The knowing

Epilogue

Agnes awoke staring at a strange ceiling the sun streaming through the window hitting her in the eyes. Lifting a hand to shield herself from the light she slowly sat up taking in her surroundings. 

" Sang's room" Agnes thought in confusion. What was she doing here. Swinging her legs off the edge of the bed she took a deep breath trying to collect herself and piece together how she came to be here. After a moment jumbled images began to filter through her mind. Frightening images playing on a loop inside her head too horrifying to be real.

" But they are" Agnes said "It all really happened" she said the fog her mind was in slowly  lifting allowing the truth of her situation to crash through.
She shot off the bed examining herself from head to toe. Her hair was a tangled snarled mess around her face and still held traces of dirt and blades of grass. Her once clean house dress now had filthy dirty patches all over and as she touched it with her fingertips she felt the hard and brittle spots where her blood had soaked into the cloth.

Her blood she thought as images of the men descending on her returned. Sharp teeth and the excruciating pain of her flesh being ripped from her body. Examining her body she found not so much as a bite mark on her dirt smudged skin. Lifting her arms to the light she was astonished to find not so much as a bruise.

"Greta was right " Agnes said collapsing to the floor her legs giving out at her new reality " This is really hell. I'm never leaving this place " she said in a voice filled with sorrow       " Never getting away from this house" she continued tears of self pity streaking down her dirty cheeks. Picking herself up she slowly walked to the window until she stood in front of it gazing outside longingly. "A prisoner" she nodded to herself " I can't even step in the yard for fresh air" doubling over as tortured sobs wracked her body. She stayed in that position crying out in despair until suddenly she caught sight of a familiar figure walking into her line of sight.

Lifting the window and after a short pause sticking her head out she addressed the woman staring at her silently from below.

"Greta" she called in a hoarse voice " Greta please help me."

" I don't deserve this place" desperation and denial in every word "Please take me with you Please!" 

Greta shook her head in disbelief and exasperation " You still haven't learned anything have you Agnes. "

" I've come to say goodbye." she announced taking one last look at her enemy with an unwanted twinge of pity before waving a final farewell turned to walk down the road.

 Agnes watched from the window desperately begging and pleading for help until Greta was completely out of sight.

As soon as she lost sight of Greta she screamed out in despair " No No No!" then ducking back into the room began to knock over everything in sight as a tantrum overtook her.

" Sang!" a voice boomed from the doorway stopping her cold. She hesitantly turned facing the door eyes landing on the figure she had literally thrown herself to the animals hoping to escape.

Mother stood in the entrance to the room surveying the damage done a look of astonishment on her face.

"What the hell is this?" she asked pointing at the destruction " You've lost your mind."

Mother stopped her tirade as she took in Agnes's disheveled appearance. A dark scowl  forming on her face. "I saw you last night on the ground with those men." She said In disgust " What happened did they realize you were such a slut they wouldn't have to get a motel room." she continued a malicious smile growing on her face. "Your filthy Sang" taking a step forward revealing the familiar glass in her hand. " I think a shower is in order don't you but first" she crooned raising the glass offering it to Agnes " You didn't take your medicine last night.I think it's time you did "

Agnes now knowing there was no use in fighting took the glass and placed it to her lips forcing herself to drink the whole glass. As the liquid hit her throat a terrible burning sensation spread through her body from her lips to her stomach. The pain was so great that she dropped to the floor curling into herself gasping for breath. Raising her head she found Mother watching her writhe on the floor eyes filled with mirth and her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

"At least this time you didn't make a mess on my floor." She replied before turning to walk away. "I'll be back Sang I just need to get a few things for your shower" Turning to look back "After all we want to get good and clean don't we."

After mother left the room Agnes managed to roll onto her stomach the irritation to her throat causing her to cough painfully. She had managed to sit upright by the time Mother returned to the room appearing pleased at her signs of movement.

"All right Sang let's go" she said snapping her fingers "We don't have all day"

When Agnes didn't move immediately Mother tilted her head to the side and with her eyebrow raised " Is there a problem Sang?" she asked.

Agnes swiftly shook her head no not wanting to add onto the punishment that was coming and opened her mouth to issue a denial. To her great horror as she tried to speak no sound came out not even a squeak.

" I told you I was tired of hearing your voice didn't I" Mother snickered "So I added something extra to ensure I'd never have to hear it again." She added watching as horror filled her face.

"There's nothing a little bleach can't fix is there?" She said with a smile " No more lies, no more whining I'll finally have some peace in my house" she said her tone matter of fact.

" Gone " Agnes thought " the monster took my voice"  

She could no longer talk 

She could no longer beg 

She could no longer scream

For the first time since learning of her own death Agnes truly felt like what she was

A ghost