Too Bad, So Sad.

chapter four: training room

Salem opened the door dressed in a light blue oversized hoodie and black boxers, her hair in a bun–she had bags under her eyes. She yawned, "Morning Honey." She moved to sit on my bed placing leggings and a long sleeved red v-neck shirt. "You need a change of clothes. You can still wear the hoodie since it gets really cold in the training room. You're still in pain so I won't force you to start training right now but I do want to show you around." Salem said. I raised an eyebrow taking the offered clothes feeling the soft fabric–it felt new,  specifically bought for me. "Did you buy this?" I asked, earning a sly grin from Salem. "I did, I got you a full closet of clothes but that'll be in your official room." Salem offered her hand and I took it. I mean what else am I supposed to do?

Salem helped me up and gently  escorted me to the bathroom, closing the door behind me not before telling me to lock it, which I did. I scanned my surroundings. The bathroom had black painted walls and a LED mirror, the shower had black shower curtains and a fluffy red rug. A red hand towel and bath towel hung behind the door. The countertop had face masks and skin care products. This bathroom was beyond nice and this supposedly wasn't even my room? How extravagant was my room then? Why am I being treated so well when the way I got here was so violent?
Whatever, I'd rather get this shit on and move forward than hurt my brain.

And so,  I slowly removed the hoodie and slipped out of my dress. It stung and hurt but the dress made me feel gross..Razz's gift of this lacy dress made me feel exposed and scrutinized. She violated me in a way I never thought she could. Razz is never getting my forgiveness and if I ever see her again I'll knock her out. Will I ever leave? Do I want to? I've finally met the girl who I've been missing, her true self is nothing like I expected but her smile is so warm and her eyes are kind when she's looking at me. I'm conflicted. I need to snap out of it. I shouldn't be here or think about Salem. I am not an equal. I was kidnapped and injured. I do not like Salem, not anymore.

I pulled the shirt over my head and shimmied into the leggings. There were black sneakers–size eight, once again my size exactly and black socks laid on top of the shoes. I didn't know where my heels were but these appeared comfy so I slipped those on too. A wooden toothbrush was in a glass toothbrush holder and a watermelon flavored toothpaste was beside it. I picked it up and brushed my teeth. After all of that I put on the hoodie–Salem's hoodie and stepped out back into the room. Salem leaned against the wall typing away on her phone. She looked up smiling at my attire, "You look great." She offered her hand. I stared at it for a few seconds and then I grasped onto her hand letting her direct me to the door, her touch didn't burn my skin like Razz's did. Salem's touch felt like a warm blanket. I hate her for always confusing me.

Salem opened the door and in came Harleen with a wheelchair strolling it in front of me, she winked at me and left the room. Salem helped me get seated in the wheelchair that had a cushion and a blanket. Salem pulled the blanket over my lap and then went behind me to push us out the door. Her gentleness makes me hate her even more. I feel cared for and I shouldn't. Her softness when she looks at me shouldn't cause my cheeks to heat up and my heart to race. She's evil. She's a siren singing a song that's luring me to my doom. I'm a prisoner, I remind myself. I do not belong here. I don't..I–why are her fingers so long and pretty? Why am I attracted to the veins on her hands? She's doing nothing, she's pushing me around, why am I so distracted? I am a prisoner. I am a prisoner. I am a prisoner. I am—she's my mystery girl, my safety net, why do I hate her? I know her name. I know who she is. But what I don't know is why she had us meet like this? Why? I hate her. I do. She's cruel. Very cruel for making me act like a fool. She's cruel and horrible and gentle and kind at the same time. I don't know…I don't understand..she's my mystery girl.

I can't deal with this. I can't. I shake my head forcing my eyes to look away from her hands and face forwards. For the first time since my arrival(against my will) I'm seeing the rest of the hall. People were running up and down the halls in the same type of uniform. They all had vests, long black cargo pants, boots–not leather but still black, and long sleeved black shirts. They all had the same stoic look with their names sewed onto their vests. I assumed only present when they were in the building and not when doing their jobs. Salem pushed me down the hall not acknowledging any of the people running about. They made it a point to nod at her in respect, none of them offended when they didn't receive the same energy. Strange, all of this is strange. What did Salem do to earn this respect at her young age? How did I end up here? How did I become someone Salem wanted? Needed? I don't know. Maybe I should read more because I'm unsure if I want to hear the answers from Salem herself. I’m also unsure why I’m not trying to escape right now and why I’m following instructions.