Focus.
Focus.
The water is so thick as I try my hardest to push upwards. All I need to do is break the surface.
But, my lungs are caving in. The pressure is too much and I feel my brain about to burst.
It’s all too much.
Tobias.
Tobias.
He’s calling for me.
If I can just make it a little further. I give it one last kick and—
A cold chill washes over my body. I gasp for air, breaking the water’s surface.
Only, I’m not under water at all.
I blink hard, trying to regain my bearings as I come to. I can’t see forshitin here.
I’m sitting in a chair in what looks like…a dark cold room?
Concrete walls. The air is damp, smelling of mildew and dust. It’s also cold in here, sending a shiver through me.
Where the hell am I?
I cough, sputtering and spitting up on my lap. The air is so still and for some reason, my shirt is soaked, sticking to my chest…and I can’t move my arms? Twisting my wrists behind my back, I hiss at the sting it creates.
I’ve been bound?
Fear grips my chest, as my breathing picks up.
The last thing I can remember, I was in the kitchen at home. The next thing I know, I’m here.
The only light in this room is given by a small hole in the corner. It’s not much but it’s all I have. I look around, my eyes fixing on a shelving unit, catching on the one thing I know for certain.
An empty rocks glass.
My gut plummets. A rocks glass perfect for Jack Daniels.
Otherwise known as Derrick’s favorite drink.
“No.” A choked sound slips past my lips as I hang my head.
I’m not even surprised.
“Derrick!” I call out as loud as I can, even though my throat feels hoarse and dry. I yell out his name again, trying to drag my chair against the floor to create as much noise as I can. Even though the banging is making my head throb, I’ve gotta try. My heart is starting to pick up and soon, I’m feeling the panic in my throat rise.
Suddenly, I hear a door swing of a door behind me. Heavy footsteps walk in behind me and I feel his disgusting presence.
“Ah. You’re awake.” A chill runs up my spine as he closes the door behind him. I don’t want to be alone with him. Not while my hands are tied. Not while I’m so dizzy and feeling weak. This isn’t fair.
I hold my breath and brace as he walks up beside me. I hear the tug of a string in the middle of the room and soon the small space is illuminated by the light that hangs from the ceiling. My eyelids flutter to try and adjust to the sudden brightness, and now I see the shelves are actually racks filled with old dusty wine. I’m in a wine cellar?
“Apologies for tying your hands. Didn’t know what state you’d be in.” He rounds me, and my eyes follow his every movement as he reveals himself. Dressed in a plaid button-up, his hair has only gotten longer. With the dark hair dye and trimmed beard, he looks like a completely different person. It makes me sick how he’s looking. As though he’s purposely trying to emulate a man he can never live up to.
