Layla
I awoke in the cabin after having a nightmare. I was in my room, but I couldn't breathe. I could feel myself splitting. A giant crack had made its home in the center of my chest. I could hear the music box struggling to chime. The song I fought to forget was making an unwanted appearance. I felt grief. Just for a moment and nothing more, the depth of my grief was profound enough to make my chest tighten. I took a moment to myself and I buried the music box again. I had to get it away from me.
The girl I once was, was trying to make an appearance and if she was ever successful, I knew that everything would fall apart. I didn't allow myself to feel grief for the girl in the box. I took a breath and simply uttered the word "survive" over and over. Slowly I added, "Do what you can to survive." I pulled my knees to my chest and held them close. Once the feeling in my chest loosened and the music box stopped turning, I said "You can ask for forgiveness later."
Normally when I got up in the morning, I made myself breakfast. Today I didn't seem to have the energy. I stayed in bed. I pulled a large section of my blanket to my chest and cuddle it. In my joints and bones, I felt achy. I didn't feel sick, but I definitely felt less than I had the day before. I had a suspicion that I would feel even less tomorrow. I was wearing clothes that I had originally brought with me. I knew these clothes and I knew how they felt on my skin. I had not the courage to try the new clothes that Mr. Williams let me buy. I ate the food that Mr. Williams gave me but I haven't quite settled into this cabin. I had been here for two weeks and yet, I still didn't feel comfortable. I wondered at what point would this cabin feel homey.
I could feel time passing around me but my body remained still. I watched as the room filled with sunlight and filled even more. Based on the sunlight I am guessing it was either late morning or early afternoon, either way, I didn't care. I would spend all day in this bed. I had no reason and no motivation to get up. I just stared at the wall. I was content with being a statue until I heard the chime. I've come to realize that the chime meant that Mr. Williams would be here soon. I was still upset with him because of his last trip here. Mr. Williams drugged me and I couldn't forgive him for that. I knew how to stay quiet, but Mr. Williams didn't trust me. Mr. Williams is asking me to trust him, but he is not allowing me to ask the same.
A few minutes must have passed because Mr. Williams's voice snapped me back. "Layla, Love?" I heard him call out. I didn't move. "Would you please join me in the kitchen? We have much to discuss and I have a treat for you." Mr. Williams continued. I sat up in bed and felt disgusted. A treat? Like for a dog? If I came down would he call me a "good girl?" I was repulsed by this made-up scenario and found the motivation to get out of bed. I changed my clothes and brushed my hair. I walked down a few steps and looked out the large window in front of me. I saw the woods around me glow. Frost covered the branches and in turn, the frost reflected the sunlight. The view outside was breathtaking, but I pushed on. I got to the bottom of my stairs and I could smell the grease. I slid my door open and saw that Mr. Williams was practically staring at me and the door I moved. As soon as Mr. Williams took notice of me taking notice of him, he turned his gaze elsewhere.
I moved slowly and cautiously over to the kitchen. Mr. Williams looked up at me with sorrow in his eyes. I kept a decent distance away from Mr. Williams and I waited for him to explain. "Layla, I would like to start by saying that I know I messed up. I decided against your wishes and had no regard for how it would affect you." I waited for him to continue because I had a feeling he was not done. "Layla, I am sorry for all that I have done. I chose this for you, I chose to act according to my thoughts and wishes. I have achieved what I thought was going to be perfect and yet and feel terrible for what I have put you through. I have decided to isolate you and I have decided to continue this isolation in hopes that one day we could..." Mr. Williams trailed off.
YOU ARE READING
The Cabin
General FictionLayla is on her way to her Thanksgiving celebration. Layla fears that tension between herself and her boyfriend's mother will spoil the holiday. Little does Layla know that she will not make it to the feast. Someone else has a plan for Layla that is...