Page 102 of Make You Mine

There’s someone behind me, sprawled on a chair, head down and body limp. Blood splashed across the familiar jumpsuit. Their face is covered by a cap, as if whoever did this didn’t want anyone to see the victim’s expression. I don’t need the cap to know who it is.

Lifting the visor, I see Joseph’s eyes are closed, and blood stains the side of his face and temple.

I don’t want to touch him, so I lean forward and crouch by him, attempting to find any sign of his breathing.

Wanting to believe that maybe he’s okay, and he fell asleep here while cleaning. Sat on the chair to rest, and he hit himself with something. A mere accident and not what I’m suspecting happened.

Not this. Not someone else. Not another innocent life for me.

My head’s by his face, and I can’t sense any air leaving his lungs. I tense up. The realization dawns on me that Joseph never left me. He never locked me in. He has been here all along, and Devon made sure he wouldn’t see him.

I’ve got to get out of here. I need to get help. I need to do something.

A rustling startles me, footsteps nearing.

I quickly turn off my phone’s flashlight and stay still.

Don’t stop. Keep walking. Keep walking.

I hold my breath, and cover my mouth with my hand again.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I jump.

Unknown:

Come out, come out, wherever you are, my wife.

The rustling stops. The footsteps do, too.

Another vibration.

Unknown:

Am I getting hot?

Shit. Shit. Shit. He’s going to find me. He must have heard me.

Bzzz.

Unknown:

I just know you’re somewhere out there shaking like a chicken. My feisty wife. Not so feisty anymore, are we? Haha, this shouldn’t turn me on so much. But the thought of you, terrified somewhere in this darkness, does.

Unknown:

I can’t wait to see the look on your face with my own eyes. I’m your wildest dreams and your worst nightmares all in one, Maddy, and I’m gonna make you mine.

I open my notification settings, fumbling with my phone until I manage to switch it to silent mode, so there are no more vibrations.

Scrunching my eyes closed, I pray that this ends quickly, without any suffering.

If he finds me, he’d better just end me. I don’t think I can take any more tension.

I wait a couple of minutes with my heart in my throat, hunching by the door and hugging my legs. I find the position strangely comforting as I rock back-and-forth.

The sudden silence gives me hope.

I need to reconsider my options.