Stockholm Syndrome

- 6 -

I woke up to darkness, once again. I've gotten quite familiar with it.

I don't know how long I've been asleep for. It feels like I have been out for a very long time though. My throat was extremely patched and my lips felt chapped from the lack of water.

My mind races back to the last thing I remember, the burning. I frantically look over at my hand, hoping it was just a bad nightmare. No, it was very much real.

The hand that was branded was firmly wrapped with bandages. I attempt to unravel the bandages, to take a look at the damage done to myself. But before I even touch the bandage I hear a familiar voice.

"Don't remove them yet, they're there to prevent infections."

I shoot up and look towards the direction his voice came from. He was standing at the foot of the door, watching me.

Before I speak, I nervously gulp and respond with,  "Why would you do this?" My voice coming across as hoarse.

Alex tilts his head and looks down at me, "You already know the answer Darling, I think you need some water right now." He says, handing me a water bottle that was already in his hand "No more talking until you drink this."

Shamefully, I reach out with my burned hand to take the bottle. But when my hand reaches the bottle, my fingers didn't close around it.

What's happening? I try to wrap my fingers around the bottle again, but it only results in an unsuccessful attempt. I look at my hand as I try wiggling my fingers. They aren't moving. At all.

I feel tears begin to well up in my eyes, I don't let them fall so I don't appear to be weak.

"Why aren't you taking the bottle?" Alex asks, slightly annoyed with his hand stretched out still.

"I-I can't." I whisper, almost inaudible.

"I can't!" This time, I cry out with frustration and anger towards Alex.

He looks down at my bandaged hand with wide eyes.

Without saying anything, he shoves the water bottle in my good hand then gently takes the burned hand into his.

"Try making a thumbs up." Alex calmly replies to my outburst.

I flex my thumb, well in my mind it flexes. But I have no physical results. My eyes sting and a few tears fall down my cheek.

"Can you feel this?" He whispers soothingly as he squeezes one of my fingers with his.

I shake my hand. It feels as if my hand has just disappeared.

With my response, I hear Alex harshly whisper something out, but I don't catch what he says.

"Don't worry, your hand will be fine soon." He smiles up at me, his voice sounding reassuring.

Even with his attempt at trying to comfort me, I lash out.

"Don't worry?!" I huff, tears still falling down my face. "It's your fault I can't feel anything in my hand. Who knows, you could have more tricks up your sleeve for me to worry about!" I scream at him, not thinking of anything besides my anger.

I instantly regret what I said when I saw the look on Alex's face. His face shined with pure anger.

I scoot backwards against my bed, my breathing increased drastically.

He walked to the side of my bed and placed one knee on the mattress.

I excepted him to hurt me or scream at me, but as soon as he was fully on the bed and inches from my face, the only thing I saw on his face was a playful smile.