Chains of Obsession

16

I hate it. Every time when maids are bringing me food, then guards watch me carefully. They uncuff one of my hands so I could eat.

Every time when I got to the toilet, the guard was following me and watching my every move.

Right now, I am cuffed once again to the bed. Whatever medicines they are giving me make me sleepy.

Only time, when guards aren't watching, is when Annabell comes to be with me, so I won't be 'lonely', like she calls it.

I've tried to make the most of my time, but it's maddening being confined to this room, with no freedom and no end in sight. The doctors and nurses come and go, checking on my leg and my head, but they never give me any information about when I can finally leave.

And the endless stream of guards is beginning to fray my nerves. They always watch me with cold, dispassionate eyes, and I can feel their judgement every time they look at me.

But I have to admit, the one bright spot in my days is Annabell. She's visited me several times since I was brought back, each time bringing me gifts and treats and making me laugh with her outrageous stories. She's the only one who treats me like a person, not a prisoner.

4 pm, she should be here soon. She arrives 3 something pm from school and first comes to visit me before surprise surprise, Alexander is her older brother.

Today, as I lie on the bed, feeling bored and restless, I hear the familiar sound of footsteps outside the door. A moment later, Annabell burst into the room, her arms full of shopping bags.

"Ta-daaaa!" She exclaims, setting the bags down on the bedside table. "I've got a few surprises for you."

I nodded. I wasn't really in the mood for conversation because a few minutes ago, they just gave me a medicine, and now I am sleepy once again.

Annabell senses my grogginess and gives me a knowing smile.

"Looks like the meds are kicking in again," she says, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Can you make them change the medicines? They aren't listening to me," I mumbled.

Annabell frowns, concern etched on her face. "What do you mean they aren't listening to you?"

"Whatever I say, they are ignoring me. Even when I am asking for water, they are ignoring me." I mumbled.

Annabell's frown deepens. "That doesn't sound right," she says. "I'll talk to Max about it. They should be listening to your requests, especially if you're not feeling well."

She pauses, studying my tired eyes and the sluggish way I'm speaking, and her expression softens.

"You look worn out," she says gently.

"I just miss my parents. Your brother doesn't allow me to see them." I mumbled.

Annabell looks taken aback, her eyes widening. "Wait, what do you mean my brother doesn't allow you to see your parents? Why not?"

"All this time, I have been here against my will." I told her softly as I yawned.

Annabell freezes, her face turning pale. "What do you mean against your will? My brother told me you are here as his guest..."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, some guest. I'm locked in this room, cuffed to the bed with armed guards at the door. Do I look like a guest to you?"

Annabell is silent, the reality of the situation sinking in. She looks deeply distressed, as if she's struggling to come to terms with what I've just revealed.

I yawned again. My eyes felt heavy as I looked at her.

Annabell seems to shake off her shock and focus on me once more.

"You should rest," she says gently. "I'll talk to my brother and figure this out, I promise."

I nod drowsily, feeling the pull of sleep. She pats my hand and then quietly leaves the room, closing the door softly behind her. As soon as she's gone, I drift off into a drugged sleep.