11:12 am
Becky woke up to the front door slamming shut. She slowly sat up from where she had fallen asleep at the kitchen table. Wincing at her stiff neck.
"What the hell...?"
After a few moments she realized what had happened and got up from her seat. She noticed that her plate was gone and went looking around the rest of the house. In her room, she found a fully stocked closet. As she looked at her new clothes, she couldn't help but wonder when Crane hadd time to find clothes in her size, none of which were from her own house. As if to confirm her theory that none of them were hers, she pulled out a paticularly revealing corset dress.
Becky finally setled on a simple gray dress and went looking for the bathroom. She found one down the hall from her room and locked the door before turning on the shower. After she was finished and dressed, she unlocked the bathroom door and stepped back into the hallway. Before she could realize that she wasn't alone, Scarecrow stepped out from where he was hiding and threw a handful of powder in her face. She coughed and he grabbed her by the back of her hair, pulling her head back.
She tried to ignore the pain coming from her scalp and hold her breath.
"Don't fight it, just take deep breaths, you've already inhaled a good amount. Breathe Miss Albright, breathe."
He tightens his grip and she gasps in gulps of air with tears in her eyes.
"Good, now tell me, what do you see?"
Becky gets wide eyed and shakes her head. He releases his grip and lets her fall to the ground. She pulls her knees to her chest and squeezes her eyes shut.
"Don't close your eyes. Open them this instant!"
"No..."
He reaches down and grabs her face. Scarecrow jerks it in his direction.
"Open your eyes and tell me what you see you foolish child! I gave you a fair amount of warning that if you were defiant, there would be consequences. Do as you're told, and your stay here will be much more pleasent. Do you understand me?!"
"Yes..."
"Will you behave yourself from now on?"
"Yes...sir..."
He released his grip and she backed herself against the wall by the bathroom door. He gently stroked her cheek and she winced away at his touch.
"Now child, if you want me to help you, I need to know what you are seeing. Tell me."
"Go...away...I can't...help it...that...i'm like...this..."
He sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms.
"Its alright."
"I'm sorry..."
"Never apologize for something that isn't your fault. You might not understand me now but I'll help you, Becky. I'll help you understand me, help you overcome your anxieties, help you see...that I'm the only one who understands you."
The next day, 1:31 am
Becky stirred in her sleep before waking to find herself laying in her bed with Crane asleep in the chair across the room. She sat up and pushed the covers off of her body. She carefully got up off the bed and made her way across the room. She bit her lip as she manuvered herself so that she wouldn't make any noise. Eyeing the key hanging from his neck, she approached Crane cautiously. She reached out for the key only to have him snatch her wrist and open his eyes.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah...um...I was just..."
"I know perfectly well what you were doing. Do you remember what happened earlier?"
"Bits...I just woke up."
"You will behave yourself and I won't have to punish you for your defiance. I don't supose you want a repeat of this morning, do you?"
"No...sir."
"Good. This is your final warning. Go back to sleep and do not try anything. I wish to help you but I have no quelms about breaking your mind in the process. You will eat all of your meals in my company and accept my help. Understood?"
Becky lowers her head in defeat.
"Yes sir."
He releases her wrist and she quickly walks back to bed.
6:50 am
"Time for breakfast Miss Albright."
Becky groans as she is awoken by Crane.
"I expect you to be in the kitchen in five minutes. I have a class at eight thirty."
"Do I have to get up now?"
"Yes."
He left and Becky slowly made her way into the kitchen where Crane is eating at the table, waiting on her. She takes her place aross from him.
He watches her expectantly before she starts eating and he looks back to his plate. Halfway thru her meal, she looks back over at Crane.
"So...what do I get if I do what you want?"
"When the time arises, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Oh, okay then."
Becky returns her gaze back to her plate and continues eating. Crane fiinishes eating and leaves the table. He starts to walk to the front door.
"So, when will you be back?"
He pauses and turns back to Becky.
"After eleven. Why do you ask?''
She looks down hide her slight blush.
"Just curious."
He smirks as he walks out the door.
7;24 pm
Becky sits down on the couch beside Crane and crosses her legs as he watches her with curiousity. She stares absently at the wall to avoid his gaze.
"What do you want Miss Albright?"
"I've been bored, and do you have to call me that?"
"You are not here to be entertained...Becky."
"Well, you haven't been exactly giving me the answers you promised."
Crane pauses thoughtfully before grabbing her face so that shes looking at him.
"Fair enough, what do you want to know?"
He releases her and she sits back in the couch.
"Okay... You asked me what it was like growing up, I think you owe me the same.
"Very well then. I didn't always live in this forsaken city. I was born in Georgia. My mother abandoned me and left me in the care of my Grandmother. When it comes to that woman, not a moment goes by that I do not appreciate her... sudden demise."
"Um...so what about your...social life?"
"Nonexistant."
Hey my awesome readers! I'm so sorry but I almost lost this chapter four times. That's what I get for writing on a tablet for the first time ever. Question for the chapter: What do you guys think Becky will do next?