Wide Asleep

Twelve: Vanity

Thursday, November 1st, 2018
7:35 P.M.
Charlotte's P.O.V.
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The Jim twins are dragged out of the room by Yandereplier, who has remembered an anime he wanted to show them. Wilford and I offer a smile to one another as they do so, the twins holding tight to their notepads. I've promised to keep them updated on my well-being through Wilford, who will check on me occasionally.

"It could be days, maybe even weeks. I don't know what's going to come of me." I say, just for the sake of breaking the following silence. Wilford chuckles, tossing a hand at my discern.

"Dark would never put you in harm's way unless you asked him to. And even then, I don't think he'd have the heart--or lack thereof--to do it. He'll kill for you, y'know. Finish your dumplings, my dear." He reminds me, and I nod along as I chew silently.

"I'm certain you'll pull through; you'll be a new woman entirely! Maybe then I can interview you, so I can find out what all goes on in that peculiar head of yours?"

By now, the two of us have come to a standing position, and Wilford takes my empty bowl in his hands.

"Pamela is waiting outside for you. You should probably get a move on, so I can see you again soon. Toodles Charlotte!" He coos, before disappearing into thin air with a laugh. I step over to the door, opening it to find Pam, greeting me with a knowing smile.

"I knew you'd enjoy it here. Are they treating you fairly?" She asks, and I nod.

"Like a queen, actually. I just had three bowls of chicken and dumplings."

"Good, then you'll have a full stomach. That makes me glad. Are you feeling okay? Any dizziness or stumbling around? You haven't gotten sick again, have you?"

I shake my head to all of her questions, and she nods.

"Good, I'm glad. We need to get back to Dark; he's waiting on us."

We continue to speak as we walk, and I scoff at myself and my disbelief.

"I just can't believe all of this is happening. Not even a month ago I was cleaning tables for minimum wage and dealing with people I couldn't hardly stand--except Susie..."

I trail off, remembering the fragile old woman. Will she be alright?

"It's going to be alright, Charlotte. I promise, Susie will be perfectly fine. And so will you. But for now, it's best not to stress. It uses a lot of energy."

"So, my therapy... what's going to happen?" I ask Pamela, who smiles, nodding.

"We've got Dr. I plier in to help with necessary sedation and your vitals, and to take over should I have a pain fit in the process. I've already filled him in on our process, but it's a lot to explain right now. I can explain whatever you ask about as we go. But the first thing you have to do is pretty simple--take a long, relaxing bath so you'll be completely stable by the time we begin. Dark already has everything ready for you--or he should, by the time we get there."

By this time, the two of us approach a large set of double-doors, a deep mahogany wood with shimmering silver handles. Pamela opens them up as I stand behind her, smiling to me. My heart flutters at the thought of him being simply through this door, no longer on a screen or in my head. The thought hadn't occurred to me previously, but now I have time to dwell on it.

Maybe I didn't need so many friends, after all.

Pam leads me through the doorway, allowing me to take everything in. A large, extravagant chandelier illuminates a room such a hue of pink that it seems white to anyone who didn't look close enough. A large desk sits at the front of the room, its material the same as the doors leading me in. Chairs sit before it, the lamp atop the desk turned on and focused on a notebook, opened to a page with information scrawled in the page by a careful hand, leading me to know who wrote it. He stands behind said desk, his palms resting on the surface as his posture straightens, and he smiles up to the two of us. Behind him, Dr. Iplier send the two of us a smile in greeting, as well.