Day 1

Julian dragged me back to the room I'd been in earlier after the knife incident. I wasn't sure what he was going to do with me now. He seemed more mad at himself for letting me get to the knives rather than upset with me for attacking him. I felt relieved momentarily, but when he shut the door after him I felt hopeless once again.

I sat back down on the bed unsure on what to do.

My mind seemed to drift away, thinking of home. I was tired and my body ached from all the bruising. When I laid my head down, I didn't intend to fall asleep, it just happened.

Day 2

My feet land on the floor with a thud and just like that I'm up and moving. My eyes had locked on the door and I made my way determinedly towards it in slow, exaggerated movements. My muscles felt tense as I moved, although I'd slept for hours I hardly felt relaxed, reminding me of the reasons why. Memories of last night came back, fuelling my anger and giving me the courage to escape, once again.

The room was illuminated with bright light which stung my eyes. I blinked and rubbed my eyes, unused to the sudden change from darkness to brightness. Usually the blinds were closed, however, last night they hadn't been drawn, leaving me to think Julian must have forgotten to close them after the havoc of last night.

I momentarily shook my head, shaking away all bad feelings until I held the doorknob in my hand. It felt cold and smooth in my hand and I resisted the urge to turn it, remembering that Julian could be outside. Instead I leaned my head in to rest against the door and slowed down my breathing, enough so that it was barely audible.

A minute passed in silence. I couldn't hear anything from outside which was a good start. I think if I heard Julian now I would either run cowering or attack him again and attacking him wasn't working out for me. I needed a plan but I couldn't stand here all day, trying to think one up. I was putting off the inevitable. There were so many things that could happen and I couldn't prepare for all of them. I'd just have to go with the moment.

My hands shook as I turned the door knob and stepped outside. The hallway was clear, to my relief. I couldn't see Julian and I still couldn't hear him and I hoped that wouldn't change.

Things were going well so far but I couldn't let myself get confident, not yet at least. I closed the door quietly behind me, hoping my good luck wouldn't run out.

The floorboards creaked noisily, just as they had done yesterday, as I made my way down the hallway. I almost debated taking off my shoes, to see if that would make a difference, but then I thought I wouldn't want to run barefoot outside, that is if I escaped from here which I hoped I would.

Julian still made no appearance but that didn't mean he couldn't hear me and the sound of the creaking floorboards. He might pop out any second now and lock me back in the room. I was surprised he'd even left the door unlocked. Then the question hit me: why was he being so careless all of a sudden? Fear struck me, wondering if this was all a test, a trap.

I paused in the hallway, eyeing the surrounding space around me with suspicion and horror. The doors were all left open, from what I could see. It was like they had been left that way on purpose, to entice me towards them and the possible chances of escape. My breathing accelerated as I started to panic. It had all seemed like it was going so well but I knew now that I'd been reckless. I'd let him set me up. My mind came up with all the worst scenarios, not considering that he'd simply messed up.

In my frenzy I became alert that something smelled in the hallway and I was certain that it was me. With disgust, I looked down at my clothes. I was wearing the same clothes as the day when this all began. I was still wearing the same old scruffy, black cardigan, white shirt and jeans. The only difference being that my clothes now stank from sweat and perspiration and my boots were scuffed, probably from when I'd been kicking the door yesterday.

Obviously I hadn't showered in probably 2 or 3 days. I hoped it hadn't been longer, that I wasn't already losing track of time. Julian had kept me locked in that room most of the time. I didn't know where the shower was and I wasn't sure I would use it if I did. Even if I did stink, I didn't want to risk being caught naked in the shower by Julian. Just the visual image of it made me cross my arms protectively across my chest.

I continued my way down the hallway, ignoring the stench radiating off me. There were four doors down the hallway and I checked inside them all but one that was locked. One was a bedroom, presumably Julian's. It was a small, simple room, much like the one he had locked me in. The room was painted a light red, with a large stack of books piled on a desk next to a single bed left unmade, the sheets left twisted and thrown about, suggesting a rough night of sleep. The second room was a bathroom and I could see my reflection in a mirror, hanging above a sink. I looked a mess. My hair was messy, left unbrushed and tangled for days. My eyes looked dull and dark, and there were bags underneath them. I looked away from my own reflection, deciding to keep moving. The third door was locked. Julian had left all the doors open but this one which was strange. Briefly, I wondered what was being hidden from me before walking away.

The fourth door was the kitchen and it was empty.

It was as if I'd been holding my breath for years in anticipation, when it must have only been minutes. I'd been thinking my luck was about to run out but it seemed not. There was still no sign of Julian which was peculiar, although I was grateful for it.

Seeing as the coast was clear, I quickly dunked my head under the sink and turned the tap, letting the cool water trickle down my parched throat. I hadn't had a drink for a long time and I felt vaguely dehydrated. The last drink I had left me unconscious and later irrational. Hopefully the drug would be out of my system by now.

My stomach growled hungrily like a beast, reminding me that I was not only thirsty but hungry. I hadn't eaten for a long time and I didn't know when I'd get another chance to. My hands quickly opened the cupboards, raiding them for food. There were some rolls of bread and breakfast bars and I took as many as I could before stuffing them in my clothes. I wasn't going to eat them now; I couldn't afford to waste time.

Finished with collecting supplies, I hastily moved to open another draw. One I'd opened yesterday; the knife draw. The problem was it was locked. Julian had locked it, obviously deciding not to take any risks after yesterday. I groaned in frustration, knowing that if Julian was to come back or was waiting outside, I'd have nothing to defend myself with.

I took a deep breath, trying to stop myself from panicking. Focus. I had to focus.

Moving on, my eyes scanned the room looking for anything else I could use as a weapon but Julian was smart, everything heavy or sharp was now locked away.

I tried not to let it get to me but it did. I felt unsafe without a weapon because I knew if it came down to it, I sucked at defending myself. Especially against Julian.

There was nothing I could use as a weapon so it was time for me to move on. I had already wasted enough time looking for supplies when really I should have escaped here and got as far away from here as I possibly could.

I looked at the two chairs sitting around the table, thinking that if the door was locked, I could throw them at the window to break them and get out that way. It would be noisy but I figured I could run away fast enough.

I ran towards the door, exhilarated by the idea of freedom. It was also unlocked to my surprise.

What was going on?

It was almost too good to be true but I didn't think about that. I was out. I was on my way home, to get that monster locked up. No one could stop me now.

I felt a smile form on my face, the first one in a long time.

I left the door open behind me and forgetting to survey the area around me I ran. Not knowing or caring where, as long as it was away from here.

Wind rushed towards me as I ran forwards. There was a giant forest ahead of me, if I could reach it then Julian would have no chance at locating me in its vastness. I ran faster, through the shrubbery and long grass towards it. From behind me I heard a voice scream "HEY" and I felt the smile leave my face. Behind me was Julian, stepping out of a shed I hadn't noticed before. He was running after me but he wasn't close enough to catch me yet.

I felt adrenaline coarse through my veins and I pushed my body to its limits, knowing if Julian caught me now it would be all over. I would never get a chance like this again.

"JENNY, STOP. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU'LL GET LOST," Julian yelled after me.

I ignored him, feeling my heart beat so fast I thought it would burst through my chest. My arms and legs carried me forwards, towards the forest. I was like a rabbit being chased by a wolf. I was helpless, weak, but fast.

Dots clouded my vision, I felt like collapsing on the floor but I couldn't, I had to keep going. I gathered up all the energy I had in me, pushing myself forwards, away from Julian, away from this place.

Julian was still shouting behind me but the words didn't register. I ignored the panic in his voice and kept going until I was there, in the forest.

Darkness slipped over me and I felt safety in its shield. Twigs crunched under my feet and I slowed down, letting the air rush to my lungs. My muscles burned from the effort of running as fast as I did but it didn't bother me. He wouldn't find me. Sunlight could barely break through the coverage of the trees, making it easier for me to blend in with the shapes and shadows of the forest. I could hide easily from him.

I moved swiftly through the forest, being careful to tread lightly and not alert anyone or anything to my presence. It was difficult job though when every snap of twigs or crunch of dead leaves under my feet felt as loud as a gunshot to my ears.

I didn't know where I was going. I had no idea where I was. The whole place was unrecognisable and new to me. I realised what a mistake it had been rushing into the forest. I may have gotten rid of Julian for now but I had a new problem to face: getting out of the forest.

"Dammit," I cursed under my breath.

Resting my hands on my knees, I quickly caught my breath. My head snapped up, trying to see any escape from the forest but there was none, only trees and the darkness to accompany them.

I heard some rustling behind me and instantly froze.

My ears pricked up, listening intently and trying to figure out where the sound was coming from but it was helpless, I couldn't locate whoever or whatever it was.

I leant against a tree for support and held my breath patiently, hoping that I was safe from sight.

The rustling got louder. I pressed myself harder against the tree, shutting my eyes and praying that Julian hadn't caught up with me.

"Jenny?" I heard someone call, and I knew it was Julian.

My eyes widened and I tried not panic, knowing that movement or any form of sound would give away my position.

"Jenny?" Julian called a little louder from just a small distance away from me.

My body started to shake in fear. Of him or captivity I wasn't sure.

My hand moved to cover my mouth, so I could muffle any sounds that might seep out.

I could hear him getting closer and each second was worse than the last.

I couldn't take it no more. I couldn't stay there like that. Knowing it was foolish, I ran anyway.

"JENNY!"

Julian had seen me and he was running after me. He was going to catch up.

I kept running, not giving up hope.

I saw light ahead of me, the first sign of escape from the forest. I just had to get there before Julian caught me. It was far away though, too far. I didn't know if I could make it.

I could hear the sound of running water, the closer I got to the light the louder the sound was. It didn't worry me then, I didn't think much of it.

I was running so fast I was barely paying attention to my surroundings. Julian was shouting from behind me, telling me to stop. His voice sounded worried but I assumed that meant I was doing well because he thought I was going to get away, so I ran faster.

That was when I slipped.

My body crashed hard to the ground and I felt the impact shudder through me.

My head flew up and I tried to see what had happened and where I was.

I was sliding down a bank, towards water. My hands started to grasp desperately around me, for something to hold onto and found nothing. It was helpless, I was helpless. I slid faster down and mud coated my clothes. I couldn't stop moving towards the water.

I tried to prepare myself for the impact but it was nothing like what I expected. The water was as cold as ice. I felt my body shaking, trying to keep in warmth while it could. The water woke me up for a second, giving me a chance to think clearly but next it left me breathless as my head started to go underwater and I struggled with difficulty to keep myself above water. My hands stretched up above me, trying to hold me up while also searching for something I could grab hold of to get out.

The current started forcefully dragging me away and I felt myself being pulled under water again. It was too strong for me to fight.

Water splashed against my face and went into my eyes, my nostrils and my mouth.

I barely had the strength to keep bringing myself back up and I didn't think I was going to make it.

I was going to drown.