Minutes, hours and maybe even days passed, the sound of a clock ticking, a car driving by, people talking and walking even a police siren are the noises we take for granted but for me it's what I miss. He keeps me here in this box and all I can do is wait. Wait for him to come and do who knows what to me. I'm still wearing the black cocktail dress and stockings he made me wear. The red shoes are outside sitting on the side of the box. He took them off me again before taking my hand like a gentleman while I step back inside. I don't know what he plans to do to me but I pray every moment it's not something horrible.

From time to time I can hear movement outside this box, even my room. Hammering, sawing, heavy objects being moved, doors opening and closing its like he's building sometimes and, in other times I hear things that make me glad I'm in this box. Screams of pain, cries of sorrow, yells of anger, feet running in circles while banging on doors with calls for help. It all ends the same. More screams and pleads for mercy. I pray for those people, pray that at least one breaks free of this place.

The food he gives me is not bad, its TV dinners with a cold bottle of water. While, sleeping I often wake up to find the lid open and when I sit up to look around he places the food by the door. He left a note once saying, 'Eat me. Drink me'. Great! Now, I'm Alice in Wonderland, the sad truth is it makes sense since he's as mad as a hatter. I thought the food was poisoned at first but my body demanded food and after saying a prayer. I ate. To make sure he doesn't get mad at me I return to the box and close the lid.

I think every moment of the people and friends I've made. Are they worried about me? Have they gone to the police to report me missing? What have they told my students when I didn't come in today or the next day? Is the Bishop and church members hanging up missing persons papers or went on TV, like many others, asking if anyone knows of my whereabouts? I want to cry thinking off all the trouble they are going through for me. I can image Mark driving around in the dead of night, rain or snow, looking for me. I can see him sitting at home trying to stay awake the news on in the background while waiting for the phone to ring. Hoping and praying that the police, someone, anyone has found me.

I feel so helpless. I can feel depression creeping up on me like a thick fog. I try to keep my thoughts pure and positive yet somehow it flows over me.

Then, while I'm resting I hear him. His footsteps calm and slow walk down the hall and although he has went pass my door many times I know he's coming for me. I feel it as if his fingers are sliding up and down my back. He stops at my door and I can hear him breathing, his hands reaching for the chain of keys at his hip, the key entering the keyhole and the sound of the door unlocking. He walks inside and each step is in tune with the beat of my heart. Oh, Lord, what is he up to now? Please keep me strong.

I hear his fingers brush the lid like he's touching something priceless, in a flash, he lifts up one side and drags me across the floor. He's taking me some where and I pray it's not to that monstrous lab. Twists and turns that seem to go on forever until finally he stops. He unlocks a door, drags the box inside and closes it behind him. I hear him unlocking the red trunk then slowly he opens the lid.

I cover my eyes from the light shinning down on me. He waits patiently as my eyes adjust to the light. I look up to see him standing over me, he watches me for a moment as I try to show him I'm not afraid of him. His lips part as he reaches for my hand, instantly I take it desperate for human contact I stand to my feet with as much grace as I can muster on weak legs, maybe that's why he keep his victims in trunks, to weaken their legs so that it's hard for them to run. I begin to step out but my numb feet miscalculated how high the edge is and I trip forward. With a soft cry like the girl I am, my body follows yet arms as tough as iron keep me from falling. I want to cry. Even my own body betrays me. I can't believe how weak, low and helpless I am.

Here I am having a madman hold me because I can't stand on my own two feet. With willpower I didn't know I had I suck in the tears and hurt and put on my best poker-face while pushing my limbs to the max. I push back from him, determination in each move like a broken woman learning how to walk again. He lets me go to watch me. He tilts his head and smirks like a proud father while I come to stand on my feet. I step out without his help my breathing hard and loud. He watches me some more, probably waiting for me to fall again. Yet, he looks into my eyes seeing that I'm not willing to give up, he walks to the side and its the first time I look around the room.

The floor is made of polished wood, the walls are painted a soft red color, there is a big crystal chandelier over my head, a queen sized four post bed covered in pillows and red curtains hanging above and, a wide black furred carpet underneath. To the other side of me is a low but wide wooden dresser, across from me is another door, it's opened a little but from where I am I can tell it's a bathroom.

"Sweet baby Jesus." I say. The first words my brain is able to piece together.

Mouth open and eyes wide. This room is made for a king, I turn to him finally not able to keep the shock and amazement off my face. He walks around me looking down like this is nothing, like he's seen better. He kneels down near the red trunk, I don't remember walking away from it or maybe he moved it while I was looking around. He picks up my red shoes, he walks towards me and, gets down on his knees taking my ankle he slips my foot inside each one.

He gets up and walks over to the low dresser and on top I see a box. Well, I think it's a box I can't see what he's doing but then suddenly a noise fills the room. Slow notes from a piano and then words.

Crazy

I'm crazy for feeling so lonely

I know this song I've heard it many times before, he walks towards me and I can see the box is a record player.

I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so blue

I knew you'll love me as long as you wanted

He reaches his hand out and without delay I take it, in a flash, he presses my body to his, he places my hand on his shoulder and his on my lower back.

and then someday you'll leave me for somebody new.

Worry, why do I let myself worry?

I think to myself we're going to do the basic dance, moving side to side. However that wasn't the case, he slowly swings me around like we're in a ballroom. I almost trip again but he holds me tight.

Wondering what in the world did I do?

Ohhh.

Soon, I gain my footing and we're dancing as one with his mask and my face cheek to cheek. From the outside looking in someone would have thought we've been lovers for years.

Crazy for thinking that my love could hold you.

I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying

and I'm crazy for loving you.

He inhales my neck and hair while his other hand holding mine rubs my knuckles.

Crazy for thinking that my love could hold you.

I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying and

I'm crazy for loving you.

He lets the song play a few more times as the room spins around and around. I try to come up with a reason for him doing this. What have I done to deserve such treatment? Has he treated any of his other victims like this? And, my favorite, what does he want from me? Soon he moves his head from my cheek, he looks deep into my eyes and I stare back. The hand holding mine let's go and he lightly, with his black gloved fingertip, runs across my face. I'm speechless as his finger outlines my eyes, nose, cheeks and lips.

I want to speak. I want to ask like the many poor souls trapped here, why? What have I done? Pieces of my life come to mind while looking into those black pearl eyes of his. I've never done drugs, too afraid that my Grandma will find out, I slept with a few guys while in college, thinking I'm a grown woman and I can do what I want. I've never stolen anything because if I needed something I had money to buy it. I've become a Christian by giving my life over to God and teach kids for a living. I am not trying to say that I'm better than anyone but why does this man the one they call, The Collector, want me?

The song ends one more time and quickly he lets me go to turn off the record player. I watch him stand there with his hands planted flat on the dresser and his head bent as he takes deep breaths like he's been running a marathon. I start getting worried suddenly, not knowing if this man is going to kill me or whatever evil deed he thinks of. Before my eyes he puts his body under control, squaring his shoulders and straightening his back. He turns to me again his eyes burning holes into my body like he doesn't want me in the room or to look at him. I see him grit his teeth like a mad dog and in seconds my heart races, he's mad about something and I don't understand what I did to upset him. In quick steps he marches to me and I take a half step back, before I can even blink he back-hands me across the face. The blow makes my head spin and my vision blur as my body falls hard to the floor, he stands over me his fist opening and closing like he's squeezing a stress ball. Finally, he paces back and forth like an angry bull as the right side of my brain feels like it explored and my cheek hotter than red-hot iron.

My body wants to rest and my eyes try to close into sleep against my will, but I keep my eyes open seeing his black booted feet pace and pace. At one moment he walks towards me, stops and starts walking again. Suddenly, after tasting cropper in my mouth I feel my hair being pulled with great force, I hold in a yelp as he lifts me up to my feet. He pulls my hair so that I am facing him and all I see is a face in pure rage. I look at him keeping my face blank and my eyes strong. He takes out a knife and draws it to my skin, its cold as the tip travels up my chest, neck then cheek. I see his hand shake, just a little.

Suddenly he looks into my eyes his body freezes then he tilts his head slowly to the side. In a flash, the knife is gone and he throws me at the foot of the bed on the thick fur carpet. I hear his feet march to the door, he opens it and slams it so hard the chandelier shakes, I hear the ever-present sound of the door being locked as I let tears fall. With as much strength as I can I walk to the bathroom. Everything is colored white, the floor, the tub, toilet and walls and the shower curtain is clear. There are white towels on a small shelf with bars of soap. Over the sink I see a mirror and the face that greets me is a brown-skinned woman with curly black hair and full lips, for a moment, I thought I would look different but my face hasn't changed which makes me wonder what he sees in me. Turning to the right side of my face its cherry red and my eye feels heavy. It'll get swollen if I don't put something cold on it. Taking one of the small rugs I run cold water on it and put it to my face. I hiss.

After doing this again for a while I feel like my cheek is going to be alright, I turn on the shower. I look to the red-painted room and close the door since the shower curtain is clear and if he happens to comes back I don't want him to see me. I take off my shoes, stockings and dress and lay them over the toilet. With a bar of soap in hand and the hot water running I finally, at long last, take a shower. First, it's one tear then more start to fall, my lips trembles and my knees go weak. I slide down to the bottom and cry.

Father in heaven, what do I do now? I'm so lost and scared. Please tell me what my purpose is here in this place? What do I have to do? Please help me Lord, if its thy will but if not let it end. Oh, God, help me to be strong.

Suddenly, I feel a warmth start at my belly to my chest. Knowing the signs of the Holy Spirit, I get up feeling strength in my once weak legs. I take a deep breath and turn off the water. Wrapping a towel around me I go to the dresser and open the draws to find something to sleep in. Inside looks like Victoria Secret had a clearance sale. Men, I groan. Why do they believe that all women wear is silk and satin? Oh, well. I find something to wear which is a sky blue satin nightgown that stops above me knees. I go to the bed, remove the thick covers and melt into the mattress.

While sleeping I feel a presence near me a chill runs up my back making the hairs on my neck stand up, yet, my body demands to stay under and rest but my brain screams at me to get up. Slowly I try to will my heavy body to move but all I do is moan. Then, as light as a feather I feel something touch my hair, for a moment, then it goes to my still hurt cheek, rubbing it like a loving mother. I moan again and suddenly the gentle touch is gone.

'...the Devil has set his sight on you and you gotta be strong.." I heard my Grandma whisper.

Suddenly there's a loud scream and I jump awake, the fog of sleep gone as my heat beats hard. I sit up and look around feeling like I had a nightmare. The scream comes again and I can hear it outside the door. Somewhere another person has fallen prey.

"Please! No! Somebody help me! HELP ME! Oh God, no, no! I'll do whatever you want just let me go. I won't tell anyone, I promise. Please! Oh my God, oh my God, no, no. I have wife and children. Please they need me. I have money too! I'll give you whatever you want. Just let me go." I hear the sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor, another trunk, then, banging like it's coming from inside it. My body goes numb as I sit here helpless I look around my room and suddenly it seems ugly to me. Another box, that's all it is.

I hear the yelling continue down the hall until a door slams then it's quiet again. I get up from the bed to work my legs. As I walk around I notice the red box and record player is gone. He must have come back while I slept, I go to the bathroom and do my business. My heart tries to calm down from the horrible awaking, I don't know if its morning, afternoon or night everything just seems to roll up into one long day. I search for a window and see one behind a red curtain when I push it aside the window is fulled up in bricks. I look at the bricks and see that they're fresh which means there's no way to break this even with a heavy object. I hit it in anger.

I turn to the door and I can feel my feet turn cold and numb every step I take towards it. The door looks to be made of steel and the doorknob too. With a sigh I lean my back to it and slide down to the floor. Outside I hear a door open and my body jumps up to my feet, booted footsteps walk down the hall and I back up from the door. Suddenly they stops by my room and I place my hand over my mouth. I hear him breathing as he takes slow steps to the door. He stands there and stands there. Slowly I walk to the door and put my ear against it, listening. I don't know how I know but I can feel him place his hand on the door like he's touching my very skin, when I hear the jungle of keys; I gasp.

I cover my mouth again as there's total silence on the other side. Did he hear me? I think, he is going to come in? I'm about to move backwards until suddenly there is screaming in the distance. The spell is broken as he walks back down the hall and away from my door. I let out a breath. Like the coward I am I run back into bed and put the covers over my head. My empty stomach wakes me up, I open my eyes and realize I smell something. I sit up and see a fold up table with a TV dinner and a bottle of water at the end of the bed, I get up and walk to it.

Steam rises from the hot plate and my stomach growls again. I'm about to take a bite when I hear liquid being poured. I turn to the bathroom, the door is ajar and the light is on, I lean my head but I can't see anything. The sound continues as I creep closer. I lean over again but quickly turn away. He's in the bathroom, my brain shouts! Okay calm down he's human nothing is wrong with doing your business. I hear the toilet flush and my legs freeze. Not knowing what to do with myself I stand there. I hear him zip up his fly and the water run as he washes his hands.

Well, at least he's clean, I think. He walks to the door and opens it slowly like he doesn't want to make a sound but he stops dead in his tracks when he sees me standing there. He looks at me like he's never seen me before as if I'm something wonderful. I keep my eyes on him as he walks into the room and around me making me feel that I'm the predator and he's the prey. He looks down at the food then at me with a tilt of his head I can see he wants me to eat. Going to the fold up table, I didn't see it, but there's a chair attached to it. I sit down, my back to the bed but my eyes still on him. He walks to the dresser and leans against it while folding his arms. I eat quietly only looking down when I need too. The whole time he watches me.

When I'm done eating he turns to the dresser. He moves clothes out of the way until he stops and he pulls out a long silk red gown with the straps crisscrossed in the back. He holds the gown up in the air while his other hand gently straightens out the wrinkles. He faces me again his eyes come to mine, he holds the gown by the straps so that I can have a better look at it. I sit there, waiting for him to tell me what to do, if he wants anything from me he is going to have to tell me. Pointing his finger at me he signals for me to come and with slow steps I do.

He hands the gown to me and I take it. Then, he points to the bathroom and with a mental sigh I go to the bathroom in peace. Once in the bathroom I quickly change, the gown falls to my ankles like water and there are spits on both sides from the thigh down. As I walk out he's holding a small record in his hand, he turns it in the light and carefully places it on the record player. He puts the needle on it and a song plays. I've heard this one before too. There is no one singing just music, I think it's called, Sleepwalk. A classic. As the slow high-pitch of the guitar and drums fills the room he leans his head back and sigh.

Feeling that he's being watched he looks at me standing by the door. I see that the table and dinner is put away as he signals for me to come again. I stand still a moment of hesitation as my eyes move to the record player and him. My hand cups my right cheek in remembrance. He sees this and takes a few steps to me. I almost back up but he stops like we're playing 'red light, green light', then he reaches both hands out to me and signals for me to come again. It's like he's saying, 'Come on. I won't hurt you. Come on. Don't be scared'.

Looking into his eyes I take a step forward and he smiles. Soon, I walk over and stop inches away from his out-stretched hands, I look to his hands and him while narrowing my eyes. Taking a deep breath I place both of my hands in his, he rubs my fingers for a moment then, slowly bringing me close to his body. Without delay he takes both my hands and puts them over his shoulder while his hands hold my lower back. Slowly we move from side to side with his head resting on my shoulder as his hands, from time to time, would slide up and down my back.

Why does he act this way? I think, If I closed my eyes, now, I could imagine me and a man I've loved for years dancing this way, not some madman who murders, tortures and kidnaps people. Then suddenly, I feel it, something warm and soft on my lower neck.

His lips!

One by one he lays butterfly kisses up my neck. My breath is caught in my throat and my lips turn dry. He stops under my ear and starts going down again but, at the moment I feel something else, both of his hands slides down to my bottom and he gives it a squeeze. I want to jump away, fight him and scream but all I do is keep my hands on his shoulders and my face looking to the chandelier, trying hard to imagine something else, anything else. His head rises from my neck to look deep into my eyes, I try to keep my face blank and will my lips to not tremble. One hand cups my right cheek and he rubs it with his thumb, he tilts his head and for a horrible second, I thought he's going to kiss me.

His eyes move over my face like he's having trouble deciding what to do. Then taking both arms he wraps them around my shoulder like he's giving me a hug, leaving my hands free to my side. I think about grabbing the knife, oh I really, really wanted to grab it and stab him in the heart yet something in me says, 'No, Leah, no just wait a little longer'. He starts kissing my hairline over and over like a person happy to see someone after many years apart. At this point, we're not even moving to the music as it plays in the background, one of his hands hold the back of my head while the other goes down to my bottom once more but, it doesn't stop there, it reaches under my bottom to my thigh.

Sharply he pulls me towards him, placing my leg up to his hip, without thinking I grab a hold of his shirt to keep me balanced and then, oh no, oh God. I... I feel him. Then, I understood why he moved away from me so quickly, why his body shook and his breathing was heavy, the last time we danced. He was aroused by me! This must have angered him, made him ashamed. I look up at him, my eyes wide telling him with everything in me how surprised I am. He brings his lips close to mine but doesn't kiss me, he seems to breath in the air that I'm breathing out. He licks his lips as his hand on my risen thigh rubs it.

His manhood harder now pokes my perverse. His mouth runs over my lips, cheeks and nose. My knee starts to shake, oh God, it's been so long since I've been with a man, the forbidden fruit, I promised not to touch til marriage. Warmth flows to my womanhood and up as he grinds his hips just a bit. He sighs and I bit the inside of my cheek to bring me back to reality. Quickly he lets my leg drop, grabs my hips and turns me around.

Oh my God, oh my God, I think over and over.

He walks me to the dresser and lowers my hands down flat on the surface. Afterward, he slides his hands up my arms, down my shoulders and back, he takes my hips and pulls it too him.

And I close my eyes...

A/N: Ain't I naughty? I'm so glad there are others liking my story. Thanks for the reviews they mean a lot. More to come next time.

Songs: Patsy Cline - Crazy & Santo and Johnny - Sleepwalk :)