Darkness

I opened my eyes.

Darkness.

It smelled of damp and mould. I felt rough stone under my skin.

I sat up, shivering slightly in the cold.

A faint, faint light could be seen - too faint for me to readily determine its source. In every direction - darkness. Below me, stone and slippery water.

I felt with my fingers over my arms, legs, and body... I was thin, more so than I should be. There were rough patches where my skin had been bruised. I was...

I started to tremble.

I did not know who I was.

I closed my eyes, forced them closed to exclude every single ray of light.

I forced myself to breathe. Breathe in. Breathe out.

I did not know who I was.

I did not know where I was. I did not know how I had got here. I did not know if could expect to meet others like me... or unlike me. I did not know when last I had eaten or where I could next find food or water.

I did not know who I was.

I did not know who I was.    

I kept my eyes closed. I focused on my breaths. Counted them. One... two... three. Who taught me to count? Who taught me those words for numbers? Did that someone deem it worthy to give me a name?

...four, five, six...

What was my name?

...seven, eight, nine...

Who was I?

...ten, eleven, twelve...

I was dressed in a thin dress - far too thin for this cold. The cloth felt worn but strong, despite how fine it was. There were frills around the arms. Embroidery along the neckline. Had it been expensive?

My hair reached my shoulders. On my head was something hard and spiky, I took it off and felt in under my fingers.

A crown? Small and dainty. I felt the tugs of memories as my fingers explored the delicate metal. Cold, hard stones - gems? - adorned it. Seven spikes in front, none in the back. More of a tiara than a crown.

My tiara.

Why did I wear a tiara?

What was I?

Queen?

Bride?

Princess?

I felt the word resonate in my brain.

Princess.

I probed at the word, forced my brain to offer up any association that came with it.

Was there a kingdom? A castle? A throne?

Were there courtiers and balls and princes?

Did I have prospects and expectations and duties?

There, something.

Duties. The duties of the princess. The princess had to...

I felt a flare of pain flash through my brain. I kept probing, but the pain forced me off.

Interesting.

Did I have parents? Did I have siblings? Did I have guards and chamber maids and ladies-in-waiting?

Nothing.

What did I have?

Friends?

Rivals?

Enemies?

Enemies.

Something hot grew in my stomach.

Enemies.

I stood up, I put my tiara back. I opened my eyes, staring into the featureless gloom once again.

I did not where I was.

I did not know my name.

But I knew what I was.

And I was going to find whoever was responsible for my current predicament.

I started to walk.