Daydreaming Nightmares

He walked into the room and froze. Something wasn't right. He glared at the dirty figure on the bed, the only odd one out in the room.

He raised his cane which he was never without and brought it down on her small head. She flew off the bed and ran to kneel in front of him with her head bowed to the ground. There was dirt under her nails and mud on her feet and she'd climbed into the bed like that.

"Do you realise how dirty you are?! Staining your pristine sheets?"

She said nothing. He wasn't looking for an answer anyway.

"Get into the shower now"

"Yes father" she somehow bowed lower and got up to her feet, eyes fixed on the floor as she ran past him towards the bathroom.

He rang for the cleaners and in less than five minutes, her bed was made. All the sheets changed.

He sat on the edge of the bed and waited for her. While he did, he took in her room. This was the smallest room in his mansion and the highest point of the mansion, a tower he built specifically for her.

She had a habit of jumping out the window trying to run away. Like she could ever escape from him.

The room was pink and sparkling, everything in it screamed girl. Pink sheets, pink comforters, pink rug, everything!

He'd chosen them himself

She walked out the bathroom smelling of shampoo and lemon scented bath soap. He'd chosen them too. She wore a short silk nightdress, pink also. His choice as well.

"You look stunning dear" he beamed stretching out his hand "Come. Sit" she hesitated but did. Sitting on his thigh

"The guards tell me you ventured further into the woods again. Why?"

He asked and she stiffened

"I followed a butterfly"She muttered playing with her fingers. He nodded and plucked a strand of her hair and sniffed it. It was still damp

"You could catch a cold" he mutters, matching her tone. He caresses her neck gently then grabs her neck tight and squeezed

"Next time you venture further than I designed for you, you'll end up staring at the mirror for an hour. Understand?"

He snarled

"Yes father!" She cries apologetically, falling off his lap and bowing her head

"Do you see what you make me do?!!!" he raises his cane and brought it down on her back repeated. She tried to raise her head but he stepped on it, pushing her face first into rugged floor.