Chapter Eleven

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Days had passed but I remained in my bed at Sara's command, though I was almost never alone. Alex sat on the small wooden chair hidden in the corner of the room, refusing to leave, save for the moments when he went to fetch food for the two of us. It was rare for me to eat anything as my appetite had continued to dwindle.

Alex often ate my shares, on top of his own, but only when Sara was not around. She continuously insisted I put something in my stomach, but the thought of food only made me feel ill. Alex returning with two empty plates was usually enough to keep her at bay, though some days she seemed a little suspicious.

My legs had grown stiff from a lack of movement and I was in a perpetual state of restlessness. I relished the times when Sara would come to help me to a small bathroom just down the hall from my room.

I passed several doors as I stumbled on shaky legs, supported by Sara's arm wrapped behind my back and tucked under my armpit. When I returned to my bed I often wondered where all these doors led, imagining all sorts of things which may have lain behind them.

On one occasion I had even fantasised that one of the doors led to my own bedroom and that this whole thing had been a set up for a television show. Something Mother had insisted that my father negotiate for me when she came to terms with the fact that I would never become a model.

Of course I never wanted to be an actress either so it would not make a great deal of difference to my career path. It wasn't unlike my mother to do something like that and this became the most realistic fantasy of them all. It was also a fantasy I had snapped myself out of after only a few moments.

It had been a welcomed escape from my present situation, but the thought of my parents and what they could be doing while I was potentially on the opposite side of Andéa was too painful to bear.

Mother was probably hysterical, maybe even mad at me. It seemed that everyone thought I had run away, I could imagine that's she'd be furious despite the tears she put on for the media.

No one could ever really tell what my mother was feeling. In a mere second she could flash between every human emotion possible and still not completely express herself.

It hurt even more to think of my father. He left for a week to film something, only to return to a missing daughter and a possibly neurotic wife. I wished I could tell him that I was okay.

I heard Alex rise from the chair and walk across the room with slow, heavy footsteps. I assumed that he had left, though I hadn't seen him do so. My eyes were shut, as they often were, to prevent Alex from trying to talk to me.

His constant presence alone was enough to irritate me, the last thing I needed was his ridiculous comments on top of that. If nothing else, Alex was a world class pain in the neck. He had what I can only describe as a pure talent for knowing exactly what to say to drive me insane.

I waited several minutes, until I was sure Alex was not hurrying back, then cracked one eye open. The room was still dark but a stream of light came through from the hall as the door had been left ajar.

A shadow appeared in the light and the door creaked. I held my breath and waited, hoping Alex would continue to leave me alone, but it wasn't him.

Behind the door was a small girl with long, red hair, curled at the tips. It was pulled back in a white ribbon tied in a neat bow. Her face was soft and round, her ivory skin tinted with a natural pink blush in her cheeks.

Her ice blue eyes held an inquisitive stare directed at me. I pushed myself into a sitting position, wincing only slightly at the pain shooting through my right arm.

"Who are you?" I asked quietly, worried that if I made too much noise Alex or Sara would come running.

Her eyes grew wide when she realised that I had seen her and a small squeak escaped her lips. She turned and fled down the hall.

I'm not sure whether it was the fact that I was tired of being confined to my bed or if it was my curiosity toward this child but something forced me to swing my legs over the edge of the bed, letting my feet hit the cold, wooden floor.

I wobbled uncertainly, struggling to find my balance, then took off after her in an awkward combination of running and stumbling on weak legs.

I followed the hall past the mysterious doors and past the bathroom, listening carefully for the sound of little footsteps to guide my way.

This was the first time I'd had the opportunity to realise how large and strange this place really was. It appeared to be nothing but endless hallways filled with closed doors. The further I ran, the more I felt like I was losing myself in a giant maze with no exit.

I was beginning to feel light headed, unused to moving this quickly. I suppose I should have at least taken a bite of the French toast Alex had brought me for breakfast, though he didn't seem to mind having a second helping for himself.

Just as I was about to give up and try to figure out how to get back to my room, I caught a glimpse of red ahead of me and I decided to give it one last shot.

I sucked in a breath and dashed after her, rounding the corner too quickly and bumping into someone, which sent me sprawling across the floor. I began to apologise but when I saw who it was my mouth snapped shut and all I could do was look up a her sheepishly.

"Verity, what do you think you are doing? Does this look like a bed to you?" Sara bellowed and I cringed.

"Well it's about as comfortable as my mattress," I thought to myself, though I dared not say it out loud, responding instead with only a gulp.

Sara sighed, her expression softening.

"I suppose since you made it this far you can at least join us for lunch."

She reached out as hand and helped me to my feet. As I was lifted up from the ground I noticed someone, peeking out from behind Sara's legs. It was the little girl I had been chasing. Before I could say anything, however, Sara turned to her.

"Flora, sweetie, go set the table for two more. I guess Alex will be joining us today too."

The girl, Flora, nodded and shot me one last curious glance before scampering off in the opposite direction and disappering through one of the doors.

"Come on," Sara said, looking again at me, "I suppose it's time you met everyone."

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A/N

Hey everyone, hope you liked this new chapter. I have been receiving so much love and support recently and I just want to thank everyone for sticking with me this far.

So where do you think Verity is? Who are all these people and why did they kidnap her? Who do you think she is going to meet at lunch? Let me know in the comments. :D

Don't forget to vote if you liked it :)

Have a nice week!

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