The Triplets of Emerald Forest

Chapter 11 Harlow

"Not again." I groaned, rolling over and stretching out my sore muscles. I recognized the fuzzy feeling in my fingers and toes, and the fog in my head; those bastards had sedated me again.

I looked around and wasn't at all surprised to see that my blanket rope had been confiscated. Honestly, I was shocked I was still allowed any blankets at all. I jumped out of bed and tried my luck at the front door. It was locked. I walked over to the french doors of the balcony and noticed that the handles were missing. Upon further exploration of the room, I located the broken handles in the trash can. I wasn't even going to bother asking about that.

"I have to pee." I said to myself, stomping into the bathroom.

I found a fresh toothbrush in one of the drawers of the vanity and decided that I mindswell freshen myself up. I wasn't about to risk taking a shower and having those triplet menaces walk in on me while in such a compromising position, so I just settled for washing my hair under the faucet. I tied my damp hair into a bun and went into the closet to change into my own clothing which, again, were stolen from my home, just in case you forgot.

I wasn't even surprised to see Annie and Kori waiting for me when I exited the closet. I'm not sure what it was about these two girls in particular that made them think I could relate to them or let my guard down, but they kept on coming back.

"How are you feeling, Harlow? We heard you took a tumble last night." Annie said, looking at me with a judgemental expression. I just shrugged like I didn't know what she was talking about.

"We have breakfast." Kori said once she realized I wasn't going to respond, "And I suggest you eat because the triplets will be coming up shortly to speak with you."

"What?" I snapped, whipping around to face the girls. Kori gave me an I told you so look,

"We had convinced them to wait until you were ready to speak with them, but after your stunt last night, that's out the window." She actually looked mad at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was I just supposed to sit here and await my fate?" I bit, glaring harshly at her.

"Jumping down 4 stories might've been a little dramatic." Annie sighed.

"Oh, do you think? How do I know that waiting around here is the better alternative? For all I know, falling to my death is the better option!" I shouted.

"That's enough." A stern voice shook me to my core.

Annie and Kori spun around to face the intruder. I recognized him as one of the men who had stalked me to my apartment. He was wearing a dark green v-neck t-shirt and jeans.

"Annie and Kori, you can go now." He said and the girls seemed to look nervously between us.

"No! Don't leave me in a room alone with him, please." I begged, suddenly shaking with fear.

The man's eyes softened and his plump lips turned down in a frown.

"I won't...." He started to say something but shook his head and changed his mind, "Come out here to the living room, then." He motioned towards the door.

Kori and Annie walked out first and I followed after them. I hesitantly moved past the man, afraid to be too close to him. He grabbed my arm before I could make it out the door and ducked his head so his gaze met mine,

"Don't even think about running." He said in a low, husky voice.

I felt my cheeks heat up at our closeness and a strange tingling feeling was coming from the spot where his hand was touching my bare skin. I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. He released my arm and let me pass. I noticed that the other two men, one wearing a blue long sleeved shirt and the other in a red sweatshirt, were waiting in the living room as well. Kori and Annie were long gone.