Doubtful...

He stood tall and defiant in front of me, clenched jaws, clenched fists and bent muscles. Everyone would feel scared of him, and I understood what Arosh and Doc said about him. I shouldn't be fooled by his occasional charming smile, he's someone to be afraid of. I should have listened to the voice of reason, but I always followed my courage. Now my courage told me to oppose him, and so I did.

"Why did you ask for me?"

"I asked you a question"

"I am also"

"ANSWER ME!" I almost jumped to my seat at the loud reaction. I knew I was provoking him, but I didn't expect him to shoot this fast.

"Why do I have to answer you?" I remained cold and put my hands on my hips to show him that he was not my boss.

"You work because I ..."

His tone dropped with the last word, then he stood still, I raised my eyebrows in anticipation of his sanity.

"You are my guest and I took care of you. You don't know the area and I was afraid of getting lost or being attacked or something."

His voice was softer and his face relaxed, I looked him in the eye and he was honest. His reason is legitimate, I'll give it to him. I have already faced a wild animal. I would be worried too. I struggled to find my way back. It took me a minute to answer him.

"You showed me this place and I remembered yesterday's trip."

He didn't answer, so I took my hands off my hips and pointed with a wide motion at that area before continuing.

"It's really beautiful, I've always lived in the city and there's nothing like it."

"Really very nice," he said, looking me straight in the eye.

"There are many other locations I can show you.

"I can't stay long, I'll leave as soon as I get the medicine"

"I may not have asked correctly, but I would like you to stay here and join our community."

I couldn't believe my ears, he wants me to stay here forever? What to do? Why me? I stumbled upon this place by chance and now he wants me to stay? There are so many questions in my head and I need answers.

"Why?" I asked.

"Let's say I know of a special talent when I see it. And you, Stanley, are an extraordinary talent."

I knew this was a cult and he used sweet words to recruit me to become his slave or his follower. This is a fight or flight situation, I have to come up with a plan. I can't be hurried and impulsive.

"I'm flattered" I lost my smile.

I'm a bad liar, so I have to turn down his offer without a doubt.

"I have to go back to school after the spring break"

Well, it wasn't a complete lie. I totally want to go back to school and graduate even though I’m not sure I can yet.

"All children are educated at home and attend online classes"

Poor Hana was born into a cult and never went to school. I never liked school, to be honest. It was more of a wild jungle than anything else. Where the survival of the fittest is the rule. He could at least get educated and go out into the world. It's better than sitting between four walls and having online classes.

I smile nervously, I can't shut my mouth. Then I said the right face.

"Not"

"Not?" Is that the disappointment I hear in his voice? Is he upset that he lost a potential toy?

"No, I'm not staying. As I said before, I'll leave as soon as I get the medicine. I really appreciate your hospitality and generosity, but I can't stay."

"Why don't you take the time to think about it and give it a try?"

"What if I don't want to?"

"What do you think?"

"Will you make me stay? And beat me up like you did to your people if I say no?"

My stupid mouth, I bit my lip, but it was too late, I had already compromised.

"You don't have a saying about how I discipline my people"

Suddenly his voice was sharp again.

"I'm saying maybe, you have anger management problems. I can connect you with my psychiatrist, he works wonders."

He didn't say anything, instead he kept looking me in the eye. It turned into a staring competition.

I shouldn't provoke him, but old habits die hard. He reminded me of those children at school, they think that because they are rich and popular, they can harass me. What I lack in wealth and popularity I make up for with strength and resilience.

"Let's go back"

He looked away first. I WON! I cheered internally, pleased with myself.

After that, we stayed away from each other. I understood his daily routine with a little observation. He spent the morning in the office and went to training after lunch. The only time I met him was at lunch and I ate avoiding his eyes.

I got out of his way and spent most of my time with Han. When she had classes, I went to the gym. I was always there alone so it was an opportunity to try out all the machines and distract me from the voices in my head. When I couldn't find anything interesting on TV, I went to the kitchen and tried to cook something.

At first, everything seemed normal, but I couldn't help but be suspicious of red flags everywhere. Starting with lunch, unlike the first time, everyone was silent as if by magic. I also noticed that there are no old people or children, where did they all go?

I've been here for a week, the voices were getting louder. What was a distant echo became a loud buzz in my head. I couldn't understand the words and nothing could distract me from the constant noise. I felt like I was going to lose my mind. I needed medicine. Now.

I went to the clinic and asked the doctor again.

"Your doctor hasn't returned yet"

"He usually leaves his cell open for emergencies. Have you tried that?"

"His secretary said that she was at a convention abroad, that she could not answer the phone for now."

It was a lie, first he was on vacation, and now he is at a convention. It is useless to talk to her anymore. I rushed out of the office and ran back to my room.

I put my phone in one of the drawers, luckily there was still a battery left. It's an old clamshell phone model, but it can hold a battery for up to a week. The problem was that I could not find network coverage.

I visited the house, outside, and in various directions, there is still no service anywhere. I have to go more, I remembered the tower, it should work. It was lunch time, I was sure Karish was not in his office. Anyway, I slowly pushed open the door and tiptoed to the tower.

When I reached the top, I pulled out my phone, one small bar flashing. It wasn't enough, but I tried to make a call. I connected, but I couldn't understand anything, my voice was breaking. Disappointed, I went downstairs and noticed a landline phone on my desk. This is my lucky day. I called again, it seemed to ring for hours.

"Dr. Ross's office, how can I help you?"

"Greta, hello! It's Stanley."

"Hi Stanley, how are you?"

"It's not great, I lost my medicine and I need a prescription quickly "

"Dr. Ross is in session now. Do you want to schedule an appointment or do you want to report in 30 minutes?"