Page 116 - The Houseguest
P. 116

DAY ONE
Rachel awoke in Karina’s Inspiration Room confused and frightened, emerging from her drug-induced temporary stupor. Instantly, she tried to reach her hand up to her face, but discovered that the chains tightly wound around her ankles and the footboard were connected to handcuffs secured to either side of the headboard as well. When she attempted to pull her mouth open, her efforts were thwarted by the tape that firmly sealed her lips before wrapping around her head. When I was placing the handcuffs around her wrists, I noticed significant scars. I remembered the scar on her face, but couldn’t recall other permanent markings caused by the accident. But then again, a lot of details about the accident were unintentionally forgotten. I wondered how long she’d continue to try to scream before realizing her muffled struggles were pathetic and useless. I sat in a chair adjacent to the bed, staring at her while her eyes widened, obviously filled with fear. Tears welled up and mucus gathered in her nostrils, blocking the only open orifices she had unimpeded from which to breath. She began to choke.
I waited. I watched. I was in no hurry. I’d allowed free time in my schematic...time to just become one with each moment, that is...each moment she was to suffer. Her eyes were open now and I could tell by her pupils that the medication had worn off. I employed all of my senses to immerse myself in the present. I could literally sense the fear emanating from her skin. I smelled the anxiety coursing through her body. I saw her shirt moving up and down to the pulse of her fast- beating heart. She was still trying to scream through the tape. I reached to pull out some of her hair that had gotten stuck in the adhesive. It was
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life






























































































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