Redemption

Chapter 13: The Quiet Room

My eyes opened slowly and adjusted to the bright lighting. I sat up and realized that I was alone in a white room with nothing but a pillow. My ankle was chained to the wall. I tried to stand, but fell back onto the floor. I felt dizzy and nauseous.

A few moments after I had woken up, Harry came in with a chair. He sat down by the door.

"What? You're just gonna sit and stare at me?" I asked after he had been watching me for what seemed like hours.

"I'm going to babysit you until you calm down." he replied with a smirk.

"I don't need a babysitter. I want to go home."

"Don't we all..." he muttered under his breath.

"Where am I?"

"You're in the quiet room."

"I thought quiet rooms belonged in mental hospitals..."

"Unfortunately, you're not in a hospital."

"But you sure are mental." I responded as I rolled my eyes.

"Jennifer," he began...my name sounded so ugly as it left his mouth..."I am not mental. If anyone in this house is, it's you. Did you actually think you would win a fight against me?"

My head started to pound but I responded without concern. "I didn't think I'd be abducted from my home, flown across the world, almost killed, and chained to a quiet room wall...but here I am."

"Welcome to my world." Harry smiled.

"What did you do to me? I don't feel well at all." I responded.

"I injected a minor sedation into your system; I figured you'd go crazy when you realized where you were."

"So you drugged me?" I said with a voice crack.

"Yes...and I'll do it again if I have to."

"So what now? How much longer do I have to sit in here?"

"Until I think you're mentally stable."

I sulked. "And what psychiatric credentials do you have that qualify you to make such a decision?"

"Do you think I'm ignorant? I might be a bad person but that doesn't mean I'm a dumb ass."

"I bet you didn't even finish high school." I replied with as much sass as I could muster.

"I'll have you know that I graduated college with a masters in biochemistry, you little bitch." he said with more arrogance than anyone I'd ever met.

"And you're how old??"

"Twenty-one. So don't assume I'm a retard. I know what the hell I'm doing."

"Then why'd Zayn take you in?"

Harry's hand felt through his hair as he sighed. "Liam and Niall talk too much. If I tell you my story, you have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Who am I gonna tell?" I responded as I sat up.

"Good point. Here goes nothing. I ran away from home when I was 12 because I was smarter than my entire family. I met Zayn, he took me in, paid for my higher education, and died when I was 19. Now I'm rich and I can do what I want. The end."

"That story sounds too good to be true."

"You're right; I lied. Did you actually think I would tell you my life story? I don't even like you." Harry replied as I crossed my arms and frowned. "Someone will come back for you in a few minutes." He stood, picked up the chair, and headed for the door.

"So, what? I passed your examination?"

He turned and sneered. "I knew you were fine the entire time. I just thought I'd mess with you. Stay the hell out of my rooms. I hope you've learned your lesson. Next time, don't expect to wake up."

Harry slammed the door as he left. So this was all a game to him? I let out a quick prayer before the door reopened.

God, thank You for saving me...I really should keep my mouth shut. Please help me...and please heal my aching body. Amen.

Liam opened the door and removed the chain from my ankle. He helped me to my feet and walked me out of the quiet room. He took me to my room and sat me on the bed.

"I'm sorry, Jennifer. See you in the morning." Liam said before closing my bedroom door.

I felt so drained and sore. I crawled under the sheets and cried myself to sleep.