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Four Days Later
Idug my toes into the plush carpet, feeling the soft fibers tickle my skin as I ran the brush through my damp hair. This fancy hotel was beyond anything I could have ever imagined, with walls smoother than silk and floors so polished I could see myself reflected in them. It was like stepping into a luxurious dream world, but one that felt all too real.
As Fin lead me away from Grant that night, we drove for hours until we crossed state lines and arrived at this five-star paradise. For someone like Fin, who didn’t seem to care about material possessions, it was a surprise to find out he had booked us a room here. But then again, that was just typical Fin—always full of surprises.
Our first night here, he held me close as we slept, his muscular arm cradling me while his other hand clutched his knife. As much as I tried to stay awake and keep watch, I couldn’t help but give in to the warmth and safety of his embrace. In those moments, everything felt perfect, and I knew deep down that this was where I belonged— by his side.
But now, every night was a battle to fall asleep without him beside me. And with each passing night, the emptiness within me grew stronger, reminding me of how lost I was without him by my side.
“Room service,” a loud, booming voice pierced through the air, shattering my thoughts.
My heart raced with both excitement and nervousness as I quickly tightened the thick belt of my plush robe and wiggled my feet into a pair of slippers. Fin had promised me unlimited room service. It felt too good to be true, like I didn’t deserve such luxury and indulgence. But I quickly pushed aside those thoughts as I eagerly made my way to the door. When I opened it, a hotel employee in full uniform walked inside, carrying a large tray emitting tantalizing smells that made my mouth water. With trembling hands, I pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and handed it to him after he placed the tray down.
“Thank you,” he said with a curt nod before leaving the room.
I couldn’t contain my excitement as I lifted the fancy silver dome to reveal an array of delectable dishes and treats. Despite trying to restrain myself, the temptation was too strong, and I ended up indulging in three main meals, two snacks, and a sinful bedtime treat. The guilt of overindulging gnawed at me, but the pleasure of being completely free was overwhelming.
I wheeled the tray of food into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed eager to dive into the breakfast. As I grabbed the remote, I caught a glimpse of Fin’s watch. He had left it for me, so I wouldn’t worry about him not returning. Although I believed every single word that dripped off his tongue, a small part of me wanted some reassurance, and he was happy to provide it.
I missed him and wondered what he was doing and when he would be back. My heart ached for him, the longing and worry consuming me. I tossed and turned in the empty bed, thoughts of his safety racing through my mind like a relentless wildfire. This morning, when I found him gone, leaving only a note left behind with words of love and promises of return, was a cold awakening. Panic gripped me as I realized he had taken everything. My phone, wallet, any means of communication, though he’d left behind a stash of cash for an emergency.
As I let the memories of that morning crash into me like a truck going one hundred miles per hour, my throat closed up, suffocating on suppressed emotions that now demanded to be felt. I kicked off my slippers and got comfortable as I numbly surfed through the movie channel, a needed distraction from everything I was feeling. Deep down, I had nothing to worry about. I was safe, free of Grant, and it was all because of my brother, Fin.
* * *
The sound of the hotel room door clicking open woke me out of my light sleep. I leaped up, grabbed my journal off the nightstand next to me, and crawled underneath the bed. It was a habit that Fin taught me for safety when I was young, and to this day, it was a habit I could never break. The door closed, and silence once again fell over the room. I lay on my side, knees tucked and eyes closed. My heart beat out of my chest as I tried to steady my breaths. Even with my eyes closed, the heaviness of whoever was in the room with me cloaked me like a blanket, and as I inhaled a stuttering breath, a strong hand covered my mouth.
“Barbie, Barbie, in your castle tall,
You’re the princess, the belle of the ball.
With Fin by your side, you both have it all,
In your fucked up world, you’ll never fall.”
Fin raised his hand, and I pivoted to meet his gaze. His scent was like a nostalgic reminder of home.My home.
“My sweet Barbie,” he said, his voice like velvet in the darkness.
With nothing but darkness surrounding us, I found his lips and kissed him as if my life depended on it.
“I have a surprise for you, princess. Do you want to see?" he asked, breaking our kiss.
“Yes.”
With a firm grip, he pulled me out from under the bed and flicked on the lamp by the massive flat-screen television. On the long mahogany shelf below lay a large, sleek, black leather box and a single red rose placed next to it. He raised a finger and curled it in his direction, beckoning me over. With his hands cupping my cheeks, he kissed me. But this one differed from every other one. There was a promise on his lips.
“Fin?” I asked, my pulse now in overdrive.
He reached for the box on the shelf, his eyes never leaving mine as he dropped to his knees. With skilled fingers, he opened the box and lifted the lid, revealing two hearts soaked in blood.
“What is that?”
His left hand found my cheek. “It’s my loyalty, my love, my vow. “You belong to me, now and forever.”
Fin’s piercing gaze drilled into me, electrifying every inch of my body with an intensity that left me breathless. I couldn’t look away from the raw emotion in his eyes, a fire burning deep within that ignited a primal desire within me. My fingers trembled with anticipation as I gazed down at the hearts, their blood-soaked surfaces beckoning to me with a seductive allure that was impossible to resist.
“One’s for you,” Fin said and picked up the heart on the right side of the box. Crimson leaked through the slits of his fingers as he handed it to me. “He’ll never come for you. He’ll never touch you ever again.”
