KNOCK KNOCK

Elena's Pov;

They were hesitant at first but soon backed away and allowed the boldest to whip me. As soon as the lash hit my skin I gritted my teeth. It wasn't new to me, it was something I had to go through all through my life. The lash only reminded me of how numb I'd become towards whips. There was no reaction whatsoever given that it was what I'd known since I was a child. The lash came in steadily. Fifty-three lashes were nothing compared to the beatings I'd received from my father and uncle, for over twelve years.

This was nothing. I knew my back was already bloody and I was breathing heavily. It stung badly. Then the poison was brought and this man didn't even spare me. He instantly poured it onto the wounds. That was when I screamed. No, I'd never felt this kind of pain before. Bullets, yes, whips yes, blows and punches? Yes. But poison? I looked up tiredly. My vision had gotten blurry but I was able to get a glimpse of Antonio's white knuckles. He was gripping the armrest as he watched me.

Then one of them raised my head.

"I'm sorry." He silently said I didn't blame them. I didn't blame them at all. He gently fed me the poison and I gulped it down or I would have choked. I coughed out a lot of content because I didn't want to swallow it. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, and in so much pain that I prayed to die fast. It was slow, painful, and tormenting, but I was paralysed, I couldn't even blink. My face was hot and my body was bloody. I could barely breathe as tears rushed down from my eyes as I stared at Antonio.

"Elena!" Jessie rushed towards me but I only saw a blurry vision of her before I closed my eyes.

Peace...Peace was all I felt...was peace. No pain, no sorrow, no tears. I felt...free. Even though I was in the middle of nowhere, I didn't feel pressured to do things. I was completely unbound. I laughed, smiling at the freedom that I'd never felt in my life. It was always tied to someone or something, now it was different for me. I was fine. The tears dropped from my eyes as I continued to wander in the middle of nowhere.

"Elena." A voice called and I turned, but I saw no one. "Elena." I looked up and saw the person I never thought I would see. My eyes watered as I ran towards my mother. She stroked my hair and looked at me again. "My little girl has been through so much." She had a saddened and happy look. "I wish I'd never married your father. This wouldn't have happened to you." She said and I hugged her again.

"I don't blame you ma. He wasn't capable of controlling himself either."

"Look at what he and his brother put you through? You're not supposed to be here yet. I'm just glad you aren't dead."

"What? What do you mean?"

I gasped, jerking up from my slumber. I knew someone heaved a sigh. I was still very weak, but I summoned the energy to look around and then I saw him. I was astonished to see Derek was the one sitting on the chair, watching over me like a guardian angel. He looked...stressed. I looked around and once again realized that I was in his room. Again.

"Why I'm I here?" That was the first question I could mutter. He gently raised his gaze and looked at me.

"What sort of a question is that? Don't you remember?"

"Remember what?" I was really perplexed.

"Jessie brought you here the moment you passed out. Well, she found a way to bring you here because of how pissed off Damon was at your video." He mentioned. "You were brutally whipped. Sometimes I wonder if your husband...oh sorry your ex.. husband cherishes you." He said.

"Damon...Jessie...husband. Who are they?" I asked and Derek looked like he'd just seen a ghost.

"Did you just ask me that question?" He furrowed his brows.

"Who's Damon?"

"You've got to be fucking kidding me. Damon you bastard!" He yelled and I jumped. He noticed and his eyes softened. It was the first time I'd ever seen Derek's eyes soften. "Do you remember where you were?" He asked and I pondered about it.

"Beaten by a set of bandits or something. I don't quite remember, but I know I hit my head on something. It still hurts."

"Elena, if you're playing pranks on me just stop. Stop it okay?" He was getting angry now and I observed his features. My hand moved and touched his face.

"You look really tired. Were you watching me all through the time I was asleep?"

"Elena, do you remember getting poisoned by anyone? Could that perhaps be the reason for your amnesia?"

"What the fuck are you talking about Derek? I don't have amnesia."

"Okay, then how do you know me? How are you so free with me?"

"I met you at a club once and I can't remember much after that. But I know we've met more than once." I stated.

"Wow." He was dazed.

"I also remember I was in your room twice. We fought one time and the next you were also taking care of me, like this." I said with a smile and Derek looked like he had a lot of questions to ask me but didn't say anything. Instead, he took a bowl of food and handed it over to me.

"You need to eat so you can take your medicine." He stated, but when I looked at the food I wasn't in the mood to eat anything. I had no appetite. I looked at him. "I'm not romantic so don't expect me to feed you ." He gave me a dry look.

"I have no appetite. Besides, I'm not a child." I said and he placed the food in my hand.

"You need to take your meds..." There was a knock on the door and someone walked in. I titled my head at the familiar look.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" He questioned.

"I was wrong." He took a gun out and shot the door very close to her head. My eyes widened.

"Next time, I'll be shooting your eyes. But you need them for now." His voice was low and foreboding. My eyes were on him as he glared at Augusta who looked at me with a not-so-pleased look and dismissed herself. She was obviously scared of Derek.

"What did she do?" I asked. He looked at me as though he was contemplating whether or not to tell me.

"It is not your concern." He said and nodded at the food. I had no choice, did I?"