ALMOST EIGHTEEN.

CHAPTER NINE.

BRAND NEW.

LATOYA.

The first time I fantasized about losing my memory was when I watched a movie so horrific, I thought I'd die just from thinking about it.

For weeks, the memories of it were etched in my brain so vividly I began seeing things that weren't there, dreaming about it, and hearing sounds outta nowhere.

Mum had warned me not to watch the movie when I told her I wanted to but I did anyway. When I woke up, my head was heavy and I felt drowsy. I held my head as I sat up in bed, feeling something on my face. It feels like a cloth.

I rub my face. A bandage? That's when it all floods back in. The memories. Last thing I remember was being pinned to the bed by two men, Connor stroking my face “Relax Latoya. When you wake up, you'll be different."

Cold shivers went down my spine. What has Connor done to me? Still feeling weak, I got out of bed. There's a mirror on the wall facing the bed. If it's what I think it is, Connor is well darned. I suck in my breath and face the mirror.

My face is puffy. My face is indeed covered in bandages. Only the area around my eyes are exposed. My hands are shaking. I feel around where to loosen it. I peel the bandage off my face. I touch my now bare face. I feel no emotions. Should I be mad or happy?

I still have the same face except, my once grey pupils are now brown, my averagely okay nose now very pointed, my lips are slightly bigger, my cheekbones, more profound, my face looks smaller. They changed me to fit a badass girl aesthetic.

My face hurts. Why aren't the men here telling me what I need to do? Changed my face and just left? Talk about psychos.

I keep staring at this new face in the mirror when the door opens. From the mirror, I see that black neatly permed hair. He's staring at me, not saying or doing anything. I face him.

“Why did you do this to me Connor?" My words come out in a whisper. I can't read his thoughts through his face. He walks to me, leads me back to the mirror, standing behind me, our reflections looking back at us.

"This is the new you. A few adjustments were made for you to fit the standard.” He looks at my hair, touching it slightly. "You have to fix this nonsense.”

He walks towards the door "Latoya, embrace yourself. Someone will walk you through everything you need to know. When that is done, your task here commences.”

With that, he leaves. I gasp in disbelief. So what is this place? Changing people without their consent? A crime hub? How the hell do I break free from these people?

Someone knocks on the door. I'm guessing the person who is to "walk me through everything I need to know.” I don't reply. Two more knocks and the door opens.

It's the lady from Connor's house. Why? Just why? "I see it has happened.” She's looking at me intently. I ignore her, sitting on the bed. My stomach grumbled loudly, shocking me. When was the last time I ate?

"Let's get that sorted out first.” She said pointing to my stomach. She went out of the room and was back in seconds later. "Russell would get your food delivered now.”

I still don't say anything to her. “If you don't plan to starve to death, you speak." Why is she being nice to me? “Why are you being nice? You should keep being you."

She laughs. "I'm not being nice. I'm putting you onto the things you need to know to last here.” “How long have you been here?"

“That is not information available for your knowledge." Russell comes in, a lady behind him carrying a tray of food. She drops it on the table and leaves with Russell.

I stare at the tray of food, scrambled eggs, toasts and bacon. The food aroma, tingling my nostrils. I rush to the table, eating like I've been food deprived… I actually have. I ignore the cutlery set, digging in with my hands.

Three minutes later, I'm on the floor breathing hard. I thump my chest. It's a miracle I didn't throw up the food. “What a wild behavior." The maid was looking at me, disbelief written all over.

“I haven't eaten in days. Don't blame me." “Now that you have eaten, we go on to the next agenda for the day." I position myself on the bed, looking at her.

"So what is the next agenda?” She drags the seat, placing it in front of me. "The next agenda is to clean you up properly. From your look, I'm guessing…you haven't showered since you got here have you?"

I roll my eyes and respond dryly. “Yeah so?" “You stink. That's why." “If you have nothing meaningful to say, get out." “Language girl." I smile, picking my nose in the most dirty way.

She shifts her chair back from me. "You are here because you have been contracted to this organization from the very beginning. A sealed fate."

Her eyes are fixed on me, checking for a change in my expressions. That, I won't give her. She crosses her legs and continues.

“Basically, you belong to the organization. You are to do everything they want from you. There are rules you need to be aware of.” She leaves the room, returning with a calendar like paper.

She hangs it on the wall, tapping it. “Alright, listen up.”

Rule NO1

Never escape. An attempt to, amounts to severe violation, disregard and contempt of the organization

Rule NO2

Every high ranking official, other personnels and workers in the organization are to be respected and obeyed. Failure to do so amounts to gross misconduct.

Rule NO3

Filthy, uncouth language of any sort, is highly shunned.

Rule NO4

In the four walls of the organization and outside it, every member of Willow Hill is to act in lines with the rules duly prescribed, thereby upholding the visions and standard of the organization.

Rule NO5

Every spoken word made against any high ranking official of Willow Hill or against the organization as a whole, amounts to treason.

Rule NO6

Anyone found guilty of conspiracy against Willow Hill or any of its high ranking officials, is guilty of treason.

Rule NO7

Every contracted member of Willow Hill remains the property of the organization. Any act or conduct to go against the already laid process, will be duly punished.

Rule NO8

Members reported or found guilty of seeking information from another member or personnel, should be prepared to face the repercussions.

Rule NO9

Any act of whistle blowing to anyone, will result in dire consequences.

Excuse of ignorance after adequate knowledge of the rules, would not be a defense to due punishment.

Further concerns, complaints, requests or questions if any (there shouldn't be any) should be relayed to the office of the Head Personnel.

Darn! Just f*****g hang me to the cross and nail me. I thought. The woman has a sly look on her face. I have violated at least four of the rules. The only reason I'm still here is because I was ignorant of the rules.

“Now that you know the rules, it's time to take you for the general rebrand.” I'm itching to ask her questions but I dare not. Instead, I stand up and follow her.

A man with uniform number 78 follows us to the elevator. Is he the one taking us there? I can only have thoughts. We take the elevator to the 15th floor. I can tell it is the rebranding floor.

We enter the first room on the left which is the sauna. Except for two ladies; personnel 64 and 32, there's no other person. I clean up in the sauna and head to the spa.

Okay, I think I'm loving this treatment. Who knew Willow Hill had such taste? After the spa treatment which left me completely rejuvenated, it was the hair and makeup room.

“Welcome to Willow Hill's hair and makeup room. Have your seat while we get the work done.” A man, personnel 17 said, pulling out the chair for me. I wonder if the numbers are based on the order in which they came in.

“Thanks." I sit, facing the huge mirror in front of me. The man moves my head about, making a sound with his teeth. Soon, my hair is all done.

My once thick and tacky gold curls, now washed, dryed, recoiled, the shining gold, making my face pop. The maid leads me to the final stop. The dressing room.

Time to get off this crazy people's dress I'm in. The lady there, brought out a flowery dress with black flats. I can only grumble inwardly. Don't they have a better choice or something?

"Now that you're all done, you'll go to see Master Connor.” "Alright.”

We're leaving the room when a man stops us. He has to be a high ranking official seeing that he isn't dressed in a personnel uniform and the maid is standing behind him with her hair bowed.

“It's nice to meet you Latoya." There's something about this smiling man that isn't right. "Nice to see you.” I pick my words smartly.

He chuckles and moves closer to me, his breath on my face. “Feel free to meet me when you need anything.” he holds my shoulder for a while, looking into my eyes before disappearing down the room.

WHAT THE f**k??