“No!” He clears his throat and smooths out his hair on either side. “No. You have to stay here where it’s safe.” He goes to the window and pulls the curtain open an inch. It’s darkish. But I can’t tell if the sun is rising or if I’ve been here that long that it was setting. “It’s clear, so I’ll be right back with something to eat.”
“Can I just have a bottle of water? I’m really not hungry.”
He starts walking toward the door. “No, you have to eat. I made your favorite chocolate chip cookies. I’ll be right back.” He looks over his shoulder. “Annie. Don’t try anything stupid. I can’t protect you if you run away again.”
I gulp as he closes the door behind him, and I try not to cry. “Hurry up, Benny.” I pray and beg to whoever will listen, my dad, my mom, God. “Please let him find me…please.”
Poe returns with a cookie and a glass of water. He’s kind enough to readjust my ankle bindings so I can lean against the headboard. I’d have kicked him and fought, but he tied my hands behind my back when he did it. And then he keeps them there as he feeds me the disgusting stale trash cookie like I’m a fucking toddler.
The level of repulsion is indescribable, but somehow, I manage to get through it without puking or passing out. I want to ask him questions, but at this point, I figure pushing might backfire. Better to let him keep talking and hopefully bide time for Ben to get here…if he can find me.
“Are you tired, Annie?”
Please go away…please leave me alone.“Yeah.”
“Me too.” He leans me forward and messes with the rope again. My arms are released from their confines, and I roll my shoulders. I hear the click of metal, then feel it against my skin. Glancing down, I wheeze when I see him attach the other handcuff to his own wrist. “Only to keep you safe,” he says with a yawn. “I always have to keep you safe. Safe and happy. That’s my job, that’s what I told him, too.”
“Told who?”
“Your father, of course. He hired me because he knew I’d protect you, and I did. I am going to until the Lord calls me home.”
Tears immediately burn the back of my eyes as his words penetrate. “Oh my God! What did you do? You hurt my dad?”
“Shh.” He pinches my cheeks so hard they dig into my teeth, and I taste blood. “It’s his fault he wasn’t strong enough to defend you, and he was making you cry,” he growls. “I don’t like it when you cry, Annie.”
I can’t not cry, but when he slaps me, I force myself to stop. He killed my dad, and he’s probably going to kill me too. Is he going to kill Ben, too?
He lies back and rolls to his side, then tosses his free arm over my stomach as he rests his head on my chest. “Sweet dreams, Annie.”
I gag as I turn my head and stare at the wall and pretend I’m anywhere else but here, that I’m with Ben. Poe’s body gets heavier, and his breathing evens out. His hot, disgusting breathis like fire on my skin, and his weight a boulder I have no choice but to suffocate under.
I remind myself that escaping is impossible, so I don’t bother trying. Even if I grab his knife and stab him, I’d have to be fast enough to slice him in the right place to kill him. Otherwise, I’d just risk pissing him off, and maybe he’d take that anger out on Tara.
The small view outside this prison isn’t really big enough to see anything, but I still look at it for hours. Maybe I’m seeing things, but I could have sworn I finally saw something move. I blink to clear the tears that have never stopped, and there it is again, movement. Is it an animal?Ben? Please let it be Ben. I watch and watch, but then there’s nothing.
I’m never getting out of here.
A part of me hopes Poe will stay sleeping because then I at least know what’s happening. If he wakes up, I don’t know what will transpire next. He’s already hand-fed me. Will he try to shower me, too?Oh God. The thought makes me heave. Poe twitches at the sound, but thankfully, he doesn’t wake up. He tightens his hold, though.
I’m not sure how long he’s slept, but I do see the sunrise, so at least I know it’s morning. I have to pee so bad that I can’t wait any longer without wetting myself. I seriously debate peeing on myself, but as crazy as this guy is, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d like it. “Benjamin,” I whisper.
He wakes up, but he does it with a start and jumps up so fast it nearly pulls my arm out of its socket. I cry out in pain. “Oh, Annie. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. Good morning.” I fake a smile.
“Good morning. How did you sleep?”
I didn’t. “Good, but if you don’t mind, I really have to use the bathroom.”
“Right, of course. I do too. Come on, we’ll go together.”
I recoil, but he’s untying me, so he doesn’t notice, and for the first time in hours, I’m able to bend my legs.
When I get to my feet, my knees are weak and tingly, but he’s pulling me toward the door, so I have no choice but to follow or fall and be dragged.
He pulls me directly into a small bathroom across the hall and turns the light on. I squint at the brightness. “Can you uncuff me so I can use the toilet.”
“No.”
