The Awakening

                                    

                                          


                          
Annalise woke up in a nightdress with a cool cloth over her head and fluffy blankets covering her. She realized her hair was brushed and she felt clean, which worried her. Suddenly, she heard the creak of an old door and she sat up, frightened. It was a tall man in a butlers attire. He had black hair and piercing red eyes. He looked like the perfect butler, except this man, this man had fangs that looked ready to kill. The man looked at her and sighed setting down the tea he had bought in. "It seems you are awake." His voice sounded familiar, and yet she couldn't place where she had heard it before. The man sighed and helped her stand. "Now that you are awake, I may dress your wounds. Please don't fight me on this." Annalise didn't realize what he meant until she saw him move behind her. She cringed and opened her mouth to protest, but he already had her undressed and wrapped in a towel. "My services are not free little lady, so after this, I will either have a contract with you or I will take my leave." Annalise's face contorted as he cleaned her many lashes and burns. Some of the lashes were deeper than others. The burns were made by a variety of objects. Some were round and spotty like they were from cigars, some were like cattle brands, but most of them were so mangled by the lashes it was hard to tell just exactly what was used to burn that portion of her. They weren't just on her back either. There were burns on her arms, her legs, and even some on her neck. There also seemed to be what looked like rope burn on her wrists and ankles. The man looked at her arms and sighed. "We will make the contract, if that is so desired, after I finish. Even if I am not yet contracted to you, you would very easily die if these wounds aren't treated." Annalise nodded as she watched his hands move to brush over her wrists. His hands moved as if they were experienced. She finally found the courage to speak. Her voice was still hushed and soft. "I will make the contract if you answer me this one question." The man looked at her then nodded. Annalise smiled slightly feeling a bit more confident. "What is your name?" He looked at her curiously. "Well, the last name I used was Sebastian Michaelis. It wasn't all that long ago." Annalise nodded content with the answer. "Then, for all intensive purposes and to make my life easier, you will keep that name." Once he was done cleaning her wounds, he dressed her in a proper dress and shoes. Sebastian then led her to the study and pulled the chair out for her. She sat down and Sebastian sat down in the chair across from her. His eyes began to glow as the room went black except for a small shroud of light so she could see him. "Now then, where should we start, little lady?"