The Red Pill

Eliana woke up on the stone-cold floor of her bedroom. The back of her head aching while the annoying buzzing sound of her alarm clock echoed throughout her room. She groaned, the noise didn't help the pain at all.

Having no other option, she got up with effort and silenced that darn clock. As she did, Eliana noticed something splattered across her hands, but she didn't pay any mind.

Feeling something itchy and course on her neck, she looked in the mirror. It was a broken noose tied around her neck. Red imprints mixed with purplish-black bruises showed signs of struggle. Eliana lifted her fingers. She winced. It stung to the touch.

'What the hell? Just what was I doing last night?'

She lifted her eyes to inspect the broken rope above her and tapped her foot, trying piecing this whole scene together. Then, she covered her mouth in attempt to stifle a gasp.

'Did I really just try to 'escape' last night?'

She crossed her arms.

'So I broke the rope? Well, that would explain the ache in my head and my awakening on the floor.'

"Eliana, darling?'

She froze, eyes widening. Eliana couldn't let her mom see this. What would she think?

She already has enough troubles as it is... but, would she get punished? Where can I hide this?

All these thoughts clashed in her brain but didn't exactly give her a solution to the problem at hand. She whipped her head left and right.

'Hmm, okay… That'll do for now.' Eliana sighed while shoving the evidence of last night's supposed failure under the farthest reaches of her bed. She answered.

"Y-yes, mom?"

"May I come in?" Eliana heard her mom call from other side of the door.

"Um! I'm changing, mom!" The lie slipped out her lips. She had to think of something.

"I see... But anyway, did you take your pills last night?"

Eliana hesitated.

'Did I? Honestly, I don't remember anything from last night. I saw the rope and figured I tried to do something terrible. But why though...'

Although she lied, she wasn't quite fond of it so she decided to be honest.

"I don't think so. Sorry, mom." Eliana replied.

"It's alright. When you're done changing, just make sure you take your pills, understand?"

"Okay, mom!" To turn that lie into a reality, Eliana started to put on her uniform. First, she buttoned the white shirt and secured the plated plaid skirt on her hips. Next, she tugged the scarlet long socks up to her knees.

"Today's my first day at Menorenti Private School. I hope it isn't as stressful and irritating as my last one." Eliana muttered as she tightened her necktie.

To finish the outfit, she draped the smoky grey blazer across her shoulders. Then lastly, she pinned the school's emblem onto her right breast.

The sun had risen and daylight was now creeping into her room. When it reached the pin, the golden laurel leaves circling the borders emblem gently gleamed.

A white dove with metallic copper beams of light surrounding it occupied the center, holding a scroll that had the words, 'Glorificamus Est Opus Dei', smoothly etched in cursive onto it.

Eliana gingerly pressed her fingertips onto it, feeling every curve and line.

'Wow... How expensive is the tuition for this school...'

She grabbed her brush from her vanity and started to tame stray hair stands that stuck out.

"Also breakfast is waiting for you downstairs…" Her mom's voice fading as Eliana could hear her footsteps receding.

Eliana reached out for the doorknob when a sudden thought hit her.

'Wait… I can't just leave my neck exposed like this…'

Eliana found a pastel yellow scarf and wrapped a it around her neck. She had to avoid any questions or suspicions.

She pulled the scarf a little higher.

Nobody should judge nor say crap about her clothing choices.

It was the third week of October.

Summer already gave way to autumn a long time ago.

･~.♤.~･

After Eliana arrived in the kitchen and spotted her mother, she rushed over and gave her a hug.

"Good morning!" She chirped.

"Oh! You're finally here, here's your breakfast." After Ms. Terrifota released herself of her daughter's embrace, she turned around with a pan in one hand and a spatula in the other.

Eliana sat herself on their dining table as the familiar smell of breakfast filled her nostrils.

"If you came here thirty seconds later, this would've been gone." She teased.

"Oh my goodness, really mom?"

In one swift movement, scooped one sunny-side up egg and two pieces of juicy sizzling bacon on a plate.

Eliana licked her lips.

Breakfast was her most favorite meal of the day. She reached out for the silver fork located on left side of her plate.

Then, she stopped.

The bright cherry red stuff, now a dark sienna color, was still splattered across her hands. She quickly stood up and washed it off in the kitchen sink.

"What are you doing, sweetie? You have to hurry up, you're going to be late."

"I know, I know. My hands just felt icky, that's all..." Eliana said as she shook her hands in attempt to speed up the drying process.

"Here," Ms. Terrifota handed her a red pill pared with a glass full of water.

"Remember? You must always take this twice a day. Never. Ever. Forget that." Her tender voice turning stern while she emphasized the last bit.

Eliana never forgot, of course. How could she when her mom enforced everyday?

There must have been some special reason she 'forgot' to take it last night.

But Eliana can't seem to recall anything that happened the night before.

Now that she thought about it, why does she take this pill?

She was pretty sure she did not have a terminal illness or something of the sort.

"Mom, why do I take this anyway?" Eliana turned to face her mother so she can analyze her reactions.

"Well... That's because..." Ms. Terrifota's voice trailed off as her eyes shifted away.

She bit her lip and appeared to be deeply lost in her thoughts.

'What is she thinking so heavily about?'

For a moment, her eyes seemed to carry a hint of fear. Or was it sadness?

Ms. Terrifota heaved a deep sigh and shifted her eyes once more to return Eliana's gaze.

"The point is, you always have to take it, okay? Please promise me you will."

'Okay... It seems she isn't going to tell me anything.'

Eliana nodded her head and took the glass of water.

"Okay, mom... I promise..."

Eliana stared at it for some time. It had a dark yet translucent shade of scarlet, similar to cough medicine.

'Would it taste as bad if I bit it and let the liquid have contact with my tastebuds?'

Then Eliana proceeded swallow the pill.

After that, she seated herself and began to eat her breakfast.

The room was silent the entire time.

All that could be heard was the sound of water running and clattering of dishes.

***

With her belly full, Eliana bent over to slip on her penny loafers.The uniform shoes were actually quite comfortable, despite how tight and formal they looked. They were polished and had no streaks or any other trace of damage.

'It is brand-new after all...'

When she was done examining her shoes, Eliana grabbed her backpack that had bright grassy colored spades embroidered on a monochrome background and opened the door.

"See you later, mom!" She called out.

"See you, darling!"

And with that, Eliana shut the door.