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I slowly lower the phone down, flattening my palm over it on the counter. My only hope is Jesse knows what he’s talking about. If not, I’ll be too far gone to the darkness. If I can’t get her back, I’ll destroy everyone and everything in my way.
Even my oldest friend.
Chapter 33
Paige
I wake with a start, my head pounding. A strong sense of deja vu hits me as I’m reminded of my first night at Mick’s. I test my arms and find them, thankfully, free. A chill runs through me as my fingers brush against cotton fabric. My hands explore my body and horror fills me as I find my clothes have been replaced by a short dress. My bra and underwear have been removed, leaving my nipples to pebble under the thin fabric in the cold room. Focusing on my breathing, I force myself to stay calm despite the sickening reason behind the change.
Turning my attention to the space, I strain my eyes to take in my surroundings. The room is cast in darkness, the only light pouring through the edges of a door. The small light shows a flight of stairs leading up to the exit but is unable to penetrate the black beyond the steps. Another chill runs through me. Shivering, I wrap my arms around my legs and tuck my face into my knees.
I was so close, I should have just pushed him out of the car and took off in any direction.
I grip my hair tightly and press my closed eyes into my knees.
This is it. I’m not sure what I did to deserve it, but my life is yet again at the mercy of someone else. Only this time, I don’t know if I have the strength to fight anymore.
I expect to feel tears well up but find myself empty, devoid of emotion.
I thought I was strong.
I thought I had taken back my power.
I was wrong.
The wood creaks as the rusted hinges work to open. I don’t move, head still tucked into my curved body. Heavy steps descend the stairs, each one creaking in protest to the weight. Once the footfalls reach the hard floor, I hear the sound of metal scraping along the concrete. Something clatters on the floor and I hear a heavy sigh echo around the room.
“Are you going to just mope there?”
I don’t move or respond, past the point of caring.
Seth exhales again shortly before fingers grip my hair and yank my head back. Keeping my eyes closed, I refuse to give him anything I still have control over. “Look at me.” He demands, his hot breath wafting across my face. Squeezing my lids tighter, I hug my knees closer to my chest. A hand slaps my cheek at the same time Seth releases my hair. My head whips to the side, skin stinging from the blow but I refuse to react.
Angered by my disobedience, he grips my hair again and drags me to my feet by the strands. I let out a small cry as I try to steady my wobbly legs. Before I can get my balance, Seth punches my stomach, the air whooshing out of me. If he wasn’t holding my hair so tightly, I would double over from the impact. Taking my jaw in his free hand, he squeezes hard enough to bruise. “I said look at me you ungrateful bitch.” He snarls, fingers tightening in my hair as he releases my face. The relief only lasts a second as another harsh blow hits my cheek. “It’s either your eyes or your mouth.” He warns, venom dripping from his words.
I open my eyes and scowl at him. His neck has several bandages wrapped around it and water drips from his damp hair onto a fresh shirt, the other one most likely ruined. A brief moment of satisfaction breaks through my cold emotions, knowing I’m the reason behind the damage. The warmth seeps out again as I watch him run his hungry eyes over my body.
I’m not sure how I never noticed the predatory glint in his eyes before. There’s no fondness in his expression, nothing like I’ve come to know with Mick. Even when he had tied me up and removed my freedom, there was still a look of adoration shining through when Mick looked at me. Seth, on the other hand, looks at me as if I’m a bag of meat, waiting to be prepared, devoured and discarded. A chill runs down my spine, knowing I am fully at his mercy to do just that.
Seth’s eyes slide up and meet mine. “See? Now was that so fucking hard?” He shakes me, emphasizing his words. “You will learn to listen when I say something.” I don’t reply, meeting his gaze without a hint of emotion. He licks his lips while running a hand across his jaw. “It’ll only be a matter of time before you realize we belong together. Wewillbe together, once you remember who you are.” Seth releases me and steps back, gesturing to the floor. “There’s some food and water. You’ll have to eat with your hands after your last little stunt.” He gingerly runs his fingers over the bandaging covering his neck. “I suggest you eat and sleep. You’re going to need it.” He turns and marches up the steps, slamming the door shut behind him.
I hear the sound of locks sliding into place, confirming my suspicion that I’m trapped down here. Crumpling to the ground, I stretch my hand out and fumble around until I feel a plastic tray. Sliding it toward myself, I choke down the food and gulp the water. Within a few minutes, my eyelids grow heavy and I’m unable to stay upright. Resting on the cool concrete, I succumb to the darkness.
Time becomes meaningless within my world. Seth repeatedly visits me with food and water. Each time I consume the provisions, I fall asleep within minutes and wake up in confusion, my body aching. A small part of me is aware that the soreness isn’t just from sleeping on a hard surface but I refuse to think on it.
Barely clinging to my sanity, I let my mind wander. I imagine Mick bursting through the door to rescue me. I’m beyond the capability of escaping myself, my soul has been battered one too many times. So, instead, I envision my dark knight riding in.
The door opens and I curse myself for the heartbreak I feel as I see a mop of unkempt black hair rather than the blonde curls I’m desperate to see again.
Seth plods down the stairs and dumps another tray on the ground. I wait for him to leave but he walks into the darkness and returns with a chair instead. Apprehension filling me, I keep my eyes fixed on his movements as he lowers himself into the chair. Crossing an ankle over his knee, Seth runs his fingers through his hair. “When are you going to move on from this?” He grouches, gesturing toward me.
I sit in silence. There’s nothing I want to say to him and he’ll keep talking anyway. I had forgotten how much Seth liked the sound of his own voice. I truly can’t remember what I ever liked about him. His personality is foul and his entitlement disgusting. Watching him with an impassive expression, I wait.
Sighing dramatically, he strokes his chin. “Don’t you want to go back to how things were? We used to be so happy together.” I cringe at the reminder. I was a different girl then, meek and submissive. I never talked back, always attempted to smooth the waters rather than stir up a fight. Of course Seth would want that back.
One thing has become clear during my time with him inside this dark room. Seth gets off on subservient behavior, his need to control driving him to destroy any individuality in me. The difference in Seth’s version of dominance and Mick’s brings forth tears that I thought had dried out. Where Seth desires to crush me, Mick wants to empower me. For every bit Mick broke, he built me back up. I was wholly myself with him, freed from the chains wrapped around my soul. Something stirs inside me deep down. I feel a shift from the cold hopelessness that has consumed me since Seth snatched my phone from my hand. A fire melting the ice encasing my heart, flames licking up my being and rekindling my determination.
Unaware of the changes happening inside of me, Seth continues on. “It really is a shame you jumped to conclusions without giving me a chance.” I hear the frustration bleed into his voice. “If you had just fucking waited, I would have told you. But no, you’re too fucking emotional and just took off.” Shame attempts to douse out the fire raging in me but is quickly snuffed out.
