15- Clothes are for wearing , not decorating the floor . Laura has managed to get me a dozen or so outfits . It's basically all comfortable stuff like leggings , tshirts , a few hoodies . She didn't bother with shoes since they're harder to fit , but she did get me a pair of really soft looking ugg boots so I have an option other than wearing my boots or walking around barefoot . One bag I reach into then immediately close and push to the side when I realise that it's full of underwear and bras . She apparently took a guess at my size and got me a few opinions plus some stretchy sports bra type things so there has to be SOMETHING that fits . I give Laura a nod at that bag and just move on . Laura got me new toiletries , including soaps , body wash , shampoo , conditioner , razors , even moisturiser . I'm not sure how I'm supposed to use all this stuff since right now all I have to bathe in is a tiny sink , but Torin did say he was taking care of it , whatever that means . There is a heavy stomping of footsteps down the hall and Kyle knocks on the doorframe . 2 " Boss , there is a delivery truck out back . " He informs him . His words are polite but he looks pissed off . It probably has something to do with the flour covering his hands and apron . Laura jumps to her feet . " I'll go sort that ! Be right back ! " She rushes off and Kyle returns to his cooking . Laura was folding my new clothes as we unpacked them so I stack them on the bookshelf since I don't have any other storage . I leave the bag of undergarments to the side since I don't really want to put them all on the shelf . I can sort them out later when I'm alone . I'll need to try stuff on anyway and I can try to figure out a better place to keep them then . There are a lot of thumping and scraping sounds coming from the hallway . What the hell is going on out there ? I peer around the door and I can see Laura guiding two delivery men as they try to drag a very large and very heavy rectangular box down the hallway . The two of them are struggling , the box must weigh a lot ... But I suspect the real issue is that the hallway is too narrow for them to easily get a good angle on the box so they're carrying it weirdly . Torin sighs behind me and I jump when I realise that he's standing directly behind me and also watching the show . " Leave it . " He tells them . The two guys lower the box to the floor , clearly relieved . It is leaning on one wall and is blocking the hallway . The delivery guy closest to us lets out a groan of frustration when he realises that he can't actually get out . " Excuse me ... " Torin mutters and I realise he's waiting to get past me . 20 29 ل 1/4 ||| O < 11:17 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 15- Clothes are for wearing , not decorating the floor . 100 % " Oh , sorry . " I step into the hallway to join Laura . Torin gestures for the delivery guy to step aside and then in an effortless movement , picks up the box himself and carries it to my room . He walks backwards since it would be way too hard to turn around holding the box . I swear the delivery guy's eyes are about to explode out of their heads , they are so impressed . Torin drops the large box in the middle of the room and returns to the hallway where the two delivery guys are still staring . " Did Laura sort you out already ? " He asks . The two guys nod nervously and back up . One of them is noticeably sweaty . Wait , I think I misinterpreted something . They weren't staring because they're impressed , these guys are scared , terrified even . That's sort of crazy . All Torin did was carry a heavy box , which yeah it was impressive , but I'm not sure it's deserving of the level of fear they're displaying . The men assure Torin that they don't need anything and rush out the door , looking over their shoulders as they go . One guy trips over the doorstep on the way out and his friend doesn't even stop to help him . I can't help but choke out a laugh . These guys are ridiculous . Meanwhile Laura and Kyle are eying Torin nervously , like they expect him to be angry . He doesn't seem angry to me , he has his same scary poker face expression , but his posture is relaxed . " What's in the box ? " I ask curiously . It takes up half the room . " A bed frame . I'll put it together while you work tonight . The mattress should be delivered soon too . " He adds . I beam a smile at him that leaves him blinking and confused again . " Thanks ! " I tell him cheerfully . He certainly arranged that fast . How do you even get all that stuff delivered in a day ? I'm a little concerned by how much money everyone is spending on me right now . I know they don't even especially want me here , so I appreciate that they're going out of their way to make it comfortable for me . They don't HAVE to do that . Should I be worried about Stockholm syndrome or something here ? I don't THINK so . I mean I identify with my ' captors ' but it isn't something that developed over time due to a dependency on them . I identified with them right away . That suggests I actually just like them , right ? I haven't really tried to get away . I have a feeling that if I REALLY kicked up a fuss , they might actually let me go . I don't think anyone here would actually hurt me . Not on purpose anyway . But they did save my life , so I can stay for a while and follow their rules . Hopefully they can learn to trust me and we can all be happy . I just hope my life doesn't fall apart too much in the meantime . I try to ignore the little voice in my head that says there wasn't much to lose anyway . Except my brother . I do love my brother and I'm hoping he isn't worried about me . We usually speak a couple times a week , so he might not realise I'm not answering my phone O 29 لی III 2/4 11:18 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 15- Clothes are for wearing , not decorating the floor . just yet . But he will soon and then I think we might have trouble . We have always been close . My brother even argued when I told him I wanted to live alone . Before that I lived with him , but I've never really been apart from him and I thought it might do my independence a bit of good to have some space . I don't even want to imagine what he would say if he heard what happened to me . Some guy chased me , attacked me and now I'm being trapped in a building by strangers . He would probably insist he was right the whole time and that I can't take care of myself and then he would pack me up and drag me back to his place . Where he would also probably try to keep me locked up due to his paranoia . Huh , maybe my situation isn't all that different either way . Okay , maybe that's a little harsh . My brother wouldn't lock me up . But he does worry about me . A lot . It's been just the two of us against the world for a long time . Damn it . I've gone and made myself sad . As much as he drives me crazy , my brother is my best friend and now I desperately want to call him , just to check in and hear his voice . I decide to push my luck a little and ask Torin about it . " Uhm ... Torin ? I was wondering . Is there any chance I could have my phone back , even just for a bit ? I need to contact my work and tell them I'm not coming in so they can cover my shifts . Plus my brother will worry . I need to talk to him and let him know I'm okay . " I take a quick breath and keep going , wanting to give my entire argument before he has a chance to refuse . " You let me use your phone earlier . I could do that again if I needed to . " I suggest . Torin shakes his head firmly . " No. " He answers bluntly . I frown . " You could stay the whole time . " I keep trying . " No. " He refuses again . " Not even one call ? A text even ? " I make a last ditch effort . " Not even a text . " he says , refusing to budge . I let out an irritated sigh and cross my arms over my chest . " Fine . " Is all I answer . I know when I'm not going to win an argument . I'll try again later . But seriously what does he think a text is going to do ? He could check it first and everything ! What am I a spy or something ? Am I going to write in code and give away his secrets to who ? My brother ? My boss ? It's ridiculous . All the friendly feelings I was having for him a minute ago are pushed to the back of my mind and now I'm just annoyed . Laura 3/4