Chapter 28
Elle
My eyes slowly opened, my vision coming back into focus. I felt awkward, my body in an unusual position. I felt something rubbing at my wrist - it was rope, my arms securely fastened to the corners of a bed.
My ankles were also tied, my body spread-eagled on an old mattress. I pulled and tugged but my body was tied fast. A growing fear enveloped me as I gazed around the room. It was a bedroom, dusty and old fashioned, an old armchair in the corner, the walls covered in flowery wallpaper, worn and peeling.
The air was heavy and warm, much warmer than I'd felt it in a while. Light spilled in through closed curtains, the sunshine bright outside and casting streaks across the room. They crossed my body, the sun's rays hot against me.
I breathed heavily, screaming out for help, the dust in the room causing me to cough and splutter. My eyes ran over my body: I was wearing an old skirt, loose fitting and frayed, and a light blouse. The dress that I'd been wearing the night before was hanging up on the door - someone must have changed my clothes for me.
Memories of the previous night clattered suddenly into my head. The cloth, the man, the rotten smell. I'd been drugged, thrown into a car, and taken away somewhere. I had no idea where I was, no idea who'd taken me. My breathing increased, short breaths rushing into my lungs as I continued to struggle and pull and scream as loud as I could.
Then, suddenly, the door swung open and a figure walked through it. My screaming increased as he quickly rushed towards me, putting his hand to my mouth and muffling the noise.
I looked up into his face as his finger rose to his lips. “Shhhhhh,” he hissed, “no one can hear you but me.”
Brad's eyes looked at me, wide open and filled with a weird happiness. The sight of his odd smile was so unsettling that I wanted to scream more, but his hand stayed locked to my mouth.
“There's no one here but us Elle, no one can hear you.” His words sent shivers through me. They lacked any emotion at all. “Now be quiet.”
He pulled his hand away and I lay there, silent. I now just stared on at him, frozen in fear, my eyes wide with a fear of what he'd do to me.
“Don't look so scared Elle,” he said, “you know I love you.”
He tried to kiss me but I turned my head away, his slithery lips landing on my cheek. He pulled away abruptly, his face growing more angry.
“I gave you the opportunity to take me back Elle. I didn't want things to come to this, but you forced me to do it. Maybe now, here, with me, you'll be able to learn to love me again. Just like you used to.”
I saw his eyes linger on me, moving down my body, my legs spread open by the ropes tied around my ankles. His breathing increased slightly at the sight, a lustful smile creeping over his face.
“It's OK,” he said, “turning his gaze back on me, “you'll be safe here with me.”
A silent tear began rolling down my cheeks, a tear of fear, a tear of desperation. He reached out and brushed it away, rubbing my cheek. “It's OK, don't be scared. I know this is extreme, but I had to make you see how much I loved you, what I'd do for you. Now we can be together, just the two of us, like it always was.”
He leaned in again and kissed me on the forehead as I closed my eyes and willed for him to leave. His lips threatened to slide down my face but pulled off once more.
“You must be tired Elle. Get some more sleep. We'll have a proper talk later.”
He stood and walked out through the door. I heard a key slide into the lock and then a loud click.
Tears began rushing out of my eyes as I pulled and twisted at the ropes once more, chaffing against my skin. I bit my tongue and kept from shouting out despite the urge to do so. I knew if I did it would lure him back in.
But it was no use. I was tied fast, my bounds secure. Physical strength wouldn't make a difference. There was nothing I could do.