Felicity – A Philosophical Fable [Chapter 1]
She knew she had been captured. She didn’t know how or why. She didn’t know who they were. She didn’t even know who she was. But she knew she had been captured and brought here.
She had no memory of anything before this moment. A strange fact, but she didn’t notice. She was only dimly aware of her surroundings. Her mind was fully conscious, but her awareness was fragmentary and only gradually did she notice her captors. They were five.
“You’re ours now. You understand that, right? You’re ours.” The voice was pleasant, conciliatory.
She was sitting and the man who spoke stood in front of her. A woman sat at her side smiling at her joyfully. Nearby were three others. Two men, who stood on either side of her as if to prevent her escape. And a woman who swayed lightly from side to side as if she could barely keep from dancing in delight.
They seemed to be talking about her, but she couldn’t make out their words. They seemed far away. The part of her mind that wanted to ask a hundred questions seemed to be asleep.
She looked around. She couldn’t see very far. It was as if the air were thick. What she could see were sofas like the one on which she sat. She saw pillows and cushions on the plush carpeting. And all in pale shades of ivory, gray, and beige. It was soft and luxurious.
The woman who was light on her feet handed her a steaming cup of clear colorless liquid. She took it and inhaled the steam. It was jasmine. She looked at the liquid. It was golden. She sipped her tea.
“I’m Fae,” the woman said. Fae had a kind face. She took back the empty tea cup and received a smile of thanks.
“See, she likes us,” Fae said to the others. “What should we call her?” And without waiting for a response, “Mimi. Let’s call her Mimi.” Fae alone was full of energy. Everyone else was still a little out of breath. And Mimi was exhausted. She just hadn’t noticed before.
She heard them talking about her again and this time she could make out some of what they were saying. “She needs to sleep,” one of the men said. He had explained it to Fae before, to all of them before. They didn’t really understand. Naturally. It was a meaningless concept. But they accepted it.
“Come see your room.” Fae sounded excited. Mimi followed her a few paces to the opposite wall and Fae slid open a door. The others maintained their positions beside and behind her, as if she might yet try to flee.
The room was small and windowless, but refreshingly cool. Only when the cool air touched Mimi’s skin did she become aware of how over-heated she had been. A mattress was on the floor. She lay down upon it. It was soft and luxurious.
She didn’t even see them leave.