Dr. Iris and the man stood a couple feet away from the edge of my bed.

"I'll leave you two to talk." Dr. Iris said, and he exited the room closing the door behind him.

I stared at the man intently as he was observing the bandage on the side of my head.

"I'm sorry I had to do this but there was no other way."

He spoke softly. His intense stare now fixated downward, breaking eye contact. What the hell was he talking about? I wanted to yell at him like I did the nurse but I know I shouldn't.

"Sir? What is going on? Who are you? I haven't been able to get an explanation for my entire stay here so why can I not talk to my family?" I asked sternly.

"My name is John. Your parents, hired me to protect you if anything were to happen to them."

"Them? You mean me, right?"

He shook his head.

"What's going on?" I said, fearing the worst.

"I will try to sum it up. You are of great value to someone in Russia. A long time ago your father promised to give them either his first born or two million dollars in exchange for his own life. He found a way to flee the country and keep you and his wife safe. He hired me a long time ago to protect you if they found him and that's why I'm here. I'm sorry. That man Vee, was hired by the man out for you and was double crossing him, that's where I came in. I ran you off the road to retrieve you. I didn't think he would try to sell you off and that's why I'm here."

I sat in frozen silence and just stared at the floor. I don't believe this. All I know is that I want to get as far away from this nuthouse as I could but I had to play it smart. I know he saved me but his story may not even be true. I put my left hand over my forehead trying to concentrate.

"When can I leave? I just want to go." I whispered. Still taking it all in and wanting to escape.

"We can leave in a couple hours. You are under my protection, so your doctor is giving me your medication and we will be going back to my place where it is safe."

I looked back up at him, his presence seemed warm, genuine even, and his eyes were soft. I wanted to trust him but I knew I shouldn't. I still don't know anything about him.

"Alright." I said.

I laid back flat on the bed and started breathing calmly as he walked towards the door.

"I will be back soon and we can leave."

I nodded and the door closed behind him. It took me a few moments and I noticed I didn't hear any of the locks turn when he left. I sat up quickly and took my IV out more gently this time. My stiches throbbed and my muscles ached as I got off the bed. I walked over the door, grabbed the handle and twisted it slowly. I peeped my head out the door way and saw no one coming from both directions. I stood for a couple moments thinking if this is the right thing to do or wait until tonight. 'Well, I already took out my IV and I know they are going to be pissed off again about it. So, I may as well.' I crept out of the room slowly and nonchalantly strolled down the corridor looking for exit signs. 'If anyone asks I can just tell them I'm looking for the drinking fountain. Yeah that's it.' I came across a big black heavy looking door but it was locked. I didn't see any windows around this place either. 'Is this underground?' I started walking the other direction when the nurse with blonde hair exited one of the rooms in the corridor and looked dead at me.

"What are you doing!? Do we really have to go through this again!?" She yelled as she stomped towards me.

"No, no I was just looking for the drinking fountain!" I explained.

"I know exactly what you were doing come with me!" She shouted and grabbed me by the wrist. I didn't fight her knowing it would only lead to terrible consequences.

"Okay I will, just don't give me anymore drugs, I'm just thirsty and wanted to walk."

She led me all the way back to my room and swung me inside. She did so in a way that I felt a stich or two pop.

"Ouch! Geeze! I'm trying to be nice here!" I said as I grabbed my side in pain. I walked casually over to my bed and sat on the edge.

"I won't put your IV back in because you are due to leave soon but I will be taking note of this incident."

As if that's suppose to scare me. She left the room and I was sitting in silence again. Thinking hard about my family. I don't know what's a lie and what's the truth anymore. The nurse came back in with a cup and straw and handed it to me. She didn't say a word and walked back out and locked the door. I pinched the straw and sucked up the liquid. It was Apple juice. I downed the whole thing instantly. It seemed like a luxury at this point to have anything other then water. My stomach growled and I had almost forgotten I was hungry. I felt very relaxed, I leaned back and took in a big yawn. My eyes were heavy again. Getting a little cat nap in wouldn't kill me knowing I am going to be released any way. But all I have been doing is sleeping why do I want to continue it? I really don't. But I closed my eyes and dozed off.

I opened my eyes halfway as I felt my body being carried about. I wanted to wake up but sleep was just a more satisfying option. I could barley hear John speaking. He was talking to someone but I didn't care I felt so relaxed I went back to sleep, in his arms it seemed. The roar of an engine woke me up for a couple seconds as I realized I was in a passenger car seat. I stared out the window, dazed for a moment before going back to my slumber.

I finally awoke with enough energy to actually sit up and evaluate my surroundings. I had been placed in a comfortable king size bed with what looked like 9ft tall ceilings. The room was gorgeous and had nice big windows. The bathroom was right in front of the bed about eight feet away next to an open door. I sat upright and saw a change of clothes at the foot of the bed. It was a maroon sweater and some jeans. I lifted them up to check the size and underneath was a sports bra and underwear. Looking down at myself I was comforted at the fact that I was seemingly left in my hospital gown untouched. I grabbed the clothes and made my way to the bathroom. I eye balled the shower long and hard. I had to take one.

Turning the faucet and adjusting the heat I threw my gown to the floor and stepped in. It was heaven. Feels like the best shower I ever had. After rinsing my body in soap and washing my hair thoroughly, I turned off the water. I stepped out and grabbed the nice plush towel off the rack above the tub. After gently drying off I started to put the fresh change of clothes on. Everything still had tags on them. I struggled to put the sports bra on and had to pause a couple times before I could get into it comfortably. I tried to slip the sweater over my head but my stitches ached too much. 'Fuck it.' I slipped my underwear and jeans on and just walked towards the door without the sweater. The moment I stepped out of the room the aroma of food, filled the air. My stomach felt like it had collapsed on itself it was so hungry. I cradled my stomach as I followed my nose down the hall being as stealthy as I could. As I turned the corner to the kitchen I saw him. His back facing towards me as he stood in front of the stove, wearing a plain white shirt and grey sweat pants. In mid-thought of me leaving or saying something, he spoke.

"Good morning. Have a seat." He said. Not even turning around to look at me. I was shocked he even knew I was there.

"Uh, Hi." I said nervously.

I took a few steps to the already set table and sat down. There was an assortment of fruits and a bottle of syrup in the middle of it. I was watching him intensely like a hawk, eyeballing the kitchen knives that were magnetized to the back wall of the kitchen. Although he doesn't seem like much of a threat, he cannot just keep me here.

He turned around and briskly walked over to me. Sliding two large pancakes on the plate in front of me. He sat down on the opposite side of the table and spoke softly.

"Please eat, your very malnourished and I wanted to talk to you about some things."

I wasn't going to argue with him since my brain was in my stomach. I grabbed the fork and knife and vigorously started cutting it up to shove in my mouth.

"Go on." I said as I began to stuff my face with no shame.