A Faded Memory

5// Meeting The Others

"Omg I haven't got all day!" I shout at my laptop I keep at Shae's.
"Laptop rage 101 service how may I help you today?" Shae laughs.

I laugh at her comment before flipping my laptop over and pulling the battery out.

"Why do you pull the battery out?" Shae questions.
"It seems to make it work after I put it back in," I reply as I slide the battery back into place.
"Fair enough," Shae replies as she opens up Microsoft Word on her apple macbook pro.

"You stupid laptop!" I scream in anger, using all my inner strength to not throw it at the wall.
"What has it done to you this time?" Shae questions with a hint of confusion.
"This bloody laptop thinks it's fricken hilarious to freeze every couple of seconds!" I scream.
"Just use my backup one," Shae suggests.
"Okay, where is it?" I ask as I pull myself up from the couch in Shae's living area.
"Under my bed in the dark blue drawer," Shae explains.
"Okay cool," I reply walking out of the lounge room.

Madalyn's POV

"Please just let me go," I cry. Bad decision.
"Would you just shut up?!" the unknown yells angrily.
Before long a sharp pain comes across my face. I wince in pain whilst trying to hold the pain in, knowing if I scream the slaps will get harder. I learnt that the hard way.

The person leaves finally leaving me to my own thoughts once again. Where was I? What happened to land me here? I want to go home. I hope Maisie is okay. How could I be so stupid of course she isn't okay, she thinks I left her for a better life. I never asked to be here but well here I am and suffering.

A fresh batch of tears begin to roll down my face as I curl myself up into a ball in the corner once again. The door creaked open once again, it wasn't the arrogant unknown this time. It was the boy who I've been told to call Marcus. He is kind to me, well kinder than the others here.

"Shh, don't cry," Marcus soothes as he makes an attempt to cradle me in his strong arms. I bury my head into his neck. My tears cease at last.
"Why are the others so mean?" I whimper.
"They're still getting used to you being here," Marcus explains.
"Getting used to me?" I question.
"No one has been around in months, years maybe," he clarifies.
"Oh," I reply.
"Now come on, let's get you ready," Marcus says, pulling me up with him.
"Get ready for what?" I ask.
"To properly meet the others," Marcus explains.

The hot water cascades over me as I scrub every last inch of myself. But no matter how hard I scrub I still feel dirty, used and weak. Marcus acts so caring but I've heard about what he's done before from the whispers in the halls. I don't like him, I never did and never will. He hurts innocent girls for crying out loud.

"Hurry up!" Marcus's voice booms, pulling me away from my thoughts.
"Just a minute," I reply, cutting the water. I step out of the shower and wrap the dark maroon towel around my slim frame and walk back out to the what is meant to be Marcus's living quarters or something.

I let out a cough to bring his attention to me.
"I'll just get your clothes for the evening," he announces as he exits the room.
"Ok, I'll be waiting," I reply, still standing in the bathroom doorway. The evening? What's the time? How long has it been? There's no clocks from what I've seen so far, so I have no way of keeping track of the time whatsoever.

Marcus comes back with a long black cocktail dress and matching black lingerie. I don't question the outfit and change into it in the bathroom, after drying off of course.

I walk out of the bathroom all dressed to see two women in the living quarters also now.
"Sit," one of them says bluntly but I abide by her order and sit at the dark, oak table.
Hair products and makeup are layed out in front of me as the two get to work on my hair and face.

"Done!" The two announce, rather proudly if I do say so myself. I'm lead back to the bathroom to look at their creation.
"I love it!" I squeal with excitement.
"I'm glad, or they'd have to be fired," Marcus replies casually, standing in the doorway.
"Fired?" I ask.
"It's their job to do the women's hair and makeup here," he answers.
"Ok then," I reply.

<---------->

All eyes went straight to me when Marcus bought me outside for the family meal.
"Who's this beautiful girl?" A woman asks, tucking a strand of hair dark, raven coloured hair behind her ear.
"This is my girlfriend Madalyn, Marcielle, be nice to her. In fact, everyone be nice to her," Marcus replies as his grasp around my waist tightens.
"You sure picked a keeper there son," another male speaks up, his father I assume.
"Thank you father," Marcus replies.

Marcus's father announces that it is now time to eat, which I'm grateful for as I'm starving. I pick up a plate from the pile and fill it with meats, a leafy salad, and mashed potatoes. Oh how I love my mashed potatoes, steal it from me and you better pray that god is on your side. My sister Mackenzie says I need serious help for my love of them but Maisie, well she's the same as me, an avid mashed potato lover. I miss my sisters more than ever.

I take a seat next to Marcus at the table and dig into my meal. The meat tastes odd, I'll have to ask Marcus about it later I think to myself. My plate had been cleared of meat and salads long before I dug into my precious mashed potato. I was saving the best until last as they say, whoever 'they' is.

Marcus just looks at me and smirks and shakes his head as I finish the last of my food.
"What?" I ask.
"The way you looked when you'd finished the potatoes, you'd think you had just witnessed the death of a loved one," he replies casually.
"What can I say? I love my mashed potatoes okay?" I reply, probably smiling like a massive idiot.
"The love is evident darling," he laughs.
"Darling?" I ask.
"You're my girlfriend remember, calling you sweet things like that is a part of it," he answers, smirking of course.
"Mhm," I answer, mourning the finishing of my mashed potatoes.
"If it's making you that depressed, get some more," he laughs motioning towards the mashed potatoes.
"Yay! Thank you so much, I love you so much," I say. I know what you're all thinking, she needs the mental institution. I'm normal I swear, my love for potatoes is just my greatest love of all though.