Page 2 of Embracing My Nightmare
“You killed her, you son of a bitch,” Roger wheezed out with a cough, and the anger and terror in his voice scared me to my core. “How could you kill her? After everything we did for Elise! For you!”
“You did nothing for her, you selfish bastard. You lied to me and I warned you to never try to double-cross me. I thought out of everyone, I could trust you to keep your word. You’re a depraved man, Roger.Too bad Sally beat you before she killed you. Sad, she felt the only way out was suicide.”
“Please, don’t. Don’t!” Roger screamed as the gun sounded again.
The silence stretched out, and I was shivering from panic as the door opened. Slamming my eyes shut, I hoped it would be over soon and I could finally be free from the horror my life had been. He walked slowly across the room, and as hard as I tried, I couldn’t hide my trembling.
The bed dipped as he sat next to me and I squeezed my eyes closed and waited. Softly, a hand brushed the hair off my face, and with a gentle stroke, he ran his finger down my cheek. He leaned in and whispered into my ear, “You’re safe now. They can’t hurt you anymore.”
My eyes opened slowly, and the bright lights shining through the door shadowed him. I could tell he was a large man, but the only thing I could make out was his jet-black hair that framed his face. His intoxicating scent enveloped me—a woodsy scent mixed with the bitter smell of copper.
Recognizing the smell as blood, their blood, I tugged on the restraints, trying to move away from him. His hand flexed on his lap and he reached out to touch my face again. I tilted my head away and whimpered. With an audible exhale, he placed his hand back on his lap and stared at me.
“Please don’t hurt me,” I pleaded on a whisper.
His gaze moved to the bruises running up and down my arms and wrapping around my neck. A low rumble rose from deep in his chest. “I could never hurt you, Elise. I should have been here sooner. I’m sorry it took me so long.”
He stood from the bed and the absence of him next to me caused a pain to lance through my heart. How could someone who just killed my ‘parents’ cause such a reaction in me? What was wrong with me that my first real sign of attraction was to the person who just murdered two people? For me.
“I don’t understand. Who are you? Why were you looking for me? Why did you kill them?” My eyes grew wide, and I didn’t know if he would punish me for seeing him or for asking questions that I didn’t want the answers to. My breathing became erratic, and he moved closer to the door.
“Calm down, little lamb. Someone will be here soon to untie you. When they arrive, tell them that Roger drugged you, tied you to the bed, and you woke up when you heard the gunshots. You don’t know who shot who, but you heard the gun go off twice. Tell them everything that has happened to you, but I ask one thing.”
“I’ll do whatever you want. You saved me from them,” I reasoned, hoping to dissuade his anger. He groaned low before clearing his voice.
“Never mention me to anyone.Ever. I wasn’t here, and you never saw me. It’s safer for you. Promise me, lamb.” His deep voice cascaded over me and I nodded.
His eyes shone a deep blue briefly, the reflecting light cascading into the small room as he observed me. “Say it.”
“I promise,” I whispered.
I meant every word. I would never tell a soul about the man who saved me from the misery I had existed in for so long. Who would believe me anyway? I wasn’t special. I was just me.
He turned to leave, and with his back to me, he spoke his final words with a marked promise. “Live your life, lamb. Experience the world, make friends, but remember one thing. You belong to me. I’ll be back for you when you least expect it. When that day comes, be prepared. I won’t take no for an answer.”
I felt his warning down to the depths of my soul and I knew that our next encounter would be the changing point in my life. Whoever my savior was, he had just become my new nightmare.
