What I Called Doom

I smush the pillow into my face not wanting to get up. The room is filled with my whimpers as I pull the pillow away slowly and look around with squinted eyes. 

I yawn softly and push myself into a sitting position. I slept peacefully last night… Weirdly enough, even though I didn't want to admit it, Damien's scent all over these pillows, blankets, and even his room let me sleep soundlessly. I slept like a baby in this room. The other room only caused me to have nightmares and hallucinations. 

Huffing, I thrust myself out of bed and try not to slip in the silky blanket as I wrap it around my shoulders. The room is cold causing me to shiver. Yet the blanket allows me to retain body heat as it falls over my shoulders and down my back.  

I spot his alarm clock on his nightstand, the time showing it's a quarter past one in the afternoon. At least I got some good sleep. I amble out of the room finally trying to ease myself into this new and forced environment as I take slow and easy breaths. 

Damien could have may my parents pay him back hundreds of different ways but he chose to take me? Once I finally arrive in the kitchen, I spot said man sitting at the dining room table head reading a book. He almost seems completely oblivious to my watchful eyes on him.

“Good Afternoon, boy. I’m surprised to see you finally awake.” I, stand corrected, he did notice as he finally looks up from his book. I softly nod and wander off to pursue Mari and request my late breakfast. Yet after only a couple of minutes, my stomach goes on strike and I return to the kitchen to hopefully make something for myself.

Though before I can even enter the kitchen I’m smashed into a face full of wall. Then the wall chuckles. To my horror, I jump at the sound and look up to an amused expression on Damien’s face. I glare at the man as my cheeks begin to burn. Still, before I can sulk and go make myself something to eat my stomach lets out an immense growl causing me to hide my face in my small hands.

Gently, a hand palms my wrist, leading me over to the dining room as I slowly peek around. He sits me down in a chair ruffles my hair. “Stay here and I’ll make you some food. I also have things I want to discuss with you while you eat.”

Nodding to him, he paces back to the kitchen as I hear the racket from him cooking. It’s not annoyingly loud or obnoxious, it's just present I suppose. I glance over to his spot (which he sat me right beside) and look at the book he was reading. The cover is mostly green but in bold white letters says the words...--I try to read them but all they look like are weird symbols… Yet my curiosity begs me to reach out and read what it’s about but leaving evidence behind would show I tampered with it

I pull away and lean back in my chair to separate myself from the table and especially the book. Both the book and table terrify me in every way. I whimper softly but mute myself once the clatter finally softens and in walks Damien. Now finally able to take a look at the man in full perspective--I notice his dark formal but comfortable attire and black jostled hair. 

He holds in his left hand a plate stacked with French Toast and in his right, the syrup bottle and a fork. I smile gently as he sets them all down in front of me after short strides. I mumble, remembering his rules, "Thank you Sir.. it looks and smells really good." 

I smile at him shyly and dig into the food after a small hesitant bite. I munch on it happily and hum to myself. "This tastes delicious!" I happily grinned at him, receiving a gentle smile back. 

I try not to let my excitement show at finally seeing the cold and brooding man smile but I can't seem to help myself. So in return I stuff the poor French toast into my mouth. I conceal the happy feelings but then finally it hits me. Why am I feeling happy over something like this? This man is fucking horrible!

Yet even thinking that makes me sad of my own thoughts so I quit bickering amongst myself and continue to eat. Damien had taken a seat at his chair and took to reading his book again. 

"Do you enjoy books, Alexander?" I stuff my mouth with another bite of French toast as I think. "No, not really Sir… I don't like the words, I don't understand them." His eyebrows quirk up in confusion, "What do you mean you don't understand them? Can you not read?"

"I can read with help… I just can't read the words! They look weird and none of it makes sense. My teachers said I was dyslexic, whatever that means." I look away but then blush as I realize I was mumbling and I quickly squeak out a 'Sorry Sir…'

He hums softly at my ramble, "I'll keep that in mind in case of something that comes up like that." I nod slowly realizing he wasn't expecting an answer, it was more of a statement. 

Finishing off my food I stand and yawn. "Alexander, I will be leaving shortly so I must get ready." He sets his book down and places the bookmark in its spot. "I'll be leaving you here alone until Mari and Anthony arrive."

"Yes sir…" I grab my plate and before I can walk to the kitchen my attention is called. I look towards Damien, "Make sure to eat lunch and dinner as well. When I arrive home you'll be asleep. So take care of yourself."

I mumble, "Yes sir," and run off to the kitchen. I clean the dish and put it away in the dishwasher, unsure of it. We didn't have one so I didn't know how it worked.

Rushing off and up the stairs, I find my room and usher myself in. Flipping down on the bed I let out a satisfied groan. I haven't had a meal that good in so long. Let alone actually having a meal for breakfast. We only ever had the money for supper. The little kids took a lot of the money to raise so it didn't leave a lot left. 

My eyes wander about the room as it seems to spin in place. I laugh softly, my eyes playing tricks on me. Then the room shook and turned rapidly to darkness. Soon I'm swiftly placed deep in my thoughts. 

--------------------

"Alex wake up dear, you still need to sleep tonight." I whimper and through parted eyes glare at Mari. I try to roll over but she forces me back on my side. "Don't you want to explore the town with Anthony?" 

My interest perks up at the idea and I nod. She grinned and ushered me out of bed and to get dressed. "He'll take you shopping as well so you don't have to rely on your old clothes. Master Damien doesn't like them that much." 

I frown and grab my clothes with an angered force. How dare he dislike the clothes we had to scavenge for! They mean a lot to me! 

I huff as she strides out, shutting the door behind herself. I change into my clothes and yawn, making my way out. Down the hall and the stairs, I hum to a song I don't know.

Skipping into the living room, Anthony stands by the front door with his arms crossed. "Good afternoon Master Alex. Would you like to go out to explore and go shopping?" I nod quickly as he uncrosses his arms and ushers me out the front door, opening it for me in the process.

He opens the passenger door of the (once again) Mercedes-Maybach. Not that I'm complaining or anything, just context clues. When I slide into the seat I finally put two and two together and buckle myself in.

I smile, proud of the accomplishment which would be miniscule in others eyes but mean a great deal to me. I'm excited to also go shopping. I don't know where we'll go shopping, I never went shopping back at home…

Sooner ought we're cruising down the roads of Puerto Rico. My eyes glued to the window with a wide grin on my face. "Can we get out and walk around!" I shout looking back at Anthony with enthusiasm. 

The man chuckles and nods his head, driving off hopefully so we can walk. We pull into a parking lot and he parks the car in one of the rectangles as I jitter with happiness. He gets out and I unbuckle and fly out the door before he can even open it for me. 

I laugh happily and look around. Everything is so colorful! America looks so boring and dull compared to here. The array of colors has my eyes wide and happy. 

"Let's go! Let's go!" I grab the poor man's wrist and drag his large form behind my frail one. "Master Alexander, please slow down and walk at a normal pace. Master Damien wouldn't like it if you got hurt under my watch." I huff but slow and let go of his wrist knowing it's true. 

"How long have you known Sir, Anthony?" I look up at him as he tends to space out to think. "I've known him since the old days of high school. So, I would say roughly 10 years now." 

I open my mouth in awe. I didn't think they had known each other that long. "That's longer than I thought, also where will we go shopping? I've never been shopping before." 

He looks at me in bewilderment, "We'll since you haven't been shopping before you're just in luck. Master Damien gave me his black card so I can get you what you need. We'll be getting you basic necessities like a hairbrush, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, and then clothing. I have a list on my phone. Though Damien personally wants to take you joy shopping so we're just getting the necessary right now."

I nod and skip along beside Anthony as we walk into multiple clothing stores. I picked out tons of cute as well as comfy outfits after having Anthony force me to get them because I looked at the price tag and was scared off by it. I got hoodies, t-shirts, pants, shorts, and even really pretty skirts. I also got a pair of really comfy overalls!

We went to find items for me as well. I got lilac scented body soap, coconut shampoo and conditioner, and a gentle brush for my natural curly hair. 

With the help of a really nice lady, she helped me pick out what I needed for my hair. Then I grabbed a toothbrush and toothpaste as well as deodorant. 

Once we were finally making our way out of the final store and back to the car, I turned to Anthony with a gracious smile. "Thank you for taking me shopping! It was really fun!" He returns with a kind smile and a soft nod. 

When we arrive at the car we stuff the bags in the back and hop in. I buckle myself into the seat as I yawn. We'd been out a lot longer than I thought, I realize- as the sky turns colors. 

A yawn leaves my mouth again as I finally drift to a gentle sleep. The soothing feeling of the car taking us to what I called doom almost cradles me to sleep.