Chapter 5 Uncertainty

I looked through the closet and picked a pink and purple gown to put on. The length stopped on my knee. It is a floral design also. I blow dried my hair and put on a mild lipstick. I packed my long black hair in ponytail. I saw very nice slippers and put it on. When I finished, I checked myself in the mirror and smiled. I didn't like the bruises on my face but the pretty dress I was putting on, the nice fragrance of perfume and the shampoo I had used to wash my hair was some consolation. I summoned all the courage I had left in me and walked out of the room. I went down stairs.

He was just staring at me with his mouth wide open. I felt numb from his stare.

"You look just like her."

I couldn't help but be a little shy.. Who is her? I wondered.

"I'm sorry about the stare. You look just like my daughter."

"Oh okay." That was the only response I could give.

"The cops aren't here yet?" "No, they're not coming." I felt shivers down my spine. What have I gotten myself into? I bit my lips and had a little frown on my face

"You don't have to be scared. You only need to abide by some rules. Pay attention because I won't repeat myself."

I nodded immediately "Rule 1: Never call the cops Rule 2: Never go into the basement Rule 3: You're not allowed to bring friends over Rule 4: You must wear and use only the things I buy for you. These rules only apply if you choose to stay here And you cannot choose otherwise after making your decision. Whatever decision you make is final and I'll make the remaining decisions afterwards."

"Wow!" That was the only thing I could say after I was given weird but specific rules. He sounds like an obsessed man to me.

"How long do I have to think about this?" I asked him

"You're meant to answer within five minutes. If I don't get your answer after five minutes I'll assume that's a no." Thinking about it all, I decided that I'd rather stay here in his house and abide by his rules because I would starve to death on the street. I have no one to go to because it had always been just me and my parents. I could stay here, go to school, eat good food, wear nice clothes, try to figure out what had happened in my house and also figure out who those people were. After all of that, I could think about getting revenge on the people that killed the only family I knew. I wouldn't call my home a happy home but it was far better than living with a total stranger.

"I'll stay" I answered in a very low voice. His smile was so wide, wider than that of the Joker. "Alright then, you'll stay in the room upstairs and I'll register you in a new school next week. Take the rest of the week to settle down since its Thursday already." Hmmm, I didn't think I'll be returning to school so soon. I thought it was going to take about a month before he'll enroll me in school. But it was actually a good idea since I wouldn't be staying in this strange man's house for too long. So I thought.

"By the way, what is your name? I'm Donald." "I'm Andrea, Andrea Peters" I responded.

"You've got a nice name but you'll have to drop your last name and use mine. I wouldn't want anyone snooping around. It would be easier to keep things in control if you use mine."

I rolled my eyes and thought to myself Isn't this guy just a control freak? Like since I got here, he's been giving the orders and setting the rules. The only time he gave me a chance to decide, it was a decision that would still be in his favor. Pissed off I mumbled "okay. " He told me I could go back to my room if I didn't have any question or I could get something to eat from the fridge if I was hungry.

"Erm, hold on. I need to clean up your wounds before they get infected. I can't take you to the hospital because we will be answering a lot of questions we don't have answers to. Plus I'm yet to know what happened to you." He went to get the first aid box and started cleaning up my wound.