Page 82 of Dare To Fall

“Aren’t you listening? The only thing I want is to get away from you.”

“No, I understand that.” I walk to the front door and lock it, then pocket the key.

“Did you just lock me in here with you?”

“Only until morning. I don’t want you out there in the dark, and I don’t want a random hungry bear coming inside. I’ll unlock the door in the morning, and you can take a look around if your ankle feels better.”

Walking back to the door leading to the kitchen, I prop one shoulder against the frame. “I’m going to make coffee, and then go to my room. There are three bedrooms. Take the second door on the left when you’re ready for bed. There’s a lock on the inside. The one on the right is mine, the first left is the bathroom. The third door is my dad’s bedroom. If you need anything, you can call me. Or help yourself to the food or drink in the kitchen.”

I make her a drink while I do my own, even though she hasn’t said she wanted one, and place it beside her foot. She doesn’t speak or acknowledge me.

Maybe Kellan is right. Maybe this is a fucking stupid idea. But it’s the only one I’ve got, so I have to see it through.

Chapter 52

Arabella

I keep my attention on the cabin wall and away from Eli. The fact that he’s acting so calmly is freaking me out. This quiet version of him is not what I’m used to.

“What happens at the end of the week?” I can’t stay silent any longer.

“Kellan comes and picks us up.” His voice is quiet.

The silence stretches between us.

Eli sighs. “You know where I am if you need me.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him retreat through the building. I don’t move or react until I hear a door close somewhere down the hallway.

He wants to talk? Talk?

What exactly does he think we have to say to each other? I don’t believe for a second that Elena and his dad know that we are here. Eli is lying. He must be. There’s no way either of our parents would have agreed to this.

My attention lands on the coffee mug by my foot. If he thinks I’m going to drink it, he’s crazy. I clench my jaw, remembering the laxatives he’d forced down my throat.

Keeping the bag of ice pressed firmly against my ankle, I carefully swing my leg off the pillow on the table. When I stand, I have to bite my lip to stop myself from crying out when pain shoots up my leg. I need to rest it, but I can’t, not yet. I hobble across the room to the kitchen and rummage through the cabinets.

There’s more than enough food to last the week. The refrigerator is just as packed. The coffee machine is bubbling quietly, so I find a mug and make a fresh drink. Moving back to the cabinets, I grab a packet of potato chips and a pack of cookies. I leave the snacks on the counter while I forage around, searching for a landline phone or radio. There’s nothing in the kitchen. I come up empty in the main room as well.

“Fuck.” My shoulders sag and I close my eyes. Eli has stranded us here with no outside contact. If something happens, we have no way to call for help.

My ankle is throbbing more, the longer I stand, so I gather my food and limp along the hallway. When I pass the room Eli said is his, I glare at the door.

Maybe he has a phone or radio in there? He must have something in case of an emergency. I’ll have to search it when I get a chance.

My thoughts jump to my phone and bag, both in Kellan’s possession now. He has Zoey’s diary in his hands. Maybe he won’t realize what it is? He’s seen me with it before and not said anything.

If he works out what it is and tells Eli … he’s going to be angry I kept it from him. Will he lose his temper again and lash out? I feel like I’m sitting on a ticking time bomb and waiting for it to explode.

The furniture inside the bedroom Eli said I can use is rustic and comfortable. Everything screams comfort and luxury. I shoot the lock on the door and move around the bed so I can place my snacks and drink on the bedside table. Easing myself onto the bed, I groan and relax into the mattress.

I have to survive a week.

Seven days of forced proximity.

I’ve been by myself plenty of times before.

If Eli thinks I’m going to rely on him for anything, he’s going to be disappointed.

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