Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Was I so stupid to actually believe that after a while, he might just give up and let me live my life in freedom? In peace?
Of course I was stupid.
His obsession with me, it runs deep.
Why did I ever let myself believe I could be truly safe.
“You’re going pale, Raven. Breathe.”
“Ellie,” I whisper. “My name is Ellie, so I think we should start using it. I’m only Raven to him, and it would appear he has managed to locate me.”
Erin looks concerned, understandably. She knows anything I know. Anything I could remember, I told her. She knows all about master, and the things he did when I was in his care. She knows about his deep running obsession. She knows how terrified I am of him. So I know, she’s thinking exactly what I’m thinking.
“Do you think he’s found you?” she finally asks, bundling her hands together in her lap and holding my eyes.
I can see she’s scared, but she’s still holding strong. Like always.
“I don’t think it’s him, not yet anyway, the description isn’t the same. But, my fear is, that he’s sending out men to search for me. He knows where I came from, so he knows I was most likely to come back here.”
“I’d like to know how he knew to send a man into the bakery.”
I shrug, ever so lightly. “I used to live around here, when I was younger, he also knows this. If I had to guess, I’d say that man would have asked all the shops and hotels in the area, possibly even went door to door.”
Thinking of that, makes me feel unwell.
Knowing he’s searching for me, makes my whole body feel like it wants to go into overdrive and just shut down.
I shouldn’t be so afraid of one man, but I know just how strong that one man is, and what he’s capable of doing to me.
He still owns a huge part of my mind. And I think he knows that.
“We’re going to the police,” Erin says, standing. “They need to know he’s looking for you. We’ve already spoken to them about the people who put out the signs, and they’ve talked to Slater and his, ah, group. We need to inform them that the man who held you captive, is now looking for you, because of those signs.”
I nod. Because she’s right, we do need to go to the police.
And yet, I know there is very little they’ll be able to do in regards to protection, or helping me find him. Or anything else, for that matter. They don’t have enough information to be able to truly give me the help I need, or the protection.
But there is someone who can help, who will help, but am I willing to go there?
“What about Slater, also?” I say, my voice hesitant, because even though I’m saying the words, I’m still not sure they’re the right ones.
“What about him?” Erin asks. “You don’t even remember him Ra...Ellie. We still don’t know if his intentions are good, or if there’s a whole lot more to it.”
“I know this,” I say, in full agreeance, because I do know this. “But I also know those men...the club he is part of...they’re powerful. And they might be able to help keep me safe. Because, I’m not safe. I can feel it right down to my very core. He’ll find me, one way or another, and when he does I need to know he’ll be dealt with, and that he won’t...”
My voice trails off, because that lump of fear that has been rising, now lodges in my throat. Erin scoots closer, because she knows, she knows better than anyone that my biggest fear is him finding me again, and worse, taking me. Because I know, if he gets his hands on me again, there will be no escape.
I’ll be his...forever.
“I’m not sure that’s a fantastic plan,” Erin says, screwing up her face. “I think we’re better off just leaving it with the police, for now. I looked into Slater, and his brothers. And I recognized the brothers name, immediately. Lincoln Knight. My very close friend told me that her boyfriend occasionally fights for him, that they have some sort of underground fight club that, I have no doubt, is illegal. Or at the very least, the police are trying to shut down.”
A fight club.
Lincoln.
That name doesn’t seem familiar, which only makes me feel even more frustrated.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thought of it until we looked into them further, but...I’m scared, Erin. If he has eyes around, all it will take is for one of them to see me.”
She nods. “Yeah, I was thinking of that, too. I think until we can sort the issue, you’re probably not safe working at the bakery.”
My heart sinks.
It literally feels like it’s going to just drop out of my chest.