By Asher Linda

copyright, Asher Linda, August 3, 2025

Content Warning: This is a work of fiction. It contains familial captivity and other potential abuse that may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

Heddy’s mom rushed into the dining room, giving her last-minute instructions to make the table setting absolute perfection. “Everything has to look as if I hired the most elite professional house service in the city.”

The furniture sparkled like jewelry. The wall behind them was lined with eight-foot-tall glass antique cabinets built by various manufacturers; their wood bases covered with a thick, clear glaze.

Her dad was never around. He would come home, have dinner, sit in their library and read. He was ordered by his wife to let her keep in control of all the household affairs and their two grown children.

“I must go. When you’re through here, finish all the entries and calculations in the non-profit’s bank books, transfers included. Make it neat and clean so there is nothing to question by the volunteers and donors.”

Her brother, Angus, was dressed in his officer’s uniform, exhibiting his untrimmed wispy beard and thin-framed glasses. His eyes appeared questioning, waiting for their mom’s next orders for him.

“I’m late,” she snapped, never looking back and stormed out the door into the hall.

Angus then turned his head and disappeared into another room, and immediately left the house.

Heddy thought, ‘He didn’t even take it along.’ She leaned over the large, shiny antique table, hovering over a worn leather wallet, her thick chin-length straight hair spilling from side to side, which hung down like thin black chains from her very white scalp.

There were no cameras in this room. Her mother didn’t want anyone to discover her daughter’s true nature, which was that she was normal, except for never being able to leave her home or be seen by anyone outside of her family.

She didn’t pick up or move her brother’s wallet. Her brother’s identification cards showing that he was a law enforcement officer, were tucked inside.

Angus was going out-of-state today. Because of a recent law change in the neighboring state, crossing the border, which was close by, could get him arrested or worse, if he was stopped and accused of impersonating an officer for being without proper identification.

She left the wallet. She watched it lay there just in case her brother could suddenly come back to retrieve it.

He didn’t.

After an hour and a half, she had brought her own card, one she had made up, into the room and placed it in the wallet in front of her brother’s card.

Was she willing to let something happen to her only sibling?

She remembered the conversation she heard through the door. The door was slightly open. Her mother, Adix, and her brother weren’t too quiet or cautious about being overheard.

Her mother wanted this to be a warning to Heddy, also.

“Do you like living like this? Do you enjoy such luxuries? Remember, your sister cannot ever talk to anyone. This lifestyle can only be attained by what I have done. Everyone in the non-profit knows that she is dangerous and unstable. They made me head spokesperson and president because of my sacrifice to isolate and protect her by keeping her at home.”

“If she ever escapes or even tries to get away, you know what to do.”

He nodded.

Heddy knew also. No more time to think about the reason she had to go, she left, online accounts full, and the ability to run.

She put on a yellow raincoat and cap, ran out the door with the wallet inside her pocket, hopped onto the bus she signaled to stop… and left.