I ran till I could run no more. I had somehow managed to bring myself deep into a forest or a large collection of tree's. Either way, I was far,far away from that place. I had no desire to turn back, no matter how much my feet were bleeding, or how badly my body wracked with shivers from the relentless afternoon chill.
I was not returning to that house, not until I found my own peace of mind.
I came to a group of trees that circled one particularly large tree. The tree was definitely a giant kapok I looked upon its large feral roots recognizing its trade marks. I couldn't help myself; my body was aching for rest, so I climbed over the roots laying myself in a comfortable dip at the base of the tree. It was fall so leaves trapped in the semi-deep dip of the tree provided comfort and I knew soon it would warm from my heat though I would still feel cold.
I looked around taking in the afternoon light of the sky as the clouds turned purple and the sun sank lower. I realized that truly I was alone and truly I was lost, but did not wish to be found. I closed my eyes and curled into a ball hearing the leaves below me crunch at my shifting and feeling the cool breeze brush over my skin.
I am alone...
I am lost...
I do not...
Want to be...
Found.
I felt the first tear crawl down my face horizontally; leaving a wet trail through the bridge of my nose before rolling off at the other side of my face, hitting the dead leaves like a rain that came too late.
I don't know for how long I cried or even if I knew for sure what I was crying for, but I knew when I stopped the world was dark and bright all at the same time.
I was facing upwards; my head relaxed and perched up on a tree root, and my hands placed gently upon my stomach. My only company was the brisk air and the stars above my head which I gazed upon longingly.
How I wished some days I could be part of some other universe. A universe where fairy tales were as real as reality, and reality was as real as myths.
A giggle escaped my parched throat.
"Hell, I think I'd kill to be in a universe like that."
Let's see where do I start? Do I start at the place where I found out that I will be married next year to a perfect stranger? Or do I start at the fact that truly I never even belonged to myself since the day they pulled me from death...
Another laugh escaped me though this time it was cold and unforgiving.
I think this cold air and beautiful paradise of tree's is making me mad, or maybe I am just accepting the fact that I am truly lost. However, it may be, here in this forest or back there in that home. Either way, they had planned my life. I have only one choice which is to marry. Though somehow here in this forest I feel as if I have more options; which is better than none, but then again I don't think suicide is much of a way out of anywhere?
I raised my hands and began making pictures in the stars. Ignoring the laws of constellations, I made my own book of wonders. Naming my patterns as I went and marked them down in my own library of memory and thoughts.
"Ambrosia." I turned my head slightly. The voice was far away and no louder than a whisper, but indeed that was my name. It was only a matter of time before I was found.
So they do care.
"Ambrosia." I recognized now it wasn't a single whisper of my name, but many.
I am being hunted by this wolf pack.
I giggled again.
This day has definitely made me mad.
I heard the barks then, which could only be dogs.
"Ambrosia-, look, look they've grabbed her scent." The voices were definitely closer, it sounded almost as if they gently talked into my ear.
Soon enough the rustling of footsteps became more defined as the wolves chased after their blood sniffing hounds.
And like that.
I the prey fell into the hunter's eyes.
Fabian stood up above me while the hounds sniffed me and licked my cold face. He had the most concerned look on his face as he looked down on me. I just stared at him as he reached for me and brushed a leaf from my hair.
"Ambrosia darling you look as if you've been touched by a nymph." Fabian joked to me before scooping me up in his arms enveloping me in his warmth.
"Though your feet seemed to have missed your shoes." He said sadly looking at to my feet.
I slowly realized we were moving as I listened to the million voices and claims of relief that I was alive.
I guess I am not so lost anymore...
That was my last and my first thought when I woke up in my princess sized bedroom. My throat was dry and my tongue felt as if I had been swallowing whole quarts of sand. There was light flowing in through the large balcony glass doors that lined one whole end of my room telling me that it was indeed the morning time. Fabian had successfully found me.
"Good morning my little tree nymph, are you thirsty?" I sat up slowly and turned toward Fabian who was leaning against my bed post lazily while grinning wider than Cheshire cat.
I noticed immediately how dressed down he was from yesterday. Today there was no suit, no fancy styled back hair, or tie. It was just a devilish smile paired with messy hair that covered one green eye more than the other, and stubble beginning to form on his chin.
He wore a gray long neck sweater that was loose; but you could still clearly see his defined chest, he paired it with plaid black and white pajama pants that hung loosely on him.
He's not even wearing socks.
"Yes." I croaked feeling my throat becoming even drier than before I awoke.
I watched him walk to a cart that was positioned at the bottom of my bed. He grabbed a glass pitcher and began to fill an empty cup with water. I must have looked carnal because he uncontrollably shook with laughter, and I felt a blush crawl up my neck to light a flame to my cheeks.
I wanted to scowl at him but I could not, so instead I immediately took the cup from his hands when he gave it to me and did not bother to look his way.
"Oh, is that how you thank me for quenching your dire need for a drink of water my little tree nymph?" I felt myself flinch at the fondness in which he used my seemingly new nickname.
"Excuse me?" I turned toward him raising my eyebrow tauntingly toward him. All I accomplished was making him chuckle as he leaned in closer toward me. I automatically backed away from him.
"I said, is that how you thank me? My little tree nymph." He grinned at me haughtily after I watched his lips roll my nickname off his tongue almost suggestively. I wanted to feel revolted, but my blush gave me away and I felt embarrassed.
"My name is Ambrosia, not tree nymph." I scowled at him, and he let out the smoothest chorus of deep laughter.
"I guess that's true? You seem to be the rarest of plant nectar's that I've ever yearned to taste. Though it seems like I am the one that has you under a spell. Am I correct, my little tree nymph?" My face had to be red and my eyes were wider than I ever allowed them to go because he was just smiling at me dauntingly.
"I think you are mistaken and you might find yourself disappointed to learn that this Ambrosia isn't one you can taste. You might also need to learn that this Ambrosia will be living no where! In your fantasies of becoming, 'your little tree nymph'. Any. Time. Soon." My eyes narrowed dangerously toward him and he just kept on smiling.
Though this time he laughed loudly and clutched his stomach as rolled about on the floor. There was a beeping sound that came from the entrance of my room and instantly the elevator door opened revealing Charlie, Ms. Seville, and both my in laws. Their presence didn't seem to stop the hyena from crying on the floor.
Elaine was also dressed down today. Her pale blonde hair was in two braids and she wore no makeup what so ever, but she still managed to look photo shopped in her pikachu onesie.
Thomas was the same, he wore a blue sweater and some plain white pajama pants. His brown hair was shaggy as if he walked out the bed just like he was and didn't even bother to shave. He wore cozy looking teddy bear slippers that seemed to go perfectly with Elaine's.
Fabian finally came through while Charlie just stepped over him and made his way over to my side.
"Fabian did you even manage to change the bandages on her feet? Or were you too busy tending to the floor?" I snickered at that one, but Charlie had the most unamused scowl on his face.
"No Charlie he did not, and now that you mention it..." I looked over myself noticing that I indeed was comfortable, and I was wearing a white bunny onesie. I pulled my feet out from under my blankets to find both of them wrapped heavily.
"When?"
I heard Fabian chuckle.
"Of course not Charlie, I think her personal caretakers would have my head if I touched their therapy bandaging."
Charlie lifted my feet, and I winced.
"Serves you right, a little pain ought to teach you not to go running in the garden with no shoes! What were you thinking child?!" I went to open my mouth but my foot was taken from Charlie's grip and Ms. Seville was in between the two of us.
"Charlie, though I understand your concern, it was not her fault." Charlie frowned and his mustache pointed downward with it; he let out an angry grunt, but stepped aside. Seville turned toward me; she was back to her normal self, messy top bun with her casual black slacks and a white button down was underneath her dark purple vest. Her squared glasses rested on her sculpted nose and her blue eyes bored into mine.
"Ambrosia, I am sorry. I know I can never say this enough to you ever in your life, but this is bigger than all of us. They left me in charge of a duty for your parents and I will see it through. Now I know you don't enjoy this whole 'you have to marry Fabian' set up, but it must happen and you must accept."
The more she spoke, the stricter she looked, and the more bored it seemed to make my in-laws.
I put up my hand to silence her.
"I will marry Fabian Vector, with no complaints or rejection on my behalf. I will put on that overly large engagement ring, and I will plan my wedding that will take place on my 18th birthday. As long as I never have to have this conversation ever again." I looked up and everyone looked shocked.
"R-really?!" Fabian asked shocked while standing from the floor, and I just nodded at him. He broke out in a smile so wide I thought it would break his face.
"You hear that, father? My wife finally agreed to truly be my wife."
This time it was Seville's turn to hush the noise as she wildly flailed her arms around.
"Just like that?! Well why couldn't you do that yesterday?!" I wanted to throw her in a pot of boiling soup and feed her to the hounds who sniffed me down. She quickly backed away from my glare.
"I said I do not want to ever speak of it again! And I darn well mean it! I will allow myself to live in this fairy tale of a life, and I don't want to hear about my morbid past!" I got up ignoring the pain my feet radiated throughout my body and I stepped angrily in front of Fabian.
"Well?! Did I stutter pretty boy?" Fabian stood in front of me wide eyed and as if I had just grown a whole other head, but he still got down on one knee and pulled out that obnoxious ring from his pajama pants pocket.
I held out my hand.
"Yes Fabian Vector, I will marry into your sceptor. Now give me my ring." He shook his head in absolute open mouthed confusion but still placed the engagement ring on my ring finger while my in laws were holding in their laughter.
Fabian stood grabbing my arms as I looked up to him.
"And now for the kiss to seal the deal." I quickly blocked my mouth off with my hands making an expression of clear and raw disgust. I tried to push him away from me but his solid form remained and I was pent to him like an animal in a trap.
"I think not Mr. Fabian I wouldn't want to ruin it for our big day." Fabian chuckled breathlessly before ripping my hands away and placing a wet kiss upon my lips.
He growled and pulled me closer while I cringed in his touch.
"Oh, but Mrs. Vector, I am afraid our honeymoon is way overdue. No?" He was smiling and hugging me to him, and I just stared death into his eyes.
"No."