(Un)confidently Me

Chapter 8

I woke up feeling okay, but then I remembered where I was. My mood dropped instantly.

I got up and stretched, my back aching from the cramped position I had slept in. I feared what this day would be like.

"Rachelle!"

I flinched at the sound of my voice. I then sat against the wall again. 

That freak expected me to adjust to this now? No way.

"Rachelle?", he called again.

I heard the stairs creak and a knock on the door.

"Rachelle, are you awake?"

I made no noise.

The door scraped against the floor and opened.

Al searched the room before laying his eyes on me in the corner.

"Ah, there's no need to be frightened honey.", he said.

I stared at him but remained silent.

He raised his arm and motioned for me to come. I didn't. 

He walked over to me, and I clenched my hands into fists until my nails dug into my palms.

He grabbed my wrist rather tautly and pulled me to the door.

"I'll take care of you.", he said firmly.

Downstairs, there was breakfast set up. 

To my surprise, I saw something, or someone else.

A girl with wavy blonde hair and melancholy brown eyes sat at the table. 

"This is June.", Al proclaimed.

June waved and gave a half-hearted smile. 

Well, I don't blame her for not being so happy. 

I sat down, but I felt numb all over. 

I picked at the waffle on my plate, but I ended up only eating a bite or two. Even with how little I ate, I felt nauseous. 

After breakfast, Al got up quickly and pulled on his coat.

"Girls, it's time I get to work. June, show Rachelle around or something..", he said.

Without another word, he grabbed his hat and left.

As soon as he was gone, June grabbed my arm and stared straight into my eyes.

After a few moments of silence, she whispered, "Obey to Al and all will be perfectly fine."

Gritting her teeth, she let go of my arm and continued on as if nothing happened.

 Now, I was really panicked.

"Let's go upstairs.", she said casually, but almost warningly. 

We watched some movies, but a few hours later I heard the door downstairs open and slam shut. 

I heard a shrill scream, and jumped from the couch. June pulled me back down though.

"LET GO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!", I heard a woman scream.

"Cooaperate! It's for your own good- stop moving already!", I heard Al yell in return.

I felt goosebumps run up my arms and my muscles felt tense. 

The woman screamed again. 

"Shut up!", Al yelled.

Then, he called us down. 

I got up in horror.

What is going on down there?

I nervously climbed down the steps, my stomach flip-flopping. 

When we got downstairs, I saw a young brunette woman cowered against the wall with a thin cut along her arm. She was quivering and tears stained her cheeks. 

"This here", Al said holding the woman's arm. "is Tara." 

"And what will you do with her..?", I questioned, my voice hardly a whisper.

Al chuckled and said, "Keep her of course, like you gals!"

Tara whimpered and held her loose hand to the cut on her other arm. 

She tried pulling away from Al, but he held up a knife. She stopped and wailed. 

"Sh...this is for your own good."

How is this good for any of us?!?!

June fetched her a bandage and helped her up the stairs. 

I followed, my legs shaking. 

Together, we all sat on the couch.

Tara eventually found her voice and spoke. 

"What is he d-doing with y-you?", she asked.

June looked down, then responded. "He's saving us. From the outside world."

"What?"

"Well, he wants girls like us to live better lives. Not as...sluts, or something...", June said, her voice dropping.

I felt tears prickle the back of my eyes again.

So... I deserved this? For being a "slut" according to my freaking classmates?

I took a deep breath and sighed.

"Just wait.", June said.

I looked at her, confused.

"We're getting out, some day.", she explained.

I almost doubted her, but I needed some source of hope. 

As I finally fell asleep later, I tried to give myself hope.

Maybe we will escape.

But what if we don't? 

(A/N: Thank you for reading! The link on the side is just a song I think goes well with this story, sort of. 

-smartcookie )