A Walk on the Water

As Alannah stirred, she was vaguely aware that she was still a prisoner to Rosemary's rage. She began to wonder if it wouldn't have been better for her to have just died instead of being subjected to the torture that she has had to go through. The remnants of moldy bread soaked in some sort of broth still clung to her chin and had sown the front of her badly ripped dress. Her head pounded and if she tried to move the room spun miserably, leaving her in a cold sweat. Alannah felt weak, barely able to move her head and the beating that she had taken a few days ago made her worry even that much more about the baby she carried.

"Welcome back, nice to see that you are indeed alive." came Rosemary's voice from somewhere across the room. "I need to help you get ready, you are no longer my problem. You're father has arrived and your brother will be taking you to his ship." She said as she walked closer to scrutinize the way Alannah looked. "Come on now!" she said throwing another dress at Alannah. Rosemary sat down next to Alannah and for the first time was gentle with her, as Rosemary began taking the ripped dress off and helping with the new one. "For what it's worth Alannah, I do like you and I hope that in time we can put this behind us. Dominic has been scouring the island for days now, threatening to punish anyone who has harmed you! None of us can stay here!"

Alannah shook her head inwardly at the insanity of Rosemary's words.

Rosemary must have seen this, because she responded angrily. "If Dominic finds you here like this, then I'm done! Do you understand me? I cannot afford to let you go now!"

"What will happen . . ." Alannah croaked, "if he catches you with me? Rosemary you have gotten yourself into big trouble here, you can't think he will just let you walk away."

"Dominic won't do anything if he catches me because you are my hostage." Rosemary said in a flat, icy voice. "You are my ticket off this miserable island, understand?"

"Rosemary don't do this, please I am begging you if not for my life, then for that of my child!"

Rosemary's complexion suddenly turned a ghostly white, things have taken a dramatic turn in just a short time.

"Wait, your . . ."

"Yes, Rosemary I am."

Rosemary suddenly stood up and walked out the door, leaving Alannah to sit there on that filthy bed wondering what was going to happen next. When Rosemary finally came back in she looked more collected than she had been just moments before. She walked over to Alannah and stood over her with a look that could kill on her face. She grabbed ahold of Alannah's hair and yanked her up, causing her to suck her breath in pain; every joint and muscle screamed in protest at the sudden sharp movement.