.”

　　The maid looked at me “Miss. please-“

　　Frustrated, I snapped “no. I didn’t want to be brought here. He was the one who kidnapped me and all of you are here trying to hold me in. He comes prancing around here believing that I will come around but I am so filled with rage. Now suddenly he wants to give me a tour of the place?” I laugh out mockingly.

　　“Why? So it’ll look like I have a semblance of freedom? Because he thinks if I see all the shallow decorations of his stupid palace ill fall in love with it and never want to leave? I don’t know what sick game he is playing and I will not be part of it. So tell Jack exactly what I said, and don’t forget to add that he can stick his offer up his ass.” I finished my rant and turned away, expecting the maid to leave and the sound of the door shutting.

　　That wasn’t what I got however, as the next thing I heard was sniffling. I turned to see the girl bowing down. Despite her hair being covered, I could see the slight tremors that signaled that she was crying.

　　“What’s wrong? I asked, getting off the bed and walking towards her.

　　“Please agree, Miss. I can’t- I don’t want to die please.” The maid begged.

　　“Die? What do you mean?” I asked, taking a step closer to the girl.

　　“His majesty is a ruthless Miss, especially when it comes to you. If I did not obey his orders he would not waste time in killing me.” She spoke in-between sobs.

　　I was shocked at this new piece of information, wondering how ruthless he could be. I took a step towards her.

　　The moment I was near her, she suddenly grabbed the ends of my dress which made me lose balance for a moment. I looked down at her in confusion.

　　“Miss. it can be as short as you want, but please I have to follow his orders. I don’t want to die, Miss. I don’t-''the rest of her words got choked up in sobs as she held onto the hem of my nightdress tightly.

　　I felt sympathy at the pathetic sight of her begging and pleading with me. Seeing the girl, especially one so young, fearing for her life filled me with rage. Despite my hatred for all things Jake, I could not compromise on the life of a girl, especially one so young.

　　And besides, she thought. If she didn’t agree this time he might do it next time, and the next until she agrees. It was better that she dealt with it once and got over it.

　　In= came to her and lifted her “I will go.”

　　This right a smile upon her teary face which made me feel happy. She looked giddy and grateful as she held me tightly

　　“Thank you Misses. Thank you so much.” the maid said

　　“I will need to change however.” I told her which made her nod stoically.

　　Yes. Whatever you want.” She said,

　　I looked at the wardrobe and found a green silky dress with shimmers all over it. Green was my favorite color and the style of the dress reminded me of my usual clothes before I came here. Despite his obsession, it was evident that Jake knew what I liked. I wasn’t sure if I should be grateful or resentful of that.

　　I took the dress and put it on with the aid of the maid.

　　“Shall we go?” I asked her. The maid nodded and held my hand.

　　Opening the doors to my chambers.

　　And for the first time, I was led out of the four walls which I had been stuck in.