Instead of me having to write all of the rules down myself, I was fortunate enough to have received a list of rules, including some really weird and questionable ones that I wasn't sure I was ever going to do, let alone would have thought about until it was mentioned.

I glanced up, "These are all of them?" There had been forty-three. What an odd number.

He shrugged, "That they came up with so far. You know, you seem to be quite the rebel, Samantha. I suppose the rules are intended to see which ones you'll follow and which one's you'll piss on as soon as you get the chance. Ma— M knows you quite well."

"Is he my brother?"

He smiled, "I can't tell you that."

I rolled my eyes and sat back down on the couch. I wasn't interested in the tour anymore. I could see everything that I needed to see. The bedroom, the kitchen, the little workout room, and the living room were really the only interesting things in this makeshift house. I supposed that it had something to do with either the lack of materials or care. It didn't bother me, though.

I looked back down at the rules and read them again:

Rule One:

Samantha is not allowed to inflict any pain upon herself, anyone who enters this area, nor the furniture or materials that are provided to her. She must remain—at all times—safe, for that is most important.

Rule Two:

Samantha is not permitted to enter the bathroom with another person while the door is closed.

Rule Three:

Samantha will be required to clean herself once daily, brush her teeth twice daily—only after eating—and make sure her hair is tidy in order to ensure her health.

Rule Four:

Samantha will not spend more than two hours a day being sedentary. A workout room was provided to her and shall be utilized when she is not busy with other tasks.

Rule Five:

Samantha will eat two meals a day—one at 700 and another at 1900. Any food not consumed will be in violation of Rule One above.

Rule Six:

Samantha will be required to change her clothing once a day unless the clothing is ripped or dirty.

Rule Seven:

Samantha shall not touch herself in a sexual manner. Ever.

Rule Eight:

Samantha will be required to keep the cameras, microphones, and other security devices in mint condition. She shall not touch, move, cover up, nor destroy these items.

Rule Nine:

Samantha is required to be asleep by 2000 every night. She is not permitted to wake up any earlier than 600 nor is she allowed to sleep in.

Rule Ten:

Samantha will be clothed at all times unless she is changing clothes.

Rule Eleven:

Samantha will keep her emotions in check. She will not lash out when angry, nor expect pity when upset.

Rule Twelve:

Samantha shall not tamper with the Exit door. She will refrain from touching it or trying to get out of it.

Rule Thirteen:

Samantha will not touch any visitors she may have. Any physical contact will result in immediate termination of the occupation of the visitor.

Rule Fourteen:

Samantha will not attempt to move around any furniture. All furniture will remain in its proper location in the room.

Rule Fifteen:

Samantha will be required to take her medication twice daily. This is done with meals.

Rule Sixteen:

Samantha will maintain a neat and orderly room. Any clutter on the floor will be removed and not returned.

Rule Seventeen:

Samantha will not steal from the visitors, nor shall she request any outside items be brought to her.

Rule Eighteen:

Samantha will not question the visitors about things involving the HSD.

Rule Nineteen:

Samantha will not complain about being confined, nor should she act out in order to gain removal.

Rule Twenty:

Samantha will not question visitors about any marks on her body.

Rule Twenty-One:

Samantha will maintain a professional relationship with visitors. Under no circumstances should there be any provocative or sexual language between her and another visitor.

Rule Twenty-Two:

Samantha shall not attempt communication with anyone outside of the room.

Rule Twenty-Three:

Samantha will inform any visitors if she is experiencing any symptoms of flu, cold, or other sicknesses.

Rule Twenty-Four:

Samantha will inform any visitors if she is experiencing depression, insomnia, anxiety, or any other abnormal mental conditions.

Rule Twenty-Five:

Samantha will inform any visitors immediately if she remembers anything about her past.

Rule Twenty-Six:

Samantha will not lie when questioned. Any lying that is found out will be immediately punished.

Rule Twenty-Seven:

Samantha will not refuse any extra medication prescribed, nor shall she refuse to be punished by any visitor.

Rule Twenty-Eight:

Samantha will be taught history as well as other simple subjects to keep her mind sharp.

Rule Twenty-Nine:

Samantha will not refuse any lessons taught by a visitor.

Rule Thirty:

Samantha will not make eye contact with any visitors that come to visit her.

Rule Thirty-One:

Samantha must drink three bottles of water a day. Any fewer and she shall be punished.

Rule Thirty-Two:

Any accidents involving urine during the night will be avoided. If an accident is to occur, it will not be treated and Samantha will be punished.

Rule Thirty-Three:

Samantha will refrain from using vulgar or provocative language regardless of whether she is alone or with visitors.

Rule Thirty-Four:

Samantha may be granted one "Free Day" a month. This is to be told to a visitor one week in advance. "Free Days" do not accumulate; if a day is missed, Samantha will have missed an opportunity.

Rule Thirty-Five:

Samantha will not chew on her nails. She will cut them or a visitor will cut them so they cannot be used to cause harm to anyone.

Rule Thirty-Six:

Samantha shall not have any contact with previous relationships under any circumstances. The result of outward desire for contact will result in punishment.

Rule Thirty-Seven:

Samantha shall not have any affection nor shall she present it through words nor actions.

Rule Thirty-Eight:

Samantha will not run, jump, climb, scream, or carry out any childish action in any section of the room.

Rule Thirty-Nine:

Samantha may not keep any of the items that are brought into the room. This includes: silverware, food, or other medical equipment.

Rule Forty:

Samantha will not resort to violence as a means of defense under any circumstances. Nor should Samantha feel as if she needs to defend herself.

Rule Forty-One:

Samantha will not make small talk with any of her visitors in order to prolong their stay. The visitors are to come and immediately leave.

Rule Forty-Two:

In case of emergency situations, Samantha will remain calm at all times and will not make any attempt to end her own life.

Rule Forty-Three:

Samantha will not be wasteful with the resources provided to her, such as: toothpaste, water, toilet paper, etc.

I closed my eyes. Was I allowed to question these rules? The rules told me that I wasn't allowed to, but I've already broken at least nine of these rules already. And what even were these rules?

Why would I inflict pain upon myself? Is living here really going to be that bad? If I'm not being sedentary, what am I supposed to be doing? I'm not allowed to... touch myself sexually. Um, I didn't even think about doing that. What's the big deal with my safety? I can't have emotions? Am I supposed to be a robot? What the hell...? HSD? What is that?

So many questions ran through my mind at the same time. This was all so confusing. I groan and throw the papers to the side. "What does all of this mean?!"

Jackson smiled, "It's only precautionary, Samantha."

I squirmed in my seat, not making eye contact. "Does this mean that I'm not allowed to talk to you anymore?"

He laughed, "No, no. I don't count."

I glanced up nervously, "What?"

He sat down across from me, his gun bulging out of his holster. If he shifted the slightest to the left, I could jump over and grab... Holy shit! How the fuck do I know this? Who was I? I blinked as Jackson continued saying what he was going to.

"I don't count, Samantha. I'm not really a 'visitor'." He put his hands up to make the air quotes. "I'm here for you." I glanced down at the rules in front of me. "So, I can touch you?" He nodded then furrowed his eyebrows. Maybe he didn't read the rules before he gave them to me. I continued, "And I can steal from you?" Rules Thirteen and Seventeen. He didn't reply, so I gave him another one, "And I assume that you know that I can question you about this 'HSD'." Rule Eighteen.

"Yes?" he said in a soft voice. I smiled triumphantly.

"And I can question you about marks on my flesh, have a friendly, non-professional relationship with you, refuse lessons given by you, make eye contact with you, use—"

"Alright, Sam! Enough!" his voice echoed through the halls of the house. I blinked, unsure and slightly afraid. "You may not steal from me, question me about the HSD, question me about marks on your skin, refuse lessons, nor use provocative language."

I frowned, "Well, it says—"

"I know what it says," he interrupted me again. That was really annoying... "I have my own orders, Samantha. And some of my orders are different from the rules you have."

I threw the rules to the side, "Okay, I don't want to think about this anymore, it's starting to hurt my head."

"Good, your time is up anyway," he growled then stood up, quickly. "I'll be back tomorrow. Go to bed, Samantha."

"You're not allowed to tell me what—"

"Bed, Sam!" his thunderous voice boomed out again. I stood up hastily. Finally! My body was having a normal reaction to something he said or did. Instead of standing up to face him, I retreated, fearing him. It was nice to know that there was something inside of me that wasn't gone: my self-preservation switch.

Jackson followed me to the bedroom, muttering something about women not doing what they're told. The comment made me frown as I rushed to the bathroom, leaving the door open. I brushed my teeth with the toothbrush and the toothpaste I found in the medicine cabinet and then grabbed a brush to run it through the semi-short strands of blonde hair. Jackson stood outside of the bathroom, watching me intently. I knew he was there, I could feel his eyes on my back. There was a twinge of knowing that he also had his hand placed firmly on the butt of his gun, preparing to draw it out of its holster and point it at me.

Something was wrong, though. Why would he want to shoot me? If my safety was so important to these people—whoever the fuck they were—shouldn't he be forbidden to shoot me? Maybe I should try to provoke him, test his limits, eh? The thought brought a smile to my face and all of the sudden, my self-preservation switch was turned off. I set the brush down and turned to face him.

Just as I had suspected, his hand was placed on his gun, standing in a defensive position, staring at me.

"Jackson?" I said in a sweet voice. He narrowed his eyes, not answering. I took that as a moment to continue. "I'm feeling a little hungry. Don't I get to eat before I have to go to bed?"

There was a noise of irritation that erupted from deep inside of his chest. He pointed at me with the hand not on the gun and said in a very stern voice, "Don't. Move." He turned around and nearly sprinted towards the Exit Door. Once he was out of the bedroom, I counted to five then sprinted after him. I hadn't realized how fast I was.

He was standing at the door, swiping a badge that he produced from his pocket. The door made a clicking sound as I sprinted towards it. He swung it open—stupidly, not checking his back—then stepped out of it. I pushed my legs harder and a smiled burst across my face. I was going to make it.

I took one step out of the room and a gun went off. Then, there was black.

***

I hope that reading the rules wasn't too much for you. You don't have to remember them, don't worry.

What do you think is going to happen now that Sam is out of sorts? Have any idea what will happen to her? Guess we'll find out next week. Happy reading!