Crimson Rebirth ( GL)

I was tied to a chair.

The room around me was grand, yet claustrophobic in its own way. High, ornate ceilings with intricate carvings loomed above me, and the walls were covered in luxurious tapestries.

Despite the wealth and opulence, the atmosphere felt suffocating. Heavy curtains, dark mahogany furniture, and a chandelier that hung just a little too low for comfort.

It was the kind of room that demanded obedience, where everything from the plush, velvet carpets to the polished, gold-trimmed mirrors seemed designed to keep you in line.

And there I was, stuck in the middle of it all, tied to a chair.

My hands were bound tightly behind me, the ropes digging into my wrists. I could barely move just enough to shift my head from side to side.

Every movement made the chair creak ominously beneath me, and I couldn't help but feel trapped. Not just by the ropes, but by the absurdity of the situation.

Before me, my mother stood with a determined expression, holding a plate of food. But it wasn't just any food it was an enormous plate piled high with the richest, greasiest dishes you could imagine.

Fried meats, buttery potatoes, creamy sauces. It was a heart attack on a plate, and it was making my stomach turn just looking at it. 

"Mother, please," I began, my voice pleading, but she cut me off with a look. A look that froze me in place more than the ropes ever could. 

Her eyes were narrow, a dark glint in them that I knew all too well. The kind of look that said, "Don't you dare." One wrong word, one wrong move, and that would be it for me. I swallowed nervously. There was no escaping this. 

I couldn't help but think about all the calories I had burned off earlier, exercising and trying to get some control over this new body. All that effort, and now it was about to be undone by a plate of greasy food I didn't even want. 

"Mother," I tried again, my voice wavering. "Please, I can't eat that."

"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped, her tone sharp as she set the plate down on the table in front of me. "You need to eat. You haven't been eating enough, and you're looking weak."

Weak? I stared at her in disbelief. Was she serious? I was the opposite of weak! I was still getting used to this new body, sure, but weak? That wasn't the word I'd use. But my protests were useless.

She was already cutting a piece of the greasy meat, lifting it towards my mouth with a look that left no room for argument.

I recoiled as best as I could, trying to lean back in the chair. "I'm begging you, don't make me eat that," I said, desperation creeping into my voice. But all I got in return was that same menacing glare.

"You will eat," she said firmly, "or there will be consequences."

I wasn't sure what those consequences would be, but judging by the way she was looking at me, I didn't want to find out.

The door creaked open, and for a brief, glorious moment, I thought maybe I'd be saved. Maybe one of the servants would come in, or my father, or anyone who could talk some sense into her. But no it was my older brother.

He paused in the doorway, blinking as he took in the scene before him. His eyes darted from me, tied to the chair with a look of pure panic on my face, to our mother standing over me with a fork full of food.

His eyebrows shot up, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of amusement cross his face.

"What... exactly is going on here?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, my mother shot him a look that made him think twice about sticking around.

"Nothing that concerns you," she said coldly, her grip on the fork tightening. "Leave."

He blinked again, clearly weighing his options, then gave a small, incredulous shake of his head. "Right. Good luck with that," he muttered under his breath, before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him. 

And just like that, my brief glimmer of hope vanished.

But then, an idea hit me.

My mother was distracted, momentarily focused on the door my brother had just closed. She hadn't noticed that I was slowly, carefully, wriggling my wrists against the ropes. The ropes weren't as tight as I thought, and with a bit of determination, I could feel them loosening.

I had to act quickly.

I waited, holding my breath, my heart pounding in my chest as she turned her attention back to me. But just before she could lift the fork to my mouth again, I jerked my wrists free, yanked my arms forward, and jumped to my feet.

For a second, she just stared at me in shock, her eyes wide, the fork frozen mid-air. Then, her expression shifted into fury.

But I didn't wait around to see what she'd do next. I bolted well, it was more of an awkward, fast-paced shuffle, but it was the best I could manage in this oversized, unfamiliar body.

My legs wobbled beneath me, but adrenaline was on my side. I darted past her, narrowly avoiding her outstretched hand, and headed straight for the door.

I was out. Free.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air hit my face. My heart was still racing, my skin clammy with sweat, but I had escaped.

I didn't stop to think; I just kept moving, heading toward the one place I knew I could find some peace the garden.

Once outside, I slowed down, finally letting myself breathe properly. The fresh air hit me like a wave, and I collapsed onto one of the stone benches, my body sagging in relief.

I could hear the faint chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves in the wind, and for a moment, I just let myself enjoy the calm.

I glanced around the garden, the neatly trimmed hedges and blooming flowers seeming almost surreal after the chaos inside.

The sun was low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. It should have been peaceful. And yet, all I could think about was the ridiculousness of what had just happened.

I leaned back against the bench, rubbing my face with my hands. "My mother is insane," I muttered to myself, shaking my head in disbelief.

And I wasn't sure how I was going to survive in this world if things kept going like this.