misplaced

C1

                                                                                       Chapter ~ 1

I awoke to absolute darkness.

The cotton sitting around my eyes itched the skin that laid beneath, leaving me utterly blind.

The small pants escaping my lips were the only sounds that engulfed the air surrounding me.

Where the hell am I?

I began taking in deep breaths avoiding the sudden panic that quickly rose in my chest.

The rope sat snug against my wrists which remained immobilized behind my back.

Listen.

The voices carried themselves from the West direction of wherever I was being held.

Hushed echos and rushed feet mindlessly roamed the halls that I could only assume were stationed behind me.

That is when I heard the light giggle.

"Shush" a female voice sounded directly to my right.

I tensed up as my breathing began to accelerate.

Another giggle.

"I said shush" the annoyed voice rang once again.

I cleared my throat, unsure of whether I should speak up or remain silent. The short time I was awake, I failed to hear an ounce of air being consumed other than my own.

"Release me" I spoke up, the crack in my voice making me cringe. 

Do better.

This time, the air was filled with an ear-splitting laugh.

"Shush, shush, shu- .. no we can't .. cannot" the voice began, "but look at her" she all but whispered.

Were there several people in this room? I'm not sure if it even is a room.

".. but I can't .. she would get upset" the whispering continued, "maybe sh- .. oh whatever then" I heard a smile in her tone before the shuffling began.

I felt the heat emanating from a body in front of me but before I could react, the blindfold was thrown off my face.

My eyes began adjusting to the environment I was placed in; the four walls were painted a dull gray and the room was all but empty of furniture.

"Well .. not even a hello?" she sat criss-cross on the floor a few feet ahead of me, a hopeful smile playing on her lips. The tips of her light brown hair skimmed the tops of her shoulders as her bright hazel eyes bore into my green ones. If I were to guess, she was around her late teens or early twenties.

The white blouse she wore was tucked into the cream skirt that sat atop her pale skin; she looked rather sophisticated to be splayed out on the ground.

Bringing her knees to her chest, she lifted the right hand to her mouth, chewing the left thumb lightly; the concerned features adorning her face only fueling my anxiety.

I once again surveyed the area as a thought popped into my head; who the hell was she talking to a minute ago?

I spoke up, "who were you on the phone with?" I questioned, looking back at those empty eyes.

Brows furrowed, she opened her mouth only to close it again.

I can't seem to remember how I even got in this position. I'm such a careful and calculated individual; work and home being my usual routine considering I was never a people person. I tried racking my brain for absolutely any possible clue as to where I was, but came up blank.

My coping mechanism has always consisted of humor and sarcasm. I know it isn't the smartest choice of managing stress or fear but it hasn't let me down.

Yet.

There were no windows displayed across the walls, making it difficult to gauge where I might be.

The girl began slightly rocking back and forth, "I-I am Ella" she spoke, smiling up at me.

I couldn't help the scrunch that now gathered between my eyebrows.

Perking up, she stared at me with hopeful eyes, "have you ever traveled to the movie theaters? My mom won't take me since I'm not allowed out of this place" she frowned and laid down on her back, arms supporting the head.

The whispering began again, "no, no she does not need to be asked about her feelings .. ca- can you just let me speak to her" she huffed, holding her head between her palms.

Smiling, "sorry .. William won't shut up" she sat back up, "I know you can talk .. so tell me if you hav- no, no I won't untie her. Benjamin, ju- agghhhh stop, stop" she stood and began pacing.

If confusion had a signature look, it would be named after the expression I was wearing.

I saw the color drain from her face as she scrambled to pick up the blindfold that sat a few feet away from my chair.

Making her way over to me, "no, no, no, tell me where I am an-" words rushed out of me as the cloth was roughly tied around my head.

The door rattled open behind me as footsteps echoed in the room.

The sound of someone clearing their voice rang heavy, "Elle, I told you not to sneak off and entertain the guests" a woman's voice spoke with a tinge of annoyance.

The breathing from my right increased, "yeah-yes mom, but Benji wante- we all reall-" she blew out some air, "sh-she's pretty".

"Get out" I hear the door handle turn as, what I presume, is her mother holding it open for her.

Ella sighs, "bye stranger" as I hear her move towards the door and into the hall.

"Bliss Dane, is it?" I feel a slight brush of air as she comes to stand before me.

"Well, if you have me locked up in this .. whatever this is, then you already know my name" I blow out some air and blink into the fabric.

"How unfortunate the disconnection between your name and the current state you're in" she gives a short chuckle as I feel her pass me once again.

"I'd rather be tied up than miserable" I retort and huff.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, I felt a blow to my head as my body flung off the chair, landing to the right of it.

I know she didn't just hit me.

Did I fling myself?

It's possible.

She must be out of her damn mind.

Coughing, I curl up and protect my body from any future pain.

"The human mind cannot withstand the truth at times ..so I understand" I exhale in short breaths.

She opens the door "Geo! Take the patient into Room 17" she calmly vocalizes and walks out.

About ten seconds later, I hear the key card tap the door and it opens once again. I inch away slowly, hoping there's a hole somewhere I could possibly fall into.

I felt a hand wrap around my left arm and lift me up.

"You know I'm not a ragdoll, right?" I slouch over, protecting the side of my body that was just slammed on the floor.

"Walk" he uttered and began dragging me out of this door to hell knows where.

"Room 17 .. just in case you forgot" I hummed as nothing but our footsteps were heard.

Room 17. 

Hm.