I AM A MONSTER
Annabel lay quietly, her legs pulled tightly to her chest, watching the sun rise quietly. Her eyes were already heavy. She stayed up all night but she couldn't find sleep after all that happened.
The tea madam cherry prepared for her had was now cold and untouched.
The door slid open as madam cherry walked in and dropped a tray of food beside her.
"Ma'am," she said gently. "You stayed in the servant quarters all the night. If madam finds you here, we will both get in trouble."
She sat beside Annabel and held her hand with care.
"I know this is very difficult for you," she said with care in her voice. "But i believe in my heart that there's still some goodness left in Reynold's. And I believe you can bring it out."
She smiled and patted her head softly .
Annabel sat up and nodded. "I guess this is my life now."
She stood, bow slightly to madam cherry.
"Thank you so much for helping me." She said with a faint smile before walking out.
Madam cherry looked at her with sadness in her eyes. She lowered her head and said a silent prayer in her heart for Annabel happiness.
It was just Annabel's first night in the Emerson mansion, but yet it already felt like she's been trapped for 10years.
She dragged herself through the hallway. Her body felt weak and eyes felt heavy from lack of sleep.
As she stepped out of the servant quarters into the main mansion, her anxiety began to rise. Her hands trembled, her heart beating faster as she moved on.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the hallway. Annabel gasp in fear. She held her heart tightly, breathing fast and shaky.
She took slow, careful steps towards the direction of the sound.
She entered into a brightly decorated room with cheerful colors. She could tell immediately— it was a child's room but no one was there.
She looked around, that's when she noticed broken glasses on the floor near the window.
"I wonder what happened here," she whispered.
She turned to leave, but suddenly heard a soft whimper. It was coming from under the bed.
She stopped. Then she heard a faint rustle like someone was trying not to move.
She quickly dropped to her knees and lifted the bed cover in a rush.
Just then she saw a little girl, curled up and trembling underneath the bed.
Her face was buried in her hands.
"Hey!" Annabel called out softly. "What are you doing here?"
She reached her hand to the little girl, gently pulling her out.
The child stood before her, her head down as she trembled. "Please…. don't tell daddy," she said whispered. Her voice cracked.
Annabel smiled kindly.
After everything she had just been through, the little girl's cuteness warmed her heart.
She patted her head softly. "Of course I won't tell."
She lifted the girl's chin so they could see each other.
"It will be our little….." before she could finish, the girl wrapped her arms around Annabel. Giving her a tight hug.
"Mummy, you are back!" She shouted.
Annabel froze. Her lips parted but she remained speechless.
Then, Mrs.Emerson word echoed in her mind. "You must become Carrie!"
She closed her for a moment. Lying to the child was a difficult thing to do.
She wrapped her arms around the girl.
"Mummy, I just sent a message to God so he can bring you," she spoke in tears. "And he really brought you back to me!"
Annabel felt a something heavy in her chest.
She pulled the girl close and wiped off her tears.
"I am back," she said softly.
"Why did you leave me? was it because I cried too much?" she asked, wiping of her tears. "I won't cry again —just don't leave me."
Tears dropped down her cheeks as she looked at the child with sadness.
"I won't leave you," she said gently. "I will become the best mother to you," she said hugging her tightly.
Just then a soft knock came on the door.
The little girl jolted and quickly hid behind Annabel.
"Don't tell daddy I broke it…. He will hurt me," she said with a trembling voice.
Annabel hugged her again, patting her head softly. "It's okay, sweetheart. Your daddy wouldn't hurt you."
Her words didn't seem to comfort the child. She was still trembling, pressing herself harder into Annabel's arms.
The door slid open as Reynold walked in slowly.
Annabel heart dropped. A flash of her last memory with Reynold's suddenly awoken her anxiety. She tightened her grip on the the child..
Quietly, she reached for the bedside lamp, grabbing it tightly.
She was ready to defend herself and the child if Reynold decide to get violent.
Reynold eyes scanned the room.
He saw the broken glass on the floor and then turned to Annabel and the little girl, both hugging each other tightly in fear.
He took a step forward.
They both inched backwards on the bed with every step he took towards them.
Reynold paused. He knelt slowly beside the bed.
"Kylie," he said calmly.
His face softened, he clenched his fist, his lips parted but couldn't utter words.
Annabel stared at him. He was totally different from what she experienced the last night.
He was a lot calmer— sad even.
"I'm sorry," he said finally. His voice breaking as though he was trying to contain his tears.
Kylie shook her head, pulled away from Annabel and then ran out of the room.
Reynold stood up to follow her but then paused. A tear ran down his cheeks.
Annabel felt confused. Was he really sorry? Or is he just pretending to be?
She couldn't tell. After all, she had seen the monster in him and what he's capable of.
With Kylie gone, she had no other reason to be in the same room with him. She picked her slippers gently as she tiptoed towards the door.
"Wait!" Reynold's command.
Annabel's heart flew. Her body trembled as he took slow steps closer.
She stepped back, standing near of the night lamp. She gripped it behind her tightly.
If Reynold tried to be funny, she was ready to fight back.
With every step he took closer, she held the lamp tighter. Her jaw clenched, prepared for anything.
"I'm sorry." Reynold said.
Annabel froze. This time, the look in his eyes tells her he wasn't lying.
She slowly let go of the lamp.
"I have been diagnosed with DID," Reynold continued. His voice was low but filled with pain.
"I have two different personalities," his expression dropped as he moved closer to Annabel.
"I don't know when I will be myself again."
He stepped closer and held her hand softly.
"I know you are not carrie," he said with his voice breaking. " But I am asking a favor, please protect Kylie."
Tears finally dropped from his eyes. "Protect her from me."
He lifted his head. Their eyes met. His gaze was full of pain, guilt and sadness.
"I am a Monster."