“Silas? What… what is going on?” I asked, choking back my tears.
No, no, no, no, no, this can’t be happening.
He stepped into the room. Bringing the tray to the edge of the bed, he placed it down. A glass of ice water, orange juice, bacon, and french toast were on the tray. All my favorites. The smellnearly made my mouth water but—I couldn’t wrap my head around what was happening.
“Are you feeling alright?” he asked, almost apologetic.
I stared for a moment.
It didn’t make any sense. Silas was my kidnapper? But-but why?
“Get away from me!” I screamed, sprinting past him I attempted to run up the stairs. I was quick, but he was quicker. He grabbed me from behind. Wrapping his arms around my waist he dragged me back down, kicking and screaming.
“Shhh…” Silas cooed, attempting to soothe me. “You’re okay. You’re in my home, you’re safe here. I promise. I’m only trying to protect you. I did all of this just for you… Are you hungry? I made you breakfast.” He pulled me back into the bed, cradling me. I tried fighting against him but it was no use, I was only tiring myself and with being hungover nausea crept up my throat again only for me to swallow it back down. “Shhh,” he repeated.
After a few minutes of struggle, I sank into his embrace, too nauseous to fight back.
Slowly, he released me. Allowing me to sit on the bed with him, I scooted into the back corner as far away from him as I possibly could. I stared at him with wide eyes and tears streaming down my face.
My mind was racing. My memory was hazy, and the crippling headache I had wasn’t helping. “Why am I here?” I didn’t know what to think, but something certainly didn’t feel right about the situation. I was trapped in his basement with no memory of how I got here, yet at the same time he genuinely seemed concerned for my well-being.
What the fuck.
He raised his hand, combing his fingers through his curls. “Look, Rosie, you’re not in any danger here. I promise. I onlywant to protect you, and keep you safe. That’s all. I didn’t hurt you, and I won’t hurt you either. I wouldn’t—I—” He paused. “Please, just… eat your breakfast. It’ll make you feel better, you drank a lot last night.”
“Silas,” Silent tears fell down my cheeks still.
Please let me go home…
“I only wish to protect you, my love. Here is the best place for me to be able to do that right now,” he replied.
I turned towards the tray of breakfast.
Protect me? Protect me from what?
I don’t understand.
I have ballet today.
Hesitantly, Silas leaned forward, reaching his hand out. I sat there, sniffling as the tears continued to fall. “Rosie…” he whispered, carefully wiping my tears with the pads of his thumb. “Please don’t cry. I’m doing this out of love.” He pulled his hand away, gesturing to the tray. “I made this for you. You have no reason to fear me. This isn’t permanent… just until I figure out how to take better care of you.” Silas took a piece of bacon, split it in half, and handed a piece to me as he held the other half to him.
You can’t keep me here…
I took the bacon, slowly lifting it to my lips as I watched him eat his half. At least I knew he didn’t tamper with the food, otherwise, he wouldn’t have eaten it. I hesitated before taking a bite of the bacon, and then another, and another until it was gone.
It was delicious.
I couldn’t help but scoot closer towards the tray, slowly eating it bit by bit.
“That's my girl,” Silas smiled, watching me eat.
“When can I go home?” I asked between bites.
“This is your home now, Rosalie,” his bottom lip quivered. “I promise I’ll take good care of you. You don’t have to be sad anymore. I’m right here, when you’re ready.”
I don’t understand.
I stared at him for a moment, still trying to make sense of everything. The way he was so kind and caring yet he had me locked down here in his basement—I just didn’t know what to think. I had so many questions, but I wasn’t sure where to begin or what to even do. Was I crazy to think that maybe being kidnapped wasn’t so bad? All my favorite foods and kind words and —
