2

~Anika~

Pants of breaths jogged through my lips as I awakened. Standing up, a loud winch mounts out of my mouth as I fall back down on my butt. Agitated, I scrutinized my surroundings and my heartbeat went aloof when I discovered I wasn't only caged in but also chained.

I grunt as I remembered how I had passed out before him yesterday- there was something about his cold aura that caused my insides to tremble that very time.

Before I could even think of anything, I felt a pang of hunger deep in my stomach. It was like a gnawing sensation, growing stronger with each passing minute. My stomach growled loudly, demanding sustenance. I knew I had to eat something soon, or I would be in real trouble.

Sighing deeply, I closed my eyes, and the image of the man from earlier flashed in my mind. His face was stern and unyielding, his eyes cold and hard. I could almost feel his ruthless presence even though he was no longer in front of me. It was like he had left a lasting impression on me, one that I couldn't shake off.

The door creaked open, and a tall, imposing guard stood in the doorway. He gazed down at me, his expression stern but not unkind.

"Welcome to the academy," he said, dropping a bundle of clothing at my feet. "This is your uniform. Change into it, and then follow me to your first class."

I burst into laughter, finding it funny that even as a security personnel, he still has it in him to joke around with me. What fucking academy is he talking about? I still can't get over the fact that my father sent me here and now, he's telling me am here for one shitty class?

Looking back at him alone made me chuckle, because had he been in his right senses, he would see that I am not in for any jokes but rather how to get out of here. This shit hole.

"You know what? Spare me the bullshit and uncage me. From this very spot." I said in between clenched teeth and I was jaw struck when he immediately obliged. I hopped up my feet and couldn't be more grateful when the chain dropped off of me and fell right down to the floor.

I made my way towards the door but who was I kidding? I didn't reach halfway when he came forward and obstructed my way. I was about to rebuke him but the instant he pointed behind me at the attire, I knew there was no way of getting out of this.

~~

My face twisted in anger as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My hands balled into fists at my sides and I glared at my own image. I don't want to be in this. This is so much a stupid outfit, that I want no more than to dab my fingers across it and rip it apart. Into nothing but shreds.

"Will I at least get to take breakfast?" I turned around towards him and demanded, my face stoic cold as I fixed my gaze on him. I'm surely not taking 'no' for an answer. At least if their mission is to make me the slave- that I am not going to accept- they should as well not starve me unless they don't care if I die or live.

"I'm sorry but I know nothing about that. Lateness is prohibited so I would be so glad if you could lead the way." His voice stamping finality, he sidestepped and held the door open. Begrudgingly, I scoffed disbelievingly at his face before stomping out of the room.

My steps are heavy and reluctant as I was led by a group of stern-faced guards through the hallways of the academy. The walls are dark and imposing, and the air feels thick and oppressive. I could feel the tension in the air, and I knew that this was a place of brutality and cruelty. I tried to keep my head down and avoid making eye contact with anyone, but I could feel the stares of the guards burning into my back.

Do they seriously think of themselves as intimidating?

With my head now held high, I was led into a large classroom, filled with rows of desks and different people all dressed in the same attire as me. In the front of the room stood a woman with a face like stone, her expression stern and unyielding. The woman's eyes swept over everyone, her gaze like a knife cutting through them. The room was silent, the air thick with tension.

"Take your seat." That was all I heard before I took a glance back to see the guards has disappeared into thin air.

As I reluctantly took a seat, I felt eyes on me and as much as I would have loved to tell them to take their god-damn eyes off me, I resisted the urge and chose to focus on the situation before me. What is this place?

Why did my Father order for me to be brought here? Who was the vicious looking man from yesterday? What exactly am I here for?

Whatever all this is, I know I need to get my answers but I lose it. I'm not that much of a patient person.

We were all served meals that looked more like slop than food, and I felt my stomach turn at the sight of it. It was brown and lumpy, with an unidentifiable smell that made me want to gag. I could see the other students looking just as disgusted as I felt, their faces twisted in disgust and their noses wrinkled in horror. I pushed the plate away from me, unable to stomach even a bite.

The meal sat on the plate like a hunk of sludge, its texture unappetizing and its scent overpowering. I felt as if I was in a nightmare, surrounded by a group of strangers who were all forced to eat this repulsive food. I could feel the tension in the room mounting, those around me shifting restlessly in their seats. The woman in charge of the class stood at the front, her eyes like flint, daring anyone to disobey her orders.

The woman's voice was harsh and unforgiving as she addressed the class, her words cutting like a whip.

"Welcome to the academy," she said, her gaze hard and unyielding.

"Here, we will turn you from dirty brats into disciplined, respectable young adults. You will learn obedience and self-control, or you will be punished accordingly. Do I make myself clear?" The students all nodded, their faces pale and their bodies tense. The woman's gaze lingered on each of them in turn, assessing their reactions.

Meanwhile, a snicker lingered across my face as my fingers curled into balls by my sides. Now, it's making sense and I think I understand why the hell I am here. Like seriously? How could my parents do this to me?

I've heard about this academy and how much of a hellhole it is. But I never imagine myself being inside the four walls of it.

"And what on earth are you still doing? You'd better start eating." A bellow came from before me, causing me to look up to find the woman staring down at me as she fumed, her hands at akimbo.

"I won't. I want to be out of here." I spoke back at her, crossing my hands over my chest as I leaned back into the chair and watched as her eyes went as wide as a saucer at my statement. She obviously wasn't expecting that and same as me when she banged on my desk, causing me to almost jump out of my seat.

And I was sure she would have swallowed me alive if the moment wasn't instantly interrupted.

The door flew open with a loud bang, and the man who stepped through it was a force of nature. His presence filled the room, and his eyes blazed with a fiery intensity. He stood tall and proud, like a warrior ready for battle. The students in the room shrank back, their faces pale with fear. This man was clearly someone who wasn't to be trifled with.

As he walked past to stand before the class, I caught a glimpse of his name from his badge. 'Xavier'- One of the Academy masters.

"Welcome, Master." They all rose up their seats and chorused a greeting whereas I stayed glued to my seat, and intentionally met the woman's gaze with a smile causing her face to flare, her anger soaring higher.

"How dare you think you can mess with me, you brat!" She half yelled and swung her hand upward to reveal a whip. Heaven knows she was so ready to lash it out on me and probably would have if I hadn't flinched out of my seat and did what I know best. I ran.

I lost count of several hallways in my quest for an escape. My pants increased with each step I took and I couldn't be more glad when I saw the particular building- the one the guards had led me out of.

"Thank goodness." I burst in and shut the door behind him before placing my hands by my side and taking a relaxing breath.

There are no security guards at sight and they can go to hell for all I care. I need to find a place to hide real quick. Though I hope Master Xander- the ruthless man from yesterday- isn't around.

I hightailed it towards the first room down the hallway and just as my hand touched the doorknob, I was taken aback by the last four words that reached my hearing. The fact that it was almost unrealistic made my veins pulse as my hand dropped back beside me.

"But mother _"

"Now lay with her!"

The particular voice holds enough command that Master Xander immediately adhered to and my insides twisted into knots when the hallway soon perforated with sexual moans. I don't know why but I dug my nails into my palms as I turned around and almost tripped over as I stumbled out of the vicinity.