Alice Cullen's Story

Chapter 2

 CHAPTER 2

               I woke up in a daze, struggling to open my eyes. I felt dizzy, but oddly, it was the best night’s sleep I had ever had. My thoughts were hazy though, I had difficulty recognizing my surroundings. Of course, it was due to the fact that it was dark, and that I had a dream about my family. 

               I started sobbing hysterically at the thought of my family. I missed them more than anyone could comprehend. Even if father had disregarded me for the last months I had spent in their lives, even his cold shoulder was better than this. I missed mother’s morning baking, with the aroma of fresh pancakes and syrup filling the house; I missed the sound of Cynthia’s laughter as she helped mom bake bread in the untimely morning hours. I missed home, and never before had I wanted to be there more than I did at that instant.

               “Miss Brandon, you need to calm down.” said a voice, shaking in alarm.

               I looked up into the eyes of an elderly lady, stunned as I had not heard her enter the cell. She stared at me wide eyed, dread lingering in her eyes. She had me pinned down on the bed, shouting over her shoulder for help.

               Sebastian appeared moments after, taking my face into his hands. I hadn’t realized I was screaming until he soothed me to be calm. Immediately I fell tranquil, not wanting to return to the darkness.

               “I’m sorry…” I said, looking at the woman who stood behind Sebastian. “…I had a terrible nightmare. Please forgive me.”

               The woman’s angry features soothed, and changed into a face of understanding - she nodded, accepting my apology. I had beaten her straight through the face, unaware of my surroundings. In the course of my effort to get free, I had hurt this harmless woman.

               I sagged down onto the floor, sobbing frantically as Sebastian held me in his arms. I was panicky, and for no known reason. I was paranoid and my whole body was trembling. Tears flowed easily from my eyes, even though I felt tranquil.

               “It’s the medication Alice.” said Sebastian, still holding me. “You have to fight it, stay rational. Don’t let it get the best of you.”

               “Why are they doing this to me?” I asked through my cry.

               “They think they’re helping you Alice, they mean you no harm.” he said, shaking his head.

               I stared at Sebastian for long moments, wondering how he knew all of this. Surely, there was no logical justification for all of this; he had to be a friction of my imagination. But I knew there was no way I’d be able to dream up someone like him. He was too foreign, too alien to exist in my mind. If not for the fact that many of my premonitions had come true, I too would have believed I was insane.

               Perhaps I was insane, perhaps my lunacy kept me from recognizing it. I shook my head at my judgment, knowing there was no way I was ill. I had lived an ordinary life, with the exception of my premonitions. Never did I show any sign of hostility, or of depression. Of course I knew nothing about these illnesses, for all I knew, neither of these were symptoms of insanity. I sighed in resignation, not wanting to wrestle against the darkness anymore.