Present
We were in a staring match. I was sitting up, my back braced against the head broad and my arms folded across my chest. He stood at the foot of the bed, his arms mirroring mine but his stance much more menacing. The doctor had left half an hour ago after informing me that I was banged up a bit and had lightly sprained my ankle, but would be back to full health with another week of bed rest and three weeks of minimal walking for my ankle. Mentally? I couldn't remember a thing. Not my name, age, where I was, what I was doing at the time of my injuries or who the hell these men were. The doctor didn't seem too worried, saying it should only be temporary and was a common side effect of experiencing head trauma. Apparently, I had been out for two days.
"I'm gonna ask you one more time and this time you will answer. " he gritted out. I huffed and threw my hands up in frustration. "I told you! I wasn't lying! I really don't remember anything!" I blurted before he could ask again. We had been at this since the doctor left and I was getting pretty damn annoyed. He was silent, his eyes drilling into me as if searching for the truth. A knock sounded on the room door and without breaking his stare he uttered a gruff, "voyti" (enter). The door opened and a man stepped in, his gaze brushing over me briefly before moving to my interrogator. "Gavriil, Ivan's back with an update." Gavriil I repeated his name a few times in my head. He looked reluctant but he finally broke his gaze and strolled out of the room. I heaved a sigh of relief and glanced around again. This was clearly not my home if this man, Gavriil, didn't know who I was. So that left the question, how did I get here? And more importantly, was anyone looking for me?
* * *
I really shouldn't be doing this. In fact, this was downright crazy...I continued to advance forward grimacing with every step as my ankle protested the pressure I was forcing it to bare. I crept towards the bedroom door and gave the doorknob a tentative twist. It was open! Slowly pulling it open all the way, I peeked out into an empty hall. Well. Call me lady luck. Glancing down at my attire I hesitated slightly.
I was wearing a white silk button-down shirt that clearly belonged to a male and not much else. I wiggled my bare toes that were already cold on the tile floor and regretted it as the action sent pain shooting up my injured ankle. I swallowed a hiss of pain and took a minute to weigh my options. I could stay and get possibly raped and murdered by these men that were clearly not related to me or anyone I knew, or, I could brave the elements and the unfamiliar area in a shirt, barefoot and injured.
I liked my second option better. Slipping out of the room, I pulled the door shut quietly behind me and started my way down the hall. A few doors lined the right side of the wall so I slowed down every time I passed one, listening for any movement on the other side. I was almost at the end of the hall when voices sounded ahead, causing me to freeze in terror. My heart was creating a steady cacophony in my head making it hard to think.
I couldn't even understand what they saying. It was more of that damn Russian! Looking around wildly I realized I was too far away from the room I'd left behind and there were no corners or crevices for me to duck into. With no other option, I opened the room closest to me and slipped inside. My eyes squeezed shut. Seconds ticked by as the voices got scary close and then slowly began fading again. I breathed a sigh of relief and sagged against the door. Thank God.
Opening my eyes, I turned around and screamed before slapping my hand over my own mouth. There, in all his naked glory, stood Gavriil. Oh shit. Oh, shit big time! He looked slightly surprised and then the expression morphed into annoyance and suspicious. "H-hi!" I squeaked out, pressing myself against the door despite the fact that the bathroom was the size of a master bedroom and left enough space between us for at least ten other people. When he didn't say anything, just continued to stare, I swallowed and gave him a shaky smile. I was having a hard time keeping my gaze trained on his face when all I wanted to do was glance down and satisfy my curiosity.
"I uh, was looking for the...bathroom!" I gave what I thought would be a carefree laugh but it came out like a dying seal instead. Something between a whimper and a cackle. I stopped immediately and cleared my throat. "Anyhoo, this one is clearly occupied so I'm just going to go ahead and leave...you to..yeah" I babbled out like an idiot before turning around and grasping the knob.
I didn't even hear him move, but suddenly he was behind me and his hand was by my head shoving the door closed. This was it. The moment I die. The moment I meet my maker and any ancestors I have on the other side- "use this one." He said quietly. I heard rustling and turned around slowly to see he had shrugged on a robe. He met my gaze and something about the deadly glint in them told me he knew exactly what I had been doing. That thought was confirmed when he moved back towards me and grasped my jaw painfully.
"Just so you are aware, there are over fifty men outside that will redecorate your body with holes if you step out of this house without my permission. ponimayete? (understand?) "
When I only stared up at him in horror, he squeezed my jaw and I whimpered. "ponimayete?" I didn't know what that meant but something told me to nod. He seemed pleased and softened his hold so he could gently stroke his thumb down my cheek. "khoroshaya devushka (good girl)" he murmured. And walked out before I could reply.
* * *
I sat in the giant bathtub with my knees pulled to my chest and chin brushing the surface of the water. My hair was washed and piled up on top of my head dripping cold droplets onto my exposed shoulders. I felt worn out, confused and scared. I didn't know who I was. No matter how hard I tried to remember, all I got was a headache for my efforts. I didn't even know what I looked like. I hadn't thought to glance in the mirror as I passed it earlier. I had been so shaken up. I felt my eyes fill and run over. And then the floodgates opened up.
I sat there crying for God knows how long. I felt so lost and alone. What was my name? Did I have siblings? Parents? Was anyone looking for me? Was I a good person? So many questions clawed at me demanding answers I couldn't give and caused my tears to fall all the faster.
My head started pounding from my sobs and dizziness took over. The next thing I knew, I was slipping under the water, sending a flood of it over the side of the massive tub.
* * *
The feel of someone's strong grip on my arm and stomach jostled me out of my dazed state enough for me to realize that they were pulling me out of the tub. I gasped for much-needed air and started coughing up water, which made my lungs burn and my eyes tear. Angry Russian sounded from the male holding me and then from the doorway. Vaguely I realized that I had a bit of an audience and I was naked as can be. Thankfully, I couldn't muster up the urge to care.
I was placed on top of the counter and then a big fluffy towel was wrapped around me. I hadn't noticed, but I was shivering uncontrollably. More Russian was shouted back and forth and then I was left with the man that had pulled me out of the tub and possibly saved me from drowning.
I looked up into ice blue eyes that were staring at me in anger. Gavriil. "What did you think you were doing?" He hissed out in a tone that made me want to shrink away. "Did you think drowning yourself would get you out of telling me what I want to know?"
My mouth dropped open at the accusation. Drown myself?! "What? I- I wasn't trying to drown myself-"
"Za-kroy rot! (Shut your mouth!) Your father probably taught you to do whatever necessary to avoid giving out information but trust me, I have ways of making you talk. Painful ways that will have you screaming for days mysh (mouse)". His voice was terrifyingly calm and his words should have scared me but I could only focus on one thing. My father. My eyes widened and hope flared like a dying flame sparking to life.
"My...my father? You know my father?" I couldn't keep the excitement off my face. I reached out and grabbed his arms, leaning forward. The towel slipped down a bit most likely flashing an ample amount of cleavage. I didn't care. He knew my father! I had a father!
"Where is he? What's his name? Is he coming to get me?" My smile widened at the prospect of meeting someone who knew me. Someone who cared for me!
Gavriil seemed baffled by my reaction as he stared at me with a blank expression. Then the expression changed to one of realization. "You...really don't know who you are" it wasn't a question. More of a statement murmured to himself but I nodded anyway. "But, you can change that right? Because you know my father and so it's all gonna be okay now and I can go home. Right?"
He frowned and stepped back, putting distance between us. "...finish up" he demanded quietly, turning to leave. What? Panic replaced my relief and I jumped down from the counter forgetting about my ankle. Pain jolted up my leg buckling my knees and a startled cry left my lips. For the second time today, strong arms wrapped around me, holding me against a hard chest. He tsked as he looked down at me his expression hard.
"Vy stanovites' bol'she problemoy, chem stoite (you are becoming more trouble than you're worth)" I frowned up at him starting to get annoyed with his god damn Russian! Would it kill him to speak English to me? Pushing away from him I stumbled and caught myself against the counter before turning to face him fully and putting a hand on my hip. "Stop that! I don't understand what you're saying so just stop! Speak English or shut the fuck up!" I screamed, beyond frustrated.
I lifted my other hand and pointed at him accusingly. "And you can't keep me here! It's illegal! I may not remember who I am, but I know that much!" I was on a roll. I was done with this shit. Try waking up in a strange place, with strange men and no memory and see if you don't flip your shit! His expression stayed passive. His gaze hard. It was a little unsettling but I forged ahead. "Now. If you won't contact my father for me, I want to be brought to a police station so they can help me find my family." I demanded with as much confidence as I could muster.
We stood there in silence staring each other down. "Well?" I huffed, my bravado slightly fading. He released a sigh and in two quick steps he was in front of me and then in one smooth motion I was hoisted over his broad shoulder. I yelped and struggled against his hold as he marched towards the door. "Hey! What the hell are you doing? Put me down!" I ordered.
When he made no move to do so I began pounding on his back and kicking my legs. My knee jabbed into his rib and a small grunt left him, making me smile in satisfaction. I made to do it again but the sharp sting of his palm on my ass made me yelp in surprise and discomfort. I could feel my face getting hot. Pervert! "W-what do you think you're doing?!"
"You hit me, then I hit you" I could hear the amusement in his voice. My mouth opened and shut a few times but I couldn't think of a retort. "Whatever...just put me the hell down!"
"Okay." he said easily. What? And then he dropped me.