Stockholm Syndrome

- 8 -

I wasn't able to sleep at all. My thoughts were running around with multiple possibilities. This could either go right, just as I planned, or, terribly wrong and I could just be putting my friends and I into more danger. Despite the risks, I have to try something.

I sit up in the now familiar bed and hop off it. Hopefully it's morning already. This room really needs a clock, it's impossible to tell the time.

As I'm pacing my small room I hear two small knocks from the door.

"Come in." I speak up, knowing it could only be one person.

Alex opens the door, but he doesn't walk in. Standing at the frame, he holds out a set of clothes.

"Change into these, we're going to leave in 10 minutes so there won't be time for breakfast." He says in his cool tone.

I nod at him and take the clothes out of his hands a little to quickly. I should really learn how to ease my excitement, I've never been good at that.

Alex doesn't pay any attention to it though and shuts the door behind him.

Before I change, I remove the small piece of paper from my back pocket.

Will he notice I have this? How would he, it's too small. I try my best to reassure myself, but it's not working too well.

Alex just seems... extremely observant.

-

As we are walking up the long staircase to outside, Alex has been going through with me for what I'm supposed to say.

"Remember, as little talk as possible, the better." He mentions, once again.

Better for you, but terrible for me. I scoff internally.

"Can I hug Sam before I leave?" I ask sweetly, looking up at him as he's unlocking the door.

His finger twitches.

"Yes..." he sighs in defeat, as if he knows I will continue to ask.

Ah yes! I smirk to myself.

"From here until we reach the hotel, I'm going to have to blind fold you." Alex bluntly replies, getting out a cloth that was hanging out from his pocket.

"But why? Is that really needed?" I feel my hands begin to sweat, he's making me really nervous. I don't need a blind fold, hasn't he hindered me enough already? I mean, look at my hand. It's a floppy piece of flesh, no use for it now.

"May, it is needed. I know you're smart, which means you could memorize our surroundings and try something later on." Alex says in an annoyed tone, acting as if it's pretty obvious for the reason. "I'm sorry, I wish I wouldn't have to cover up your beautiful eyes..." he pauses, running a finger down the side of my face. "But sadly, we are not on the same page yet."

Alex brings up the cloth and covers my eyes with it. He ties it tightly behind my head. Everything is pitch black.

God how I hate the darkness now.

Alex leads me up the last few stairs, holding onto my good hand, before I feel a light air tickle my face. He finally opened up the door.

"It'll be more efficient for you just to get on my back." Alex stops in his place, causing me to slightly stumble into him. "Just for a minute or so, until we get to the car." He attempts to reassure me.

"Okay..." I hesitantly reply.

I hear Alex bend his knees in front of me, his back slightly pressed against my front.