“Anna, please?—”
She cut me off with a frantic shake of her head, her eyes wide with fear. “I’ve already said too much. I have to go. Just… be careful.” With that, she hurried out of the room, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts.
“Bothering the staff again?”asked the mocking presence inside my head, and I clenched my fists in frustration. My captor seemed to be a constant presence in my head, invading my thoughts and making it impossible to forget that I was being watched at all times. I had to pray he couldn’t actuallyhearmy thoughts, only project his voice into my mind.
“Leave me alone,” I snapped. “You kidnapped me and locked me in this place. What the fuck do you expect?”
“Fine,”he said curtly.“But I don’t understand why you insist on sleeping in the bathroom when you have a perfectly comfortable bed available.”
“Maybe because I don’t trust you,” I shot back as I stared down at the food on the tray. “Just so you know, I’m not going to stop trying to escape.”
As I paced back and forth across the room, the plush carpet soft beneath my bare feet, I racked my brain for any other possible strategies to learn more about my captor and his motives. If I couldn’t get through to Anna, maybe there was someone else among the staff who would be more willing to help.
“Listen, you son of a bitch! You’ve cut me off from the world, so excuse me if I crave some human interaction.”
He remained silent for so long, I thought he’d retreated, but he spoke again, and when he did, his demeanor was surprisingly gentle.
“Very well. I understand your need for connection.” He almost sounded apologetic. “As for sleeping in the bathroom, you really should trust me more. You’re safe here.”
“Safe?” I snorted, slamming my fists onto my hips. “You keep saying that, yet I’ve been taken from my home, my family, my life. Trust isn’t exactly high on my list right now.”
“Perhaps I can change that. I’ve already told you we’d be having dinner together tonight. We can discuss this further then.”
My stomach churned at the prospect of meeting the mysterious man in person. What would he demand of me? I tried to push that thought aside and instead focus on the opportunity it presented. If I managed to get close enough to the person behind all this, maybe I’d find a way to escape.
“Fine,” I said, my fingers instinctively pulling at the hem of my shirt. “I look forward to meeting you properly at dinner.”
Once again, I was left alone with my thoughts. As I stood there, I tried to steel myself for what was to come, drawing on every ounce of strength and courage I possessed. I would not allow fear to hold me back, not when my freedom was at stake.
I picked at my breakfast, worry nagging at me like a relentless itch. The food was delicious, but the anticipation of the dinner I’d been promised with my captor made it difficult to enjoy. The eggs were fluffy, the bacon crisp and savory, yet each bite tasted bland and unexceptional on my tongue.
“Get a grip, Liza,” I muttered, forcing myself to take another bite. My stomach churned, but I needed the energy now more than ever.
As soon as I finished eating, I darted into the bathroom for some much-needed privacy. I had barely begun to wash myhands when there was an insistent knock on the door, followed by the sound of it creaking open. I hastily dried my hands on a towel and squared my shoulders, bracing for whatever was coming next.
“Miss Liza,” the guard said gruffly, visually inspecting me as if assessing my readiness for… something. “The master says you are to be given more freedom.”
“More freedom?” I asked, surprise momentarily drowning out my fear. Was this some kind of trick? A test to see how I would react? Or was it a genuine offer? A small taste of the life I so desperately longed for?
“Within the house, yes,” he clarified, his face blank. “You may explore certain areas, but you must not venture outside. Understood?”
“Of course,” I said cautiously, trying to gauge his intentions. His body language remained guarded, revealing absolutely nothing. “Thank you.”
“Follow me,” he said, turning on his heel and striding out of the room. I hesitated for a moment, then trailed after him, curiosity getting the better of me.
I followed the guard through the house, my bare feet padding silently over the plush carpets and polished marble floors. We passed through a corridor lined with ornate, gilt-edged mirrors, and intricately carved wooden panels that appeared to stretch on for miles. Yet, for all its splendor, the place was cold and empty—a beautiful prison that offered no true comfort or solace.
“Here,” the guard said abruptly, stopping in front of a set of double doors. He pushed them open to reveal a breathtaking indoor pool, its crystal-clear water shimmering under the soft glow of the overhead lights. It was like something out of a dream. A sanctuary hidden within the confines of my gilded cage.
“The master believes physical activity is important for maintaining health and wellbeing,” the guard said a little lessgruffly. “He’s made this room available for your use, should you wish to take advantage of it.”
“Thank you.” I gazed at the inviting water. As much as I hated to admit it, the idea of swimming, of the cool embrace of the water against my skin, was incredibly tempting. Perhaps it would provide a brief respite from my constant anxiety and help me clear my mind.
“Remember, you are not to leave the house under any circumstances. If you do, there will be consequences.”
“Understood.” When he turned away and left me alone in the pool room, I wondered what this newfound freedom really meant. Was my captor growing more lenient, or was it simply another means of control?
As I walked around the pool, taking in my surroundings, it became apparent that this room was just as private as the bedroom. Security cameras were discreetly mounted on the walls, their lenses positioned in such a way to ensure the entire room was covered. Clearly, my captor wanted to keep a close eye on me, even during what should have been a relaxing swim.
