Crawling into the bed beside a shirtless Noah, I scooted as close as far away from him as humanly possible. I was afraid if I moved even an inch he would hear the loud thrumming of my erratic beating heart.
“Night little bug” he sighed, rolling around so his back was facing me. Shutting my eyes, I internally groaned knowing it would be awhile before sleep and took me from this living nightmare.
After a little while, I began focusing on the soft snores emitting themselves from the man beside me, the peaceful rhythm distracting me from thinking too much. Lying on my back, I traced the patterns on the ceiling as I always did when I couldn’t sleep.
My mind couldn’t help but trail back to thoughts of my parents, I wondered what they were doing now, it had been four days ago when I was taken and they were told their only child had committed suicide, not that I could confidently keep count of the days anymore.
Did they actually believe I was dead? Were they still mourning me? Or had I just been a burden they were glad to be rid of? No, I’m sure the answer to the last one was no, they loved me, emotional instability and all.
Maybe 911 had tracked the call and they were on their way to me right now. I’ve been avoiding this thought since I was taken but now it sits heavy in my head, what would I do when I get back? Continue therapy, have people stare at me with an even deeper look of pity, count five things I see at least three times a day. I would never get normality back would I? Not when I had revolved my whole existence around Noah.
I couldn’t live happily with him and I was struggling to survive without him. There was no such thing as balance in this situation, I was either drowning or dying from dehydration, there was no in-between.
Every aspect of my life had been consumed by him, every dream I have had for the future consisted of him. Oh how I wish I was one of those teenage girls who stuck to fixating on famous people. Instead I fell for the boy who was into kidnapping and branding girls.
Feeling overwhelmed as all the thoughts swam around my head, I could feel the tears fighting their way to the surface. Gently removing myself from the bed, I decided to go make myself hot chocolate, something that always seemed to cheer me up. All I had to do now was pray I didn’t bump into anybody.
Tiptoeing into the corridor I held my breath in fear of waking Noah up, he would most likely reprimand me for leaving the bed in the middle of the night and accuse me of trying to escape.
Taking the time to admire all the beautiful artwork on the walls, my pace faltered as I heard hushed voices come from a door up ahead to my right.
“James, we can’t let him do this, he will ruin her” Evelyn’s tired voice drifted through the ajar door. With my now sparked curiosity, I crept over to the wall beside the door, pressing my ear up against the wall.
Curiosity killed the cat….
“He chose her Evelyn, you know how this goes, whatever happens is a result of her actions, if Noah has to put her in her place then that’s just the way things are, if I was you I’d be watching your behaviour.” James’ voice responded full of anger.
“Behaviour! Ever since you took me, I’ve been nothing but what you have asked, I thought we were over this, I won’t let what happened to me happen with her” determination rose in her voice as a small smile crept onto my face.
….. But satisfaction brought it back.
I knew she would help me! I scurried backwards away from the wall as a loud smack echoed around me, a shrill scream coming from Evelyn as her desperate pleads were mounding with his dark threats.
Covering my mouth I tried not to make a sound as tears violently fell down my face. Scrapping any idea of hot chocolate I all but sprinted back into the room, a need to help her overtaking me.
“Noah, Noah, wake up, please” I shook him as I knelt on the ground beside the bed trying not to let the sobs racking my body affect me too much.
“What, Embry, what’s wrong, is everything okay?” he shot up noticing my frantic state, any sign that he was previously asleep now gone. “Ev-evelyn, your mom, he’s hurting her, you need to help her, please” I hiccupped through my tears wiping them as quickly as they fell.
“Baby girl, that’s not our business to be involved in” he sighed, pulling me off the ground and onto his lap, trapping me within his embrace. Choking on a sob, my eyes widened, “Noah, no you can’t just let it happen, we need to do something” I said exasperatedly, struggling to free myself from his grip.
Rubbing my back, he pulled me closer into him, my side against his chest as he sat up against the headboard. “B-but” my sobs echoed louder throughout the room as I realised there was nothing I could say that would change his mind. I couldn’t put a stop to it myself, I felt utterly helpless.
He repositioned himself to lie down, lying me on top of his torso with my legs on each side of him, my head just above his heart. His heart beat nonconsensual luring me into a calmer state.
“Shh, that’s a good girl” his lips brushed gently against my forehead while his hand was rubbing soothing circles on my back. Flinching every now and then as Evelyn’s cries sounded their way into our room, I was only held tighter by Noah.
My heart hurt torturously with every cry she made, I felt as though I would have broken apart into little pieces if it wasn’t for Noah’s secure hold on me. A yawn escaped my lips as a new type of exhaustion overcame me, weighting my eyelids down and covering my mind with the dark mist of slumber.
I shot up as the events of last night filled my thoughts. I needed to go make sure Evelyn was okay. Jumping from the bed I gasped at Noah’s still frame watching me from beside the bathroom door, as he nonchalantly leaned against the door.
“Get dressed then you can see my mom” he explained, already knowing too well what I had been thinking about. Trying to process his offer I stared as he finished dressing himself before I rushed to the wardrobe pulling clothes out, not taking the time to examine the beauty of the spacious place.
Scurrying into the bathroom I quickly dressed myself while brushing my teeth at an ungodly speed. Waiting by the door for Noah to bring me to his mother I shifted impatiently from leg to leg, As soon as the door had opened I practically bolted to the stairs. Slowing down while descending them as I knew I’d be no use injured.
Anxiously entering the dining room, my steps faltered seeing that only Sebastian was seated at the table, a mischievous glint lighting in his eyes at the sight of me. Cowering back in fear, my back hit Noah’s chest as he quickly kissed the top of my head, reassuring me that it would be okay.
Fighting the urge to wipe the place he had kissed, I let him guide me to the same chair I had sat in last night all the while avoiding Sebastian’s gaze.
Unable to remain still I found myself bouncing in anticipation and worry as I waited for Evelyn to join us. Disappointment crept into every crevice of my being as James entered and the breakfast commenced while her seat remained empty. Noticing my restlessness, Noah took my hand in his, it distracted me momentarily. I had always found physical contact comforting but I knew I shouldn’t have when it came to him.
“Where’s mother?” he asked, directing his attention to his father. I studied the man, wanting to spit on the vile human. “She wasn’t feeling too well so she is in bed” he replied uninterested, keeping his focus on the newspaper not even feigning concern for his wife.
It was enough to send murderous urges throughout my body. “What happened, is she okay? Can we see her?” I jumped in before Noah could reply. I was determined to catch the slightest sign of guilt in his eyes but it never came.
I sucked in a breath as Noah’s hand moved from mine to tightly grab my thigh. It was a warning. I knew that but some things were worth the consequences. Well, at least I hoped this was one of those times. For the first time this breakfast James lifted his head, his eyes curiously examining me as I say tensely trying not to feel the pain as Noah’s hand remained tightly on my thigh in forewarning.
James flashed a quick smirk before he occupied himself with the toast on the table. Letting out a quiet whimper Noah finally released his deathgrip on me, I was sure that would be adding to my collection of bruises and marks left by him.
Knowing this was probably one of the few chances I had to see Evelyn, I opened my mouth to say something, forcing myself to hold my tongue as another sharp pain shot through my leg. Sending the best glare I could muster in Noah’s direction as I instead took to drinking my orange juice.
Once the breakfast had ended, I hesitantly got up from my seat, trying desperately to think of what to do now. “Let’s go for a walk” Noah sharply demanded leaving no room for discussion, his hand pressed against the small of my back as he led me into a beautiful garden, one I was frankly too worked up to appreciate.
“I don’t want you talking to my father like that again, in fact, I don’t want you talking to anyone like that again, understood?” He stopped turning to face me. His face was contorted in anger, as he loomed over me.
Something clicked inside of me at his words, I think it was knowing Evelyn had been like me. I would never find many people who could fully understand what I was going through but now I had somebody. She was willing to go up against her husband for my sake and the urge to protect her was now stronger than the one to protect myself.
“No, you don’t get a say in what I do or say in this matter, not this time, how could you just sit back and let that happen to your own mother for Christ’s sake” my hands moved with my words, emphasising how strongly I felt about this.
What confidence I had built up was quickly draining as his eyes turned a dark colour. Yanking me into his chest I fought against his hold as he pulled down the strap of the dress I had rushed to put on this morning.
Stroking the still tender spot he branded, I grimaced pushing against his chest trying to get out of his hold. Bringing his mouth to my ear I shivered as his hot breath hit the shell of my ear. I began protesting against his hold harder as he pushed harder on my branding. The tears started up again for the umpteenth time this week.
“I own you Embry, I thought that was crystal clear when I had given you this, do I have to give you another one in a not so forgiving place, because don’t underestimate me, I will give you as many as it takes for you to finally realise just how mine you are” he threatened as I gulped.
“N-no” I whimpered, his fingers easing off the tender spot. There was no talking my way out of it this time. “And as for my mother, I would love to know how you even knew what was going on before it could be heard in our room,” oh crap, “I didn’t want to question you about your absence last night because you seemed upset, but do you really think you can just strut around without my permission huh.” He moved his hand from my chest down to my hips as they dug into my hips with every word.
My whimpers had become painfully loud as I fought the tears away. “I-I” my confidence had hit rock bottom, any chance I had at gaining his trust anytime soon was gone, my mind drew a blank as I thought of anything I could say to not make this situation worse.
“Huh?” Raising his voice, his breath became harsh as his already bruising grip got impossibly tighter against my skin. “I-I’m sorry” I cried out, the pathetic feeling hitting me once again with full force. Every time I had felt I had gotten closer with him or that he was changing to his nice ways, he always seemed to prove me wrong.
As he loosened his grip I shut my eyes feeling myself beginning to lose the battle I was having against my tears. His hollow chuckle hit my ears sending alarm bells ringing in my head as my eyes shot open in worry. “I didn’t ask if you were sorry baby, did I?” he threw his head back laughing, looking psychotic as ever.
I could feel my breath beginning to fail me as my breaths became short and shallow. “I-I don’t know” I admitted, my hands starting to shake as they lay limp against his chest. “I really thought you had gotten familiar with all the rules, come I have somewhere I want to bring you” he manically grinned, dragging me back into the house.
My breath caught completely in my throat as I began choking on the lack of air. A metal door stood in front of us as we reached the end of the hallway, in my gut I knew what lay behind this door. “No, no please I’m sorry” I heaved my whole weight into pulling back as I tried to free myself from his grip. Having none of it, he yanked me forward, placing me in front of him, securing my position by holding my hips.
Unbolting the door, a cold draft and pungent smell hit us full force, my body shivering with both fear and cold. Guiding me down the steps I could feel myself become lightheaded, my breathing still failing me. The lump in my throat became painful as the tears fought their way down my face.
Switching on a light, I gasped as the room lit up. It looked more like an old hospital room, a table decorated with all sorts of tools as the main attraction. Turning to my left I saw other weapons that looked as though they would really hurt if used on you. A second metal door lay to our right, three deadbolts attached to it. Whipping a key out, he sinisterly bent down to whisper in my ear.
“Welcome to the basement Embry”