Elián;
I walk behind Alana with my hands in my pockets, quietly observing everything around me… or at least trying to.
I was wrong.
This is BORING.
I haven't learned a single useful thing. The past fifteen minutes have been me repeating everything Alana tells me while praying there's no research paper anywhere that proves people can die from taking incredibly boring strolls.
I could tell Alana to take me back to the room so I can sleep. But what if I miss the chance to learn something that can get me out of here?
"And here is another... water fountain. This one is strictly for the maids. It's always running and is properly kept so the water people can pray to their gods." She says, pointing at a fountain, and I roll my eyes.
"Yes... Another fountain... How delightful..."
Alana turns back to look at me, probably hearing the suffering in my voice, and I force a smile at her. I know she's trying her best to make me comfortable, and honestly... She's been so nice and warm, the least I can do is not act like I have a fist stuck up my ass while she's just trying to do her job.
My eyes suddenly shift to a sea of vibrant colours just up ahead, on the right side of the corridor, and my heart skips a beat. It's a garden.
The first thing that has truly caught my interest since this walk began!
I feel excitement thrum through me as I see the different flowers, and as we get close,r I see that some of these flowers are ones I have never seen before.
"What's that?" I question Alana as I point at the garden.
"Oh. That's…"
She suddenly stops and looks away from the garden.
Huh?
"If you look over there at that building. That's where recruits for the army sleep before their tryouts… Many maids often try to sneak in to get a glimpse of the handsome young men." She speaks, and my jaw drops.
Did this woman just ignore me?!
I stop walking, and coincidentally, now we're right in front of the garden.
"Alana," I call, and she stops moving. Her leg freezing mid-step.
"Y…yes, Master Elián?" She replies as she turns to me, and I point at the garden right next to me.
"I want to see the garden."
Her eyes widen a bit, and then she swallows.
"Master Elián, there are five other gardens I can show you. This one is…" She begins, nervously taking a finger up to itch her hair, and I raise a brow.
"What's Wrong with the garden?" I demand, and she gulps.
"It's off limits, Master Elián. No one goes in there. Not even the guards."
She replies, and my heart skips a beat.
A place that not even the guards go??
I just might have found my ticket out of here!!
I turn to look back at the garden, and a smile I can not stop splits my face.
"M…master Elián, I know it's not my place, but you really mustn't go in there," Alana says as she steps towards me, and I eye her suspiciously.
"Why?"
What's so special about this garden that even guards can't go in there? Is it like some sacred shrine or something where the flower people come to worship their god??
I raise a brow at Alana, who still hasn't given me an answer, and she sighs.
"It's… erm… It's private property. Going in there is punishable by death." She replies, and I go rigid.
By death!?
All because I want to see some flowers??
What are they hiding in there??
The head of Medusa? The president's nudes???
"Alpha Koda has charged me with the responsibility of looking after you. Therefore, I'm responsible for all your actions as well as your well-being. So please, Master Elián… whatever you do… You absolutely can not go in there… I know you're a kind man. I don't want to be beheaded for not taking care of you properly…" Alana speaks again, and I take one mortified step back.
Well, that's a lot of pressure to put on someone!!
Did she just indirectly tell me that her life is in my hands and I can kill her by deciding to venture into this garden??
Ugh! What kind of problem is this!? Of course, I plan to come back here! It's the only place without guards... possibly my only shot at escaping these psychos.
A flicker of movement inside the garden catches my eye. A shadow? A person? It… almost felt like I was being watched.
Then I blinked, and it's gone.
I look back at Alana, but she's staring nervously at the ground, and I let out a silent breath.
"Master Elián…" She then calls softly, and I shut my eyes in annoyance before turning around.
"I'm going back to the room."
"What room?"
"My… The room I woke up in."
"Oh… I'm coming with you. What would you like to do next, Master Elián?" she replies, and I shut my eyes tightly as we walk.
Will she just keep quiet for a minute?
"Sleep. I want to sleep. And please stop talking… at least for the next few minutes."
I glance back at the garden, and I see nothing there. Maybe there was no one there. Maybe a flower moved funny, or a bird flew by.
I'm probably getting into my own head. There is nothing wrong with the freaking garden.
I peek over at Alana, and her gentle face is staring straight ahead with her rabbit ears bouncing with every step she takes.
I'm sorry, Alana…
But I can't stay here. I don't intend to meet anyone's father, and I definitely don't intend to be destroyed by five insane brothers.
I promise I'll escape in a way you won't get affected… at least I'll try…
But shitty as it was… I have a life to get back to.
And I'm leaving tonight.
Right through that garden.
I won't lie… I'm… I'm scared, unsure… having second thoughts.
I don't know what will happen if I get caught. Who knows? If I might even get killed… or sent back to the auction house.
There's so much to fear… But staying put here is not an option.
Yes. I'm desperate. I know. And that is exactly why I must get the fuck out of here.
Tonight. I can't wait. Who knows?
What if their father wants to see me just to cop a feel of me, too?
*****
As Alana and I got into my… the room, my steps came to a halt when I saw a small pile of books on the bed.
I tilt my head as I look at the five thick books, and my eyes dart to Alana. These weren't there when we left. Who left me books?
Understanding my confusion, Alana claps, and a maid rushes into the room.
"What books are these, and why are they here?" She questions, and the maid bows before responding.
"Alpha Koda sent them. He said Master Elián needed them, and that he should try to read them." The maid replies, and I look back at the books.
"Thank you," Alana replies, and I move slowly towards the bed.
Did he get me these because I said I lost my memory?
"Master Elián, would you like anything?" Alana's persistent voice questions, and I wave a hand dismissively as I stare at the books.
"No, I'm fine."
"What would you like for Lunch?" Her voice comes again, and I shut my eyes.
"Nothing, Alana. I'm fine. Please give me some privacy." I reply, and she blinks at me for a moment before bowing.
"I'll take my leave now. If you need me, just pull the cord." She says, pointing at the blue cord dangling beside the bed, and I nod.
She flashes me a smile and then leaves. Allowing me to focus on the books.
I sit on the bed beside them, and the very first book captures my interest. Its first page is hand-painted… however, expertly done and very beautiful.
For some reason, I was expecting these people not to be able to write. But they can… and that too in English!
I pick up the first book and run my fingers over its cover. Painted onto it is the image of a twinkling night sky, with the word 'OMEGA' written in gold.
This should help me understand this world better. The other books are about Alphas, customs, history, and different 'clans', but I don't care about all that right now.
I just know that I'm being called an Omega, and I want to understand what that is.
I balance properly into the bed and pull open the first page. My eyes curiously dancing over the fine cursive writing on the page.
'Alpha's rule. Protect. Defend. Empower…
Betas support. Obey. Devote. And Lift the Alphas.
Omegas? They're special. They submit. Surrender. Give. Love and reproduce… they have been blessed with the sole duty and purpose of reproduction. The biggest duty of the entire race.'