Reflection of Confusion (Extended)

To the reader,
This was originally a contest entry but due to comments about continuing this, I have decided to continue it without the restriction of a word count. I hope you enjoy this extended and improved version.




Lying on the table with her arms stretched out above her head like an ironic symbol of victory, she awoke from her pain-induced slumber just as a sharp stab of pain pierced the back of her head mercilessly. She had no idea where she was-all she remembered was the closing of a hand around hers arm as a large, bald headed brute of a man dragged her into a side street with overpowering strength. An evil grin spread across the man’s features like an infection as he swung her around by the arm to face him. “Come with me” he said in a soft whisper.

Long ago when she was just a child her mother had always told her to never trust strangers, in a flash she had hooked her finger through the hooped earring which decorated the man’s right ear, viciously pulling her finger back, she ripped the lobe savagely. With the way clear, she took the chance to escape as the man clutched his ear and yelped in anguish like a scolded dog.

The only thing she recalled was sprinting away as fast as her feet would allow, weaving through the alleys and side streets with the echoes of passersby screaming “Thief, thief, stop her!” ringing in her ears. Before the heavy thud of something hard cracked the back of her head, stopping her in her tracks and causing her to collapse to the ground in blinding pain as she watched the small hooped shape of the man’s earring skitter away, down, into a nearby grate as her vision faded into blackness.

Rolling her eyes backwards in an effort to remember more, she heard the rhythmic marching from outside her small, enclosed space which was steadily growing louder and louder. Her heart thundered inside her chest as each step drew her visitor ever closer. The pain in her head grew sharper and fear began to engulf her as the door burst open, and she once again found herself retreating into darkness as the scene faded out of view.

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Fading back into consciousness again, she found herself in the same position as before. However, this room was not the same. The smooth white plaster greeted her as she opened up to a brightly lit room which made her eyes close, her pupils shrink as the sudden bright light assaulted her. Where am I now? Before she could ponder this question and more she heard a soft metallic click to the right of her as the door to the right swung forward and a shadow cast itself upon the opposite wall. She noticed her heart was once again booming inside her chest as the door came back to its place to reveal a tall, skinny individual dressed in a black suit and a crimson coloured tie, his figure reminded her greatly of the stick that her sister’s dog used to carry between its teeth in a satisfied glee as it routinely brought it back to its owner.

“Welcome to Sirine towers Ms. Balshine” the man said in a well spoken accent which gave the impression of someone very regal.

“Where...” but she abruptly stopped as the man held up a hand to silence her as he remained erect next to the door.

“Now Ms. Balshine, you were brought here on the orders of your brother who has been attempting to find you for quite a while. I’m here as I have been instructed to tell you that he will be here to see you shortly, you will be allowed to direct any questions to him; later. It shouldn’t be too long now Ms. Balshine.” and with an utterly emotionless expression he was gone, once again leaving her alone with her thoughts. My brother; why now after all this time? If he never wanted to speak to me when we were children then why now? And why Sirine? Sirine is some big shot company that has nothing to do with me. As the pain continued to assault her she waited in confused silence as questions swam around inside her head in furious agitation.

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Finally, after what seemed like a long time she heard the familiar soft, metallic click as the door swung open once again. To her disappointment it was the same man as before who stepped through the door wielding what looked like a police baton. Expecting him to hit her with it she screwed her face up tightly and turned away from him. It was to her relief when he passed and crouched down to fiddle with his jingling key ring and the locks that were the source of her imprisonment.

As he continued to fiddle with the locks one by one she made no attempt to hide her disappointment that her brother had not had the guts to come here by himself. Always was a coward. Wrinkling her nose in disappointment and letting out a long sigh her arms snapped automatically to her sides as the man glided around to the locks that held her feet in place and quietly busied his self with his keys once again. Taking this first opportunity, she viewed the room in full to satisfy her curiosity; nothing, nothing at all but white plaster walls, her metal bed and a royal blue carpet which showed signs of heavy usage. Not the spectacular interior she expected from a big shot company like Sirine.

Bending her newly freed limbs, she realised just how much they ached, as she flexed them in discomfort. “Come Ms. Balshine, your brother will see you now” said the man who had now moved towards the open door. Jumping down from her metal bed she was just thankful she was able to walk on her own two feet again as she regained her composure and walked unsteadily towards the man who was holding the baton in full view- a reminder not to run. The man nodded to her to go on in front. She walked unsteadily past the sweet smell of cologne and into the corridor. Is this freedom at last?