Chapter 3

It was the smell of cheap laundry detergent mixed with years of cooking oil, the scent of my mother, Margaret, that I'd known since childhood!

She was right in front of me!

Less than three feet away!

"Mmph! Mmph!"

Fear and urgency drove me to frantic, instinctual struggles. The iron bed clanged loudly.

Mom!

Is that you?

Listen to me!

Listen to this sound!

I'm your child, the one you raised!

"This... this is too scary."

Margaret's voice came from beside the bed, tinged with obvious trembling and fear.

"Why is this girl shaking so much? Is she in a lot of pain?"

"Don't get soft now, this is just her sickness flaring up!"

Sheila chuckled, reassuring Margaret:

"Look at her thrashing around, how can we not tie her down? Quick, get it down her while it's fresh!"

Then, I felt the bed dip.

Someone sat down.

A rough, warm hand, through the black hood, gently cupped my neck.

The calluses on her palm scraped against my skin, stinging, yet they made my tears burst forth.

It was Mom's hand!

"Don't be afraid, I'm not going to hurt you."

Margaret's voice was right by my ear, so gentle it broke my heart.

"Come on, be a good girl, the medicine will make you feel better. Drink the medicine, and tomorrow you'll be married."

I won't drink it!

Mom!

It's a sedative!

I shook my head desperately, the gag in my mouth made my jaw ache, I could only make desperate muffled groans.

"Oh dear, with the hood so tight and her mouth stuffed, how are we supposed to get it down?"

Margaret was at a loss.

Sheila heard her and stepped forward. I felt a pincer-like hand, through the black cloth, clamp tightly onto my jaw!

"I'll do it. You go outside, so she doesn't scare you."

At that, the fear in my heart exploded.

Don't go!

Mom! You can't leave!

If you leave, I'll truly have no chance!

"Mmph! Mmph!"

I unleashed an unprecedented will to survive, thrashing wildly, recklessly.

I ignored the ropes cutting into my wrists and ankles, making my skin raw, and strained my body, slamming my head against the bed frame.

Making loud "Thump! Thump! Thump!" sounds.

The entire iron bed vibrated violently, as if it would fall apart any second.

"Oh my goodness!"

Margaret had never seen such a scene. Her hand trembled, the bowl clattered, spilling most of the liquid.

Her face deathly pale, she stumbled back to the doorway, clutching her chest, still shaken:

"Why... why did she suddenly go so crazy? This is too terrifying!"

"See? I told you she was vicious!"

Sheila pressed down hard on my shoulders, using her knee to pin my chest so I couldn't move, then turned to Margaret with a smile:

"You go out first! Close the door! Don't let my simple-minded girl run into you!"

"She's shy, probably scared by your voice. I'll just calm her down first!"

"Alright, alright! Then I'll leave it to you, ma'am! I... I really can't watch..."

Margaret was terrified by my frenzied state and dared not stay another second.

"Creak!"

The door closed.