Page 42 of A Raven Revived

“Lift your arms,” he said, stepping in front of her once more.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

He gestured with his chin and she was immediately picked up and plunged back into the icy water. Once again, she screamed and fought against the hands holding her in place, but her efforts were futile. Remembering what had gotten her out of there the first time she stopped resisting and spoke quietly.

“Please take me out. I’ll cooperate.”

Gratitude washed over her as she was once again placed back on her feet.

“Lift your arms,” he said again.

Slowly, she did as she was instructed. Dread settled heavily on her, but she didn’t argue as her wet nightgown was pulled over her head, leaving her completely naked and surrounded by men. Men she didn’t know, and who quite clearly had no compunction about doing her harm. But they didn’t stare or leer as she would have expected, nor did they touch her. Instead, she was handed a towel.

“Dry off, and you can put on a fresh gown.”

She nodded jerkily. She wiped away the water from her skin and, true to his word, he gave her a gown to slip on. They led her away from the bath and down another long hallway. When they unlocked a door near the end, renewed panic flashed through her. They were going to lock her inside.

“No. No please. There’s been a misunderstanding. Please don’t do this. I’m not supposed to be here.” They stopped, but when the man in the white coat gestured the other way with his chin, she knew she’d made a mistake.

“I’m sorry,” she said immediately, but they were already dragging her back. “No! Please don’t do this!” Out of desperation, she tried to sit down on the floor, but they just continued hauling her back down the corridor toward the dreaded tub.

“Please not again,” she begged desperately. “I’ll cooperate.”

But it didn’t matter how much she pleaded with them or promised to obey, they didn’t stop, and she was once again plunged into the cold water. This time, she didn’t fight them once she was in the tub, she just wept as her entire body quaked and burned.

“Are you ready to try again?” he asked.

She nodded as she continued to cry. They lifted her out of the tub once more. Shame filled her belly as they stripped her naked again. Her muscles struggled with drying herself, but when she’d finished, they put another gown over her head and led her back into the long hallway. She didn’t fight them this time when they opened the door and told her to step inside. Other than shaking, she didn’t move at all as they closed the door behind her and darkness descended followed by the lock scraping into place.

After a moment, something touched her shoulder, and she flinched.

“It’s alright,” whispered a soft voice. “I’m Samantha. You just need to get under your blanket, and you’ll be warm again soon.” She took Daisy’s hand and led her over to a bed.

As her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light, the room started to take shape. The small bed was against the wall. Samantha pulled back the blanket for her.

“Go on. Get in.”

She did as she was bid, and Samantha tucked the blanket tightly around her. She looked up at the woman, still unable to make out her features.

“Th-thank you, Samantha.” It was hard to speak through her chattering teeth and gulping breaths. “I’m Daisy. Well, I guess here, I’m Jane.” Her whole body continued to shiver violently.

Samantha pressed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I think dawn isn’t far off now, and they’ll have us up again. So, try to sleep while you can.”

“What is this place?”

“Shhh. We’ll get in trouble if we’re caught talking at night. Sleep.” She moved away into the darkness. There was a rustling as she presumably climbed into her own bed.

Daisy already knew what this place was, though. She didn’t know where it was, or what it was called, but she knew what it was. It was an asylum.

* * *

Fitz barely slept. Thoughts of Daisy tumbled around in his head all night long. The sun was just peeking over the horizon when he finally threw back the blankets and climbed out of bed. He was excited to see her and didn’t want to wait any longer than he had to. He needed to know she wasn’t stuck in that house, miserable, with no way to leave.

He managed to allow an hour to pass, drinking coffee, and it was almost another hour’s drive to her family's estate. Still not an appropriate hour to be calling on someone, but to hell with society’s rules. He needed Daisy in his arms. With a thrill of anticipation, he knocked on the door.

He didn’t wait for the butler to greet him once the door was open. “I’m here for Daisy. Is she wanting to leave yet?”

“I believe she’s still abed, sir.”

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