Serene Of The Sea

17. Embrace

When I woke up staring at the glittering chandelier, a number of curses running through my mind.
I can't believe she drugged me!
My brain was still groggy as I pulled myself up with weak muscles. Bruises had formed on my wrists, where the needles had been. The little analog clock ticked away on the desk, showing that I had been knocked out for the whole night.
To add insult to injury, I had been changed into a pair of blue PJ's, insulting frills protruding off the sleeves. My scalp was being uncomfortably pulled in all directions. Looking into the decorative wall mirror, I found someone had put rollers in my hair, around the bandage on my forehead.
Dax better not be responsible for this.
Stress beat in my nerves, entwining with the anger.

My plan pushed it's way to the forefront of my thoughts as I pulled out a spotted blue frock, calming myself. I ripped off the humiliating outfit, pulling the dress over my head.
It took me ten minutes to untangle the velcro rollers from their vice like grip on my scalp, causing my hair to grow three times its size, thick ringlets falling down my back. I had never been one for glamour. This was pushing it too far.

In the main room, Dax and Mum sat at the breakfast bar with fruit set out in a bowl. Dax reading the paper.
As I opened the door they both looked up warily, "Good Morning. How are you feeling today?" Dax pulled out one of the stools, gesturing me to come.
I padded over, sitting down, "Morning. I'm alright now. I think it's like you said. The morphine was still in effect. The concussion isn't helping. I feel a bit better now though. Just a bit groggy."
I eyed the fruit with caution, stomach growling with want, but I needed a clear head today.
Dax picked up an apple and took a bite, "You can help yourself. You like apples if that helps you choose?"
I picked up one of the apples from the bottom of the pile.
Mum noticed, face turning to suspicion.
I laughed lightly, "It looked the juiciest. Was I always so picky?"
The glare softened a bit, "Always."
I bit into the flesh of the apple, enjoying the sweet texture I had long missed. I could only hope that it too wasn't drugged, but keeping up my act up was imperative.

Mum disappeared for a moment, returning with a small pouch. Coming up behind me she unzipped it. I forced myself to sit still, ready for anything. Tipping the pouch, hair pins fell onto the counter.
Mum picked them up, griping my hair into a bouffant, the pins scraping against my raw scalp. I bit back the pain like a trooper.

"That's better. You look like your old self." She murmured, turning the stool around to face her, "Now just a little makeup."
Pulling out more items of torture she set about plastering my face with the stuff. Missing out the bits covered by bandage. Using foundation she made my skin pale like a porcelain doll, then covered my cheeks with blusher. Pulling out a lipstick, she slathered my lips with the red paste, making me smack them together to spread it, "All done."

My face felt sticky with the claustrophobic layer, stopping my skin from breathing in the already humid air, "Are we still going on the tour today Dad?"
He looked up from his paper with a fatherly grin, "Of course. We'll probably bump into some of your friends as well."
I bet that's why they drugged me. To go sort out their twisted pantomime.
I frowned, "I hadn't even thought about all the people I must have forgotten."
"Don't worry sweetie. They've all been worried about you," He said, folding the paper and placing it neatly in the recycling.

I was relieved to get out of the flat. Something about Mum put me on edge, a feeling like she could attack at any moment. I never thought in a million years I would purposefully spend time with Dax.

"There are ten thousand residents in Genvia. Which is a small but strong size for our community. Everyone is like family. But because of our dwindling numbers. Some of our buildings have fallen to disuse," Gesturing to the darkened towers through the aquarium windows, he continued on his meaningless rant until we crossed through the square with his bronze statue.