Page 38 of Love Sick

There’s only one person…

Until I know where Luna is, Alanna knows I will do whatever I need to, to keep her safe.

“Fine. When is it?”

She smiles, clapping happily. “Four weeks’ time. Your leg will be healed by then.”

That’s what she’s worried about? That her professional conduct will be questioned if I hobble into a room filled with people. She really believes I won’t tell a soul about what happened, and this is troubling.

“Where’s Bobby?”

Her face lights up. “He’s sleeping in his bedroom.”

I want to ask where we are, but there’s no point.

“Do you want to see the piano?”

This is like asking a junkie if they want their next fix. My heart begins to beat faster, an excited rhythm which betrays my composure.

“I’ll get the wheelchair.”

Alanna rises from her seat, a spring to her step, while I attempt to construct some sort of plan of escape. I can’t go now, but I can map out the layout of wherever the fuck we are so when I can walk, I can burn this place to the ground—ensuring Alanna is inside when I do.

She re-enters with the shining wheelchair. Seems she went all out for the occasion. “Don’t make me regret this,” she warns sternly.

As much as I would love to run her over numerous times with the wheelchair, I know I’m not strong enough to overpower her. And I also have no idea what faces me beyond these dilapidated walls. There will only be one chance at escape.

There’s no room for error.

She positions the chair near the bed and unhooks the bag from the IV stand. I remove the white blanket and shift my body, but my arms are weak from being tied for so long. I also haven’t eaten for God knows how many days—weeks?

Alanna smiles, arms behind her back.

She wants me to ask for help as this is just another power play on her behalf. She gets off on being needed and as much as I hate it, I need her help.

Thinking of the greater good, I smile as sweetly as I can without telling her to go fuck herself. “Can you please help me?”

“Of course I can.” She comes rushing to my aid, looping her arms under my armpits and slides me into the chair as I try my best to move.

Once strapped in, she places the IV bag into my lap and hums under her breath as she wheels me from the room. The moment we enter the hallway, I see the rest of this house is just as run-down as the bedroom.

In its prime, this house would have been the envy of many. The three faded golden archways of the hallway which face the main entrance would have gleamed in the sunlight. But now, it’s just an abandoned mansion which sets the perfect backdrop for every Gothic horror.

There is a spiral staircase with rusted intricate balusters extending both sides from the corridor which leads down to the lower level. The carpet was once red, but most of it is now pulled up, so Alanna has no issues wheeling me down the stairs.

I take in everything I can, and when we get to a checkered flooring, Alanna stops so I can see the foyer ahead.

The large white doors are at the end of the entrance, but they are roped with heavy chains and a padlock.

The walls look to be a green marble and I wonder what secrets they house.

“Where are we?” I ask as Alanna wheels me down the center stairs.

“It’s called Pennington Villa. It was built in eighteen ninety-two for Richard Pennington, a very famous surgeon. But as bad luck had it, he died of a heart attack his first night in the home. And his wife sadly passed a month later…of a broken heart. Such a tragedy. They could never enjoy what was supposed to be their happily ever after.”

This tale is too close to Alanna’s.

I don’t believe a word, but I nod nonetheless.

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