9

I scream in pain when something happens.

Alec did something crazy. Horrifying even.

I for one was speechless. Too short of words to show any emotion apart from that of my face.

I'm really living a nightmare and my decision can determine life or death but not of me.

It all started after Alec told me his story...

*******

"You're shocked aren't you?" Alec asked me decisively. His warm brown eyes looking for the answer which I wasn't ready to deliver.

"C'mon are you that shocked that you don't want to answer me? No more story time if it's like that".

I was definitely beyond shocked. The story he just finished telling me seemed to bad to be true. I mean my story's worse but looking at this from a different perspective shows me that there's more to life that meets the eye. Not only was I a little inspired but I was  also very inquisitive. I mean, why didn't he chose a different path? Why didn't he search for help when he knew that what he was doing was wrong? Didn't he have other family outside the one he lived with? What ever happened to Adrien? All these questions I wanted to ask him but didn't know how until-

"It seems you still have some questions racing through your mind and since you dont want to speak to me I'll get a paper and-"

"No" I croaked.

"We dont need any of that. I'll ask the questions orally".

"Okay dear" he smiled charmingly.

"What happened to your nephew,  Adrien?"

His happy expression morphed into something I couldn't place.

"Oh, he-he. I-I". He paused and took in a deep breath.

"I never saw him after I became what I became. He used to idolise me when he heard I became a doctor. He came to visit me in the hospital and I wasn't around at that time. He entered my office and saw some personal records; things he wasnt supposed to know which included my actual profession. He was heartbroken. I came in through the door and was met with red eyes and cheeks stained with tears. I looked at his hand and saw the confidential records in his hand. He asked me why but all I could answer him with was my both sad and shocked expressions. He stormed out of my office, shouting on top of his voice that everyone in the hospital were bloody liars and how heartbroken he was to find out who his 'idol' actually is. I didnt hear from Adrien since then." He said, aloofness coating his voice.

Honestly, I felt bad for him. Going through all this- I wouldn't ever wish that upon anyone in this lifetime. I dont think I want to ask anymore questions.

"Anymore questions?"

"Uhm, no." I lied.

"Seriously?" He asked as he arched a brow.

"I'm serious!"

"Do you want me to bring out the lie detector? Bet me, it's not funny when it sees that you lied, it's reaction's gonna be bad"

"Okay okay I do have questions but I dont feel very comfortable asking them. You seemed sad a minute ago!".

"Yeah I know that and I'm very sure you think I'm bipolar or something " he paused.

"But they're things that happen that you dont need to reflect on much. When you over reflect on something, it can make you easily devastated and therefore makes you ponder too much showing you the bad sides of life and makes you consider doing harm to not only yourself but to others".

Aren't you inflicting pain on me?!?

So with that, the question answer session ended.

"Kim can I ask a question?"

Unsure, I nodded for him to go on

"Ever heard of Stockholm syndrome?"

My heart dropped to my stomach when he asked that. Of course I'd heard of Stockholm syndrome. When captives get all friendly with their captor. The thought of this applying to me sounded hysterical. Alec's a deranged psychopath who needs something stronger than mental help. He captured me and added fuel to my hell of a world. There's no forgiving that so fast.

"Yeah, I've heard of it".

He giggled.

"I hope that's not what's going on between us, I dont get friendly with my captives, you should be the first one. I also think you're the first to survive this long, you know without committing suicide and all that".

I got afraid now. I'm not the first. He's done this to other people before! Oh God! I'm doomed.

"Why are you suddenly stunned? Yes of course I've done this before, you're not my first. But you are the first I'm warming up to. Weird."

I need to get the hell out of here. But to where? Where would I go to if I ever make it out of here? A question I dont know how to answer.

My train of thoughts are stopped when I notice a devilish smile cross his face.

"Kim, how much do you love your family?" He asked inquisitively.

I really didn't know how to answer that. From the day of my birth leading to now my family never gave a damn about my wellbeing. They dont ask or care if I fall sick and when, what happened in school, if anything was wrong and you know basic questions to show you're concerned about the person. Instead they made my life a living hell. It wouldn't have reflected outside if they didn't go around spreading lies about me when I was a child. They called me names. Witch, asshole, slave just to name a few. But growing up, despite the fact that I was hated, I never gave up on the fact that I knew that NO ONE would love to be treated that way so I made it my rule, my law, my will to try and never hurt people but that's what created the wimpy part of me. I'm very sure that if I grew up somewhere else, maybe in a happier environment, my life and attitude would be a lot better. But the truth is sad when broken down to you.

Instead of answering him, I asked a question.

"Why do want to know that all of a sudden?"

"Oh I dont know, just a random question...not! You want to know why I'm asking all these? Well I dont like all the chit chat going on so-" he paused as he got up from the chair he was sitting on.

"TA-DA!!!"

Then I saw him.

"Richard!?! What, why, how? This cant be real!"

"But on the contrary it is " he said not hiding his enthusiasm.

Richard was tied up with the same black nylon cords as I was before. His once pretty face was bashed up and beaten hard. His eyes begged for mercy from anywhere. When he saw me, his eyes went wide with shock. He started to hop towards me like as if I was the cure for all his problems. I was in too much shock to understand what was going on. My once strong and happy brother was now here looking like the things he and my family called me.

Alec came up to me. He stretched out my hands and placed two balls in them; one was black the other white.

"What's this for?" I asked, my fear and shock not leaving me.

"In your hand represents life and death; the black ball is death and the white ball is life. Whatever you choose determines the lives of your family members."

"Family members? It's only Richard who's here!"

"Look again sweetheart" he says as he pulls a curtain revealing my family members each bound and looking horrible like Richard.

My heart shatters as I looked at them in dismay.

"So what's your decision princess?" He asked mysteriously.

******