Page 41 of Captive Union
I inhale the fresh air deeply. It’s been a few weeks since I was taken, and even though I’ve gotten fresh air in the backyard, the air smells different when you feel like you’re free.
This is my choice. I have the power to leave. I owe it to myself to at least see where I’ve been these past few weeks.
With hesitant steps, I walk down the driveway, looking over my shoulder every second to make sure no one tries to stop me. And yet, no one does. Erik’s staff is nowhere to be seen. Besides, it’s not their job to keep me in the house. Officially, no one is watching me.
I hurry up my pace and keep walking down the driveway as it bends and curves until I reach the end. I can’t even see the house from here. The road is inches away from me. I poke my head around the fence and look around—another house sits across from Erik’s home, also a Victorian style, but the next house looks far away, barely a speck in the distance. I could go next door and ask for help, but I don’t want to. I’m not afraid of Erik any longer, especially after we shared such an intimate moment at dinner a couple of nights ago.
In fact, I think I might be falling for him.
So maybe I should leave before I let myself fully fall in love. It’s what my family would expect of me.
But maybe I’m tired of doing what my family always expects and should instead do what I feel in my gut is right.
I hear a car coming down the street, and I whip my head back, peeking around the fence. As the car gets closer, I make out Erik in the front seat.
Oh, no.
If he sees me out here, what will he think? Will he be angry? Will all the progress we made be for nothing?
I start to run back up the driveway, hoping I’ll make it before Erik returns. I pick up my speed as I hear the car come up the driveway. The open front door is getting closer and closer.
I keep my eyes focused on it and pray I’ll make it in time.
But then, I hear Erik shout out my name.
I stop in my tracks and slowly turn to face him as he finishes driving up to the house. The look on his face when he steps out of the car makes my heart drop into my stomach.
“Kira, what are you doing?”
I wring my hands. “Uh, I just wanted some fresh air.”
“Really?” His voice makes it clear he doesn’t believe me. “Were you trying to leave me?” The hurt in his voice sends tears pricking at my eyes.
As he gets closer to me, my eyes register something. His face is covered in blood, black and blue bruises on his cheeks and forehead, and his nose looks a little crooked.
“What happened?” I breathe out.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Well, neither did you.”
“I asked first, Kira. Were you trying to leave?”
I drop my hands. “I thought you trusted me. Why else would you leave the front door unlocked and no guards around for me to escape?”
“Were you trying to leave me?” he shouts suddenly.
I take a step back. “No,” I whisper. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” His voice drips with derision.
“Why are you covered in blood and bruises?” I demand, pointing at his face.
“It’s not important.”
“It is to me. You’re my husband, Erik.”
“Which apparently doesn’t mean anything if you were trying to leave me.”
