Obsession From the Shadows

Old Friends

H/c - your hair color

"You have 30 minutes with her, Mr. Bailey."

The thick white door shut behind me, I stood near the entrance of the room. It was too bright, uncomfortably bright. No shadows to slip into and relax. The room is secure, it has almost no exits and only a small window, not wide enough to fit through. I suppose it's for keeping the insane people shut in, and it does it's job well. There she sits, in all her glory. Her hair is still as obnoxiously dyed as ever, but dark brown roots stand out like a sore thumb against the ginger. At least they didn't let her keep up the tacky spray tan. Her familiar eyes look up at me, as terrified as usual but there's a mix of bewilderment that I know the time here most likely instilled. She shields her face from me as if I were the devil incarnate, earning herself a small frown. I'm just glad she doesn't have those obnoxious bracelets anymore that jingle to no end.

After a few moments I speak, "Tiffany."

She glowers at me, "why are you even here? It's your fault I'm in this stupid place." Under white cotton clothes I can tell her body has instinctively shrunk away from me despite how venomous her voice is.

I shrug, "your therapists recommended a family member to come visit you for your 'mental health.' Dad sure as hell isn't going and I'd be shocked if mom dug her way out of the grave for you." Looking down at her my lips purse into a thin line, she may carry the same blood. Our similarities to each other may be starting to grow more apparent now that she cannot use products, she is even getting similar eye bags to me. But, she is not my kin. I feel nothing when I'm with her, not even with my shell of a father present. She even proved herself unworthy enough to help me get Clay out of the way.

"A part of me misses you," she speaks softly, still perched on a beat up sofa in the middle of the otherwise unfurnished room, "I don't know why though."

"What about Clay, hm?" I sit down beside her with one leg crossed over the other, she flinches but doesn't turn away. Tiffany ponders my inquiry, but stays silent so I push further, "Y/n, perhaps?"

Her eyes go wide and she suddenly snaps at me, "I don't want to talk about her!" I manage to keep a straight face, but my chest flutters. So, she hasn't forgotten everything I've instilled in her. She could maybe even still be of use. The gears in my brain get to spinning themselves different ideas of how I could make her useful to me for once. A few minutes pass of silence where I'm too busy thinking to initiate conversation. She doesn't dare talk to me first. Tiffany sits there like an opossum playing dead, not even trying to breathe to loud. With my thoughts leading me to dead ends, I decide to pester her for more answers.

"When did they say you could come back to school?" I question her, trying to test the waters. Brushing a hand through my deep brown hair that could use a trim, the gears in my head are hard at work.

Tiffany pouts, "who knows. Weeks, months, it's all the same to me." She fidgets with the bare wrist on her right hand side, fingers searching for a non-existent comfort. Wide eyes seem to dart everywhere but my direction. My dark yellow eyes explore the room as well, but most likely not for the same reasons.

Spotting three cameras in different areas of the room, I turn back to her. Inching forward towards her on the couch, she moves back. I grimace, trying to figure out how to prove to the therapists on the other end to believe that our family dynamic isn't as bad as it is. Mentally, I kick myself for acting too harsh and spilling a few things before I noticed the cameras. I suck up my pride and begin to speak in the kindest voice I could muster to her, "I hope you get out soon. Maybe we could do some family bonding once you get out?" Before giving her any time to answer I quickly move forward and envelope her in a hug. She attempts to scramble out of my grasp, but my arms' thin appearance is somewhat of a deception. With ease, she is held in place in my arms. Tiffany stares at me with hatred and fear in her eyes as I eventually let go of her. It looks like she has something to say, but she's holding her tongue for now.