3.

The fear of what could happen to me kept me on my toes. I decided I would not change into anything that might be in my bag or even take a shower… That all could wait till morning. I lied myself on the bed and stared through the window. I just hoped I would be able to sleep, even if was just for a little while. My heart felt heavy, my stomach clenched tightly in a knot. It was with those thoughts in my head I closed my eyes and felt a few tears leak from between my eyelids. I was screwed. So bad. This could only end bad for me.

I usually dreamt a lot during my sleep. I had always liked that, but when morning came and I tiredly opened my eyes, I could not remember a single dream or thought. Strange. My eyes hurt, my head hurt even worse. I was so tired. I felt so…. empty. I sat up and watched outside. The sun had only begun to rise, I noticed. When moving from the bed I felt how my muscles hurt. Must have been from all the tension I had endured, I reckoned. Maybe a warm shower was a good idea. No one had been into my room to hurt me last night, so maybe I was safe. And seeing how early in the morning it was I dared to take my chances. Walking into the bathroom I did notice there was no lock on the door. That fact made me linger for another ten minutes before I decided to take a quick shower. I really needed the warmth and the soothing it would hopefully bring. I was not really counting minutes, but my gut feeling told me I managed to wash myself and my hair in less than ten minutes, standing completely dried in the bathroom. I planned to get dressed in clothes from the bag quickly, before anyone could surprise me with their presence. But I stopped in my tracks as I caught a glimpse in myself in the mirror above the sink. It was like seeing a ghost version of myself. My eyes were a little red, puffy looking. My skin not glowing at all. I seemed white. Too white. I slowly traced my skin, watching my brown eyes. They seemed a little sad. Mostly tired, I decided. My hair was still damp from the shower, the brown strands sticking to my back. I swallowed deeply, washed my face one more time and then left the bathroom to finally get dressed.

As the sun climbed higher up in the sky I was surprised and a little startled as there was a firm knock on the door. It came twice. I didn't answer at all. I just waited as I heard the lock being undone. There was not much I could do about any of this anyway. I was surprised when one of the ladies that had been serving dinner last night entered the room.

'Good Morning miss.' It was all she said as she placed a tray on the desk and turned. She glanced in my direction once, before she gave me a nod and as quickly as she had come in, left. I was stunned. A little overwhelmed that not Riddick, but someone else came in, just like that. She ladies seemed not so strong. Maybe I would be able to escape, through one of them? I had heard the door being locked once more, so I slowly got up and walked over towards the tray. I had to give it to these woman. The food they brought looked good, really good. There was a glass with orange juice, a cappuccino, toast, eggs and waffles. Like the person who had ordered this to my room wanted me to eat. Wanted to seduce me into eating. It smelled good enough, but my stomach was still not at ease. My mind was still racing with everything that could go wrong. Furthermore I was a little afraid there would be some sort of drug in the food or drinks. If they wanted to drug you, they would have put it in last nights food. Well even that was what I was thinking, I was not taking any risk. I would not be able to keep it down anyway.

Tired as I was I went to the bathroom to drink some water, before I lied down on the bed again. I closed my eyes and felt how my body needed to rest. Needed to reset, in a way. If I was going to stand up against Riddick and his men, I needed to be rested first. I gripped the pillow tightly as I tried not to think about home. My uncle. Freedom.

I felt myself go in and out of sleep, slumbering between being awake and not. When I woke long enough to relieve myself I noticed the tray with breakfast was gone and replaced with lunch. But I was not interested enough to try the sandwiches on the plate. I stared outside, seeing the sun high up in the skye. I felt sad knowing there was such a beautiful day, passing by on the other side of the window, while I was stuck in this room for God knows how long. I sighed and sat down on the bed. I felt a little better, a little more rested as I lied down once more, my head on the pillow and my eyes glued to the skye. Why was Riddick keeping me in this room and had he forced me to join him for dinner last night? What was he planning on doing with me? It were thoughts like that, that made me feel small and even more depressed. I needed to keep my spirits up, if only to keep myself sane. I needed to get out of here and I would. I kept telling myself that as I slowly slumbered into sleep once more.

'Time to wake princess.' Even with my eyes closed and mind not still awake fully, I recognized that voice. I hated the sound of that deep timbre a lot. I was not completely sure I was dreaming or not, before I opened my eyes the tiniest bit. My heart sunk as I woke further, seeing Riddick lean against the wall near the window, his enormous body as intimidating as always, while his dark eyes watched me. He stood there, not moving at all. It was as if he gave me time to wake before he would pounce on me. Or hurt me, or whatever it was he planned on doing to me now.

'You have not been eating today, princess. Trying to tell me something by not eating?' He cocked his head to the side as I moved to sit up. I calculated the space between us. Enough for now, too less if the moved fast. I licked my lips. I hated being awakened. Especially if Riddick was the one doing it. He did move when I lacked answering him. He took a step in my direction, forcing me to move to the other side of the bed quickly, but clumsy. His chuckle followed instantly.

'You seem out of balance and energy princess. That is what not eating will do to your body.' I glared at him, standing from the bed as he approached the other side, staring me down.

'I'm fine.' I sounded a lot more firm then I had meant. But it felt good in a way. His mouth formed a grin as he watched me.

'Are you sure about that?' It was the way he mocked me I hated most, I decided. I kept watching him straight in the eye. I had no clue where my sudden bravery came from, but it felt good.

'Well princess, then we will skip dinner tonight. Maybe that will warm you up to me a bit, hmm?' I swallowed. Back in my mind I knew I needed to eat at some point, even if I would not keep it down. He seemed to think I was on some sort of hunger strike. Well… Let him. He could go fuck himself. I only shrugged my shoulders, keeping my eyes on him the whole time. I was afraid he was here to hurt me. Touch me. I had not forgotten his words on that dreadful road trip we took together to get here. I was still waiting. Still hoping to fight back.

He seemed to be thinking something over, not speaking, just watching me. He seemed curious for a moment, before he straightened up.

'Goodnight then princess. We'll see how you feel about eating in the morning.' I watched him slowly move towards the door. But of course he didn't instantly left. He lingered by the door for a moment, turning to face me.

'Sleep tight Aveline.' It was the way he spoke those last words, especially my name, that put me on edge. I shivered hearing it being said in such a deep voice. It didn't promise much good. After watching me one long, last time he left, locking the door as the went. I let myself slowly sink to the floor, hugging my knees and feeling all my bravery from seconds ago disappear. I knew I was hungrier than I wanted to admit. But I also wanted to provoke him. Denying him this, just the food, seemed safe enough for minor comprimands. I did dread tomorrow. Maybe I would be lucky enough to not see him again until dinnertime.

That night I spend mostly staring outside my window, as I had slept so many hours during the day. I felt more rested, more whole. But my stomach was growling now. I started to think I better had eaten a little bit of breakfast and lunch earlier today, just so I could have escaped this hungry feeling. I had to admit, as much as I already disliked being here, locked up in this room, the bed was quite comfy. I sat down and continued to stare outside. It seemed so peaceful out there, so quiet. Like nothing could happen in the safety between the stars, shining so bright above the sea. How I longed to be out there…

The lock being undone make me sit up straighter, staring at the door. It was still pitch black outside. It was in the middle of the night. Who was thinking about coming to my room? I felt myself tense, waiting to see who would enter my room at this hour.

With how long it took for the person to unlock the door and then walk in, I had expected it to be someone else. Not Riddick. His usual, flowing movements seemed to have left him as he walked in, closing the door behind him.

'Still awake princess?' His deep voice sounded terrifying as always. But he seemed different. A bit. I didn't really know what was off about him in this moment, until he took a unsteady step in my direction. I quickly stood, not liking the feeling of this situation at all.

'You are not very good at following orders. Are you, Aveline?' I felt a shiver creep down my spine, realizing he had been drinking. A lot. He didn't seemed like the typical drunk men I was used to see from my school time or hanging out in town. But he was definitely under the influence of something.

'Why are you here?' I asked him. My voice sounded small again. Nothing left of the bravery from hours ago. He chuckled, loud. I tensed up even more.

'You are in my house, princess. Every room is mine. Even this one. Even when you are in it.' I felt uncomfortable seeing how his dark eyes found mine perfectly in the dark. He walked in further, and stopped on the other side of the bed. This moment felt like a deja vu. We had been here, in this situation only hours prior. Why was he in this room with me?

'You seem so…. Skittish.' He was observing me slowly. By how he took his time in watching me I felt like he was not planning on leaving so soon this time. And that was not good. Not at all. I swallowed and watched at the door once. Would I be able to outrun him. He had not locked it on his way in. I thought it over for a moment, right until I saw him grin widely.

'It's no use princess. Maybe you would reach the door. But no further, I can guarantee.' I watched him angrily. Did he even know how fast I could run when I needed to?

'You are drunk.' I stated boldly. He chuckled again.

'Barely.' He cocked his head to the side, he seemed so dangerous. His whole appearance seemed some sort of warning. Don't get close. Do not touch and if he touches you… It's over.

'Why am I here?' I asked. I needed to know and maybe he would answer me in his little drunk state. He grinned and sat down on the bed. Making himself comfortable.

'Well I thought you'd feel better in an actual bedroom than the basement.' His remark was sharp and mocking. He was less intoxicated than I had originally thought. Shit. Shit. Shit.

'I meant here in this house with you. Why did you take me from my uncle?' He grinned even more, watching me with those dark eyes.

'You think you could handle the answer to that question, princess?' He raised his eyebrows once before he chuckled at my silence. I had no clue how to answer that.

'I'd say not.' I angrily looked away, staring outside.

'So you are just in here to humor me then.' I was not even asking it as a question. That there wasn't a chuckle to be heard made me glance towards him. He had lied himself back on the bed, but was definitely not asleep, not with those dark eyes still open and watching me.

'You are not the typical rich girl, are you?' He asked. He completely ignored my words and once again, forced the conversation in the direction he wanted. I chose to ignore him back. An eye for an eye…

'No, you have studied. Worked for your own money even, if I have to belief the background check I ran on you.' That certainly got my attention.

'What do you mean, background check?' I asked him, turning myself so I could watch him better. He watched me in amusement. He knew he had all of my attention now. Just what he wanted.

'You think I would take you without knowing a thing about you? What good would that do me.' I angrily bit my lips.

'Well you can let me go anytime you want, you know. I would gladly accept.' My mouth worked fast than my brain and when I saw the dangerous glint in his eyes I almost regretted my words. He moved to sit up with the gracefulness of a panther. Maybe he had been drunk, but most of the act he had pulled was to fool me. And it had worked, till now.

'You know, someday those smart words will get you in trouble. A lot of trouble.' He walked around the bed, cornering me in my little bit of space near the window. I watched the bed, my only option to get away before he could lay his hands upon me. But even that was not an option as he suddenly surged forward and took my hands in his, forcing them above my head as his firm body pinned me against the wall. I let out a small gasp as the breath I was holding suddenly escaped my lips. He was strong. A lot stronger than I had believed anyone could be. He easily held my two hands in one of his, the other one gripping my chin, forcing me to watch him. His face was right before mine and I once again recognized the spicy scent he seemed to be carrying. I tried to struggle myself out of his gasp, but he simply held my hands a little firmer in his. I winced as the touch was painful. He was not even speaking yet. He seemed to watch me, curiously as what I would do now I could not move away from him.

'Fuck. Let me go!' I tried to pull myself free one last time, wincing loudly as he held my hands even tighter than before. I tensed up, closing my eyes against the painful sensation, before I felt him ease his grip a little to firm, but not painful anymore. I opened my eyes to see him stare at me, a slight grin on his face. His face was even closer. This guy did not take personal space seriously, I noted. To my horror he brought his face even closer, his nose against my cheek, before I felt his lips ghost over my skin. I shivered. I didn't want him to touch me at all, and definitely not his lips on my face. I turned my head to the side and away, surprised he let me move, closing my eyes. I hoped he would soon grow tired of this, releasing me and letting me enjoy my solitude once more. But he was not just letting me get away that easily. He wouldn't even let me block him out, I soon discovered. I felt how he brought one of his legs between mine, firmly. His broad thigh was something I could not easily ignore. And even harder to ignore when he brought his knee up. I almost felt his leg against my crotch. This did made me uncomfortable. A lot. I turned my head back, watching him. There was no grin or smile to be seen as he studied me, pushing his leg firmer against me. I took a sharp breath at what he chuckled. For once I hated he wasn't speaking. I had no clue what he wanted or what it would take for him to release me. And I also didn't dare to ask it. He seemed so intense in this moment, so animal, I was not planning on angering him while he had me in his hands, this close.

'And finally she stopped struggling.' It felt and sounded like a growl. My eyes watched his filled with fear, while his seemed to watch mine with curiosity and something else. Something close to hunger. I forced myself to go limp in his hands. It seemed to be what he wanted. Not that I felt strong enough to keep my struggling up anyway. I was exhausted.

He brought his leg down and away, but I felt his free hand on my waist. His hand was large and warm though my sweater. I felt how he moved it up, over my breast, touching it briefly before he again took hold of my chin.

'So brave and yet so scared.' He watched me as the words moved from his lips towards me. I tried to keep calm. He would soon grow tired of this. He would.

He then bowed closer, placing his lips next to my ear so I could feel his hot breath.

'You know, I meant what I told you before. I am going to enjoy breaking you in. The innocence is pouring off of you princess.' That did terrify me. Was he planning on raping me? I could not simply stand there and let him speak to me like that. He would hurt me either way. Fighting back would not make it worse. He had already planned on what he wanted me here for. I swallowed and then spoke.

'It doesn't matter what you do to me. The outcome will be the same anyway. You will be the monster in the end.' His chuckle was so close it frightened me. He moved back to watch me.

'And tell me princess, what is that outcome, hmm?' I swallowed.

'You'll kill me.' The words sounded soft, but clear.I saw him take my words in, enjoy the fear they brought with them, before he smiled. He seemed to truly enjoy this. Sick bastard.

'Oh princess, what to do with you.' He released my hands suddenly, before stepping away. I almost fell, not steady enough after this situation, but I leaned against the wall and watched him stalk around the room, returning to the bed, sitting down.

'It is late, princess. And you have barely eaten or slept. I will grant you a little space for that. But come morning I will not be so generous.' I chuckled this time.

'Generous? What have you ever done for me that was generous?' He turned his head and stared at me, that dangerous glint very clear.

'Everything, Aveline. Everything.' I swallowed at the intensity of his words.

'But you will learn that, by seeing what it really entails for me to be cruel.' He stood and stretched himself.

'Sleep, eat your breakfast in the morning. Because I expect you fully energized tomorrow. No more excuses.' I watched how he walked towards the door and stopped before opening it.

'Oh and princess?' I gritted my teeth together.

'It's Aveline.' He grinned widely. Completely ignoring me as he opened the door.

'Sweet dreams.'

I had no clue how to feel about what had happened that night. If he had meant to make me more afraid of him and his antics, he had succeeded. I did eat the food brought to me that following morning, but not just to do as he told me. I was completely vamished. The waffles tasted define, and the orange juice and cappuccino completed the meal, for now hushing my empty stomach. Once again the food had been brought in by one of the ladies who never spoke more than a few words to me. I wondered if they worked here, or were kept here too. I wasn't sure yet. Maybe I would rather not find out.

It was later that day that there came firm knocking at my door, before the door was opened. This time it was the big, bad Riddick himself. I noticed his black jeans and black shirt, making him look like some sort of devil to me. But he probably looked like a devil naked too, I reckoned.

'Good morning princess. How was your breakfast?' His mocking tone didn't go unnoticed by me. But I tried to ignore it.

'Fine.' He grinned stepping into the room.

'You are joining me for lunch downstairs. Come.' I hesitated a moment. He noticed.

'Princess?' He raised his eyebrows in question as I stood there, not moving. I would rather keep some distance between us, remembering how he had grabbed me last night and held me up against the wall. My wrist still hurt thinking about his firm touch. About his hands on my body and his leg between mine. I nodded once, taking a step into his direction. I hoped he would move too, but he kept standing there. I took another step, but stopped when he still was not moving from the door to let me pass. He seemed to notice something.

'You are afraid of me.' He said the words as if that was a strange thing. I just looked up at him, but my answer would not be necessary I believed. His eyes grew a little darker.

'That's good. Come.'

For a few minutes we ate in silence. There were several sandwiches and salads on the table, set out for two. For the first time, we sat with just the two of us in the large dining room. I wondered where his men where and why we were alone. What was he planning on doing with me here? It drove me crazy to not know what it was he would use me for. He would not just keep me here to dine and chat with on a daily basis, right? But maybe that was better than any alternative, like hurting me or raping me… I swallowed and took another sandwich. I was still hungry enough to force myself to eat, even in his presence. He was eating too, his eyes on me sometimes, like I was still the study object he had much interest in. I really wanted to force him to tell what his plans with me were, but I didn't dare. Not really. So I just sat there, eating and drinking and watching him occasionally. Maybe he would tell me eventually. Maybe even during lunch.

'You are awfully quiet princess, I would think that eating for a bit would make you more energized, not less.' I glanced in his direction, seeing him sit on his chair, completely at easy. He was leaning back, obviously done eating and now his full attention was back at me. Great, just peachy.

'You told me my words would get me into trouble.' I liked throwing his own words back in his face, and for right now, he seemed to let me.

'Ah so she does listen. That is… good to know.' He smiled and then took a sip from his coffee. I rolled my eyes and looked away. I heard him clear his throat.

'Stand.' I was confused by his sudden command that sounded so intimidating in that deep voice. I glanced at him, but saw he was not grinning like this was some sort of joke this time. I slowly placed my chair back and stood, watching him.

'I told you yesterday my generosity would end if you kept defying me.' I watched at him in question. He raised his brows.

'The next time you roll your eyes at me, your punishment will be more severe than this.'

Well what would that punishment entail? I am so curious to hear what you think about why he is keeping her there! I love to read your reviews!