I apologize for taking long to update, but since this is my first fanfic I want to bring you good quality.

The man right in front of Gracia smiled at the sight of her small smile. He set the cup down on the table as he helped her into a comfortable sitting position against the wall since the chains made it difficult for someone to move.

Everything was silent with the exception of the far away sounds of footsteps and what she recognized as rats scurring around the dark dungeons of King Henry's castle.

How welcoming it made her feel...

She had been too deep in her thoughts to have noticed the man lit up a candle and had asked her a question. Her mouth remained slightly open before she realized she had been too deep in thought. "Oh pardon me sir, could you repeat your question again please?" She asked politely, that man having earned her trust and respect for the great amount of kindness he showed her.

The man smiled and nodded, the corner of his eyes crinkling into a genuine expression. "Of course, and no need of formalities. My name is James, but all my friends call me Jem. I was wondering what was your name young one?" He asked Gracia, his eyes fixed on the small ignited flame of the candle.

Gracia stayed still for a moment, not wanting to move as she felt a current of air running through the room, making chills run down her spine as she shivered slightly, trying to imagine the candle was even giving the slightest signal of warmth towards her. She cleared her semi dry throat, her eyes traveling and stopping on James.

"My name is Gracia. It is a pleasure to meet you Jem. You... you seem to be the only one around here that doesn't see me like a freak." She exclaimed quietly, her eyes slightly wide in astonishment and somewhat happiness, her heart filling with warmth at that small detail.

James chuckled a wholehearted laugh, his melodious voice resonating across the cell as he turned to look at a really confused Gracia. Everyone around here is just afraid of the rumors Mark spread around about you. But let me tell ya what I think about those statements. Pure crap, I don't believe any of it. And now that I have met you personally, I can say that I am one hundred percent sure you are not a freak." He answered, making Gracia look at him in gratefulness, watching as the man's laugh slowly died down.

As his laugh died down, he seemed to get a serious expression as he ran a hand through his hair. "I can't imagine how hard it has been for you Gracia. Walking around the village everyday and being received by none other than insults from the people who were supposed to be your friends. It is a shame how one small rumor can damage such a great person like that." He spoke softly, his large figure leaning back against the chair he had been sitting down.

Gracia merely nodded, her expression gloomy and somber as she let out a sigh. "I really thought he was my friend. We used to do everything together and now... I am his worst enemy and he hates my guts with all his heart... I can't thank you enough James. Your kindness towards me has been a shocking thing, I never thought I would met such a kind hearted man." She spoke with hope lacing her voice.

James was about to answer when a loud laugh interrupted his response, both him and Gracia turning their heads towards the entrance of the cell, watching as Mark clapped slowly, making his way in the cell and slamming the door shut.

James abruptly stood up, his expression returning cold as stone as he saluted him, glancing at her on the corner of his eyes. Mark let out an annoyed scoff as he cirled Gracia's chained form with his arms crossed behind his back.

"What a beautiful speech James! I never thought you were a softie on the inside! Now, I would like to see more work as a guard than being here inside and caring of this... of that thing" He spat out, Gracia cringing as she tried not to do something she could regret in the next minutes.

She could only do the only thing that would not get her a punishment. Glaring, She glared with anger and disappointment at Mark, for becoming what he is today for not wanting to be near her. The freak of the village apparently.

Much to her dismay she was received by yet another punch, sending Gracia back in a sharp movement, the back of her head hitting against the wall with a loud thud. James stayed frozen in spot, looking at Gracia with apologetic looks. She slightly shook her head to motion him it was fine all.

Oh how she hoped it really was.

As she slowly and painfully moved her head up, her head sharply turned to the right by another punch, being followed by many more from Mark's strong hand. The punches resonated around the room loudly as James looked at the floor, not being able to see the atrocious act that was going on. Gracia tried miserably to shield her weak body, biting her lip hard enough until it bled, promising herself she wouldn't cry in front of the man that had caused her suffering for the past four years.

Mark's beating on her slowly died down, and by the time he had stopped, Gracia had been knocked down unconscious, her limp body slouched against the dirty wall of the cramped cell she was living.

Mark stood straight back up, fixing his uniform stifly as he wiped off the sweat that had formed on his forehead. "Your duties for today have finished James. I expect you to leave this place in the time of ten minutes. Do not, I mean DO NOT help this freak. If I ever come in into you treating her wounds, you will suffer the consequences understood?" He asked in a cold and harsh voice. James didn't hesitate to nod, though he felt guilty for not being able to help Gracia. From the while they both talked, Gracia had understood James had family at home. Two kids to take care of alone and without a wife was a heavy load for Gracia to be the one responsible for James getting hurt.

The candle died out, James hesitantly walking out the cell as he walked past an observing Mark who was making sure he wouldn't help her any time soon.

The creaking sound of the cell door closing was the last distant noise she could manage to hear before she was out for good.

***

Weeks had gone by, and things didn't get any better for Gracia. On the contrary, her life became what she described as a miserable and painful life. She knew they were slowly killing her after all.

Everyday at six in the afternoon sharp, Mark or a royal guard would come in and give Gracia her daily beating, having no mercy with her and not caring if sometimes they broke an arm or both. James had been changed from post. Mark knew that if he was to be left in his former position as guard of the dungeons, he would help her even though he specifically asked him not to.

Gracia was alone once again.

The one question that roamed her mind was why would they beat her everyday? What was the purpose of their acting? Was it only to be cruel with her? To beat her up until she died from hunger, thirst or just to stop suffering the painful blows to her bruised and bloodied body?

Maybe to just get rid of her after all. She was ready to leave this world after so much hate. She had gotten to the point were she despised every second she spent breathing, fighting, struggling, living...

Maybe that was her destiny. She was to die as a freak of nature and nothing more, only being remembered as the strange being from outer space that wanted none other than to cause harm to everyone.

Her eyes snapped open, her eyes darting around the room in search of her torturer or any living form. The dim flame of a candle barely iluminated the cramped room, the lighting casting different shadows against the wall, her shadow in between them. And she could say it wasn't a pleasant sight at all.

She tried to see through her left eye, her right eye being tightly closed. Her eye was completely swoller, a dark purple decorating half her face. She coughed loudly, her raspy breathing interrupting the uncomfortable silence that had settled in the room. Her chest heaved in a desperate attempt of getting air, her limited eyesight blurring over as she slouched on her knees even more.

She was so sick and tired of everything. She just wished for the end to come. She had promised herself she would be strong and never give up, but now... She wasn't sure of that anymore. She didn't even want to gaze at her body anymore. It seemed that the only thing that she thought she couldn't hate had become one of the top she did.

She couldn't even take a glance at herself anymore. At the moment of being taken to shower, she would close her eyes tightly, tears threatening to spill but being washed away from the sensation of the freezing cold water.

Winter was coming sooner than they expected.

Gracia's breathing became only more laboured, her lungs aching from the lack of air, her vision blurring even more and her body shaking. She soon found herself sobbing without care, her fragile body curled up in an attempt to try and feel safe. She just wanted to be left alone, not being judged by the powers she had, not being seen as a monster anymore. She just wished for someone to understand how she felt...

As she sobbed in her dark corner, a shadowed figure watched her from outside the cell, turning around to the second figure standing next to them. They both stared for a moment before one of them spoke up.

"She is broken beyond repair... Lord Henry will be happy to know this news. Notify him and tell him that he can start with his procedure." The man spoke with a formal tone as he walked away.

The second man stayed standing for a moment, watching as Gracia's sobbing never ceased, her trembling body shaking uncontrollably.

"Yes sir."

Thanks for those reading this fanfic. I know Strange hasn't appeared yet but I like to develop my story. As always, thanks for reading.