*****
Something was wrong with her.
Cassandra couldn't quite place a finger on it, but she could feel within her that there was something awfully wrong and it had nothing to do with the fact that her memory of the last six or so months apparently, was gone.
Of course, there was that incredibly obvious gash in a list of uncertainties she currently faced, but something else disturbed her. It was within her, in her head. She was starting to think it was also a part of her, because it not only controlled her thoughts, but to some extent, her actions as well. if she wasn't just a bit more strong-headed.
She sighed as she ran her hand over her wet hair and stared into the mirror at her reflection, it was her face staring at her in the mirror, but still, it wasn't her, she felt nothing like herself. She felt different, more alert, she looked different as well. Her muscles were more toned, her skin looked healthier, her eyes looked brighter. Her reflexes were also sharper, from what she had of her memory, she knew her sight had been getting bad and she had made plans to see an optician, but since she woke up, her sight had been perfect, much better than she ever remembered it to be.
She was curious about these changes, especially so of whatever it was in her head that seemed to have an opinion about everything, especially as regards that man- Caleb. A shiver passed through her as his name glided across her memory, and it scared her that it wasn't a shiver of terror, but one of pleasure. That was another thing she was trying to figure out, why did someone she barely knew make her feel this way? Why did the mere thought of him have her breathing funny and thinking inappropriate thoughts? Was it the food in this place? Was it the environment? If yes to any of those, was she the only one affected? Maybe there were others like her under some form of mind control.
She wanted to know so much, but she was trapped in this bedroom, admittedly, it was quite the glamorous place for a prison, but it was no less one. She had never been told she couldn't leave the confines and everyone else she had interacted with had been so nice and sweet, but if they were such good people, someone would have helped her out. She wanted to ask the lady who brought her food for help, but the way she spoke of Caleb, she feared she would make no progress with her.
The lady, Dinah, could pass for some form of marketing officer with the way she always spoke highly of her boss. She said he was loyal, caring, compassionate, strong, a protector, one time she had even dropped naughtily that he seemed like he could pleasure a woman, Cassandra had blushed at her insinuation, but at a later time, had chastised herself for such a reaction. What did she care if he was great in bed? She didn't plan on staying long enough in this place to find that out.
Her thoughts strayed to her cousins. She wondered what they were doing about her disappearance and if they were worried. Of course they were worried, but had they tried to find her? Had they already given up by now? It had been just over six months, she worried about them. She wanted to speak to them, she wished there was some way to reach them and tell them she was okay, especially Kennedy. She could just imagine her older cousin, worried sick. She had warned her repeatedly about her penchant for losing track of time and returning home late. Since they lost their mothers, Kennedy had become extra protective, at a time, she was checking up on them on an hourly basis, she had assured her she could take care of herself, but look at her now, trapped in some place she couldn't even find on a map with some odd people who saw nothing wrong in keeping a woman they had found in a forest.
She knew she would have to talk to someone before she went mad. Whatever this voice was in her head, she was sure she was tethering on the edges of madness already and someone needed to tell her she was okay, she needed someone to assure her that everyone had tiny voices in their head that sometimes got louder. But who could she confide in when everyone worked for the enemy?
"Madam?" A tiny voice called out from the bedroom. Dinah.
Cassandra's eyes shot to the slightly open bathroom door, she guessed it was time for brunch. Dinah usually visited her about five times a day. She would bring her lots of food three of the five times and snacks the other two times. Of course, she would sit with her until she finished and provide her some decent conversation. The woman didn't know a lot, but she couldn't complain, it was better than nothing.
"I'm in the bathroom, Didi." She replied, she dabbed at her wet face with a towel and stepped out of the bathroom. Dinah's face brightened up at her emergence. Dinah was pretty in an ethereal way, her hair was blonde, almost white even, her eyes were an olive green shade and filled with mirth, she was a tiny little thing, going no higher than 5ft2" in height, her body was proportioned to fit her small frame, but even as tiny as she was, Cassandra felt the woman wasn't as frail as she appeared. Her skin was pale, like she hadn't been in the sun at any time in her life which made Cassie wonder if truly this woman was also a prisoner as she was. She certainly gave off no vibes of being under any sort of control, she seemed perfectly happy and content. Maybe she had been here too long and just come to terms with her situation.
"You look beautiful as always madam. I brought your food." She said, her hand indicating the tray on the bedside table. Whatever was in there had permeated the air in the entire room, it smelt nice. That was another thing she couldn't fault this place for, whoever cooked here was easily the most amazing cook ever. if she was here long enough, she certainly would want to see this person at some point.
"Thank you Didi." She replied softly as she sat on her bed. Didi uncovered the tray which was laden with croissants, a donut, a burger and a large cup of juice. Her mouth watered at the sight, but she kept her expression even. She smiled at Dinah once again, the woman replied her smile with an even wider one, "Thank you."
"No need madam, I'm here to serve you." She replied.
There she went again, making such funny comments. Cassandra had long given up on trying to make her stop calling her 'madam', but it wasn't just the unmerited title that bothered her, it was other things like her many comments on 'serving' her and making the 'alpha' happy. Apparently, Caleb was some type of alpha, a title that brought to mind thoughts of an insatiable person with a harem of women who worshipped him. Fancy, but effective. Cassandra wondered if the man expected her to willfully join his harem of women he had at his beck and call, it didn't matter if he was drop dead gorgeous and had a voice to melt even the most hardened soul, it gave him no right to hold women against their will and sate his animalistic desires with their bodies. Irrespective of her earlier behavior, she was determined to not become another one of his kept women, she would fight these feelings she had for him and leave this place without leaving a piece of her with the beautiful man here.
She kept mute and studied the food, now wondering if it was wise to indulge herself in these things. Perhaps this was what was bringing those voices to her head. A thought occurred to her and she looked up at Dinah, maybe she could help her.
"Didi, can I ask you a question?"
She perked up at that question and nodded her head rather enthusiastically, "Yes you can madam, It would be my greatest joy to help you if you're in a fix." She replied
She ignored the woman's excitement even though it was another odd behaviour, "Do you..." she hesitated slightly, fearing she may sound insane by asking this question, but what did she really have to lose?, "Do you hear voices in your head?" she asked, her voice lowered just in case someone was walking through the corridor.
