Forever Running (ON HOLD)

4 - This is who you are (Flashback)

*If you have any feedback, I would really LOVE to hear it!* 

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~Your personality can never be changed. Although, it can easily change those closest to you.

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4 - This is who you are

I woke up to murmurs and whispers.

Fluttering my eyes open, only to be blinded be sharp incandescent. I was sprawled out on a massive bed, covered with soft bleach white linens. I wasn't exactly sure where I was, but it looked like heaven met a psychiatric ward. What the hell is this place?

"Am I dead?" I asked the ceiling groggily.

Abruptly, the whispers stopped, and were replaced by a few short chuckles that I remembered far too well. "No, of course not. That was only a... tranquilizer of sorts."

I sat up with a start, taking in the room I had been put in. There were four walls, the bed, no windows, a door, and a chair in a corner with my kidnapper sitting in it smugly. Everything was white, he even had on a white button up shirt with white pants. There was not even a smidgen of dirt anywhere in the entire space.

I was also wearing white. My black leggings, and tank had been exchanged a beautiful white sundress. On any other day I would have killed for a dress as gorgeous as this, but it only revolted me to think of how my previous clothes had been taken off in order for this to be put on. Immediately after that thought, I had a strong urge to rip the fabric from my body, but then again, I didn't want to give him another glimpse.

My breathing started to hitch and I began to panic. "Who - the - hell - are - you!" I shuddered sliding myself to the farthest edge of the bed.

"I already told you. I'm Samuel Peck!" He hollered, suddenly standing up and walking towards me.

That really shut me up.

The closer he came to me, the larger my eyes grew. My heart was racing to a speed I didn't know was even humanly possible. I tried moving away but it was hard since every time I struggled to inch away, the wrapping around my leg became looser.

But then he stopped.

Samuel Peck took in a deep breath and exhaled loudly, almost as if was trying to be mocking, or at the very least stop himself from becoming too crazy. Running a hand through his dark, cropped hair he spoke, "I'm sorry, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong footing." 

 Despite the fact that he had calmed down a very considerable amount, I coudn't help but shiver at the sound of his voice.

"Ever since you were just a little girl, I've admired you." he began nodding his head ever so slightly. I looked at my feet not wanting to even see his face. Since I was a little girl? How did he know me? I didn't like what was happening. I almost pinched myself to make sure it was real. "You always took the safe way out. Never wanting to jeopardize anything." He had now sat on the bed next to me. "You have always been so careful. Well until today of course." I could just about feel the frown that was forming on his lips. But still, I couldn't bring myself to look at him. "You see Lauren, when I saw you laying there on the street, I just knew that if you came here with me I could protect you!" Mr. Peck looked at me like a dog he intended to train.

"Please let me go!" I whimpered small beads of moisture forming in the corners of my eyes.

"Not until you can prove to me that you know how to be safe." He nodded his head with every word as if trying to drill something into my head.

I looked down as my eyes began to well up with tears. "Please, please?"

I saw something flash through his eyes, and I had a feeling of what could be coming next. "I said NO!" He wasn't angry as before, but almost disappointed.

I looked straight at him, wanting to be ready if he were lash out in any way. Luckily nothing came.

He took a few deep breaths just as before, and then began to speak, "I am going to give you however many chances you need you need to show that you can be careful again." He began to smile. "Once your leg has healed, I will place you in the forest where you must survive for at least one week or get out without letting me find you!" He said those last words with such excitement that seemed unnatural.

"What do you mean?" I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

"If you prove to me that you are careful you may leave." his voice drawling towards the end. All of that was said while staring directly at a spot on the wall behind me. I looked over but didn't see anything. "How did I miss that?"

I didn't need a mirror to know that I had the most confused expression on my face.

"Wh-what?" I asked between silent tears.

"Don't you see that?" He barked. Rising from his place on the bed he came and pointed to a spec on the wall. "If that were to get in the cut of your leg, it could become infected, and you may DIE, Lauren!" He immediately preceded to take his shirt sleeve and wipe away the minuscule spec of dust. "I can't believe I missed that..." Mr. Peck muttered under his breath.

Finally stepping away from me towards the door, "I need to go wash this." he looked down at his sleeve and stated annoyedly. "Don't worry I'll be back." he soothed, but that was not the effect it had.

I continued to stare back up.

"Be careful dear. That is who you are." Mr. Peck opened the door with a great deal of effort. Walking through it, he smiled at me before closing it with a loud thud.

There was a click of a closing lock, and then I was alone.

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