Thread: The Handmaiden's Tale (Wander and Chanti)

She hadnt expected such a big man to move so fast. But fast he did move, and before Sophie could complete the deed the strength of his hand prevented it. Nooooo! It was a cry of fear and frustration, and she jerked the knife, not even realizing for a moment that the blade was caught in his fist. If she had realized it, she would have jerked it even harder, trying to saw the flesh from his bones. But then the knife was torn from her grasp, and she crossed her arms around her naked breasts in an almost unconscious defensive gesture, cringing backward and closing her eyes in anticipation of another beating. It did not come. She blinked her eyes open, startled to see him fetching her a clean white gown. Even more startled when he gave it back to her with apologetic eyes and regret lacing his voice. She took it with numb fingers, holding it up to her body to cover herself. She stared in shocked silence as he turned away from her, going to the blood splotched floor where she had lain only moments before and lying down. Another frozen moment, and then she dressed as quickly as she could with her sore, aching body. She felt less a slave when she was clothed. Protected, even. Never before had she realized just how much being decently covered meant to her pride and dignity. With a final hard glance his way, she opened the door next to her and limped out, slamming it behind her. Perhaps he would think she had went to bathe as instructed. Sophie had no intention of ever coming back. She would recover from the vicious attack, go back home to Greek, and plot her revenge. His sudden inexplicable change of heart mattered not. She would see him dead. Or herself. It mattered not. The wide hallways of the palace were lit by flickering torches. For just a brief moment, Sophie wondered who had remembered to light the torches in the face of the brutal assault by the Greeks. Life goes on, she considered bitterly. She barely made it three steps. From a curtain covered alcove a naked drunken soldier reeled out, stumbling into her. She would have fallen, but he grabbed her and pushed her against the wall. Is the hero of the day done with you, slut? Well I am just getting started. His mouth moved in for a kiss. Sophie met him with bared teeth and flashing eyes. From the hands of one monster straight into the hands of another. But still fighting, still full of pride. Argh! He let out a roar of rage and pain, rearing back and striking out with his hand. She let out a whimpering cry, her head slamming back against the wall. She was dazed, stunned as the man tore at her dress. Once again, the sound of linen shredding in the night. Once again, cool air on her breasts. Let me go! You have no right! Rage thickened her voice and made it tremble. I have every right, bitch. You are a slave, and I am a Grecian warrior. The man snarled, his fingers twisting in her hair. In a fit of impotent fury Sophie lashed out. Like the monster in the bedroom that had raped her, this warrior simply laughed at her, dodging her little fists and slamming her head against the stone wall. Blackness crashed in on her, and Sophie slumped limply into the warriors arms.