Page 25 of A Dark Infinity

“No,” I smirk. “Now go to sleep.”

The key in my hand is resting against her stomach, and I know she feels it. A smile stretches across my face as I wonder if my Little Bird is going to take flight. If she does, I’ll have fun chasing her down—after giving her a head start, of course.

11

Lark

Iwakeinthedarkness, the weight of Ethan’s body pressing against mine. By the sounds coming from him, he’s sleeping deeply. The room is dark, much darker than… wait. The blindfold. With trembling fingers, I pull it down, tempted to turn around and watch him. But I don’t. I’m not sure I can bear seeing his face after finding out he’s the one who has been stalking me.

As I lie there, I run my hand up and down the mattress. When I reach the part just below my stomach, I feel something hard and metallic. It’s a key. Hope surges within me as I grasp it, my heart racing with the possibility of escape.

Carefully, I slip out of bed, trying not to disturb Ethan. I pause, but his breathing hasn’t changed, so I quickly throw on one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers, hoping they’ll provide some semblance of cover.

With the key in hand, I approach the bedroom door, my pulse pounding in my ears. I insert the key into the lock, my fingers trembling with anticipation. As I turn the key, there’s a soft click, and the door swings open silently.

I step cautiously into the hallway; the darkness enveloping me like a thick blanket. For a moment, I shut my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the absence of light. Slowly, shapes begin to materialize in the dimness, and I start to make out the vague outlines of furniture and doorways.

With each tentative step, I navigate my way around the house, my heart pounding in my chest. The silence is deafening, broken only by the soft sounds of my own breathing and the soft pads of my bare feet on the floor. I approach the nearest door and try the handle, but it refuses to budge, locked tight against my escape.

Moving on, I try another door, then another, each one met with the same frustrating resistance. Panic begins to rise within me as I realize the extent of my confinement. Desperation sets in, and I find myself at a window, grasping at the handle with trembling hands.

I tug at the window with all my strength, but it remains stubbornly shut, refusing to yield to my desperate attempts. My breath comes in shallow gasps as I struggle to keep my composure, the fear of being discovered drives me to move quickly yet quietly.

Time seems to stretch on endlessly as I continue my fruitless search for a means of escape, the weight of my predicament bearing down on me like a leaden weight. But despite my efforts, every avenue remains closed to me, leaving me trapped in this nightmare with no way out.

As I reach the end of the hallway, my heart sinks as I realize there are no more doors to try. Desperation claws at me, urging me to try anything, even the windows again, but I know it’s futile. They’re all securely locked, just like before.

Feeling defeated, I lean against the wall, my mind racing with possibilities. How could Ethan have set up this place to be so impenetrable? Seriously, what’s up with this house? Either he’s meticulously planned this, or he’s paranoid. Maybe both. Either way, I have no means of escape.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I weigh my options. It’s clear that I can’t rely on finding a way out through conventional means. I need to be smart, strategic, and, above all, patient.

With a renewed sense of determination, I resolve to bide my time, waiting for the opportune moment to make my move. I may be trapped for now, but I refuse to surrender to despair. As long as there’s breath in my lungs, there’s still hope for escape.

As I stand there, contemplating my next move, Ethan’s voice echoes through the speakers, causing a shiver to run down my spine. “Little Bird,” he calls me, his tone dripping with condescension and amusement. “If you can find a way to fly away, then by all means, try. But if I catch you…” He chuckles darkly. “… I’ll clip your fucking wings.”

Even though I’m scared shitless, I refuse to cower in fear or succumb to his manipulation. “You won’t catch me,” I scream, feigning a bravado I don’t really feel.

As I press on, my mind races with thoughts of freedom and escape. I try to block out Ethan’s voice, echoing through the speakers, taunting me at every turn. Each door I try, each window I test, is met with the same result: locked, sealed shut, impenetrable.

Frustration and desperation gnaw at my insides, threatening to overwhelm me. But I can’t afford to lose hope. I remind myself of the strength I possess, the resilience that has carried me through so many trials before.

And then, just when I’m on the brink of despair, I stumble upon a door that yields to my touch. My heart leaps with a surge of hope as I cautiously push it open, praying that it leads to freedom.

But as the door swings open, my hopes are dashed once again. Instead of an exit, I find myself face to face with a darkened corridor, stretching out before me like a labyrinth of shadows.

Undeterred, I take a deep breath and step forward, determined to explore every possibility, to leave no stone unturned in my quest for freedom. With each step, my resolve strengthens, fueled by the fierce determination burning within me.

I may be trapped in Ethan’s twisted game for now, but I refuse to be his pawn. I’ll find a way out of this maze, and when I do, he’ll learn that this Little Bird knows how to use her claws.

As I press on, Ethan’s taunts grow louder, his voice echoing through the speakers with a chilling intensity. “Little Bird, where do you think you’re going? You can’t escape me,” he calls out. His taunts send shivers down my spine, but I steel myself against the fear, focusing on the task at hand.

With each step, I navigate the labyrinthine corridors, my senses heightened as I strain to detect any sign of escape. And then, just when I least expect it, I hear the faint click of a door unlocking. My heart races as adrenaline floods my veins, and without hesitation, I dart into the room beyond, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I press myself into the darkness of a corner.

Time seems to stand still as I wait, every nerve in my body on edge, listening intently for any sign of Ethan’s approach. “Where are you hiding, Little Bird? You can’t hide forever,” his voice taunts.

The air is heavy with tension; the silence broken only by the sound of my own frantic heartbeat. And then, like a specter emerging from the shadows, I hear the faintest whisper of footsteps drawing near.

My heart leaps into my throat as dread coils in the pit of my stomach, but I force myself to remain perfectly still, praying that I’ll remain unseen. As Ethan’s footsteps draw closer, my pulse quickens, the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I brace myself for the inevitable confrontation.

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