Bianca
2131 Words
Bianca.
“M—mother,” I stammered as my angry mother marched towards me. “What are you doing?”
With a smirk plastered on her face, she answered, “What do you think, Bianca?”
My mother towered before me, glaring, gripping a heavy rod, and I whimpered at her feet.
“No!” I screamed as she started hitting me with the rod she was holding. “Please don’t kill me. Please!” I pleaded, holding her legs and staring up at her, trying to stir sympathy, but all I saw were angry eyes and furrowed brows staring down at me. “Mother, please don’t kill me. I promise to be obedient.”
She whacked me with the rod as if my words had infuriated her. She struck me again and again until the rod tore my skin.
I cried, screamed, and squirmed like a worm as the pain spread through my body.
“Stop!” I cried. “Please stop. Forgive me. It hurts.”
My mother grabbed my hair and clenched it tightly, as if she wanted to rip it off my scalp. I cried louder and tapped her arm, silently begging her to let go, but she refused to grant me any comfort.
“Hey, wake up! Wake up, Bianca!” someone yelled, shaking me.
“Ahh!” I gasped as I opened my eyes to see Daniel’s face filled with worry lines.
“Sister,” he called, pulling me into a hug. “Breathe.” He began to caress my back, soothing me.
“Ah ah!” My breath came out harsh.
“Are you okay?” Daniel asked as soon as I calmed down.
“Yes, I am,” I responded, struggling with the pain. The dream felt so real. It had been days since I was confined to the bed, but I had been getting better and was now able to stand on my own.
“I don’t think you are okay,” he stated, placing his hand on my forehead.
“I had a dream, and it felt so real,” I uttered, shivering.
He sighed. “Is the dream about our mother?”
I nodded my head before answering him. “Yes, she was scolding and beating me in my dream.”
“It is just a dream, sister.”
“It feels so real, Dan.” I was trembling like a leaf. I was scared.
He began caressing my hair. “You don’t have to be scared. Dad is here. She can’t hit or scold you.”
“I know,” I muttered. Daniel was still consoling me when the door was pushed open.
We both turned to see Father entering with the doctor. I was still upset with him for his handling of the situation. He didn’t give me the justice I deserved.
He smiled brightly at me. “My dear precious daughter,” he said, coming towards me. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m good,” I answered, wiping my face.
“What’s the matter?” he demanded, rushing to me and grabbing my shoulder. I could see the concern on his face.
“I’m good,” I replied.
“Don’t say that, sweetheart. Your eyes are red, and you’re trying to convince me that you’re okay.”
“I am, dad. It’s just a dream.”
“Really?” He asked suspiciously.
“Yes, dad. I am really okay.”
He stared at me, confused. I turned around and faced the elderly doctor.
“How are you, young lady? Are you okay?”
“Yes, sir. I am okay,” I announced with a smile.
“I am glad to hear this,” he responded, coming closer. “Please lie down. I need to examine you.”
I did as I was told, lying down as he began his examination.
“Congratulations, young lady. I can see that you speak the truth,” he added, turning around to face my father. “The young lady is better now. She is very healthy.”
“Thank you, old man Miller. Let me escort you out.”
He packed up all his belongings, placed them in the box, and left with my dad.
“Brother,” I whispered. “Did Mother come here?”
I stared at him with expectant eyes, hoping to hear the answer I wanted. He hesitated for a moment before he spoke, his voice soft.
“I’m sorry. She didn’t,” he answered. My heart broke. I took a deep breath and looked away. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
“I know. I want to sleep.”
“Okay, I will be right back to check on you.”
I heard the sound of the door opening and closing. I grabbed my clothes as tears started to fall. I had been lying on this bed, trapped in this room, and she didn’t even bother to check on me despite putting me in this situation.
I pretended to sleep when I heard the sound of the door opening.
“Bianca, are you asleep?” my father asked, but I didn’t answer.
“It seems you are asleep. I will come back to check on you.”
I stayed under the blanket, crying my heart out. Should I obey my mother and keep my distance from my brother? Would she eventually change and treat me better? I pondered these questions until the last person I expected entered my room.
“Bianca,” she spat my name with hatred. I froze. I tried to speak, but I couldn’t. The fear of her hit me like a lightning bolt.
“I can tell you’re not asleep. I can hear your heartbeat,” she murmured, pulling back the blanket. “Are you deliberately ignoring your mother’s call?”
“No, mother,” I grumbled, sitting on the bed. I curled into a ball as my mother’s burning gaze seared into my soul.
“Are you okay?” she asked gently, sitting beside me on the bed. Why was she acting so nice and gentle? What was her plan? Was she planning to hurt me again?
“Are you playing deaf?” Her question jerked me out of my thoughts.
“I’m feeling good, mother,” I answered back, smiling.
“Has anyone told you that your smile looks so fake?” she sneered.
I looked down, biting my fingers nervously, anticipating what was to come.
“Don’t be scared.” She began caressing my hair. “I won’t hurt you.”
What had come over her? Why was she acting so kind to me?
“Why are you here?”
“Your father asked me to visit you.”
Oh, was that it? She was here because of my father.
“Thank you, mother.”
She nodded and stood up. “I will come visit you again.”
“Thank you.” I watched as she opened the door and walked out.
The next morning.
I woke up to find Daniel beside me, looking at me with a loving gaze.
“Brother,” I let out as I sat on the bed. “Why are you here?”
“I am here to see you before I leave,” he replied.
“Where are you going?” I asked tearfully, grabbing his sleeve. “Are you leaving me again?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re leaving, Dan? Again?”
“Yes, but I will be back soon.”
“No, brother. You can’t leave me here. Please take me with you,” I pleaded, breaking down. “I don’t want to stay here. Please take me with you.”
“I can’t, sister, but I promise to return soon,” he vowed. “This is my final training session.”
I broke down, unable to control myself or my tears. He was leaving me once more, leaving me alone with our demon mother.
Tears streamed down my eyes. I was overwhelmed by emotion.
“I’m sorry.”
“What is going on here?” Father’s voice broke through as he walked in. “Bianca, dear, why are you crying?”
“Father, Brother says he will be leaving,” I began. “Please ask him to take me with him.”
“He can’t. You know the rules. Even Deta’s son can’t follow them, let alone you,” Father explained. “I want you to understand.”
“Okay. I need to take my bath,” I blurted, giving up. “Can you both excuse me?”
“Okay. We will be waiting for you downstairs.”
“Okay.” After they left, I stood up and undressed. I didn’t want to put my brother in a tough spot. I understood his concern, but I was desperate to escape from my mother’s watchful eye.
I walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I enjoyed the refreshing feeling of the cold water cascading over me. After showering, I dried myself off and returned to my room. I applied lotion to my body and selected my outfit from the closet.
After putting on my red short dress, I went downstairs to join everyone who was waiting for me at the table.
“Good morning, Dad, Mom.”
“Good morning to you, darling. How was your night?” Mother asked sweetly.
I scoffed at her behavior, finding it annoying and tiring. This stranger’s attitude didn’t seem to fit her usual self. I would rather see her true personality than this.
“I am fine.” I took my seat beside Dan. “Good morning, brother.”
He smiled and returned my greetings.
“I will be leaving today, mother,” Daniel declared.
Okay,” she responded before instructing the maid to serve our meal. I was taken aback by her response. I knew that one day we would know the reason behind her hatred for Daniel.
The maids served the food, and we began eating. After we were done, Daniel stood up.
“I will be going to my room to pack my bag,” he said, excusing himself. Daniel walked upstairs, leaving me with them. After a while, I stood up and excused myself.
“Where do you think you are going?” Mother asked with a scowl.
“To my room.”
“Sit,” she commanded. She must have known that I was going to see him for the last time before he left, but she was bent on keeping me here.
“I am done eating. Why should I sit?” I challenged her. She looked at me, speechless. This was my first time challenging her. Well, I did this because my father was here.
“You….” She pointed at me. She looked as if she had just seen a ghost.
“Stop being hard on that girl, Anita,” Father interrupted. “Let her go.”
“Thank you, father.” I walked away without waiting for what she was going to say.
“Brother.” I pushed the door open as soon as I reached his room.
“Why are you here?”
“I am here to bid you goodbye,” I answered, tears lacing my voice.
He stopped what he was doing and said, “Dear sister, there’s no need to be sad. I will return soon. Trust me.”
“I do,” I said, laying my head on his chest. “You’ll be back before the coming-of-age ceremony, won’t you?”
“Of course I will. To see you and, of course, to look for my mate.” The coming of age was when Lycans met their Lycan wolf and their mate.
Daniel was older than me and the prince. He was supposed to have met his Lycan wolf and mate, but the reason for the delay was unknown. I hoped that he would succeed this time. If not, he would be considered a failure in the pack and would never become our beta. His coming of age was just a few weeks away, so I could soon see him.
“Okay, I will be waiting for you.”
I waited patiently as Dan packed his stuff. After he finished, he held my hand and led me down the stairs.
“I am going to miss you.”
“Me too. I am going to miss you too, brother.”
I escorted him back to the palace, where the prince was already waiting for him.
“You’re here,” he asserted after saying hi to me. “Let’s go.”
I watched as they left. With Daniel on my mind, I walked home and found her waiting for me.
- Writer
