-Conor-"I'll revive her, but I need to let her heart have a break. We've used more of those stimulators than I am legally supposed to use on anyone, Conor. I'm not supposed to use more than five. As you know, the heart is a muscle, and if it gets stressed out from over-stimulation, it could be bad in the long run. It can also make the stimulators ineffective." Bart explained as he continued to work on her."She better not die," Conor murmured as uneasiness washed over him. Please just hold on… Fight woman!"She's died seven times already, Conor… Every time the heart stops for more than four minutes, death has, technically, taken hold." Bart commented as he glanced at his watch. Joanne gave him an edgy look as he repaired a hairline fracture in Karen's face. Once he finished, he gave Karen the last stimulator. After a full minute of tense silence, the machine started beeping again. They breathed a collective sigh of relief.After another hour, there were no further issues with her hea
-Karen-I heard logs crackle in a fire as I slowly regained consciousness. I felt like I had repeatedly smashed between the heavy throne room doors and then tossed off the roof into the forest behind the palace. My body felt as if it had been set on fire as the pain came and went, but I was cold at the same time. I looked around the room as best I could and saw a roaring fire to my right. My servant's room didn't have a fireplace… So where am I now? The burning wood smelled terrific, and the warmth I was getting helped with the frozen feeling in my bones. I've had this frozen feeling before… It's been a while since the last time."You're awake?" A familiar voice to my immediate left whispered in my ear. It took a moment for me to swing my head over to see the concern in his gray eyes. Conor looked like he had been up for several days. I could see the exhaustion was engraved into his face."Is that you, Conor?" I whispered. I could see him nod as his warm hand caressed my right cheek g
-Karen-His intense heat was making me sleepy, but even though I felt hesitant, I moved as close to him as I dared. I felt more blankets piled on us as he arranged them over us. I felt his skin touch against mine as he pressed himself even closer. He's too close for my comfort. But his heat! I need this warmth- My life depends on it. I had no energy to protest against how close we were. "So warm. Like fire." I murmured, shivering against him. I could stay here in his grasp forever."You're like ice…" He whispered. He held me tightly as his body heat seeped into my cold skin. It felt wonderful despite my reservations about being so close to him. He wrapped his legs around mine, making sure to surround me in his heat as much as he possibly could. The warmth dragged me down while I drifted in and out of awareness. I can't stay awake for much longer.I opened my eyes for what I guessed to be a couple of hours later to see him watching me. He looked flushed from the heat, but I was still c
-Karen-He held me tightly while I continued soaking up his warmth. I always thought I'd die alone as a result of being attacked by Lewis. But here I am in his arms and a very comfortable bed. He hummed the same tune from before, and all I could do was drift off.I had no idea how long I had been asleep when the doors slammed open, making us, mainly Conor, jump at the sudden loud noise. Ugh. Rude! "Jo found one!" Bart shouted as he dragged in an older man. The lights in the room switched on, and Conor and I narrowed our eyes and groaned at the sudden brightness. I can barely move now…"Let me see her, please…" The older man said as Conor got out of bed. No! My heat source! I wanted him to come back, and I started to shiver immediately. The doctor had graying hair and green eyes. He looked familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on why. "Ah! It's you, Karen!" The doctor cried as he pulled the covers back so he could feel my neck. Even colder now… How is that possible? "Good to see that
-Karen-"You left me alone," Conor called sleepily, dragging me back into the first room. Before I could say anything, he turned me to face him. He looked over the clothes I found and started laughing. "What are you wearing, Karen?" he asked as he twirled me around. "Are those my clothes?" he asked, laughing harder. Well, what was I supposed to wear? I felt my cheeks flush with heat as I looked down at my feet."You're quite clever. You know I like waking up to this type of surprise." He snickered as I silently watched him. "To be fair, I can understand why you put something on." He picked up a lock of my hair and pressed it to his lips. I felt my heart rate spike at the amused look in his eyes. I felt my face get even hotter. Eh? He took my clammy left hand and led me back into the second room I had been stopped in. He flipped the switch, and a soft light turned on above us. I saw a much larger armoire than the one in my servant's room. "This is where your clothes are, Karen." He exp
-Karen-"What question?" I had completely forgotten what he had asked me as I stared into his gray eyes. It's such a pretty gray. I think I'm gonna lose my sanity soon. I felt slightly nervous being this close to him, but I also wanted to get right up next to him again and fall asleep in his arms just like I had done. Why do I feel like this? Something is wrong with me. Don't get sucked in, idiot… But, on the other hand, then I want to get sucked in… I can't think straight.He chuckled, and then, unexpectedly, he kissed my forehead. I felt my entire face get hot at the gesture. "Don't you think you deserve something good in your life, even if it's something small?" Conor asked softly. He kissed my left palm while watching me with a smirk.I thought about his words momentarily. "No, I don't." I shook my head. "Servants aren't meant to have good lives. They are meant to serve their betters; if need be, they will be thrown away and replaced." I said firmly, "We are just some small cogs i
-Conor-We have to find her before she gets hurt by one of the soldiers! Conor and Bart hurriedly rounded the corner. They followed Lewis's cold laughter, which bounced down the corridor's walls. Lewis was laughing maniacally as he wiped the bloody dagger on Karen's blood-drenched nightgown. She was covered in blood. It was also dripping from her mouth. She didn't appear to be moving at all. Karen?! Lewis! What did you do to her?!Bart sprang into action, determined to save her again as they now assumed Lewis had attacked her previously a few weeks ago. Bart's sudden appearance in front of Karen caught Lewis off guard. "Where the hell did you come from?!" Bart started working on her as quickly as he could, first to resuscitate her and then to stabilize her. "I don't know why you're going to try and save that worthless wretch." Lewis hissed with a grunt. "She isn't worth your time. Or anyone's time, for that matter." How can you say that?"Lewis! You're the one who hurt her! I'd be wil
-Conor-Who the fuck are you?! "What are you doing?! Give her back to me!" Conor shouted, becoming enraged by this grievous act. Bart grabbed Conor's left arm as he advanced on the cloaked figure. How dare you touch her!"Me? I will bring her back, but I must fix her first." The figure answered, extending a bony hand into Karen's chest. Bring her back? "Ah ha! Gotcha brat. You've always been so damn stubborn, even as a little girl. Come out!" The figure tried pulling on something from within, but it was evident he was having trouble. "I said come out!"A wispy figure emerged from the body and instantly took a fighting stance. "Put me back, Eldon! I have already died and want to go on to the Forest! Please stop this never-ending cycle!" the wisp snapped angrily. Bart and Conor traded shocked looks. What the hell?!"You don't have that option right now, and you know it. I have to revive you as per Nathan's contract. I've told you these the last three times you've died." She's died befor