Suspicions
1345 Words
He stood tall and defying in front of me, clenched jaw, balled fists, and flexed muscles. Anyone would feel intimidated by him, and I understood what Hannah and Doc said about him. I should not be fooled by his occasional charming smile, he is someone to be feared. I should have listened to the voice of reason, but I always followed my guts. Now my guts were saying to stand up to him and so I did.
"Why were you looking for me?"
"I asked you a question"
"I did too"
"ANSWER ME !" I almost jumped in my place to the loud reaction. I knew I was provoking him but I didn't expect him to snap this fast.
" Why do I have to answer you? " I kept my cool and put my hands on my hips to show him he isn't the boss of me.
"You do because I'm.."
His tone went down with the last word, then he stopped in his tracks, I lifted my eyebrows in expectation of his reason.
"You're my guest and I was worried about you. You don't know the area and I was afraid you get lost or get attacked or something"
His voice was softer and his face relaxed, I looked into his eyes and he was sincere. His reason is legit, I'll give him that. I already got face to face with a wild animal. I would be worried too. I struggled to find a comeback. It took me a minute to reply to him.
"You showed me this place and I remembered the way from yesterday"
He didn't answer, so I put my hands off my hips and gestured widely to the area before I continued.
"It is really beautiful, I always lived in the city and there is nothing like this"
"Very beautiful indeed," he said, looking straight into my eyes.
"There's a lot of other locations I can show you."
"I can't stay long, I will leave as soon as I have my medicine"
"Maybe I didn't ask properly, but I would like you to stay here and join our community"
I couldn't believe my ears, he wants me to stay here forever? To do what? Why me? I stumbled to this place by pure chance and now he wants me to stay? So many questions raised in my head and I needed answers.
"Why?" I asked.
"Let's say I know a special talent when I see one. And you Claire, are an exceptional talent."
I knew it, this is a cult and he's using sweet words for recruiting me to become his slave or his follower. This is a fight or flight situation, I have to think of a plan. I can't be rushed and impulsive.
"I'm flattered" I fainted a smile.
I'm a bad liar, so I have to reject his offer without being suspicious.
"I have to go back to school after spring break"
Good one, it wasn't totally a lie. I totally want to go back to school and graduate even though I'm not sure I still can.
" All the kids are homeschooled and they take online classes"
Poor Hannah was born in a cult and never went to school. I never liked school, to be honest. It was more of a wild jungle than anything. Where the survival of the fittest is the rule. At least one could get an education and go out to the world. It's better than sitting between four walls and having online lessons.
I chuckle nervously but can't stop my mouth. Then I said with a straight face.
"No"
"No?" Is that a disappointment I hear in his voice? Is he upset he lost a potential toy?
"No, I'm not staying. As I said before, I will leave as soon as I have my medicine. I really appreciate your hospitality and generosity but I can't stay."
"Why don't you take your time to think about it and give it a try?"
"What if I don't want to?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you going to force me to stay? And beat me up like you did to your men if I say no?"
My stupid mouth, I bit my lip but it was too late, I already compromised myself.
"You don't have a saying in how I discipline my men"
Suddenly his voice was harsh again.
"I say maybe, you have anger management problems. I can hook you up with my shrink, he does wonders."
He didn't say anything, instead, he kept looking into my eyes. It turned into a staring contest.
I should not be provoking him but old habits die hard. He reminded me of those kids at school, they think because they're rich and popular they can bully me. What I lack in wealth and popularity I compensate with strength and resilience.
"Let's go back"
He was the first to look away. I WON! I cheered internally, satisfied with myself.
After that, we kept away from each other. I figured out his daily routine with a little observation. He spent the morning in the office and after lunch, he went training. The only time I met him was at lunch and I ate while avoiding his eyes.
I stayed out of his way and spent most of my time with Hannah. When she has her lessons, I went to exercise in the gym. I was always alone there so it was an opportunity to try all the machines and distract me from the voices in my head. When I couldn’t find anything interesting on TV, I went to the kitchen and tried to cook something.
Everything looked normal at first, but I couldn't help but be suspicious at the red flags everywhere. Starting with lunch, unlike the first time, everyone was silent as if they were under a spell. I also noticed that there were no old people and children, where did they all go?
I've been here for a week now, the voices were getting stronger. What was a faraway echo has become a loud buzzing in my head. I couldn't understand the words and nothing could distract me anymore from the constant noise. I felt like I was going to lose my mind. I needed my medicine. Now.
I went to the clinic and asked the Doctor again.
"Your doctor is not back yet"
"He usually leaves his cell open for emergencies. Did you try that?"
"His secretary said he's at an overseas convention, he can't answer his phone for now"
That was a lie, at first he was on vacation and now he's at a convention. It is useless to talk to her anymore. I stormed out of the office and ran back to my room.
I had put my phone in one of the drawers, luckily there was still some battery left. It's an old model flip phone but it can hold a battery for up to a week. The problem was that I couldn't find any network coverage.
I went around the house, outside, and in different directions, still no service anywhere. I need to go higher, I remembered the tower, that should work. It was lunchtime, I was sure Victor wasn't in his office. Anyway, I pushed the door slowly and tiptoed my way to the tower.
Once I reached the top I pulled out the phone, one little bar was flickering. It wasn't enough but I tried to make the call. I got connected but I couldn't understand anything, the voice was breaking. Disappointed, I made my way down and I noticed a landline phone on the desk. This is my lucky day. I called again, it seemed like it was ringing for hours.
"Doctor Ross Office, how can I help you"
"Greta, hi! It's Claire."
"Hi Claire, how are you doing?"
"Not great, I lost my medicine and I need a prescription fast"
"Doctor Ross is in a session now. Do you want to schedule an appointment or do you want to call back in 30 minutes?"
- Writer
