I had been told by multiple people that I had pistanthrophobia. My feelings and thoughts were constantly guarded around people while my secrets were safely under a lock and key. All I showed people was the calm and composed exterior. An exterior that betrayed nothing of my inner turmoil.

It is a widespread notion that trust issues came from a failed relationship or losing a loved one. That wasn't the case for me. The only reason I hid myself from people was the constant pity looks or the shrugs directed towards me once I had let my secret out in the open.

Through the years I had managed to build walls around me. Every secret I hid, every smile I faked and every lie I told were the building blocks of my masterpiece. I was safe inside my fort. Nothing could hurt me.

Or so I thought.

It looked like the walls of my fort weren't strong enough because no sooner had my mother confessed on having knowledge of the biggest secret of my life , they came tumbling down.

"But, you couldn't..." I murmured, disbelief and shock written all over my face.

"I know you are surprised, but-"

"Uh, surprised? Mother dear, isn't that an understatement?" I replied with sarcasm oozing out of every word. The only reply she gave me was a look dripping with pity.

A whole tonne of rocks settled in the pit of my stomach upon experiencing the look from my mother. My earlier feelings of panic and helplessness disappeared and loathing filled my veins. Sympathizing or empathising with someone was alright, but pity? Pity was something I couldn't tolerate.

"Oh! My head aches! I think I need to take my medicine. Mom..." I said. I put my hand against my head and bit my lip to paint the most pained expression I could muster. I hated to make her worry but I just couldn't bear the look any longer.

My theatrical skills came out to be pretty good and within seconds my mother was already out of the door, running through the corridor and yelling for a doctor.

Smiling contentedly to myself I settled into the pillows, completely aware of the bullet I had just dodged. The faint sunlight that was earlier streaming in through the windows, gradually grew fainter and fainter as I settled into a peaceful slumber. I hoped the sedatives given to me would help me achieve a dreamless sleep. I already had a lot on my plate. Another nightmare was the last thing I needed.

The clinking of glass bottles and the pattering of feet woke me up. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked around wondering how the hospital room I had memories of sleeping in had suddenly transformed itself into a replica of my room.

The once stark white walls were now painted a lighter hue of yellow while the windows had moved from beside my bed to the opposite wall. The quilt had also become a thousand times softer.

After a thorough check of the room (which consisted of a series of punches to the pillow, banging doors and flying newspapers), I found myself draped across the couch, pondering on life's greatest mysteries.

And Sean.

There was a high probability that I was pondering more on the mystery of Sean than life's greatest mysteries however that is simply a deviation from the topic at hand.

"Elsie, Elsie are you alright? I could-"My mother's voice shook me out of the thoughts I was having. The rest of her sentence was drowned by the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs.

My eyes opened wide in panic and I began to search for things to stop my mother's arrival. I still wasn't over the look she had given me earlier.

"It's alright Mom! I'm awake. I'll be down in a few." I replied in a hurried tone which led to a sudden cease in the footsteps. She had stopped walking. "You needn't worry. I'm fine. Honestly." I added the last part as a final attempt to persuade her into leaving.

An audible sigh along with a the sound of retreating footsteps followed my words.

Gingerly, I let myself down from the couch.

Due to the extensive rest enjoyed by my limbs, walking had suddenly become a chore. My legs felt much heavier than before and my toes kept hitting everything within a ten foot radius of them. Part of my brain yearned for more rest, while the other was adamant on overcoming my weakness.

Unsurprisingly, I gave in to the second half. If there was one thing I hated, it would be dependence on others.

Upon noticing that my mother was in the kitchen, I turned and made my way towards the front door instead.

"Mom, I'm just taking a stroll around the place! Anything you needed?" I shouted over my shoulder as I reached out to unlock the door.

"Elsie, I don't think you should go. You've just recovered darling. Resting is a better option." My mother replied, a knife in one hand and a tomato in another. Her eyes beseeched me to stay. She knew how stubborn I could be.
" Mom. I can't alright? I can't let this overpower me." I kept my eyes pointed towards the ground as I spoke.  Without waiting for a reply, I whirled around and stalked over to the door.

I heard a few clangs and then heard her voice.

"Enjoy your walk. Hopefully the change of air will do you good!" She replied from inside the house.

Taking a deep breath I began walking along the sidewalk, my mind going back to the last time I had been here. The nightmare and its repercussions. Green eyes. Him saying my name. None of it made any sense to me.

My mind was so preoccupied cooking up strategies, that it failed to take notice of the shadow looming over me. I had only just registered the slight rustle of clothes from behind, when I realized that there was a possibility of someone following me.

It was already too late for realizations, as a hand had already clamped my mouth shut and was  steadily pulling me backwards.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello dear readers!

Looks like Elsie doesn't have the best luck in the world...

I would also like to thank all the readers who are commenting! It means a lot.

So what do you think of Elsie? What will happen now? Any ideas?

Keep voting and commenting!

-Annagems