Calm before the storm (5/10/12)

[Bella Aghony]

She made her way down the grand staircase then paused in the foyer glancing around as muffled sounds from the tv and voices billowed out from different parts of the manse as shellans and doggen went about their nightly routine. Nalla had fallen asleep and Zsadist was out on patrol. Which left her alone with her thoughts. Something she was desperately trying to find an escape from. She busied herself playing with Nalla or trying to help out where she could. All the while wearing a smile she didn't feel in hopes nobody could see through to the inner turmoil that was stirred not two eves prior.

Stepping into the library, she was relieved to find it empty. Something about being surrounded by the tall walls lined with old books soothed her. Maybe it was the writer in her the room called to. Or the stories and histories that could be found in the old leather bindings. Whatever it was, she had hoped to find some peace and an escape from the memories and thoughts churning through her mind since she spoke with the civilian male the other night.

[Bella Aghony]

She walked along and ran her fingers along the bindings before selecting one book at random and going to sit down by the window that overlooked the courtyard. Opening the book, she began reading but quickly realized she wasn't comprehending any of it. Though she read the words, her mind was stuck on something else entirely.

While the memories of her abduction were vivid and horrific, there was one thing that had been bothering her. After she had let the civilian male go from the persuasion center, she recalled some of her punishment for that, but not all of it. In fact, much of her memories from then till waking in Zsadists room was a blur. She had wanted to ask Zsadist about it but knew that wasn't as simple as it may seem. He had seemed to be battling his own issues after this latest incident with the lessers. Taking on extra patrols and just generally preoccupied. She didn't want to worry him with what the civilian had said to her the other night. Much less bring up or shed any light on how what the male had said, affected her. It was something she would deal with on her own. Perhaps, in time those holes in her memory would return.

She had made several attempts to get lost in the book she held. Reread the same page countless times before finally giving up and returning the book to it's shelf before leaving the room. The quiet the library offered proving less of an escape than what she had hoped for.