Bella

Part Five

I sit in a chair. No, I sit in a wheelchair. My hands are bound to the arms. I am still in my wrinkled evening gown but I am no longer at the manor. The room is white except for a metallic table in front of me and the seat I am currently trapped in.

A man in a doctor's coat walks into the room carrying a folder with a pencil and sits down at the table across from me.

"Bella, was it? I am Doctor Michaelson."

"Y- yes." I have no idea what is happening. "W- where am I?"

"You are at Parker Correctional Facility. You made quite a scene at Davis Manor earlier this evening and we were called in to assist."

"I do not follow."

"Most residents who are taken in by us experience episodes of erratic behavior, much like yourself. Your mother and sister have entrusted your care with us because they feel you will be better suited here."

"Sister? Why? Linda would never do this to me. P- please, you have to let me go. I am not the one who should be locked up!" I start pulling at my restraints. I do not understand. Why would they do this? Is this step-mother's way of getting rid of me? I have to leave.

"Please! I do not want to be here!" I continue to fight and I see the doctor gesture to someone outside of the door. A nurse walks in.

"Take her to the wing with the other manics."

The nurse nods and I am wheeled out of the room, still attempting to break free. I am taken through several hallways, passing other patients who are either screaming, talking, or sitting quietly, trapped in their own heads.

Eventually we reach a large room containing a bed, a nightstand, and a mirror. The nurse walks over to my hands and undoes the restraints.

"There is a pile of clothes on the edge of the bed. I suggest you get changed and get some rest. Your treatment begins tomorrow morning." She leaves the room.

"T- treatment? What do you mean?" I try and call out to her but I am locked inside of the room and the nurse is already long gone.

I look at the pile of clothes. It is a plain, off-white nightgown, reaching all the way to my ankles. I put it on. The room is boring and almost empty except for the furniture. Then I notice something. At the other end of the room is a small window. I walk up to it. It is too small to jump from but looking out, I appear to be too high to even consider trying that again. I call out.

"Charlie!" I wait a moment, listening.

"Bella!"

He answered!

"Oh Charlie! I missed you! Where did you go? During the ball?"

"I am truly sorry, I received word that my father had become ill and I had to leave."

"I understand, but is there any way you can help me escape? It seems step-mother has found another way to keep me trapped."

"Do not worry, my love, we will find another way. Until then I will be right here by your side."

I smile and head off to bed. Dreaming of my future away from all of this, in a palace.