Five long weeks passed as Emily regained strength. She made good on her acting. Bill seemed happier and was unfortunately more affectionate.
"Hey Bill, can you show me how to drive?" She asked suddenly. He gave her a long skeptical look before answering, "Maybe sometime." "What about a ride then? I'm going stir crazy." She said as she folded another shirt. "After the game." Bill said, giving her shoulder a squeeze. Emily sighed heavily.
"What is it, love?" He asked softly. Emily held her tongue as she angrily folded his pants. "Nothing." She forced out. "I can tell it's something." He pressed. "Folding your clothes while you just sit there is very...frustrating." She huffed. "Its really kind of you, Emily." He said after a few awkward seconds. "Would you mind helping me finish up?" She asked, a bite to her voice. He glanced at the clock and gave her a sheepish look as he slinked towards the living room. "Sorry, the game is coming on." He said halfway out the door.
She scowled at his retreating form, mocking his earlier words of helping her and what not. She knew it was just lip service. She deflated and sat on the bed. She wanted to be free of him more than anything, but doubt crept in. Would she make it on her own? He kept feeding her doubt on how hard it is now days to establish oneself all alone. Tears streamed down her face. She was losing hope. Surely her parents would take her back in?
Emily wiped her tears away and laid back on the bed. She needed to figure out where they were and get to her parents or have them come to her. Where did Bill keep his phone? He was so secretive about it. A shout startled her. It was just Bill yelling at the tv. She frowned.
Emily looked out the window, it was a pretty day. She got up and opened it, a hot breeze blew in her face. She glanced back at the doorway before climbing out the window as quietly as she could. She began walking toward the dirt road, regretting not wearing any shoes. She wasn't sure what she was doing, if she was escaping or if she was going to return for now.
It had been a very long time since she had been outside. Emily missed it dearly. Bill could finish his own laundry she thought as she kicked at the warm dirt. She wondered if she should be back before his game was over so he wouldn't freak out and put the chain back on. It was way too far to walk and she didn't trust strangers. She wasn't even sure the police would believe her story if she got someone to call for her.
The further she got the more free she felt. Just by herself. She realized instead of moving to the city, she'd rather live alone in the woods somewhere and grow and raise most of her own food. That way she wouldn't have to see or deal with people anymore. Being with Bill made her crave to be alone 24/7. If she could just kick him out somehow and keep the house then she'd have her wish. Hell she could just bury him under a garden. His corpse would make great fertilizer. She let out a small laugh. Even better if he just died of a heart attack or something. Then she could just be all by herself finally.
She couldn't stand his slobbish ways. He put it all on her. Its not like he had a job or anything. It just added insult to injury. She truly was a slave. Emily knew she needed to do something but she just kept on walking in a numb haze. Part of her didnt really care anymore. She hadn't brushed her hair in a week and only ate when he forced her to.
She came upon a large patch of wildflowers and laid down in them. A small sense of safety washed over her now that she was sort of hidden. She plucked one and twirled it around in her fingers, reveling in the quiet.
