Page 16 of Fragmented Illusions
I remember the silent one’s arms around me, dragging me backwards with his hand over my mouth.
I run my tongue along my teeth and feel my fake fangs missing—though I’m not surprised because the rest of my costume from last night is gone, replaced with a scratchy hospital gown.
But he… The silent one talked. He spoke—I remember that. He said…
Oh no.
He said they were going to play with me.
What does that even mean?
“Natalie, I need to tell you something.” The urgency in my voice must get her attention because she stares at me, her attention entirely focused on me. Right as I go to spew the words out of my mouth, the door to the room opens.
“Dahlia! Oh, honey. I was so worried!” My mother practically runs into the room. Well, as fast as one can run in six inch heels, I suppose. She yanks me up so I’m standing and wraps her arms around me in a suffocating hug. Her strong Chanel perfume burns my nose hairs as she shoves my face into her neck as she squeezes the life out of me.
“I thought you—” she chokes back a sob as she hugs me tighter and, in that moment, I feel shame. Regret fills my lungs as I choke on my own tears threatening to spill over.
“No, Mother. I didn’t. I swear I didn’t,” I reassure her but keep my words vague because Natalie is still here. Mom nods over and over as she runs her hand down my hospital gown covered back.
After what feels like an eternity, she finally pulls her stiff arms from me and steps back, holding me at arm’s length. Her eyes roam over every inch of me. Apparently satisfied with what she sees, she lets me go and takes a seat in the crinkly plastic chair next to the bed.
Exhausted already, I sit down on the edge of the bed and rest my hands in my lap. Suddenly remembering Nat, I jerk my head up to search for her, but she’s long gone. Instead, my father lingers in the doorway. His face is hard as he stares at me, but I know better.
He’s probably worried sick.
“I’m okay, Father. I promise.” I peer up at him and when his eyes—blue eyes that match mine—stare back at me, I can see the liquid pooling in them.
My heart clenches in my chest as I think about why they are so worried right now.
If I wasn’t so sick, they wouldn’t worry like this. It’s all my fault.
“I’m sorry,” I choke out as sobs wrack my body helplessly. I feel Mother’s arms wrap around me and not even a minute later, so do Father’s.
“Don’t cry, Fallon. This isn’t your fault.”
“But, but,” I heave and stutter through the sobs. “But there were these men. They-they had masks on. White masks! They were trying to kill me! I saw them in the woods a-and they had a dead body with them!” I spew the words out so fast, desperate to tell them what I saw so they could help me. So they could protect me.
“There was so much blood! And one of them was covered in it. They grabbed me and-and one hit me in the head!” I jump out of bed at the realization. Yes! That’s what happened!
I whirl around to face my parents and the expression on their faces have me freezing on the spot.
“Dahlia, honey, have you been taking your meds?” my mother asks me, her tone soft, yet condescending.
What thefuck?
“Yes, of course I have. I take them every day like I am supposed to. I’m not seeing things, Mama!” I cry, my voice shaking. Does she not believe me? No, this can’t be happening.
“Daddy?” I shift my gaze to my father who is seated next to my mother. His forever hardened expression is actually broken. His eyes are narrowed, and his lips are pinched together as he stares hard at me. I can see him clenching and unclenching his jaw before he decides to speak.
His deep baritone voice rings out as he speaks. “Fallon, baby, I think your meds aren’t working properly. You remember what happened before… With seeing things and whatnot and with you drinking on top of it, I think you have had an episode and it has messed with your head.
“Maybe it was a fluke too—like last time. But I think we should up the dosing on your medication, okay?”
I gape at him—at both of them—as they stare at me with pity.
I cannot fucking believe this.
They think I’m crazy. That I made this up!
