The Rise of the Red Queen

2

I woke from my nightmares again they've came back with a vengeance in the last few months. I go the desk and pull out the sketch book Theodore gave me about two and a half months ago. I flipped towards the back until I got to an open page. I lose myself in drawing after drawing until I ran out of pages. It was only then I checked the time 7am and I know I've been drawing for hours my hands covered in charcoal. I head to the bathroom pulling off my clothes and throwing away the almost dry pull-up. I stare at the reflection in the mirror it's hard to believe six months ago I was 90 pounds. I don't think they've realized how much weight I lost as I hit 75 pounds again. I know it isn't healthy now after being with them for so long. I just lost my appetite really and I don't know the reason. My fingers trace the old and new red lines on my hips and tops of my thighs. One of my new coping mechanisms to accompany the drawing. I almost have the complete set just need one more and it will be finished.

Stepping out of the cold shower and drying off. I put ointment on the new lines on my body before putting on a pull-up. I go to the closet and put on a yellow sweater and overalls. I grab my completed sketch book along with the German workbook for the tutor. I head downstairs to our private kitchen and repeat the process from last night of getting and taking my medicines before leaving what was supposed to be my office for tutoring. Theodore will bring her up at 9am like clockwork. Then he will come escorted her out at noon. The knock came at exactly 9am before Theodore brought the tutor in. "Theodore don't leave yet," I directed. I handed the tutor the completed workbook saying "I'm done with German. Theodore will show you out." "Miss your Dad was clear that you had to learn the language since you quit your last one." The poor tutor looked flustered. "I did. Your book is completed as proof you can show him and collect your money. Just leave me alone." I snapped before going into the elevator and going back upstairs to the lonely private floors.

The elevator came up fifteen minutes later and Theodore came in with my sketch book. "You left this Amity," Theodore said offering it to me. "It's full. We had a deal." I said not moving from my spot curled into myself on the couch. "What do you want?" Theodore asked. "I want out" was the only thing I could ask of him. "Come on we will go. I'll get Santiago and Felipe to come as well," Theodore said. "Really?!" I asked excitedly. "Yes really Amity," Theodore said as he walked back to the elevator where he waited for me. I quickly followed after him putting my sneakers on. It wasn't until after the elevator door closed that I asked "How are you getting them not to rat us out and come with us?" Theodore explained "They will come purely to protect you. However, they won't rat us out because this is the most life I've seen in you in three months."

We went downstairs to the gym where Santiago and Felipe spend most of their time. They were in the ring sparring but I stopped Theodore before he could interrupt them. No one else was here so I just watched making side comments to Theodore. They stopped about five minutes later. "Come on and get ready," Theodore said. "Ready for wha..." Felipe trailed off as he finally looked over at us. "We are going out," Theodore said to them causing me to start bouncing slightly in excitement. "Five minutes," was Santiago's reply going to the men's locker area Felipe following right behind him. They were out in three minutes fully dressed with their guns in their holsters under their blazers. "Let's go princess" Santiago said ruffling my hair. I was picked up by Felipe and put over his shoulder causing me to let out a hiss in pain as his shoulder pressed the new lines from this morning. "What's wrong?" Theodore questioned immediately as the elevator doors closed. "Nothing" was my automatic response but I could tell none of us believed it.

Once in the car I asked to borrow one of their phones. I made the call to Dr. Dryman's office setting up an appointment for his first available appointment. It wasn't for a few days but at least I'm admitting I need to see him on my own. The best part is my three bodyguards didn't acknowledge that it was a big deal for me to do that. It wasn't until we were on the road that Theodore asked "Where do you want to go Amity?" "McDonald's" was the first place to come to my mind. So the three over dressed bodyguards took me there without complaint. "Let's go in princess" Felipe said with a smile. I waited until my door was opened for me before stepping out of the car. The three of them on high alert scanning the area around us constantly.

Santiago asked "What do you want to eat princess?" "Nuggets and ranch" I answered quietly not even fighting the title given to me that they refuse to drop. Santiago went to wait in line to order while Theodore and Felipe took me to a corner booth to sit. I sat in the corner knowing they chose this spot on purpose. Santiago came over with my food a few minutes later "Aren't you going to eat?" I questioned them all as he returned with only a happy meal. "No princess" was all Santiago said. Theodore expanded on his answer with "We will eat when we get home Amity. When we get in trouble for going against the bosses we need to be able to tell them we were on guard fully." "Thank you Theo and I'm sorry if any of you get in trouble for this but they haven't seen me much for a few months now." I said greatfully at first before my tone turned melancholy.

The rest of the visit to McDonald's was mainly them encouraging me to eat more. In the end I ate all my chicken nuggets and half of the apple slices. "One more stop Amity then we need to head back. Where do you want to go?" Theodore said. "More stuff for art, please, I enjoyed the sketch book. Maybe I can try painting or something like that." I said not exactly giving a destination but saying what I wanted. He took me to the closest super center before getting a cart as the three of us followed him through the store. I just followed him until I got tired. "Theo I'm tired," is all I said before he picked me up putting me in the cart before we even got half way through the store. I was pushed through the store as they picked out the art stuff for me while I was on the edge of sleep. I didn't pay attention to what they were getting not knowing what all I'd need in the first place.

I didn't realize I fell asleep with them until I was woke up in the car by a concerned Felipe asking "Are you okay? You were screaming and crying in your sleep." I numbly wiped my tears nodding my head yes. "Did you have a nightmare?" Santiago questioned. "Yes but it's okay nothing I'm not used too." I replied brushing off the concern. "How long have you been having them now?" Theodore inquired knowing they where non-existent six months ago. "About four months," was my short answer as I pulled my knees up to my chest before looking out the window. They knew I was done talking as I curled into myself so the rest of the ride home was done in silence. I know they would be bracing themselves in fear of the guy's anger. I couldn't find it in me to care at all if I would be in trouble or not.

I was right they didn't notice I was gone but that just caused me to hide in my big girl room going through the stuff my three guards picked out. They bought a lot there was canvases of all different sizes, a portable easel, a massive amount of paints, paint brushes, sketch books, charcoal, oil pastels, paint spatulas, paint palettes, and sponges. I put everything thing away at the desk or by the desk.

It was hours later when a knock was on my door. Instantly I knew it wasn't who I wanted so once I had the disappointment off my face I opened the door. It was Theodore looking concerned instantly. "Hey Theo what's up?" I asked turning around going back to the painting I was working on. "Amity what's wrong? You're crying again," he questioned. "I'm fine Theo," I said wiping my face off from tears I didn't even know I cried. "No you're not Amity," Theodore contradicted me before continuing, "when you are ready to talk I'm here. You're not alone." I just nodded my head mutely at that before he turned to leave. "Thank you for today Theo it was good to actually live a little again," I said quietly when he was closing the door. If he heard me he didn't respond which was fine.

The day came to an end as I was set up on the roofs edge a sheet spread under the easel. Splashing the canvas with different shades of colors. I was covered in splatters of paint but I was wearing a smile. Paint flew over the edge of the roof as I heard a few shrieks of surprise but I couldn't care less. Satisfied with the paintings outcome I started packing up the stuff taking things back down to my big girl room. I forgot how much fun making a mess was. I was close to happy again as I got my medicines for the night and went to my room. I didn't bother to change my clothes as I crawled into the bed still covered in the shades of red I used. I fell asleep for the night early.