Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
No, it wouldn’t have been just anyone…
At the sound of a handle turning, my attention flew to the only other door in the room. Time seemed to slow as it swung open. When he stepped in, my suspicions were confirmed. A million thoughts flitted through my mind, but I found I couldn’t voice a single one. My heartbeat was like a drum, drowning them all out. He slowly shut the door, his eyes never leaving me.
He'd changed clothes again.
He was no longer in a suit but a quarter sleeved button-down and slacks—sans tie. That could only mean that night had turned to day. I took a step back and then another until I felt the mattress against my legs and was forced to stop. His predatory eyes tracked every step.
“There’s no need to be afraid.”
How could he say that? I was chained to a wall like some kind of animal ensnared in a trap. I’d been kidnapped. Taken. I had no idea where I was or what he intended to do with me. Fearing I might provoke him if I revealed my inner turmoil, I swallowed and wet my lips, willing my voice to come out without shaking.
“Where am I?”
Slipping his hands into his pockets, he came closer, stopping just outside arm’s reach “Do you remember me?”
I nodded sharply. It would be impossible to forget him. Just as I would never forget this moment. “Why am I here?”
“Are you feeling okay? Sometimes Rohypnol can be a bit hard on the stomach, or so I’ve been told.”
My lips parted slightly. There wasn’t a hint of guilt or remorse in his tone. He might as well have been telling me the day’s forecast. I curled my hands into fists.
“What do you want from me?”
“You’re cold.”
“Huh?” I looked down and saw goosebumps all over my arms. If he hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t have noticed them.
“Regrettably, I can’t stay with you today. I only came in to see how you were doing and to let you know you’re safe. No one here is going to hurt you. I’ll adjust the temperature and have a light meal brought in. Do your best to relax until then.”
Was this man serious? Relax? No one in my situation would sit back and kick up their feet. He turned to leave, causing another wave of panic to wash over me.
“Wait!” I stepped forward so quickly the chain smacked loudly against the floor. “Please, just tell me where I am.”
He paused with one hand on the doorknob. “Are you sure you really want to know?”
His question was as unsettling as whatever possible answer he would have. I hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding.
“Where you’ve always belonged, Lolita. You’re finally home.” He pulled the door open and walked out, leaving me to process his reply.
True to his word, the air shut off moments after he left. It had been blowing steadily through a vent high above the bed. I waited for as long as I could to see if he would return, but he never did.
I wandered around the bed and into the bathroom, replaying what he’d said to me before leaving. I didn’t want to read too much into it. I couldn’t trust a word he said. Although, he did come right out and tell me he’d laced the wine in an unsettling manner. But it didn’t matter how honest he chose to be. He wouldn’t be winning any awards for his sane and rational disposition. I was chained inside his house, for fuck’s sake. If that’s what this place even was.
I took advantage of the freedom I did have and explored my surroundings, hoping something within the chain’s perimeter would help me figure out where I had been taken. I turned a small dial on the wall and bright light filled the bathroom. I was disappointed to see only the bare necessities were inside. A toilet with a single roll of tissue resting on the lid and a toothbrush still wrapped in plastic, placed beside a fresh tube of toothpaste.
I reached for the back part of the toilet and found no give. He’d had the foresight to make sure it didn’t come off. Next, I examined the toothbrush. Rubber handle. And the mirror didn’t look like glass. I ran my fingers across the smooth surface just to be sure. I was right. This was nothing more than some type of reflective paper. With a frustrated sigh, I swept my hair away from my face and returned to the room, checking as far as my restraint allowed.
I tried to lift one of the massive floor lamps and quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen. It was as heavy as the silence was thick. He'd covered his bases. I couldn’t make a weapon from anything in here.
I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the drapes. With nothing to focus on, my thoughts began to race, indulging my worst fears. Maybe it was shock, or some kind of delayed response that stopped me from screaming and wailing until my lungs collapsed in on themselves.