Twenty-Nine Dolls [H.S. AU]

9. Callie - 2012

"In the right way."

2012

I couldn't bare look at the same tiled wall for another second. Was it thirty or thirty-one tiles across? I had to count again. I didn't have anything better to do. A sigh slipped through my lips as my mind rushed back to all the petty games I would play with myself when I was younger when this much boredom would corrupt the world around me. There was one where I would throw the ball into the cupboard with my eyes closed, then go searching for it. The memory of how I'd have to search for it in the damned place but it ended up being under my bed made me laugh gently to myself as I continued to look around the room; nostalgia was my only way out of boredom right now.

The boxes menacingly dared to stare at me, sitting on the counter top, accusing me. I was tempted to call Mr Styles to bring them over for me to open but I had no time for his criticism. His feeding has been silent for the past day. He could have tried to make it more entertaining, he is the only person keeping me company. Maybe his master plan had gone wrong. Maybe I was going to be free soon. That definitely brought a smile to my face. There was a prominent smell around the house that engulfed and suffocated me. It was like the pungent odour that rats carried on their backs. Dirt. Death.

"I need to go and see Hadeer and Kat!" Mr Styles' voice came booming through the house. His fury was prominent in his voice, quavering every other word. Silence followed. He must have been on his phone or something. It was a funny thought to think: a man like Mr Styles - on a technological device that's so modern. However, nothing should be unexpected of that man. He has surprises at every corner.

"Well, I know. But she's here for good now. She knows too much." He spat, his irritated nature was evident in his tone as he huffed deeply. I frowned for the way in which my hope of leaving this place was so inhumanely shattered on the floor. It wasn't fair. I didn't do anything to anyone to deserve this.

"No! Of course, she doesn't know about the dolls. Do you think I'm that mad?" I was so tempted to burst out laughing at his question. He's mental. How could he ask something so evident? 

But, dolls? 

What were they? 

Were there other people here? 

Was this some sort of sexual scandal similar to something I had read about in the papers?

"I know you are, Alienor." The name rolled off his tongue immaculately. He had practiced with that name. The woman must be someone dear to him but I could never see him in a relationship. They'd be tied down. On the other hand, I hardly knew the man.

"She can? Oh dear, she can..." His breath hitched for a moment as silence corrupted the surrounding again. His feet shuffled and the steps became louder and louder till, "Callie?"

"Yes?" I whispered at the same volume he chose his tone.

"How are you, Callie?" He came towards me, smiling. His smile was strained, his cheeks were tear stained, like how the blue jeans he was wearing were stained with oil. I chose to give it no notice. The man will never run out of surprises.

"Not too bad. Yourself?" I told him.

"I've had better days." He told me.

"Well, is there anything I could do? I haven't got much to do..." I asked him, looking around me helplessly, hoping he'd get the message.

"I know, I get that." He nodded slowly. His gaze drifted with his head.

"Are you ever going to let me go?" I asked him.