The knowing

Part 7

Agnes walked towards the kitchen with a feeling of dread. She didn't know what awaited her but she knew it wouldn't be good.Reaching the threshold she scanned the space until her eyes hit upon her captor. The embodiment of every nightmare she had ever had . 

"Mother " shuddering as that once innocent name entered her mind. At that moment as if hearing her thoughts Mother lifted her head stopping her task and looked straight into Agnes's eyes .

Mother took a deep breath smelling the air and smiled pleased by what she found.

Moving away from her spot in front of the cabinets keeping eye contact with Agnes the whole time. She signaled for her to look at a spot in the center of the kitchen floor.

Agnes followed her gaze to find spread in a circle on the floor uncooked rice. Her head jumped up to once again lock eyes with Mother.

"Why so surprised ?" Mother asked " We both know this isn't the first time for you Sang" shaking her head " I don't know what's going on with you today. It's almost like your a different person" she said a bemused expression on her face.

Mother turned walking to the refrigerator and opened the freezer door reaching inside. After a small search she pulled out a frozen bag of peas.Removing the seal she poured out the peas on the pile of rice. Making sure to spread them evenly. Taking a moment to study the pile as if admiring her work she turned back to Agnes and extended her arm  pointing to the spot.

"Kneel " she ordered and stood waiting for Agnes to comply

Agnes stood rooted where she stood her gaze switching between the  rice on the floor and Mothers face. As the seconds ticked by and she still had not kneeled Mothers began to darken.

"I said kneel Sang" Mothers ordered her voice growing louder with every word "Now !"

Agnes stood trembling her arms wrapped around her stomach. "Why am I acting like this?" she whispered " I'm not like this. I don't tremble or cower." tears welling in her eyes "What's happening to me!" she screamed covering her face with her hands.

Mother stormed over to her grabbing her right arm startling Agnes out of her thoughts.  sinking her nails into the captive arm causing Agnes to cry out in pain.

Pulling Agnes to the spot on the floor Mother hissed out " You will obey me!" reaching out and using her other hand to hold her chin in a cruel grip she asked " The ungrateful  trash doesn't want to obey?" her head tilted to the side in question " Fine "she said her voice filled with venom " Why don't I send you outside to think about your actions?"

 " No!" Agnes pleaded rapidly shaking her head eye's now wide with terror of what she knew lay outside. "I'm sorry Mother please don't" she begged tears streaming down her face. At the sound of her pitiful cries Mothers face filled with delight her pleasure at her submission showing plainly on her face.

"Kneel Sang" Mother repeated almost crooning the words.

Agnes shoulders sagging in defeat did something she never thought she would do began to lower herself to the floor.As her knees made contact she winced in discomfort. Straightening her spine and locking herself into position. She silently knelt at Mothers feet head bowed.

"Good girl" Mother purred from above her " You are to stay kneeling in this spot until I tell you otherwise. Do you understand?".

" Yes Mother" Agnes replied meekly head still bent.

Listening to the sounds of Mothers retreating steps she waited until she heard the sound of her bedroom door closing to lift her head blowing out a relieved breath. With no Mother to concentrate on she began to notice the pain and discomfort of her position.