Oxygen

Chapter 18 - On the scale

If I could rate my worst experiences on a scale from one to ten, my family dying would be an eight, being adopted a nine. But this, is far worse.

I fell back, knocking my head on the thick wall as I slumped to the ground. I couldn't open my eyes, they were locked shut. My heart beat faster and faster, and I felt helpless. Sounds of Jordan's breathing accompanied mine, but not for long.

Someone had knocked us out, how I have no idea. But what I do know is as the breathing sound vanishes, I feel a large pair of hands picking me up with a grunting noise, and I am in the arms of the guard. I try to scream, but no noise comes out. I can't move anything, only my heart is able to work.

I can feel the guard, most likely George, breathing heavily as I am taken up a long staircase. The breathing sounds muffled, as if he is wearing a mask, a gas mask perhaps.

My mind is too foggy to think, and I am forced to survived on the little oxygen I can get. Never have I been assaulted, or hurt by someone physically, but I can feel that I am about to be.

I feel a thud, and sudden bursts of pain stagger through my spine. I can't even move to support the area of impact, if I could figure out where that was.

Darkness overtakes me, and I feel unconscious. I see a bright light, and I almost think, this is it, but the light turns off. Suddenly the wrinkled face of an old man is in view, and I scream at the unpleasant surprise. His lips turn up with a cocky smirk, and he places his hand on my cheek. I try to swat him away, but his strong hand catches my wrist.

"Don't ever try that again" he threatens, and a shiver runs through my veins. He moves me back forcefully, knocking me into a wall. I can't process what is happening. I'm not even sure if this is real or not. The pain feels real as Martin kicks me in the stomach, and I wince as I try to support myself against the wall.

My knees shake uncontrollably, and Martin steps forward, holding me up with his ugly hands on my waist.

I want to be sick. What he is about to do to me is even worse than the threats the Summer's have been giving us. I have no choice but to allow him to do what he does next. I close my eyes, as the punch of his fist knocks me back, further into the wall. My head is pounding, but I have no control.

Suddenly I am in another world, sitting in my bedroom back at home. This can't be real. I stand from the bed, and head downstairs.

Without realizing it I walk up to my Mum, and give her a hug. "I love you Mum" I say, and she turns round to hug me back. "Don't ever leave me, okay?" she pleads. "I promise" I say. She looks me in the eye, and suddenly it's my sister I'm hugging. Then she disappears.

Before I realize what's happening, I'm back in the room, where the bright light shines in my eyes. Then it turns off, and a man appears.

The terrible nightmare goes on for hours, and I manage to come to terms with what's actually happening. Martin is doing this to me, going through my head, over and over again.

Finally some time in the evening, I have the strength to wake up. My limbs are weak, and I struggle to sit up.

Looking around I notice the bed I am sitting in. An actual bed. The simple black and white duvet is cool against my skin, warming to the perfect temperature.

I look over my shoulder at the incredible gold trim on the bed head and foot of the king sized mattress.

What am I doing in here? What have I missed?

I take a minute to stand up, holding on to the matching gold nightstands as I do. I trace my finger over the twisting Roman patterns, swirling them round and round.

I flick on the black lamp next to me, and look in more detail. The bed head has a quilted white fabric over the center of it, and above it on the wall is a simple artwork. I look closer and identify Natalie, Alec and Martin. Their smiles all look identical. A real Summer's family picture.

To the right of the bed are huge floor to ceiling windows, and white shades disguise me from the public eye. On the other side of the room is a big vanity, made of gold to match everything else, and a huge mirror hanging from the wall.

I look into it and realise how horrible I look. My pale skin has become even paler, and my skin dry and cracked. My old clothes have been changed for a fancy pink dress. The bodice is tight at the top with white sparkles, and flows to a floor length gown.

I wonder how I got into that.. ?

Round the corner is a small bathroom, with all necessary tools so that I can get cleaned up.

I get in the shower, and spend atleast half an hour moisturizing my dry skin. Then it occurs to me that I am alone. Where's Jordan?

I step out of the double sized shower and dry myself off. I apply as much moisturizer as possible before putting the pink dress back on.

It's much harder to get on than take off. By the time I come back into the bedroom, a tall woman is sitting on the bed, with a tray of food.

I take a cautious step back, knocking my heel against the wall.

The woman smiles, and offers me a seat.

"Come, dear. We have much to talk about". Who is this woman, thinking I'm just going to fall for that?

"And who are you?" I ask rudely, no longer in the mood for chit chat. The door opens and an aggressive Alec steps in.

"This, is my wife Emma. She's going to give you food and a check over of your injuries. If you so much as touch her with intent to harm her, I will happily deal with you myself".

And with that he leaves and shuts the door. "Sit, Fern" Emma says, and reluctantly I do. She hands me a chocolate biscuit, and I eat it quickly. It tastes ok to me, no poison.

"So why are you helping me?" I ask. If I have to talk, atleast I should ask for information.

"I'm the nurse of the family" she replies, handing me a glass of orange juice. I gulp it down automatically.

I look into her eyes, wondering how someone like her fell in love with him. There is certainly a story behind this.

"So what is there you have to nurse me with? I'm fine" I state, but she shakes her head.

She lifts her free hand from the tray and places it on my stomach. I feel the searing pain and wince away.

She looks at me as if to make her point, and I stand to look in the mirror. I notice a few bruises on my neck, and I begin to feel violated.

"What happened to me?".