Alice Cullen's Story

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

               My heart was pounding manically against my chest as the medication started leaving my system. I was becoming more aware of my environs, though the darkness still left me in a state of perplexity. It was quiet – too quiet – as I lay on my thin mattress, awaiting the nurse to enter my chamber.

               I was panicked, and frightened. I had no idea what Doctor Barrett had in store for me these days. He scared me silly, the distraught look he had in his eyes. He was determined to give me back my sanity, though I knew I had never mislaid it.

               After long moments of lying motionless on the bed, the nurse entered. She smiled at me subtly, as she knew I could not harm her. I was still strapped in the straightjacket, unable to move a single muscle. I was trapped – in body and mind. She approached me with the tiny cup which contained my medication.

               “Drink up.” she said, shoving the pills into my mouth.

               I spit them out ferociously, staring menacingly at her. She had been treating me brutally, just as doctor Barrett had. They were becoming physically violent when I misbehaved. I knew I had to obey their orders, should I want to survive this whole ordeal, but the darkness seemed more welcoming each day I spent in this reformatory.

               I had lost most of my hope, my determination. The only thing which kept me fighting was the thought of Sebastian returning soon. I missed him terribly, especially since I was assigned to a new warden – Nurse Rebecca.

               “Now, now Miss Brandon, you know you have to take your medication.” she said, placing the pills in my mouth once more.

               I had to fight the urge not to bite her fingers, but I knew it would only result in me having to wear a mouth guard.

               I swallowed the pills unwillingly, without any water. They did not care for my convenience; they did not care for me at all. They thought me insane, more and more each day. Nurse Rebecca left the cell after she inspected my mouth – she had to make sure I ingested the pills. I closed my eyes as tightly as I could manage, thinking back to pleasant memories.

 * * * 

               “Ready or not, here I come.” said Cynthia as I hid behind the hefty tree.

               It was in the middle of summer, a day we spent at the river. Cynthia was two years younger than I was, still so youthful, so naive. She was oblivious to the disgrace which filled this world, oblivious to all things dire. She enjoyed playing hide-and-seek – it was her favorite game.

               I sat back against the stem of the tree, giggling internally as I knew Cynthia would find me at any moment. The faster the game was over, the better. I much more preferred lying in the sun, inviting the beams against my soft skin.

               Clouds hung vacantly in the heavens, revealing the bottomless blue of the afternoon sky. Often I would just lie on the ground, looking up into the sky. Often I would imagine I could touch it with only one reach towards it.

               “I found you! I found you…” shouted Cynthia in excitement.

               She ran at full speed, tripping over a branch. She screamed out in anguish – the girl had a set of lungs on her. I rushed over to her swiftly, embracing her in a tight grip. She had scraped open her knee, blood pulsing out of the gash.

               “Let’s get you home.” I said, supporting her as she stood up.

               She smiled at me sweetly, taking my hand into hers.