S T O C K H O L M

Chapter five - Something else

"Dad. I am afraid."

"Ssshh, there's nothing to be afraid of. You just had a really bad dream, (y/n)"

"It keeps coming back, dad!"

"Try to make the monsters like you. They will leave you alone then. I promise. Try to sleep now."

---

You woke up. This wasn't all just a bad dream. This was real.

You went to the bathroom. Spilling water in your face. Crying wasn't the solution. You needed to figure out a plan. Now. This room must have any hidden exits. Vents maybe?

You searched for anything looking like it would not be part of this room. Then you noticed something.

A beautiful flower on the lavatory.

You heard the door opening and steps coming closer. It was the man. The glasses told you it must actually be Dennis.

"I brought you some cleanser. I want you to keep your place clean until the big day comes."

He placed the bucket on the floor and looked at you.

"The floor... There. There's a hair"

You looked at him a bit confused. Not saying a word.

You were afraid of Dennis.

"Please. Pick it up."

You did as you were told.

"Throw it in the trash bin."

You slowly walked over to the bin and threw your hair in. Then you turned around to Dennis again.

"Did Patricia bring you food?" He asked.

You nodded.

"I wasn't wrong then. There's a mayonnaise stain on your shirt" he held his forehead with his left hand and shook his head. A sigh.

Dennis seemed to have a problem with dirt.

"Please, give me the shirt" he said barely looking at you.

"What... no."

He looked at you with a strict expression.

"Take it off!"

Was it a good idea to just not do it? What would he do? Tear it from you?

His gaze was frightening. As you slowly lifted your shirt he looked to the floor. He peered up to your breasts for a second. You noticed.

You gave him your shirt.

Silence.

He looked at your barely covered upper body and slightly bit his lip.

He stretched out his hand. Slowly stroking your arm. His mouth half opened. As if he was lost in thoughts. You jumped at his touch even though he was really soft. He stared at your skin and your hair. He was close. Too close.

What was just going on here? You held back tears expecting the worst to happen now. Why would he keep you here otherwise? But then Dennis stopped. He shook his head, looked at the shirt in his other hand and stormed out of the room.

There you stood now. In your bra. Covering yourself with your arms. You sobbed. You wanted to get out of here. Now.

I will find a way out.

You kept looking for any useful thing. Anything that would help you get out of here.

---

After s while you sat back on your bed. Exhausted. Sad.

That's when you noticed that Dennis or Patricia was sitting on the floor in front of your bed.

"How long have you been sitting here?" You asked.

"I was just observing you" he lisped.

You looked at him in disbelief. He was wearing a jogging suit, grinning at you like a kid.

"My name's Hedwig and I am nine."

Another personality?! Another act?

"Why are you so shy? Am I not cool enough for you?"

Make him like you.

You tried to smile. Was this man mentally ill? Was this some kind of psycho game?

"Hi... Hedwig. My name's (y/n) and I have no idea what I am doing here. Do you know anything?"

"Oh, I do. But I don't want Mr. Dennis to be angry with me so I won't tell you anything. I think he likes you. He said you are something else, etcetera."

You looked at that boy. Or, whatever he was. No matter what was going on here, this was clearly a naïve kid here in front of you.

Maybe he was your way to get out of here.