A Highland Wedding

In Her Clutches

Anna

The remainder of my time in the hospital was spent in the psych ward. They kept me heavily medicated and I was pretty much in a daze for the rest of my stay.

Each day I hoped that Alexei would get here. Then it was the day for me to be released, the doctor and Claire were talking about my aftercare and I am having a panic attack. How was I going to escape again?

“I suggest we send her to a long-term facility for the time being.” I was begging the new doctor with my eyes to help.

They claimed I was having delusions and Claire had them convinced I was having violent outbursts. Me trying to tell them that they were wrong and getting frustrated by the fact that no one wanted to listen caused some anger issues.

“Oh, that is horrible to suggest. She is my only sister though. I don’t think I can commit my sister to an institution.” She was playing with the ends of her hair and flashing big eyes at the doctor.

“I assure you she will be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. It is just until we get her the right medications.” Narrowing my eyes at them I couldn’t believe them.

“I keep telling you I’m the sane one here, she is the one that kidnapped me!” I couldn’t keep my thoughts to myself. I swayed on my feet and sat back down. They had me on four different medications and most of the time I wasn’t awake or coherent enough to know what was going on.

“How could you say that Anna! I’m your sister!” There were the tears again, the mock hurt. I clenched my fists to prevent myself from punching her.

The thought occurred to me that if I did attack her, I might not have to be released into her clutches.

“She is a very sick individual Miss; it would be too much of a burden on you to take care of her on your own.” I let out a disgusted sound. They were never going to believe me. I was going to be in this psycho’s clutches again.

“Oh that is no problem, my husband is in Scotland and he is going to help me with her care.” Narrowing my eyes at her I resisted the urge to punch her again.

“I don’t think it is wise for her to travel right now.” A nurse knocked on the door and she came in with a small cup of pills and some water.

“Let’s take this to my office. Your sister becomes quite groggy on her medication.” They left me and Claire shot a smug triumphant smile in my direction.

Tears streaked down my face as the nurse handed the cup to me and watched like a hawk while I put the pills in my mouth. She made me open my mouth to make sure that I hadn’t hidden the pills in my mouth.

“Please, just listen to me. I don’t belong here. That woman is the one that kidnapped me.” I was begging this stranger. Someone needed to believe me, Silva could only do so much and I didn’t see her because Claire made sure she was the only one to be able to visit me.

“Oh I am so sorry dear; you are very ill. Your sister is just trying to help you. I know it feels like she is the enemy but she isn’t.” She patted my hand in that condescending way that a parent would humor a child and then closed the door with a click behind her.

I curled up on my side and never in my whole life have I felt like such a failure in life. I drifted off to sleep and felt like an animal trapped in a cage.

I woke up to someone stroking my hair and then the sharp burn of that same person yanking on my hair. I let out a groggy cry and saw Claire’s face near mine.

“You almost got away b***h. You’re never leaving. I was going to kill you but keeping you drugged up and at my mercy is even better.” Yanking harder on my hair I let out a cry and she hissed at me.

“Shut up! Just shut up! Do you realize how much trouble you could have gotten me into? As long as you’re alive Gregor will do whatever I want.” She let out a small maniacal laugh.

“What happened to Maddox?” I know the guy was part of my kidnapping but he also tried to help me. He was just one of Claire’s pawns as well.

“Oh don’t worry about him. Maddox is not your concern and he has been dealt with.” My blood ran cold as she let go of my hair and I fell back on the small bed.

“One day Claire you are going to pay for what you have done.” She turned to me and I flinched. I thought she was going to hit me but she just continued to smile that maniacal smile.

“Honey, that is so cute that you think you are going to win this game. I am playing for the long haul and I do not plan on losing ever again.” Why was I the only one that could see that she was the problem here?

Was this my life now? Constantly drugged and at the mercy of Claire’s psychotic whims.