Chapter 3 - Secrets

I'm not going to lie, I've been having the worst nightmares of people dying...A lot of people.

Weird.

I thought I died but this throbbing headache is proof that I am alive and wide awake in this dark room, bedridden and hurting all over. My mom is worried that my condition is getting worse and I hate to see the pain in her eyes.

"Mom, I'm fine. You don't have to look at me like that. Like...like I'm going to die."

My mom just continues to look at me in that way. Just then it felt like she remembered something and just left.

"I'm sorry, I remembered I have something to do", she said before she left.

She has something to do? When does she ever have anything to do but pity me. She is acting suspicious but I couldn't care less.

Anyway, I feel like eating pancakes. My all-time favorite. I know it is 3 pm but who cares., time doesn't really matter to me at all.

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I manage to get out of bed but I'm hurting all over so that took a while. This pain isn't going to stop me from making pancakes.

I didn't make it down the stairs when I heard my mum's voice. She was on the phone with someone and whoever it was, it didn't sound great. It sounded quite urgent.

"She's getting worse", she whispered quietly into the phone like she didn't want anyone to hear. She spoke with some kind of urgency and I couldn't help but eavesdrop.

Don't blame me. Nothing interesting ever goes on in this house. I stay as quiet as possible as I lean over the bend to find her pacing up and down the kitchen. I start to get worried.

"What do you mean you don't know the recipe?!"

Recipe? To what? Is there a bake sale I don't know about? and why is she acting up over a recipe? Well, let's find out. Shall we?

"We need more. There are only two doses left and her situation is becoming serious."

Were they talking about me? Who is the 'we' and who is she talking to in the first place?

"I'm begging you...please don't do this, don't hang up! I'm scared! I don't know what to do", she cried out into the phone.

That's when she turned around and I saw her tear-drenched face. My heart broke to see her in that state. What the hell is going on?

"And if she gets out of control again? It almost happened last night. God knows what would have happened if I wasn't here."

Now I'm certain they were talking about me. Out of control? What is going on? My mum is keeping secrets? From me? Not that I'm surprised or anything. Our relationship hasn't really been a joyous ride.

"So what do I do when we run out?...No! You can't suggest that. I already feel guilty about the first time. I'm not doing that again. I can't tra-", She stops mid-sentence when she locks eyes with mine.

"Bye, I'm gonna have to call you back later". She didn't wait for a response before she hung up the phone. She did this while keeping her eyes locked with mine. "What are you doing out of bed Ruby? You aren't feeli-".

"Don't! Don't tell me how I'm feeling", I snap at her. I don't know where that came from but my blood is pretty much boiling at this point. "What was that all about?"

"It was nothing. Go back to bed Ruby". My mom sounded resigned. Even from the look on her face, I could tell she couldn't argue anymore but I needed some answers. Now.

"Explain yourself mom!", I yell as I slowly inch towards her.

"I don't owe you any explanation young lady..". My mom started to get agitated but it only made my mood worse.

"Oh really?! Oh really?", I yell as I move closer and closer to her until we were face to face. "Then you have no say whether I stay locked up in this house or not".

"Ruby! You do as I say and go back to your room. I'm not going to repeat myself."

"Mum, you can't order me around. I'm going out and you have no say". I start to head for the door with no plan in my head and nothing but my casual clothes and my bedroom slippers. I just wanted fresh air and I gotta say, I was acting on impulse.

"I'm sorry I have to do this but you forced me to Ruby."

Those were the last words I heard before I felt a sting at the back of my neck and then everything blacked out. There was nothing.

Just Black.