Chapter 50: Invalid

A young woman dressed in all-black livery came out, and Malcolm instructed her to show me to where “the lady of the house” was resting. She gave Malcolm a little curtsey but then shot me a glare when he wasn’t looking.

Excited, I sprang to my feet and followed her as she led me down a long hall. There was a door at the far end, and the staff member gestured before turning around and scurrying off. I knocked on the door but there was no answer, so I cautiously opened it a crack and peered in.

The room was not particularly large, but I could see that it was tastefully appointed. And there lying in bed next to some billowing curtains was my mother. I went rushing over to her and threw my arms around her.

“Mom! It’s me!” I cried as tears of happiness ran down my face.

“Oh, hello dear,” said my mother, looking quite groggy as she opened her eyes.

“Are you alright? My gosh, I’ve missed you so much,” I said, hardly able to believe that she was there before me.

“Yes, yes, I’m just a bit tired,” said my mother, reaching for a glass of water on the nightstand.

I picked it up and handed it to her, watching with some trepidation as her hands shook a bit as she tilted it to her mouth and took a tiny swallow. I then replaced the glass back on the nightstand.

“I’ve been so worried about you,” I said. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Oh, no need to make such a fuss, darling,” said my mother with a little dismissive wave of her hand. “Malcolm is taking good care of me.”

“Mom, listen,” I said, a lump in my throat as I worked up the courage to tell her. “I don’t think Malcolm is who you think he is. He hurt me, Mom.”

“What?” said my mother. “Don’t be silly, dear.”

“No, look,” I said, lifting up the hem of my dress to show her the cuts on my legs, although I was shocked to see that they’d faded somewhat from all the color I’d gotten.

“Is that sand on your legs?” said my mother.

“Yeah, I was at the beach earlier,” I said. “But listen...”

“Oh, then you cut yourself on some seashells or something,” said my mother, interrupting me. “You always liked to romp around on the shore.”

“Mom, no, there’s more,” I said. “Malcolm? He kept me locked up in my room for weeks.”

“Pffft,” said my mother, averting her gaze. “My sweet girl, you always did have quite an active imagination. Didn’t I say you should be a writer one day?”

“Seriously?” I said, getting angry. “Am I imagining that all you’ve done since your honeymoon is lie around in bed all day like some kind of invalid?”

“For goodness’ sake,” said my mother. “Keep your voice down. I had a little spell on the island, and now I’m taking some medicine. Don’t be so melodramatic.”

Looking over at the nightstand, I saw at least half a dozen pill bottles, which made my heart sink. “So it is true then? An insect bit you and gave you some weird disease?”

“It’s just a temporary condition,” said my mother. “Now stop being rude.”

“Rude?” I said, indignant. “It’s rude for me to worry about my mother’s health?”

“Have you looked at yourself in a mirror?” said my mother. “Your hair is uncombed. You’re tracking in sand all over the place. You look like a savage, Allison. It's unseemly.”

“None of that matters!” I said, trying my best not to shout. “I came to find you because we’ve got to get out of here.”

“Get out of here?” said my mother, shaking her head. “You're talking nonsense. This is my home now.”

“Mom, why won’t you believe me? Malcolm is a monster,” I said, tears of frustration running down my face.

“Oh, quit making a scene,” said my mother. “We can talk when you can comport yourself like a young lady.”

“Mom, please!” I said, wanting to shake her out of her stupor. “We need to get out of here. It’s an emergency.”

“I’m not talking to you right now,” said my mother, turning to face the wall. “Now please go so I can get my rest. If you love me, then do this for me.”

“Fine,” I said, my heart heavy as I reluctantly turned around to leave.

I couldn’t believe that she’d trust him over her own daughter. Either he’d bamboozled her with his charm or he’d stuffed her full of so many pills that she couldn’t think straight. Or maybe both. But all hope of rescuing my mother was lost.

I was so sunk down in my misery that I nearly ran straight into Malcolm who was standing just outside my mother’s bedroom door.

“I heard what you told my wife,” said Malcolm, giving me an intense look. “You owe me an apology.”

“Never!” I retorted, too sad and angry to put up with his bullshit a moment longer. “I told her the truth! You’re a monster!”

“Oh dear,” said Malcolm with a little sigh before reaching out to grab my arm. “I warned you about that kind of backtalk.”

I tried to wriggle free, but his hand was like a steel band around my wrist as he pulled me down the hallway. I tried shouting and screaming, but nothing slowed him down as he dragged me into a side room.

Inside, it was completely bare and windowless, the only feature a large chair that reminded me of the kind you see in a dentist’s office. Except that at the end of each armrest was a kind of manacle.

Malcolm pushed me down onto the chair. I tried kicking and pushing to get free, but he was just too strong, and a few moments later, he had me handcuffed in the chair. He then fastened my legs into similar locks on the footrest, rendering me utterly helpless.

But my anger didn’t turn into fear until he leaned forward and tore my dress off my body, leaving me completely naked and exposed, strapped to that weird medical chair.

“Now then,” said Malcolm, straightening his suit as he stood up. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but I’m afraid you’ve left me no choice, young lady.”