Chapter 3
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Quatre timidly knocked on the door. When he heard no answer he turned the knob and opened it.
Nina was sitting on the far corner of the bed tending to the wounds on her leg, and wrapping an ace bandage around her ankle.
She turned around, startled at the sudden presence
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you. I just came in to check on you for the night." Quatre said.
Nina stood up and limped her way towards Quatre.
"Can I ask you something Quatre?" Nina asked sweetly.
Quatre nodded his head.
"Why are you doing this?"
Quatre stepped into the room and cupped the girl's chin turning her head to the left and then to the right.
"You should put an icepack on those bruises." He stated. "Would you like me to get one?"
Nina shook her head. "You didn't answer my question. You don't even know who I am. I could be a criminal for all you know. Why are you being so nice to a perfect stranger?"
Quatre smiled down at the girl. "Because you don't seem strange to me. I am not the kind of person that would leave a girl unconscious after she has been through danger. I am just too nice I guess. When you are well enough you can leave. When you are stronger, I will have a doctor come over and inspect you. However, you have to promise me, you will tell me what really happened…" Quatre stated.
The girl looked down at the fall. "If that's all you ask of me then it's the least I can do for your hospitality towards me Mr. Winner. I promise." She stated looking back up at Quatre.
Quatre's expression softened slightly. "Good. Now I will leave you to a good night's rest. I'll be in the shower and then after that I'll be going to bed myself. There is a shower in the bathroom to this room as well. My room is down the hall, the last room." Quatre said.
The girl nodded and turned around walking into the bathroom. She then turned to Quatre. "Thank you." And closed the bathroom door behind her.
Quatre smirked and closed the bedroom door heading to his room to shower as well.
I wonder what happened to that poor girl… she's not just some homely person. It's obvious. Her manners and demeanor are that of a person who was raised well… could she be a run away? Eh, I'll find out tomorrow…
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Nina winced as the hot water hit her body. She ached all over. Her conscience was telling her that this was wrong. That she should not be here.
I have no choice. If I want to survive I have to be here where it's safe… forgive me Quatre Raberba Winner…
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Quatre shivered as he felt a sudden breeze in his room.
"What was that?"
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Early the next morning at around 9:00 am:
"Excuse me Mr. Winner."
Quatre turned around as the doctor informed him of the condition of his guest.
"She has several broken ribs Mr. Winner. Mild bruises and a sprained ankle. It is clear she was beaten up and attacked with some kind of weapon."
Quatre scowled. "What do you mean?"
"There are slight, hardly noticeable puncture wounds on her throat. Evidence that some kind of knife was held to her throat." The doctor stated.
"Who would want to hurt this girl!?" Quatre demanded.
"I don't know Mr. Winner. But having this girl in your home is quite risky. If I was you I'd keep an eye her." The doctor stated.
Quatre nodded and escorted the man to the door. "Thank you Doctor Futor for coming on such short notice." Quatre said apologetically.
The doctor laughed and patted Quatre on his back.
"Don't worry about it young man. Just take good care of that beautiful girl you got there! I know if I was you, I'd take real good care of her!" the Doctor stated laughing and patting Quatre on his shoulder, winking at the statement.
Quatre blushed fiercely and smirked nervously.
"Oh! I'm just kidding Mr. Winner! Well good-bye now, and if you need anything give me a call." The doctor said walking out the door.
Quatre scratched the back of his head and locked the door behind the old man. I wonder if I'll be that perverted when I'm an old man… Quatre though idly. He shook the thought away and turned around to see Nina leaning casually against the wall looking at him a sly smirk on her face.
"Uh… can I help you Mrs. Nina?"
"Hmmm…. not exactly Mr. Winner. I'm just a bit hungry." She said nonchalantly, limping her way into the main room. Quatre followed.
"So how are you now?"
Nina shrugged her shoulders and looked around her. "Where is the kitchen?"
Quatre pointed left. "Let me get it for you." He said walking ahead of her.
She followed and walked ahead of Quatre heading towards the fridge. "No thank you. You've done enough. I can get something to eat myself, if you don't mind?"
Quatre shook his head and gestured to the fridge. "Help yourself."
Nina nodded at him and opened the fridge.
"I think you should be resting Mrs. Nina." Quatre said closing the fridge on her and grabbing her arm.
"Hey! Quit it!"
Quatre ignored her and continued dragging her out of the kitchen.
"Alright! Sheesh!" Nina snatched her arm out of Quatre's grasp and crossed her arms in front of her. They walked in silence for awhile back up the stairs.
"When you're back resting, I'll bring you some food Mrs. Nina. Now, please take care of yourself and stay put till you feel better." Quatre stated.
Nina looked at Quatre and could not help but smile.
"You're being so nice…," she said quietly almost inaudibly.
Quatre looked at her face and couldn't help but feel for this girl. She looked so sad, her eyes… they looked so empty.
"…you don't even know me…"
"I don't care. If people are in danger I'm gonna help them." Quatre stated.
Nina flinched. "I'm not in danger."
"Oh yeah, then what's with the knife prints on your throat. Someone attacked you, and meant for you to be dead. That's all I know for now. I want to know Nina, so I can help." Quatre stated.
"You've helped enough."
"But I want to help some more, till your safe."
"Hmmm… when I'm ready, I'll tell you everything Quatre. Sorry."
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"Princess!!! Come back here!!"
Nina tried to run as fast as her feet could go right now.
The shoes she wore prevented her from running any faster and she growled in frustration. Her attackers were catching up to her. She knew that if they caught her she would die…
Her hair was done up in an elegant bun with diamonds along the center of the bun. A golden crown with a silver middle was kept in place on her head by the bun. Her bangs were pulled back and she wore diamonds along her forehead. From each of her temples leading down to the middle of her brows.
She wore an elegant strapless gown that hugged her graceful curves.
Nina screamed aloud in frustration and fear. She stopped for a moment to bent down and take off her shoes.
She shivered in voluntary as the marble floor felt cold against her bare feet as she continued running for her life.
She soon grew weary and out of breath. She can still hear the guns being fired and the shouting of her pursuers behind her.
Here eyes grew heavy and her vision became fuzzy. She collapsed on the ground, tired and scared. She heard the men coming closer. She couldn't fight back, well atleast not like this.
She looked up, straining with all her might to stand. She saw a door… the golden door to the King's main room.
"Father…"
Nina struggled to stand. She was so tired… tired of fighting… tired of running…
She walked towards the door, the hallway around her lighting up.
She just wanted to be normal girl. A normal Princess, with normal problems. She didn't want to fight anymore…
"Father…"
Suddenly there was force on her back and she was thrown back onto the floor, crying out in pain.
Someone had tackled her from behind. She could feel his weight on her.
"Time to die Princess! Your reign over the Kenvelty colony and the future colonies will end now!"
A gun being fired echoed painfully all around her as she fell into a black hole.
"Father!"
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"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"
Nina awoke abruptly from the all too vivid dream. Her hands flew to her chess clutching fiercely, trying to get the breath back into her lungs.
Her eyes widened in terror as images after images flashed before her eyes.
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! FATHERRRRR!!!!!!!!"
Quatre nearly burnt his hand on the stove as he heard the most terrified scream of his life. He stopped what he was doing and ran upstairs to Nina's room where the scream was coming from.
"What in the hell….?!?!"
To Be Continued…