Unmasked

Unmasked(Annie Frame) Unmasked by Annie Frame.

Trudy lived with the master which wasn’t easy to do. The Master filled every single day with a force to be reckoned with. Quite a subtle bully, some times were worse than others. She’d learnt early on, after their first meeting, that it was foolish to antagonise the bond between them. One decent looking morning she decided to ignore the relentless company and take a trip to the local shopping mall which wasn’t too far away. This she did and was pleasantly surprised at the space The Master had left her. Perhaps the daunting relationship was coming to an end and she’d recover from the horrific interaction. She hoped so, but couldn’t help but doubt it. Nevertheless, and keeping the hope alive for as long as possible, she soldiered on browsing in one store after another. Time flew by and still the wretched Master didn’t show, so the hopes grew greater than they’d ever done. Bones as light as feathers, and mind as clear as the sunny day she was enjoying, she hummed tunes she’d forgotten she knew. An elevator was arriving so without a second thought she hopped on it to visit the upper floors. It slowly ascended and as it did her gut tightened into a solid knot. Panic filled her throat as old sensations returned that she knew only too well. Legs turning to jelly as bile filled her throat, she pleaded silently to cope and make it home. Mind unsettled, stumbling for any sort of comfort, until an elderly lady took hold of an arm, “Are you alright my dear? You look ever so poorly.” No answer came, words refused to align in the right format, so Trudy stared wildly at the concerned woman. The lift arrived and the lady guided her gently off the elevator and to the nearest seat. They sat in silence for a short while and thankfully there was no forced interaction, which was just as well, because the brutal Master had returned with vengeance and wouldn’t allow it. Trudy nursed disappointment in silence, all hopes scattered at her feet. Why had she been so stupid as to hope at all? The Master was so good at hide and seek she should have guessed that the freedom would be short lived. The old lady patted her arm and asked, “Should I call for some help?” Trudy slowly shook her head and said, “No I’m feeling a bit better already. It’s fibromyalgia and it masters any situation when it chooses.” The lady looked bemused and asked, “Fibro what my dear?” To which Trudy smiled and replied, “Oh never mind.” Then added, “thank you for your help, it is appreciated.” The lady alighted and went on her way, still none the wiser of what she’d encountered; while the owner of it remained seated, hoping she’d have enough strength to make it home.

By Annie Frame Copyright May 2011.