Chapter 3 Safe

Isabelle

My eyes felt heavy as I tried to open them, the softness of the surface underneath me was surprisingly new as though I was on a bed. I could feel the particular race in my heartbeats once I realized someone's presence beside me. I tried to move but my body felt trapped under a heavyweight that would crush me if I moved any further.

What if they have caught me? No!No!No! I can't let it happen, I need to run away before they kill me. I need to...

Before the completion of my thoughts the fear that'd consumed me lifted the weight over my body, I opened my eyes and shot up straight. Panic rushed through my veins before I could even take in my surroundings.

My hands shook and my eyes began tearing up, the thought of what they might do to me made my heart sink in fear. I clutched the silk bed sheets tightly, the thought of processing the surrounding didn't come to my mind. Fear--It was the only thing I could feel.

"Kaden, She's awake ," A voice that came from the side of the room was what broke my daze. My stare moved to where the sound had come from.

I spotted a guy standing at the corner of the room.

Who is Kaden? What if he's one of them?

More tears rolled down my cheeks, my heart thundered against my chest. I moved back till my back rested hit the headboard. I could not control my overwhelming fear.

The first sob escaped my mouth, "Please don't kill me, please," I shielded myself.

Suddenly I felt a light touch on my hand, the contact made me flinch but the person didn't move their hand. Whoever it was, his touch was very gentle. Too gentle to consider it to be one of my captors but again, I couldn't get myself to relax.

The small sobs constantly left my mouth and my body shook due to the impact.

I felt the dip on the side and my breathing got caught in my throat but then I heard a soothing voice speaking, "Shh...You're safe, no one is going to hurt you,"

My body reacted on its own, and I found myself raising my head to look at the person. It took me a moment to recognize him, he looked very familiar, and the memory of what had happened in the forest crossed my mind.

He was the one who'd saved me from those unknown animals.

"You won't hurt me?" I questioned, though it was even lower than a whisper he seemed to hear it, and his answer came almost instantly.

"Yes, I won't hurt you, Isabelle," For some reason my name falling from his mouth felt like the frigid ice inside of me had thawed. I could not tear my gaze away from him.

Could he be lying to me? He saved me once but what if he turns out evil like them too?

"You are not lying to me? Are you?" I sniffled wiping my tears with the back of my hand, I still hadn't moved an inch from my place. Even though he indicated no danger I was still unable to fully trust him.

"I'm not lying to you, Angel," He cooed his hand moved to caress my cheek, he gently wiped my tears with the pad of his thumb. His touch caused a spark to spread throughout my body and I found myself leaning into it whilst my eyes closed on their own.

"Do you know me?" His question made me open my eyes, there was a hopefulness in his voice but I couldn't comprehend why. Was I supposed to know him? How could I when I was locked in that cell for my entire life?

I slowly shook my head, looking at his face to properly understand why he'd asked me the question.

His expression dropped and something flashed his eyes. He looked...sad?

"But he's your..." The guy standing at the corner of his room began saying something but he motioned his hand toward him to stop.

"Jason, don't!" His tone held authority but it wasn't harsh or anything that could terrify me.

I mindlessly glanced between the two males who exchange a look, I tried to sum it up but couldn't understand anything.

"I'm Kaden," He turned out to face me, and extended his hand toward me.

Kaden...

Hesitantly I put my hand on his one and he lightly shook it. A soft smile splayed across my lips as the quick memory of me and my dad doing it flashed in front of my eyes.

Kaden seemed to have noticed it and I saw his lips twitching up only the slightest bit but enough to make it apparent.

"Thanks for saving my life, Kaden," I offered him a small smile.

"You don't have to thank me for something I did for myself," He smiled back. I was confused about his words but I didn't think about it much.

A few minutes of silence set between us but then he spoke again.

"Isabelle?" His tone was gentle, the gentlest tone anyone had ever used on me.

"Yeah?" I spoke.

"What were you doing in that forest?"

His question stilled my body, and the blood in my veins didn't seem to flow anymore. All the horrendous memories came back like a frantic wave swashing at the shore before crushing everything down to mere particles.

The tears swam their way back to my eyes and my breathing became heavier. I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from crying out loud. I wanted to hide myself somewhere as the feeling of them being near me returned.

"I-I...was...I-I,"

"You don't need to talk about it if you don't want you," Kaden quickly added, there was an edge of panic in his voice and his expression was laced with worry.

A knot formed in the middle of my chest watching the care in his eyes. Was it for me?

I slowly nodded and hugged my knees pulling them closer to my chest, my gaze got settled on the plain white bed sheet.

The soft material of the dress against my hands was what made me realize that my clothes had been changed, I pulled back and inspected the material of the long purple gown I was wearing.

Noticing my expression, Kaden decided to help me out, "It's my sister's," He spoke, "I'll get you some clothes from the mall, tomorrow,"

Mall?

"What's a mall?" I questioned out of curiosity and surprise took over his countenance, I could tell he hadn't expected me to ask this question. Did I ask something wrong?

"Um...A Mall is where you get to buy things for yourself or anyone. Such as clothes and other items," He explained, not even a small trace of annoyance was there in his voice.

"Oh," I responded, and quietly tested the word on my tongue.

Moments passed before he spoke again, "Here's your dinner,"

He handed me a plate served with different types of food, I didn't know most of their names but since they smelt good I just eat it without any complaints. But I could only finish half of it before I handed it back to him.

"You only eat a small portion," He stated, his eyes looking at the plate and then at me.

"I'm not used to eating much," I said the truth. The mere portions of food I used to get were even smaller than what I had just eaten and didn't look this appetizing too. It was some weird kind of toast and plain water.

Kaden's jaw tightened and he let out a sigh, "How many times you used to get food in a day?" He questioned.

"Two," I spoke.

"Oh," I noticed his hand forming a fist, and before the fear could take over me and make me cower away from him he noticed my expression and released his fist.

"You don't need to be scared of me," He spoke and lifted his hand brushing away a few pieces of my hair strand to tuck it behind my ear, "I won't hurt you."

I could nod at his words and then he stood up.

"I'll be at the next room," He announced, "If you need anything or face any problem just tell me,"

I nodded again but the uneasiness was there. I didn't know if I was safe or not. They could come anytime and take me with them again.

Kaden must have sensed my tension, so he just bend down to cup my face in his hands.

"You're safe here, don't worry," He whispered, "There are guards everywhere, none can hurt you. You will be fine."

His words give me the assurance I needed even though it wasn't enough to give me a night of peaceful sleep but at least I could adjust for now.

"Thank you, Kaden," I sighed out, and smiling he leaned to press his lips against my forehead. The satisfaction ran down my veins in seconds and my body relaxed.

"Goodnight, Angel."

"Good night,"