Collar boy

Day 6 (Monday P2)

 I woke up in a white room with two people at my bedside. I looked at them and tried to sit up but was pushed down, the sudden pain and nausea caused me to lay back down. The lady felt my forehead and I flinched, she pulled back her hand quickly.

"Do you feel dizzy? Does your head hurt or something?" I looked at her and trembled, I couldn't move, it was as if I had rediscovered the pain, and was once again redeveloping my endurance. I looked to the other person who was at the side of the bed. It was the guy again, he was too caring, we barely even knew each other.

I briefly remembered a flashback, it was from a time early on, my instructor had been teaching me various words that I may need to use. I specifically remember the end of the lesson when I was told to say my last goodbyes. I had none so I guess he gave me one last lesson. I clearly remembered every word he said.

"The last word I shall teach you is compassion, it means to be sympathetic and have concern for the suffering of others. This is a thing that you may never experience." I decided that this boy was simply compassionate, and it was unrelenting.

"Rio, if you don't answer we can't help you." I turned my head to get a full view of her. She had neat clothing, a kind face and unbelievably straight hair. I squeezed my eyes shut for a bit and opened them, and I answered in a cautious quiet tone.

"Ye-s"

"Can you explain?" I looked at her and suddenly a shock came from my collar and I curled up, shivering, and gritting my teeth. After that I felt a needle in the side of my neck and a surge of additional pain coursed through my veins. It hurt so much that tears flowed endlessly, and I could do nothing as the nurse turned me over and gasped at my tears. She seemed uncertain looking back and forth, but then hurriedly started dialing a phone that was at her desk. As I saw this, I knew who she would be calling, she would call my supervisors, and I knew for certain that this was not allowed. In spite of all my pain I jerked up and looked to the nurse who was still dialing looking back and forth from the computer screen to the phone.

"Please, don't" this paused her mid-dial.

"Honey, something's wrong with you and we should call your parents to notify them this. Fainting can usually be solved after a bit of rest, but it isn't just that, you're shivering, and it seems like you even have a fever. There could be more, but even after that we should've already called your parents." I desperately shook my head, I would be in trouble if I disrupted the supervisors.

"Why don't you want to go home?" I glanced at the boy giving me a pitiful expression and I remembered the ache and burning throughout me. This caused me to bend over, my breathing disrupted, but I kept to what I was saying.

"Just...don't" the nurse compiled and set the phone back down in its socket. Then she walked over to me and held my hand with a kind expression, asking a question I failed to anticipate.

"Are you being abused by your parents?" I trembled, I wasn't supposed to answer this question and they were certainly watching me. I felt their eyes everywhere, and I became conscious of the cage that surrounded my every action. I desperately tried to think of a way out but I was trapped. I slowly shook my head, fearful of what would happen if I didn't while quietly whispering.

"They..." I quickly stopped myself and I stayed silent. Then, to redirect the discussion I turned to the compassionate boy. "What's your name?" He looked at me, stuttering a little, but nonetheless answering my question.

"M-my name's Will" I nodded and looked to the nurse giving her a straightforward response.

" I don't feel comfortable answering that question if it's ok with you." The nurse responded with a confused nod, but at this point I began to get a little used to it. "May I go back to class?" The nurse quickly shook her head coaxing me back into the bed.

"It would be best that you rest until school is over, and if you're worried about your classes, you've already missed most of them." I tried once again to move the cover but Will grabbed my hand, also coaxing me back into my bed. Quickly, I remembered that I was supposed to be calm here, I was supposed to blend. I flinched as I adjusted myself and laid down, then, I obediently stilled, I didn't sleep, I couldn't sleep. I had thought that they would leave, and the nurse did, but Will didn't, perhaps he didn't want to go to class, or he was requested to stay here. I was fully attentive of his presence as I laid down. I wanted to ignore him but I couldn't I was trained this way, I was supposed to be this way. I felt a hand on my shoulder. It burned, but all I could do was look forwards as tears fogged my eyes. Will knelt down to where he could see my face, he looked oddly calm.

"Rio, what have you been through all this time?" he looked into my eyes as if trying to see my soul, but there wasn't much to see. I sat up, the pain was numbing, and I figured that at a point my nerves had given up. The pain became only a meer ache, but my eyes were still fogged, and a little red.

"Will, don't tell this to anyone, for both you and me, keep this a secret."

"Rio, You shouldn't push yourself!" I shook my head and firmly held his wrist, he looked a little shocked at my strength. I looked into his eyes as I spoke with full sincerity.

"Remember, don't tell." I said this quietly, and calmly, these words were enough to make him silent. As the bell rang and I left, I figured that I would have to keep careful watch on Will. I figured that if I didn't, and he slipped something, then I would be in much more trouble.

I stopped by the office, were I was given a binder, and backpack, were I was told to hold my school supplies. I did that, and took the backpack with me to the car where my supervisor was parked.

There, I got a cold stare from the supervisor and was pushed into the car. The drive was a silent one, and I had nothing to do but fear what awaited me. Every small move that the supervisor made while he drove startled me, and although still numb I was conscious to every move that he made. There was no escape from the weight that burdened my shoulders and the suffocating feeling.