Cryptic (A Calum Hood Fanfiction)

Chapter #11

Annabel's POV:

I'm eating dinner with Calum in the living room as we watch re-runs of Friends and I must admit that the food is amazing, but my mind is distant; I already miss my family and friends. There will be no more study dates with Josie and Georgia, no more pennyboarding with Luke, and no more clubbing with Michael and Ashton. Then, I think of something... "What about school?" I blurt.

"Excuse me?" Calum asks, confused.

"How am I expected to obtain an education if I am locked up here?" I question.

"We'll hire a tutor for you, it'll be just like home-schooling," Calum replies, coolly. I sigh, defeated; he has an answer for everything. "Annabel, we're both going to be miserable if you don't try to make the best of the situation we're in and at least try to stay positive," he sighs, too.

"What's the point anyways? I'm destined to live the rest of my life locked up here with you as some F.B.I. prized possession and you expect me to try to make the best of the situation we're in and at least try to stay positive," I cry, in disbelief.

"Annabel, it hurts to see the amount of optimism you lack; Mr. Dannings won't stop until he finds a way to get that chip out of you. But, you have to keep faith," he encourages.

"Calum, let's face it. If he hasn't found a way in 20 years, it's unlikely that he'll find one any time soon," I point out.

"God, you're acting like such a bitch," Calum bursts, standing up from the couch.

"Excuse me?" I retort, standing as well.

"You act as though living here with me is equal to living in Hell with Satan himself," Calum yells.

"You do not speak to a lady like that," I gripe, clutching my fists.

"Oh, give it up, Annabel. The classy, proper lady act is getting old and frankly, it's pathetic," Calum shoots backs.

"I'm not going to stand here and be belittled by your rude comments. You have no right to say those things about me; you don't know anything about me," I shout.

"That's where you're wrong, sweetheart. I happen to know every little detail about your life; I can tell you what your Aunt Fiona got you for your 5th birthday or your first goldfish's name," Calum taunts, using his leverage to his advantage.

"Goodnight Calum," I murmur, storming off to the bedroom. 

----

Two weeks pass and I continue to give Calum the silent treatment. Each day is harder and harder; I am not even permitted to write my family and friends letters or ring them up for a telephone call. I've been stripped of all independence and freedom, left naked and alone; I have nobody. Slowly, I've been driven to insanity from the isolation and fear I face each morning I awake. "What would you like for dinner?" Calum asks, standing in the doorway of my bedroom. I ignore him, as usual. "Annabel, simply answer the question and then I will allow you to return to your highly fascinating staring of the wall," he states.

"I'm not hungry," I mumble.

"Annabel, you haven't eaten in three days. I understand that you're angry with the world, but don't destroy yourself in the process," he advises.

"As if you care," I mutter. "Wouldn't it be easier if I were to die? You could easily remove the chip and rid of me for the rest of your life," I shrug my shoulders.

"Now, why would I want to rid of you for the rest of my life?" He questions.

"The better question is, why not?" I shoot back.

"I'm ordering pizza and I strongly encourage you to at least have a few bites," he says, ignoring my question and shutting my door behind him. 

----

I refuse to eat any of the pizza Calum has ordered; my stomache cries for food, but my mind silences the pitiful pleas. As sleep is about the pull me under, I hear whispering and I recognize Calum's voice right away. The second voice sounds muffled, but I soon come to the realization that it is Mr. Dannings. "Calum, we've completed every background check we can; her medical records are clean, there's no trace of anything remotely suspicious or relevant to your concern. You have to understand that Annabel is still adjusting to all of this, which I can only assume is the reason for her lack of hunger. Give her time and she'll come around," Mr. Dannings commends.

"Mr. Dannings, I haven't any time; she's refusing to eat, this is the 4th day. She can't go on like this; it's not healthy and her fragile body won't be able to handle the resistance," Calum cries.

"We've done all we can, I'm sorry," Mr. Dannings apologizes.

"Keep trying!" Calum shouts.

"Calum, it's late and you seem to be deprived of sleep; get some rest and come speak to me in the morning when you have your emotions under control," Mr. Dannings instructs, before I hear the front door shut.

Author's Note;

So, as promised, here is the double-update! Enjoy :) 

-Carly