Page 3 of Absentia Mori

My breath quickens as I lie there, still strapped to the bed. My thoughts race. How could this happen? I can’t make any fucking sense of it. My parents are narcissistic and cold, but they would never have me committed to an asylum. It wouldn’t look good for their perfect fucking image. There’s no reason for me to be here. This is a mistake. And when I prove it, I’m going to destroy every single person who had a hand in this.

I jolt at the shrill sound of the three locks unlatching. Sweat gathers on my back, despite the icy chill in the room. Those bastards didn’t even put a blanket on me after they drugged me to sleep.

I ball my fists as the door creaks open, my heart pounding. The bald orderly from last night barrels into the room. Hisgaze flitters to my restraints. He licks his lips as he admires his handiwork.

Fucking vile piece of shit.

The metal chair screeches as he drags it across the floor and plants it next to my bed. “You better be a good little girl for the doctor, or I’ll knock you out again.”

Fuck, my teeth won’t stop chattering. “I don’t need a doctor. I need to be released. This is a mistake.”

A petite brunette woman clears her throat. “Hello, Miss Doe. Remember me? I’m Dr. Hall.”

The fuck? I’ve never seen this woman before in my life. I pull against my restraints, frustrated that no one will listen to me. “I’m not aJane Doe. I’m Libra fucking Thorn. And my family is going to sue the shit out of this place when they find out you’re holding me against my will.”

She sighs and pushes her wire-rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose before taking a seat in the chair next to me. She plops a thin manila folder onto her lap. “We went over this when you first came in. I was hoping you would have come to your senses by now, but I see that you are farther gone into the recesses of your own delusions than I’d originally assessed.”

I shake my head. No. This can’t be fucking happening. “Why won’t you believe me? I have no reason to lie. Just call my parents and they will confirm it. They must be worried sick about me.” Truth is, they probably think I’m off on another bender. They’re more likely pissed off than worried about my safety.

Dr. Hall folds her arms across her chest, wrinkling her white lab coat. “We are not going to bother the Thorn family with this matter. They’ve already been through enough.”

What in the actual fuck is she talking about? I glare back and forth between her and the orderly. “Listen to me. I am Libra Thorn. I grew up in Ever Graves. My parents are Gemini andRose Thorn. I have a twin brother named Aries. I’m supposed to start classesthisweek at Tenebrose Academy. But instead I’m stuck here. You’ve lethimtie me up and drug me. I will have this entire place shut down if you don’t let me out of here.”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, you certainly have the sense of entitlement façade down. But I’m sorry to say you won’t be leaving here until you are well. And the first step is admitting that you are not Libra Thorn. I can’t help you if you resist.”

I try to choke back a sob, but I can’t stop my angry tears from spilling out. “Fuck…”

The doctor presses the end of her stethoscope to the side of my neck. I flinch as the cold metal assaults my skin.

“Her pulse is erratic. Give her another dose of valium, Gorman.”

Fuck. This is insane. I shrink back as he stalks toward me with the syringe. “Please, no more drugs.”I never thought I’d ever utter that sentence in my life.“My heart is racing because I’m scared. If you just unstrap me and let me go to the bathroom, I’ll calm down.”

She nods to the orderly. He snickers as he reaches down to the floor and brings up a small metal tub. I squeal as he wedges it under my ass. “A fucking bedpan? Are you mad? I’m not an animal. Just let me go to a real bathroom, please.”

The doctor sighs again through pursed lips. I’m beginning to despise this woman and can’t help but imagine what it will feel like to punch her in her smug fucking face.

“Miss Doe, we aren’t drugging you, we’re medicating you because you need it. You are being restrained because you are a danger to yourself and others. But tomorrow, we’ll begin your treatment. If you can behave yourself, the restraints will come off, and you’ll be free to roam around in this wing of the building.”

Fuck. There are so many more insults I want to spew at her, but I bite my tongue. If I have any chance of getting out of here, I’m going to have to play along. I nod. “Understood. I’ll be good, I promise.”

She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Good. Now, Gorman is going to remove your pants so that you can pee in the pan whenever you need.”

I choke back another sob. I can’t react. I have to stay calm. Fuck. I nod again. “Okay,” I murmur.

The doctor turns her back and waits, her nose buried in the folder that I assume is my file.

Gorman snickers as he hovers over me. He whispers in my ear, “I told you we’re gonna have fun.”

I swallow hard and glare at him as he slowly inches my pants down to my ankles. He undoes the restraints briefly so he can slide them fully off. I try not to flinch as the cold metal bedpan presses against my ass. He licks his lips as his gaze lingers on the sight of my exposed pussy.

“Make sure it’s positioned right, Gorman. I don’t want her sleeping in a pool of her own piss,” the doctor calls out, her back still turned.

“Yes, Dr. Hall.” He smirks down at me. “Let’s get this nice and tight.”

I fixate on the lightbulb above my head, gritting my teeth. As he adjusts the metal pan underneath me, his fingers flick against my ass crack.

I draw in a sharp breath. “Watch it.”

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