Chapter two.
My mouth went dry, desperately trying to find a reason they would believe. I really didn't wat to stay here, not with two men in a house that was not my own. I feared the big guy. He seemed too big to be real. His muscles were unbelievable, like he was half a giant, a very strong giant.
'I just can't. Someone is waiting for me…'I tried again. I watched away from the staring eyes of the big guy, only to look right into Richards eyes. I saw straight away he knew I was lying. I heard how the man cleared his throat, before he shrugged his shoulders and continued his breakfast. Richard on the other hand, was much harder to distract.
'That must be someone special then, if you are willing to cross that kind of weather.' I licked my lips and kept my face straight. I had to get out of here. They wouldn't understand, even if I explained, but I just had to leave.
'I'm sorry. Thank you for your hospitality Richard,' I said, walking towards the stairs to get my stuff from the guest room. A hand on my arm stopped me. I jerked myself free, instantly going into flight mode. I saw that Richard noted that too.
'I really think it is best if you stayed another night. Nothing more.' He slowly said, not again trying to touch me this time. I stilled and watched him. The guy at the table watched us interested, his eyes glued to mine.
'It would not be wise.' My answer was final and I quickly ran for the stairs. I rushed into the room and quickly shove my clothes inside the back pack before I put it on my good arm. I winced feeling how the other stung. No time for that, move! I thought to myself. I turned and went to leave the room when I saw there was a blockade now. The big guy. I swallowed and quickly watched around, seeing the window as my last option. I would not let him touch me or hurt me. No more of that.
'You are very eager to leave,' he simply stated in that deep voice that brought me shivers. I swallowed and just stared at him, not moving an inch.
'Why?' he asked. I wondered how someone with such a deep, dark voice, could still sound kind. Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me.
'You wouldn't understand.' I said softly. His eyes roamed my body before he eyes my cheek again. I had a feeling he started to understand everything too well.
'Richard would really worry if you left like this. Like you are on the run.' I didn't answer that question. It wasn't any of his business anyway.
'Who are you fleeing from, I wonder,' he continued. I placed my hand on hurt arm, hoping he would just let me pass.
'He told me in this house there would no questions be asked, if a person didn't want to answer them.' The grey eyes went wide.
'Maybe you have a motive to run. Maybe not. But Richard and myself don't want to be involved when something happened to you and we would be reported as your last place you've stayed.' His tone was still the same, however the words sounded harsher to me. I chuckled.
'Well you don't have anything to worry about, no one will be searching for me. No one's missing me either. Let me pass,' I demanded.
'Then you lied.' I stared at him, not understanding what he meant.
'I lied?' I asked. Now he chuckled.
'If there is no one waiting for you, then you don't have to leave for that 'someone' right?' I mentally slapped myself.
'Just let me pass,' I tried, but he kept standing in the doorway.
'Why?' he asked again. I started to panic. I needed to leave this house, instantly. I felt how tears gathered in my eyes when I could find no answer for him. I want for him to leave me alone. I would not share my story, not ever and especially not with someone who would not even tell me their name.
'Move,' I whispered. He watched me great interest while he took a step in my direction. I took a step back. He even moved like a mountain. His muscles moved with ease, flexing when he slightly bowed his arms.
'Someone hurt you,' he simply stated when he watched how I distanced myself from him. I failed to answer.
'Go away,' I said, now a tear running over my cheek. His intense glare remained, only did his features soften a bit. Like he had achieved what he wanted and would now let me be.
'You won't leave this house like this. And we won't harm you either. Stay the night.' It was a command, I recognized. I stared hard.
'I don't want to stay.' My voice broke, but I could care less. He watched me with amusement now, taking another step in my direction.
'You have no choice.' I swallowed again, fighting more tears that might fall.
'What's your name?' I asked. My voice was so soft I was surprised he heard me.
'If I'd tell you, you would not be able to leave. Ever.' I took another step back when I comprehended his words. I wanted to ask why he said that, but I rather had him gone.
'I'll send Richard up, your shoulder is bleeding,' he then said, catching me completely off guard. I first didn't understood his words until I watched to my side and saw blood coming through my sweater. It wasn't much, but it was blood. The wound had reopened.
'I'll stay, but I will leave tomorrow. You don't have to send Richard, I can tend to myself.' My voice started to sound steadier, I hoped. I turned and placed my back pack on the bed again, hoping he would leave me alone. I didn't hear anything, but froze when I felt a hand on my good shoulder. I moved quickly, pulling myself away and turning so I could face him.
'Don't touch me,' I said, taking a few steps closer towards the window. I would jump if I needed to get away. I decided I would.
His stare only got more intense, like I interested him more and more.
'Leave me alone,' I now pleaded.
'You have more wounds.' It wasn't even a question, but a statement. I didn't move nor answered.
'Leave,' I said again. This time he finally seemed to listen. His eyes roamed my body again, like he expected to see more blood coming through my clothes. Then he turned and left me.
The rest of that day they let me be. Not Richard or the big man bothered me. I had not eaten, but hunger was something that I didn't felt anymore, not after my sandwich from last night anyways. I had taken my sweater off and saw that the wound on it had reopened. I washed it at the sink, before I took a white shirt with long sleeves and put it on before I placed the sweater back on. It would have to do for now.
I had made a plan. I would just wait until tonight, when they both would go to bed. I would leave then, finally free again. I hated to be told what to do. He would always tell me what to do and it had hurt, badly. I would not be trapped somewhere again, I'd rather die.
I waited and waited, scared he would return. But him nor Richard came back. It was turning dark outside when I finally heard a knock on the door. I figured that it had to be Richard, for the guy would just enter.
'Are you okay in there Marley?' I heard Richard ask. I walked over and opened the door, seeing him smile at me. He had a tray with him, a delicious smelling plate of lasagna on it. My mouth involuntarily watered.
'I heard you are wounded and bleeding?' he asked with worry in his voice, putting the tray on the side table of the bed. I took a step away from him.
'I'm fine, really.' His eyes tried to read my thoughts, I hoped they couldn't.
'I would like to help you,' he tried, but I quickly shook my head.
'It's not necessary, really. That smells deliciously,' I quickly tried to distract him. However he smiled, I saw he was not completely distracted. He was still worried.
'Why won't you let me help you?' he then asked, his voice steady and calm. He wasn't blaming me, he was just being curious. I sighed and walked towards the bed and sat down.
'I don't want to talk about it. It is not because of you, you are very kind. Too kind to me actually. I just can't tell you.' I said, watching away from his friendly eyes. I saw him nod once.
'That's fair enough. But please remember that I want to help you, and there would be nothing I would ask in return. Keep that in mind.' I nodded, now staring at him. He had tied his grey hair back, a knot on the back of his head. I could see he was much and much older than me or the other man, but still, he seemed young because of his eyes. They were so kind, so full of life.
'I'll leave you to your supper then. You are welcome downstairs, if you want.' I nodded.
'Thank you for everything Richard. You are truly too kind.' He nodded, thinking something, but hesitating to speak, until he reached the door.
'I hope that wasn't supposed to be a goodbye greeting.' He watched me one more time, before he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
I waited until I was certain they had gone to bed. I had no clock so I had no clue what time it was, but I just had to go and see. I had packed my back pack once again and placed it over my shoulder before I left the room. I tried to be as quiet as I could, taking small steps at a time. It was my luck the wooden staircase didn't squeaked, not even a single step.
I dared to take a relieved breath as I entered the living room and saw that the only source of lights was the fireplace that was still on. No matter how tempting it was, I could not linger in here. I took my final glance around before I noticed there was someone in the room with me. The enormous man sat at the kitchen table, a strange object in his hands.
I wanted to leave, I really did. But curiosity got the best of me. I waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room. I had to squeeze my eyes to see him better. I saw his features more clearly now. His broad shoulders and muscular arms. The object in his hands was strange, but maybe it was because I just couldn't see it clearly. Somewhere during my staring I took a little step in his direction, now seeing he was holding a mask of some sorts. It was only when the mask released a hissing sound I had to calm myself.
Why was he holding a mask that hissed? I felt my back pack glide from my shoulder so I hosted it back up when I heard another hissing sound. He had placed the mask on his face, and suddenly I knew exactly who he was.
'No way,' I muttered, suddenly very aware why I was here. I needed to go, now!
'Enjoyed the show?' Came his deep, now metallic voice. I shuddered and ran for the door. It didn't bulge and I quickly turned realizing the door was locked.
'I'm sorry, I'm leaving- don't – I have seen nothing,' I stammered realizing why he hadn't told me his name. I wasn't supposed to know. And now I understood why.
'I told you that leaving wouldn't be an option if you learnt my name.'
I quickly backfired.
'I don't know your name.' He chuckled deeply.
'Really now. I have to say you are very bad at lying, my dear.' I shuddered and looked around, not seeing another way out of this house.
'You can't lock me in here!' I said, getting angry. He just watched me, before he stood and slowly walked over towards where I was standing by the door.
'I will not allow you to leave.' His voice made me feel sick to my stomach, thinking about what he could do to me. No one was here to help me, like I was used to at home. He would hurt me.
'Stay away. Don't touch me!' I now yelled, watching him approach. He stopped, just a few feet before me. His eyes were glued to mine, as if I was a very interesting study object he wanted to fathom.
'You don't fear me, you fear men in general, do you not?' he asked me. I shuddered and was not even getting what he said. I was in surviving mode.
'Don't!' I said when he took the last step and stood right before me. His mask made him look even scarier. He seemed a machine and sounded like it. I reckoned he could snap me in half if he wanted to. If he wanted to touch me, to hurt me, there was nothing I could do to stop him. The thought made me cry.
I watched his eyes leave mine and scan my shoulder and then my body. Why did he do that. When was he going to hurt me?
'Go upstairs and sleep.' He said. I winced at the sound of his voice through his mask, but didn't move. He cocked his head to the side.
'Marley,' he said when I gave him no reaction. I locked eyes with him.
'Your shoulder.' I quickly looked to my side and saw what I had not even felt. I bled again. I quickly turned my gaze to him.
'It's fine,' I sobbed, placing my hand on my shoulder, feeling the warm substance underneath. He shook his head. The moment he extended his hand I backed away against the door. He kept his hand there, like he was waiting for me to take it. I didn't.
'I have not hurt you, why would I now?' he then asked. I closed my eyes and had to watch my breath, I would faint if I started to hyperventilate.
'Go away,' I muttered. For a second I heard nothing. I slowly opened my eyes and saw he was still standing there, watching me. I felt how my body was betraying me and I started to shiver, even though I wasn't cold at all.
'You are having a panic attack.' He said. I shook my head, but felt how I lost control over my arms and then my legs. They grew heavy. I felt tears leave my eyes and wondered if he would kill me if I fainted before him. He probably would. I failed myself again. All I had to do was leave this house and here I was, trapped once again by a man. I felt myself sink to the floor and then my world went black.
'Get yourself over here Marley, now!' he angrily yelled before he grabbed me by my hair and pulled me before him. I cowered away, but stopped when he gave my hair a hard tug.
'It's always the same with you. You just don't listen. Is it so hard to follow my rules?' he sneered, harshly shoving me to the floor before he pulled my blouse from my upper body. I cried and tried to curl myself in order to make him stop, to make him go away.
'Stupid girl, just like your mother. I wonder if you scream likes she does when I take you,' he mocked before he kicked me against my back before he started fumbling with my jeans. I cried harder and tried to pry his hands away, but he was just too strong.
'You're prettier then her, I'll give you that. Just a firm hand is all you need.' He slapped me across the face when I kept trying to pull his hands away.
'Stupid cunt!'
My throat hurt when I realized it was a dream. I wasn't on the floor with him, I was in a bed. I opened my eyes and stared around, seeing I was in the guestroom once again. I tried to sit up, only to find I was cuffed to the bed. I panicked again, understanding why he must had cuffed me. I wiggled my body to feel I was still sore and my shoulder hurt. A quick look learned me I was only in my underwear, a bandage on my shoulder. I didn't understand why he would do that if he only bound me to the bed for one thing. I felt like throwing up when I realized there was nothing I could do if he wanted to have his way with me. Nothing at all. I silently cried overthinking my dream and my reality. I had run from a nightmare to walk right into another one.
