Lesson 15- Clothes are for wearing, not decorating the floor.

Laura has managed to get me a dozen or so outfits. It’s basically all comfortable stuff like leggings, tshirts, a few hoodies. She didn’t bother with shoes since they’re harder to fit, but she did get me a pair of really soft looking ugg boots so I have an option other than wearing my boots or walking around barefoot. One bag I reach into then immediately close and push to the side when I realise that it’s full of underwear and bras. She apparently took a guess at my size and got me a few opinions plus some stretchy sports bra type things so there has to be SOMETHING that fits. I give Laura a nod at that bag and just move on. Laura got me new toiletries, including soaps, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, razors, even moisturiser. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to use all this stuff since right now all I have to bathe in is a tiny sink, but Torin did say he was taking care of it, whatever that means. There is a heavy stomping of footsteps down the hall and Kyle knocks on the doorframe.
“Boss, there is a delivery truck out back.” He informs him. His words are polite but he looks pissed off. It probably has something to do with the flour covering his hands and apron. Laura jumps to her feet.
“I’ll go sort that! Be right back!” She rushes off and Kyle returns to his cooking. Laura was folding my new clothes as we unpacked them so I stack them on the bookshelf since I don’t have any other storage. I leave the bag of undergarments to the side since I don’t really want to put them all on the shelf. I can sort them out later when I’m alone. I’ll need to try stuff on anyway and I can try to figure out a better place to keep them then.

There are a lot of thumping and scraping sounds coming from the hallway. What the hell is going on out there? I peer around the door and I can see Laura guiding two delivery men as they try to drag a very large and very heavy rectangular box down the hallway. The two of them are struggling, the box must weigh a lot… But I suspect the real issue is that the hallway is too narrow for them to easily get a good angle on the box so they’re carrying it weirdly. Torin sighs behind me and I jump when I realise that he’s standing directly behind me and also watching the show.
“Leave it.” He tells them. The two guys lower the box to the floor, clearly relieved. It is leaning on one wall and is blocking the hallway. The delivery guy closest to us lets out a groan of frustration when he realises that he can’t actually get out.
“Excuse me…” Torin mutters and I realise he’s waiting to get past me.
“Oh, sorry.” I step into the hallway to join Laura. Torin gestures for the delivery guy to step aside and then in an effortless movement, picks up the box himself and carries it to my room. He walks backwards since it would be way too hard to turn around holding the box. I swear the delivery guy’s eyes are about to explode out of their heads, they are so impressed. Torin drops the large box in the middle of the room and returns to the hallway where the two delivery guys are still staring.
“Did Laura sort you out already?” He asks. The two guys nod nervously and back up. One of them is noticeably sweaty. Wait, I think I misinterpreted something. They weren’t staring because they’re impressed, these guys are scared, terrified even. That’s sort of crazy. All Torin did was carry a heavy box, which yeah it was impressive, but I’m not sure it’s deserving of the level of fear they’re displaying. The men assure Torin that they don’t need anything and rush out the door, looking over their shoulders as they go. One guy trips over the doorstep on the way out and his friend doesn’t even stop to help him. I can’t help but choke out a laugh. These guys are ridiculous. Meanwhile Laura and Kyle are eying Torin nervously, like they expect him to be angry. He doesn’t seem angry to me, he has his same scary poker face expression, but his posture is relaxed.
“What’s in the box?” I ask curiously. It takes up half the room.
“A bed frame. I’ll put it together while you work tonight. The mattress should be delivered soon too.” He adds. I beam a smile at him that leaves him blinking and confused again.
“Thanks!” I tell him cheerfully. He certainly arranged that fast. How do you even get all that stuff delivered in a day? I’m a little concerned by how much money everyone is spending on me right now. I know they don’t even especially want me here, so I appreciate that they’re going out of their way to make it comfortable for me. They don’t HAVE to do that. Should I be worried about Stockholm syndrome or something here? I don’t THINK so. I mean I identify with my ‘captors’ but it isn’t something that developed over time due to a dependency on them. I identified with them right away. That suggests I actually just like them, right? I haven’t really tried to get away. I have a feeling that if I REALLY kicked up a fuss, they might actually let me go. I don’t think anyone here would actually hurt me. Not on purpose anyway. But they did save my life, so I can stay for a while and follow their rules. Hopefully they can learn to trust me and we can all be happy. I just hope my life doesn’t fall apart too much in the meantime.

I try to ignore the little voice in my head that says there wasn’t much to lose anyway. Except my brother. I do love my brother and I’m hoping he isn’t worried about me. We usually speak a couple times a week, so he might not realise I’m not answering my phone just yet. But he will soon and then I think we might have trouble. We have always been close. My brother even argued when I told him I wanted to live alone. Before that I lived with him, but I’ve never really been apart from him and I thought it might do my independence a bit of good to have some space. I don’t even want to imagine what he would say if he heard what happened to me. Some guy chased me, attacked me and now I’m being trapped in a building by strangers. He would probably insist he was right the whole time and that I can’t take care of myself and then he would pack me up and drag me back to his place. Where he would also probably try to keep me locked up due to his paranoia. Huh, maybe my situation isn’t all that different either way. Okay, maybe that’s a little harsh. My brother wouldn’t lock me up. But he does worry about me. A lot. It’s been just the two of us against the world for a long time. Damn it. I’ve gone and made myself sad. As much as he drives me crazy, my brother is my best friend and now I desperately want to call him, just to check in and hear his voice. I decide to push my luck a little and ask Torin about it.
“Uhm… Torin? I was wondering. Is there any chance I could have my phone back, even just for a bit? I need to contact my work and tell them I’m not coming in so they can cover my shifts. Plus my brother will worry. I need to talk to him and let him know I’m okay.” I take a quick breath and keep going, wanting to give my entire argument before he has a chance to refuse.
“You let me use your phone earlier. I could do that again if I needed to.” I suggest. Torin shakes his head firmly.
“No.” He answers bluntly. I frown.
“You could stay the whole time.” I keep trying.
“No.” He refuses again.
“Not even one call? A text even?” I make a last ditch effort.
“Not even a text.” he says, refusing to budge. I let out an irritated sigh and cross my arms over my chest.
“Fine.” Is all I answer. I know when I’m not going to win an argument. I’ll try again later. But seriously what does he think a text is going to do? He could check it first and everything! What am I a spy or something? Am I going to write in code and give away his secrets to who? My brother? My boss? It’s ridiculous. All the friendly feelings I was having for him a minute ago are pushed to the back of my mind and now I’m just annoyed. Laura obviously notices and takes the chance to steal me away to train me in the bar. I go willingly without looking back at Torin. He doesn’t say a word as I walk away.