Victim
Four
Standing next to the wall with my eyes closed while two more men enter the room, I suddenly feel silly and foolish. I feel disappointed in myself for being so weak and cowardly. I shake off my fear long enough to take a look at the strangers. I automatically notice the large hulk of a man first and put together that he was the one in the room with me before. The one they call Shadows.
His back is turned to me so I can't see his face just yet. He's distracted by a shorter man with a mohawk who is tugging at his broad shoulders and raving, "See, see! I told you she was awake!"
Shadows pushes the short man aside as he firmly says, "Calm down, Short Shit."
I snicker in response without meaning to which causes all three men to turn and look directly at me. I feel small and out numbered compared to all of them. My gaze finally meets with Shadow's and I gasp loudly in response. I stand up from the floor and shout, "You!"
All three men look shocked and confused like they're not sure which one of them I was referring to. I extend my hand and point my finger furiously at Shadows as I accuse, "You're that creep who keeps coming to my work and asking me out!"
I notice the other two men look at Shadows and chuckle slightly under their breaths. What they find funny at a time like this, I'll never know. Shadows doesn't look pleased as his lips purse in aggravation. He cocks his head to the side and cracks his neck as if he was attempting to banish his frustration. He then answers, "Yes. That would be me."
I'm not really sure what came over me then. I remember curling my fists into a ball and yelling, "You're the one who brought me here aren't you? You kidnapped me didn't you.....and why? All because I turned you down?!"
The next thing I know, Shadows stalks towards me with an extreme quickness, gets right in my face, and shouts, "I didn't kidnap you. I saved your fucking life. If it wasn't for me, you'd be laying in the middle of the road dead by now so show some fucking gratitude! Don't make me regret my decision."
With that, he pushed past the others and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him mightily. I manage to sit down on the arm of a large recliner in the room. I remain there momentarily dumbfounded as the other two men stand there exchanging looks with one another. Finally the Rev speaks and says, "Don't mind him. He has a problem with his temper, but you shouldn't try and push him."
"Excuse me?" I mutter in a surprised tone.
I then argue, "I shouldn't push him? What is wrong with you people?! I'm the one who woke up in a foreign place, surrounded by strangers, and can't remember hardly anything. I should be the one who has a temper if anyone!"
The short man just shakes his head with his eyes closed as the Rev calmly explains, "Listen Keri, I know that everything is confusing right now, but Shadow's really did save your life. When he found you, you were laying face down in the road and unconscious. Your car must have slid on the ice which caused it to crash into a guard rail. You were ejected through the windshield. Shadows brought you here. I doctored you up and mended your wounds. You really are lucky to even be alive right now. I guess you don't have to believe any of this, but it's really the truth. You should probably be a little nicer to Shads. He sat by your side the whole time you were resting after I fixed you up."
My mouth dropped open in response to all he said. It was all so much to process at once that I found it unbelievable. What bothers me the most is that I can't remember any of it happening at all. It's a very crippling feeling to have to trust the word of complete strangers. I've never been in a situation like this. I've always felt in control of what was going on around me and this time, I didn't feel that control.
Horrible thoughts began to enter my mind. What if what they say is true? What if the impact of the crash did something to my head? Maybe that's why my memory is half gone. What if I have significant damage to my brain? Or even worse, what if the damage is permanent? I mean I can't have total amnesia because I can remember that Shadows is the guy who kept coming by work and trying to hit on me, but what else am I forgetting?
I begin rocking back and forth on the chair. Tears start escaping the corners of my eyes. I cry out and say, "This can't be happening to me. I want to go home!"
I start to cry more hysterically. The Rev makes his way over to me and gently places his hand on my shoulder. "It's going to be okay Keri. None of us are going to hurt you here."
I let his hand remain on my shoulder because a sudden churning in my stomach begins. My nerves must be getting the best of me because I feel the strong urge to vomit. I grip my stomach and mutter, "I think I'm going to be sick........"
The Rev quickly, but softly pulls me into a standing position and escorts me along behind him. He takes me over to the opposite side of the room to a wall. He pushes it slightly and I realize there's a door built in the wall. The chunks start rising in my throat as I see he's lead me into a bathroom. His hold on me disappears and I race to the toilet just in time as I start hurling the contents of my stomach inside. As I continue retching, I hear him say, "I'll send someone in here to help you."
I don't reply as I am too busy gripping the sides of the toilet as I finish puking. I grab some toilet paper to wipe my mouth with as I sit down on the icy, tile floor. I'm relieved to find that the Rev has left and I'm alone. I need a few seconds to compose myself. There's a nasty taste in the back of my mouth and my throat burns. My head is splitting again while my mind races back over everything.
I feel completely exhausted. All the confusion and stress of not knowing anything has worn me out. I lay my head back and rest it against the wall as I close my eyes. Seconds later, the bathroom door opens and in walks a brunette woman I've never see before or at least I don't think I have. Who really knows with my memory.
She waltzes right in and while giving me a warm smile, she asks, "Are you alright?"
I mumble a quiet, "yeah," in response. I'm nearly too tired to even talk anymore. The woman walks over to a cabinet and starts rummaging through it. As she does, I study her appearance. She's tall for a female and wearing a royal purple and black corset with a matching, frilly skirt. The woman turns around and is holding a set of towels with a wash cloth in her hands.
It's only then that I see how beautiful she really is. Her brown, curly hair gives her flawless complexion a warm glow and her eyes are a rich, hazel shade. She notices me gleaming at her. I look away rapidly and feel awkward. I hear her giggle as I then hear bath water starting to run.
The woman speaks to me and proclaims, "My name is Amy. I think it would do you some good to take a nice, warm bath. At least I know it always makes me feel better. What do you say?"
I notice she has extended her hand to help me up as an inviting smile adorns her face. Truth be told, the pretty woman in front of me looks helpful and kind, but who really knows what type of person she is? Even still, the thought of a bath does sound enticing so I take Amy's hand and stand on my feet.
She stands there momentarily until she asks if I need help getting undressed or into the tub. I tell her thanks but I can manage. She nods in response and informs me that if I need anything, just holler for her. Amy also tells me she will return in awhile with some clothes for me to wear. She then exits the room, leaving me alone once and for all I'm hoping.
I pad across the tile floor and lock the bathroom door. I make my way over to the large jacuzzi style tub and observe all the various types of bubble bath and bath salts. I choose a bubble bath and squeeze a good amount of it under the faucet. As the tub continues filling up, I look around cautiously to be sure I'm truly alone and not being watched. I'm not sure if it's my loss of memory, or the fact that I'm in a strange place that has me highly paranoid. Maybe it's both.
Lifting the silk nightgown up my body, I slip it over my head and let it fall to the floor. Goosebumps quickly pop up all over my skin. One thing I know for sure is, the people in this house sure like keeping it cold. I've been practically freezing ever since I woke up here.
I notice the tub has finally filled up completely so I slowly slide in and let the warm water envelop nearly all of my aching body. The water causes the fresh cuts in my skin to burn, but it's worth it. I decide to wash my body and get it out of the way. Afterwards, I rest my head against the back of the tub and close my eyes once more, just relishing in the relaxing bath water and dead silence. I block all of my stress and worry out to try and let my mind go still as it possibly can.
Time must have slipped away from me because before I know it, I wake up to the sound of someone banging on the bathroom door. I hear them yelling at me as they command me to open the door. I frantically scramble up out of the bathtub and wrap a towel around my body so that I can open the door. Before I have the chance, the door is kicked off it's hinges and in barges the last person I want to see.
His back is turned to me so I can't see his face just yet. He's distracted by a shorter man with a mohawk who is tugging at his broad shoulders and raving, "See, see! I told you she was awake!"
Shadows pushes the short man aside as he firmly says, "Calm down, Short Shit."
I snicker in response without meaning to which causes all three men to turn and look directly at me. I feel small and out numbered compared to all of them. My gaze finally meets with Shadow's and I gasp loudly in response. I stand up from the floor and shout, "You!"
All three men look shocked and confused like they're not sure which one of them I was referring to. I extend my hand and point my finger furiously at Shadows as I accuse, "You're that creep who keeps coming to my work and asking me out!"
I notice the other two men look at Shadows and chuckle slightly under their breaths. What they find funny at a time like this, I'll never know. Shadows doesn't look pleased as his lips purse in aggravation. He cocks his head to the side and cracks his neck as if he was attempting to banish his frustration. He then answers, "Yes. That would be me."
I'm not really sure what came over me then. I remember curling my fists into a ball and yelling, "You're the one who brought me here aren't you? You kidnapped me didn't you.....and why? All because I turned you down?!"
The next thing I know, Shadows stalks towards me with an extreme quickness, gets right in my face, and shouts, "I didn't kidnap you. I saved your fucking life. If it wasn't for me, you'd be laying in the middle of the road dead by now so show some fucking gratitude! Don't make me regret my decision."
With that, he pushed past the others and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him mightily. I manage to sit down on the arm of a large recliner in the room. I remain there momentarily dumbfounded as the other two men stand there exchanging looks with one another. Finally the Rev speaks and says, "Don't mind him. He has a problem with his temper, but you shouldn't try and push him."
"Excuse me?" I mutter in a surprised tone.
I then argue, "I shouldn't push him? What is wrong with you people?! I'm the one who woke up in a foreign place, surrounded by strangers, and can't remember hardly anything. I should be the one who has a temper if anyone!"
The short man just shakes his head with his eyes closed as the Rev calmly explains, "Listen Keri, I know that everything is confusing right now, but Shadow's really did save your life. When he found you, you were laying face down in the road and unconscious. Your car must have slid on the ice which caused it to crash into a guard rail. You were ejected through the windshield. Shadows brought you here. I doctored you up and mended your wounds. You really are lucky to even be alive right now. I guess you don't have to believe any of this, but it's really the truth. You should probably be a little nicer to Shads. He sat by your side the whole time you were resting after I fixed you up."
My mouth dropped open in response to all he said. It was all so much to process at once that I found it unbelievable. What bothers me the most is that I can't remember any of it happening at all. It's a very crippling feeling to have to trust the word of complete strangers. I've never been in a situation like this. I've always felt in control of what was going on around me and this time, I didn't feel that control.
Horrible thoughts began to enter my mind. What if what they say is true? What if the impact of the crash did something to my head? Maybe that's why my memory is half gone. What if I have significant damage to my brain? Or even worse, what if the damage is permanent? I mean I can't have total amnesia because I can remember that Shadows is the guy who kept coming by work and trying to hit on me, but what else am I forgetting?
I begin rocking back and forth on the chair. Tears start escaping the corners of my eyes. I cry out and say, "This can't be happening to me. I want to go home!"
I start to cry more hysterically. The Rev makes his way over to me and gently places his hand on my shoulder. "It's going to be okay Keri. None of us are going to hurt you here."
I let his hand remain on my shoulder because a sudden churning in my stomach begins. My nerves must be getting the best of me because I feel the strong urge to vomit. I grip my stomach and mutter, "I think I'm going to be sick........"
The Rev quickly, but softly pulls me into a standing position and escorts me along behind him. He takes me over to the opposite side of the room to a wall. He pushes it slightly and I realize there's a door built in the wall. The chunks start rising in my throat as I see he's lead me into a bathroom. His hold on me disappears and I race to the toilet just in time as I start hurling the contents of my stomach inside. As I continue retching, I hear him say, "I'll send someone in here to help you."
I don't reply as I am too busy gripping the sides of the toilet as I finish puking. I grab some toilet paper to wipe my mouth with as I sit down on the icy, tile floor. I'm relieved to find that the Rev has left and I'm alone. I need a few seconds to compose myself. There's a nasty taste in the back of my mouth and my throat burns. My head is splitting again while my mind races back over everything.
I feel completely exhausted. All the confusion and stress of not knowing anything has worn me out. I lay my head back and rest it against the wall as I close my eyes. Seconds later, the bathroom door opens and in walks a brunette woman I've never see before or at least I don't think I have. Who really knows with my memory.
She waltzes right in and while giving me a warm smile, she asks, "Are you alright?"
I mumble a quiet, "yeah," in response. I'm nearly too tired to even talk anymore. The woman walks over to a cabinet and starts rummaging through it. As she does, I study her appearance. She's tall for a female and wearing a royal purple and black corset with a matching, frilly skirt. The woman turns around and is holding a set of towels with a wash cloth in her hands.
It's only then that I see how beautiful she really is. Her brown, curly hair gives her flawless complexion a warm glow and her eyes are a rich, hazel shade. She notices me gleaming at her. I look away rapidly and feel awkward. I hear her giggle as I then hear bath water starting to run.
The woman speaks to me and proclaims, "My name is Amy. I think it would do you some good to take a nice, warm bath. At least I know it always makes me feel better. What do you say?"
I notice she has extended her hand to help me up as an inviting smile adorns her face. Truth be told, the pretty woman in front of me looks helpful and kind, but who really knows what type of person she is? Even still, the thought of a bath does sound enticing so I take Amy's hand and stand on my feet.
She stands there momentarily until she asks if I need help getting undressed or into the tub. I tell her thanks but I can manage. She nods in response and informs me that if I need anything, just holler for her. Amy also tells me she will return in awhile with some clothes for me to wear. She then exits the room, leaving me alone once and for all I'm hoping.
I pad across the tile floor and lock the bathroom door. I make my way over to the large jacuzzi style tub and observe all the various types of bubble bath and bath salts. I choose a bubble bath and squeeze a good amount of it under the faucet. As the tub continues filling up, I look around cautiously to be sure I'm truly alone and not being watched. I'm not sure if it's my loss of memory, or the fact that I'm in a strange place that has me highly paranoid. Maybe it's both.
Lifting the silk nightgown up my body, I slip it over my head and let it fall to the floor. Goosebumps quickly pop up all over my skin. One thing I know for sure is, the people in this house sure like keeping it cold. I've been practically freezing ever since I woke up here.
I notice the tub has finally filled up completely so I slowly slide in and let the warm water envelop nearly all of my aching body. The water causes the fresh cuts in my skin to burn, but it's worth it. I decide to wash my body and get it out of the way. Afterwards, I rest my head against the back of the tub and close my eyes once more, just relishing in the relaxing bath water and dead silence. I block all of my stress and worry out to try and let my mind go still as it possibly can.
Time must have slipped away from me because before I know it, I wake up to the sound of someone banging on the bathroom door. I hear them yelling at me as they command me to open the door. I frantically scramble up out of the bathtub and wrap a towel around my body so that I can open the door. Before I have the chance, the door is kicked off it's hinges and in barges the last person I want to see.
Update soon!
2/20/14