Act 3 | Chapter 12

Honestly, I felt a lot better the next day. My throat wasn't as scratchy, and my fever had gone down. I still wasn't sure just why exactly I got sick, but it happened. Maybe I just wasn't feeling good is all? Perhaps it was the thought of seeing my mother again that made me nervous. With everything she had done to me over the years, I find it hard to forgive her. On countless examples, I asked her to either stop or to leave me alone, but she didn't anyway. Then there were the times when she found her own pleasure in punishing me. Whenever I got hurt in some way, she would take the opportunity then to punish me for anything she could before because it could ruin my 'perfect' body. It felt like bullshit sometimes. It really did.

For the duration of the previous day, I simply rested on the couch and contemplated the thought of going to see my mother again. There was a lot of time for me to think about the offer, and where I stand right now, I think I might go. There's a part of me that wants to know what she had to say and admit too. Maybe she will apologize to me for everything she has done to me. All the punishing, body painting, and neglect over the years of my life. It's what I really hoped she would do, but even then, I'm not sure if I'll be able to forgive her. I gave her countless chances, and even after everything, I still tried being nice to her, just hoping that maybe she would at least acknowledge me in the morning when she didn't want to drag me down to the cold dark basement. That day never came through, and maybe it could be today.

Before I even considered going down to my house again, I picked up my phone and sat down on my bed. I hesitated to hit the call button and took a moment to look around my room. Everything that was mine. Things I worked hard for. It was rare my mother would give me gifts, and even when she did, they were small, but still had meaning. There was a small brown bear that she had bought for me when I was born, and that stuffed animal had been with me ever since. It sat at the top of my dresser and looked out at the room. He saw everything that happened in here, and always felt like a protector to me. Something I wish my dad was like, but even then, I never got to see him much. He was either off working at the hotel, or ignoring me at home.

Finally, after some much-needed silence, I called my mother. The phone rang for a few seconds before it went to voicemail. Letting out a small sigh, I tried calling again, and to my surprise, she actually picked up. I just expected her to ignore me again, but no. She answered my call.

"Zoey?" She said on the other end. No hello, or anything, just my name.

"Y- Yeah?" I replied to her in a low voice. "I uh... I got your text."

There was silence on the other end. I wasn't sure if she had hung up or just isn't answering me.

"And?" Her voice came on again, "Have you considered it? Will you come to talk to me?"

"I... sure."

"Good. Can you meet me here later this afternoon?"

"Why does it have to be at the house?" I asked, frowning a bit.

"Because I want to talk here, Zoey. So we will."

I wasn't in the mood to argue with her, so I simply nodded and agreed. She explained to me that she was busy at the moment and couldn't talk now before hanging up. All I heard was the one signal noise once she did so. I was alone again, left in my room with no one to talk to. I needed to find something to pass the time and help take my mind off it, so I just went straight to doodling. Though I noticed something. My hand was shaking. It was impossible for me to keep a straight line as I dragged my pencil across the smooth white paper. So that didn't end up working, and instead, I just rested for the rest of the afternoon. The alarm on my phone went off not too long after and I checked the time. Only a few hours had passed, but this still seemed like a good time to go talk to her. It was only six in the afternoon, so if I walked there it would be about seven. I sat for an hour and leave, arriving back here at nine.

First, I needed to get dressed. It didn't really matter what I wore, so I ended up choosing some shorts, and my black shirt. It was simple, but then again, if my mother saw me like this with my arms and legs exposed to the natural elements, she would see just how much I've moved on. That's why I always wore long sleeves, and jeans, so they would cover my skin and prevent anything from happening to it. I grabbed my phone and shoved it into my pocket before stepping out into the hallway. Riley was leaning against the wall just outside my door. Her phone was out and she held it aimlessly in one hand while she looked down at it.

"Where are you going?" She asked in a firm voice.

"What?"

"I said, where are you going?" She turned her head to look at me.

"I'm just going out for a bit, I'll be back later," I said, and tried stepping past Riley, though she stretched her leg to the other side of the wall and blocked me.

"I heard you talking earlier. And your phone alarm just now. You're going to see her aren't you?"

I stood there in silence and looked at Riley. She was right. Perhaps I was a bit too loud, but there wasn't really any point in thinking about it too much right now.

"Y- Yeah."

"Zoey, I don't want you seeing her." Riley put her leg down and fully stepped in front of me.

"Riley, please. All she wants to do is talk. I want to hear her out."

"I don't think that's the best idea. I mean, just look at what she has done to you. You don't need to go back and see her. It would be better if you just stayed here. Please." She grabbed my shoulder and looked me in the eye. Riley cared about me, I know that. But despite it, I want to hear what my mother had to say. I needed to

"I'm sorry. I... I just need to hear what she has to say. Something that can give me closure on the whole thing. An apology or something."

Riley looked back at me and took a deep breath. A thousand thoughts were probably going through her head right now. She was probably more worried for mew than supportive at the moment.

"A-Alright. Fine. Just please promise me you'll be safe. Don't do anything stupid."

"I won't. Promis."

Riley gave me a nod and held my hand.

"Come on I'll drive you and wait outside. How does that sound? I'll be there for you."

"I would like that."