Misunderstanding

Chapter 33(Nathalie/Nancy POV)

I stared at the surgery agreement form in a daze. I was taken aback by the unexpected proposal. It was like I was sinking in endless, overflowing despair, with absolutely no motivation to live; no desire to continue this worthless life. But suddenly, it was as if someone had thrust a rope at me, hauling me out of my misery. I felt hope spread through my heart, a feeling I have long since forgotten. 

There was a chance... a chance... I could finally speak. Like a normal person.

Tears glinted in my eyes as I signed my name with trembling fingers and passed it to the awaiting nurse. "You are very fortunate to be given this opportunity," she said, her eyes flickering across my face. "The donator has also paid for your hospital fees."

What?! My mouth gaped open.

"Your surgery will be arranged as soon as possible." The nurse clipped the form on her clipboard, tucking it underneath her arm as she stepped out, shutting the door behind her. I sat cross-legged on the bed, dumbstruck.

Was this a miracle? Did the heavens finally realize what an unfair, suffocating life I was living, and finally decided to lend me a hand? 

***

I reached my shaking hand out, my quivering fingertips almost brushing the soft, satin cloth of my mother's gown as they stand above me. Their eerie, domineering presence looming over me, towering nonchalantly, their expressions hard and cold. As if I were a stranger. As if I didn't belong. As if I didn't matter. 

I stretch my trembling hand further, hoping to seek comfort in their embrace, hoping to find a trace of love in their beckoning eyes-but no. My world fades in a dark, cold haze, my surroundings blurring, replaced with a portrait of black-all but them. My parents. Mother. Father. Stepping up the spiral staircase with disgust as they see me. Me. Shaking on the cold, marble floors as they walk away. No twinkle, no hint, nothing in their hollow, emotionless eyes. I can't say anything. I can't scream. But I just can't stay quiet. My throat feels choked-I try to call out- 

Icy cold water drips down the fringes of my soaked hair, I gasp as the chill seeps into my scalp, the freezing cold intolerable. 

"Wake up," a man grunted, his voice low and raspy. He towered over me, the tattered ends of his saggy jeans stained in brown, the worn leather of his jacket flaking and peeling off. 

"Where am I?" I sputtered, pushing a lock of wet hair away from my face. There was an odor of putrid and animal digestion in the air. I attempted to stand up, however pain shot up my left leg. I winced in pain, my teeth grinding together. An anklet was wrapped around my ankle, securing me against the wall. The only light spilled in through a small window in the corner of the room, illuminating the man's bearded face. 

"Did you kidnap me?" I attempted to yank my ankle out of the anklet, the chains rattling as I did so. "Let me go immediately! Do you know who I am?!"

"I don't think you understand the current situation." He knelt down to meet my eyes, his skin yellow and wrinkled. "No one can save you. You should snap out of that attitude of yours and I can consider sparing your life."

"You should let me go and I'll consider sparing your life!" I threatened. He was wrong. My parents would come for me. They had to. 

A burst of laughter erupted from his throat and transformed into a coughing fit, but the mockery was evident on his face. 

"Release me immediately! You have no right to keep me here! This is illegal!" I attempted an unsuccessful swing to his face, which he avoided easily and brought a kick to my side. 

"Oh I have all the right to claim you as mine," the man sneered. "I bought you. I paid for you. But I was scammed and you escaped. But now, fate brought you to me!" A cackle escaped his parched lips. 

What was this maniac talking about? My heart pounded in my chest. 

"Don't you think you have a price to pay? To get punished?" He leaned in, his breath the smell of rancid meat. 

"S-stay b-b-back!" I found myself stammering as I pressed my back against the stone wall, my face paling. I eyed the doorway. Any time now. Mother or Father would rush in with police officers, or maybe Chase... Any time now.. Just like in a movie...

I screamed as the man pounced on me.