C39 Brewing Storm

Annabelle was so shaken that she could only keep staring at the liver-like clump that seemed to be dancing around in the bowl with glee.

Her pulse thrummed in her ears, drowning out everything else.

She didn’t even notice when Judith burst through the door like an avenging angel, and barely registered the nurse’s hand on her shoulder.

“What’s wrong, miss?” Judith asked, her voice laced with concern.

“What is wrong with me?” Annabelle whispered, more to herself than to the nurse, her eyes still locked on the unsettling clump.

Judith followed her gaze, her face tightening in a mix of worry and understanding when she saw the contents of the bowl.

She gently squeezed Annabelle’s shoulder. “Come, miss. Let’s go back to the room, and the doctor will check on you. I’m sure you’re fine. He’ll take good care of you.”

Annabelle didn’t argue. She let Judith guide her back to the room, her legs moving on autopilot. She felt distant as if she were floating outside her own body, too shaken to even realise that she hadn’t cleaned herself up. As they left, Judith murmured something to the other nurse, who nodded and went to handle the bowl.

Back in her room, Annabelle noticed the bed was freshly made, the sheets pristine.

She briefly wondered how the nurses had managed to change the sheets that fast. But the thought flitted away as Judith helped her change into a clean gown.

It felt embarrassing, having the nurse wipe her down with a washcloth like she was a child, but Annabelle’s strength had deserted her, leaving her limp and compliant.

She lay still as the doctor checked her vitals, his face calm but impassive.

“You’re fine, Miss Whitaker,” he assured her, his voice gentle. “Nothing to worry about.”

Annabelle shook her head, her voice a soft tremor. “Are you sure? It’s… it’s not every day someone…” She swallowed, barely able to say the words. “It’s not normal to pass a clump of blood, is it?”

The doctor’s expression softened, a calm smile touching his lips. “That’s just from the internal injury you suffered when you were hit. Your body is working to heal itself, miss.”

Annabelle’s brows knitted, scepticism gnawing at her. “Are you sure?” she whispered. “You’re not… hiding something?”

“Positive,” he replied firmly. “You’re on the right track to recovery.”

She forced herself to nod, though her doubt lingered in the back of her mind. After the doctor handed her another small pill, she took it without a word, too weary to question him further. Soon, a drowsy fog settled over her, and she let herself drift into a troubled sleep, her mind sinking into the shadows of a restless nightmare.

*************

Annabelle was running breathlessly.

Sinister shadows twisted around her, creeping closer with every step.

A faint cry echoed in the distance. It was Cathy’s voice. Desperate and pleading.

Annabelle tried to respond, but her throat wouldn’t work.

She tried to run faster, but her legs felt like they were sinking in quicksand, dragging her down.

The shadows closed in, and her sister’s voice grew fainter, slipping away as the darkness swallowed her whole.

*****************

Annabelle woke with a start, her breathing ragged.

She immediately realised she had been having a nightmare when she saw the familiar environment.

As her eyes adjusted to the room, she became aware of a figure close to the bed.

For a heart-stopping moment, she thought she was still dreaming, that the shadows had followed her here.

But as her vision cleared, she saw Antonia’s familiar face, framed by the soft light coming in through the drawn curtain.

Antonia was staring down at her, a strange intensity in her gaze, a strange look lurking beneath her polished exterior.

Annabelle’s heart skipped, a flicker of unease tightening her chest.

But then, Antonia’s face softened into a benevolent smile as she touched Annabelle’s arm.

“You’re awake,” Antonia murmured, her tone gentle, almost soothing. “How are you feeling?”

Annabelle struggled to find her voice. “I… I think I’m okay.” She paused, then added, “Thank you, Antonia, for… everything.”

Anxiety showed on Antonia’s face as she slightly shook her head as if to keep Anabelle quiet.

Then, before Annabelle could think more of the matter, she suddenly raised her voice. “You’d like to go out for fresh air? What a splendid idea. Come, I’ll take you.”

Before Annabelle could process her words, Antonia reached for the wheelchair nearby, positioning it beside the bed with an air of authority. The sudden change in Antonia’s demeanour sent a flicker of suspicion through Annabelle’s mind.

For a moment, she was totally confused.

Then it hit her.

Dante must have the room under surveillance.

The realisation clicked into place, sparking a quiet rage beneath her skin.

She forced herself to glance around casually, her eyes scanning the walls and the ceiling.

Was there a camera somewhere?

She couldn’t see anything obvious, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

Knowing Dante, he wouldn’t hesitate to plant his criminal tools wherever he deemed necessary. Her jaw tightened at the thought, resentment simmering as she imagined him watching her every move, dictating her life from afar.

No wonder Judith had run in the other time before she even got out of bed.

They were watching her like she was their...pet!

Suppressing her frustration, she flashed a small, feigned smile at Antonia. “Yes… fresh air sounds wonderful. I think it would do me some good.”

Antonia gave a knowing nod, her eyes glinting as she helped Annabelle into the wheelchair. “Of course, dear. Nothing like a bit of sunshine to lift your spirits. Though it's setting already, it will still do wonders.” she added with a wink.

As Antonia wheeled her out of the room and down the hallway, Annabelle’s mind whirled.

She forced herself to stay calm, her face composed, but inside, a storm brewed. She hated feeling this way.

She couldn’t remember ever having this much anger inside her, but now she couldn’t seem to feel anything else.

When she was not feeling sorry for herself and her sister, the anger was always there.

Simmering beneath her skin like a volcano waiting to rupture. That feeling was all directed at one person.

The one who was probably looking at her through the many cameras he had glued all over the house.

She couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he was watching her even now, analysing her every expression, reading into her every word.

“Had he been watching when Judith helped me change into a new gown?” she suddenly thought with embarrassment.

She didn’t even want to know the answer to all that.

The door opened before they got to it and Annabelle could see his men on the other side.

“Of course,” she muttered bitterly.