Chapter 10

The nightmare turns real

Slowly but surely, Zach's "Plans," came into action. He began to loose contact with his friends, his job, and even quit, saying that he only needed me.

"Zach, has Brad called? It's been about 3 weeks, and I haven't heard a word from him," I asked him. He shrugged.

"No, he hasn't called. I'm sorry Skye," he said softly. My heart dropped. How could he not call? He promised me that he would, everyday! A tear slipped down my cheek.

"He promised," I whispered. Zach leaped up from his desk.

"What did I tell you?" he criticized softly as he embraced me and kissed the top of my head. I tore away from him.

"That's not true!" I flared, tears streaming down my cheeks. "There's a reason. There is. Maybe he can't get to the phone. Maybe. . . " My voice trailed off, trying to find a reason.

"I told you," he sang in my ear. He glared at me with an impish smile on his face.

"You're so pretty when your angry," he complimented. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I'm going out," I declared, going upstairs to grab my keys. Zach stormed behind me.

"Oh no you're not," he bellowed. He ripped the keys from my hand.

"Why not!" I protested, folding my arms across my chest.

"You can't runt his time, you have no one to run to," he explained loudly. Tears welled in my eyes as my hand bolted up to his face and slapped him hard across the face. My hand stung, but I didn't care. I stared at him, my hand returning by my side. Zach snapped his head in my direction quickly.

"Go to your room!" he shouted. I bolted in the other direction, towards the front door. Zach was faster than I though, and darted in front of the door, before I could grab the door handle. He grabbed my waist, and lifted me, balancing me on his shoulder.

"Zach! Let me down!" I screamed, pounding my fists on his back. He marched up the stairs, and up to my room. He threw the door open, and dropped me on the bed. I tried to scramble up and go for the door, but he pinned me down.

"You stay in here and think about what you've done," he ordered. Tears of anger and frustration, and also fear streamed down my cheeks. He backed up, releasing me, and stared at me for a minute. I was frozen in the spot. He backed up, and spun out of the room, locking the door from the outside. I bolted up off the bed, and pounded on the door.

"Zach!" I screamed.

"Don't even think about climbing out the window," I heard him say from down the hall. I pounded on the door one last time, then slid to the ground.

"Dammit," I hissed, pressing my hand to my forehead. He's never acted like this before. What's gotten into him? "Zach! Let me out!" I cried, standing up. I pounded on the door, and listened. I heard him doing something faintly in his bedroom.

"Zach," I moaned, closing my eyes. I banged my head against the wall, and sat down in my red leather chair. I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep until I heard the door being unlocked. My eyelids fluttered open, and I moaned. Zach stepped in the room, shutting it behind him. I rubbed my eyes, and stood up.

"Darling," Zach said softly, walking over to me. I stared at him.

"Don't look at me like that," he snapped. I darted my eyes away obediently.

"I'm sorry that I had to do that," he said, taking my shoulders into his hands. I looked up at him.

"Then why did you do it?" I asked softly. He sighed.

"Because I was frustrated at the moment. That slap didn't exactly change my mood," he muttered. I smirked.

"You do know how much I do care about you, don't I?" he asked. I nodded reluctantly. He smiled.

"Good," he said and slowly embraced me. I shivered.

"Are you cold?"

"No," I muttered, and closed my eyes. He cupped my face, and kissed my cheeks, my eyelids, and finally, my lips. I gasped, squeezing his arm, hopefully thinking that he would let go. He finally pulled away, and smiled. I was still in shock, even though this had happened before.

"I do love you," he said confidently. I looked around the room. What was I supposed to say? He smirked, and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me. I looked at the clock. It was late, and I decided to go to bed. But I was scared to go to sleep, wondering what Zach was going to do. I changed into my nightgown, and lay in bed, waiting. I finally remembered to put the chain lock on, and slept confidently, knowing that there wasn't a way for him to get in.

In the morning, I heard some noise outside the window. I sat up, looking over to the window and staring at the crimson drapes. I threw the covers off of my legs, and walked over there. I pulled behind the curtain, to see black medal bars placed on the windows! I gasped, and ran into Zach's room. He was sitting at his desk, reading the paper.

"Zach!" I snapped loudly. He looked up. His eyes brightened when he saw that I was in my nightgown, which was a little skin bearing. "Why are there metal bars on my window?"

"For security reasons," he mumbled, going back to the paper. I raised my eyebrows and walked over to him.

"Are we in danger?" I asked. He looked up, turning his stare towards me.

"No." He pronounced it clear and sharp.

"Then take them off."

"I can't do that."

"And why not?" I asked, crossing my arms across my chest.

"Because," he snapped. "Now don't argue." He waved towards the door. I grunted, and spun on my heels, and went back into my room. I opened the window, and grasped the bars. I could tell that they weren't going to budge. I sighed, leaned against the wall, closing my eyes. What did he have in store for me now? Later on that night, Zach knocked on my door. It was about dinner time, so I expected that he was calling me to dinner. I put the book down that I was reading, and opened the door. "Yes?" I asked.

"Good evening. Dinner, is served," he said, nodding his head once and smiling. I raised my eyebrow.

"Are you OK?" I asked, looking at him oddly.

"I'm fine, and you will be too when you come downstairs." He took my hand and pulled me downstairs.

"What's going on?" I asked. He brought me into the dining room, and he stopped. So did my heart.

The lights were turned off, only candles illuminating the room. My eyes widened as he led me to my seat. I sat down, glaring at the table. All of my favorite dishes were placed out on fancy plates that I had never seen before.

"I cooked it all myself. That's my grandmother's China," he said, nodding to the plates. I smiled weakly. He sat down across from me, and began to eat, pouring a glass of wine. I took it from him, and sipped it. Zach stared at me as I ate quietly. I darted my glance away, feeling uncomfortable when he stared at me so intently. When I was finished, I shoved my plate in front of me, and stood up. I had a few glasses of wine, which made me dizzy, and I grabbed the back of the chair. Zach tossed his napkin on his plate, and came to my side.

"Are you OK?" he asked. I nodded.

"I'm just going to go to bed," I said, heading towards the stairs. My knees weakened, and I started to fall to the floor, but Zach caught me before I could hit the ground. He sighed, and headed towards the stairs. When we passed my room, I started to babble to him about it.

"They are fixing something in your bathroom. You'll have to sleep in my room tonight," he explained. My heart stopped.

"But aren't there guests rooms I can stay in?" I sputtered quickly.

"They are also fixing something in the rooms. The only room that isn't being repaired is mine," he said, heading towards his room.

"No, Zach, that's OK, I'll just sleep downstairs," I stammered, but we had already entered his room, and he shut the door, closing out all of my hope. He carried me to the bed, and I scrambled off of it, but he had pinned me down.

"I hope you sleep well tonight," he said sneakily, a devilish smile on his face. My eyes widened as I attempted to get away from him. He kept his grip strong.

"You don't even know how long I've wanted you here. Even from the moment I met you. You're everything that a wife is supposed to be: Smart, caring, and especially beautiful. Skye, I love you so bad, it hurts," he brought his face closer to mine. I turned my head away. He turned my head back.

"I intend to have things go my way tonight, no mistakes. I've let you escape before, but this time, you can't get away." And with those last words, he kissed me, his tongue trying to get into my mouth. I turned my head away, but he turned it back, crawling on the bed, straddling my legs. I tried to scream, but it was impossible while he was kissing me, his hand crawled up and reached my breast. I tried to brush it away, but he kept it planted there. He pulled away, and started to take off my shirt. I screamed like hell. As loud as I could, hopefully ear shattering. He slapped his hand over my mouth.

"Don't even start screaming," he warned, and lifted my shirt slowly. I shook my head, telling myself that this wasn't true, but it was as real as it got, unfortunately. He had my shirt off now, and tossed it on the ground.

"Zach, please," I moaned. He smiled.

"You'll be moaning my name soon, I promise," he whispered. I gasped, and used all of my strength to wriggle out from underneath him, but that exhausted me quickly, and gave him a better advantage. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Zach, don't do this!" I screamed, but then he kissed me, forcing his tongue to meet mine. He was slowly undressing me, tossing my clothes on the floor. After I was undressed, he peeled away his clothes, and lay them beside mine in a pile. He kissed me, then entered me. I gasped, then screamed.

"Zach!" I screamed, pounding on his back with my free hand. He kept his eyes closed.

"Skye, oh Skye," he moaned. I screamed louder, and harder, wondering if anyone could hear me. He caressed my body, raining kissed everywhere. I cried, I screamed, I moaned in pain as he continued on.

Finally, after I thought that it would never end, he stopped, and lay beside me, trembling. He grabbed me, and pulled me over to his bare chest.

"Wasn't that good darling?" he whispered in my ear, kissing my cheek. I shook my head.

"No," I moaned, feeling dirty inside.

"There isn't anything to worry about darling. Nobody will know," he coaxed. I continued to shake my head. '

"Zach, please, don't do this," I moaned, my eyelids growing heavier. I had no choice but to close my eyes and go to sleep.

"Yes, that's it darling, relax," he whispered before I fell asleep.

In the morning, I awoke, thinking I was in my room. But when my eyes opened, I remembered what happened, and I had leaped out of the bed, and screamed. I looked down. He had apparently put a nightgown on me. Zach jolted up.

"What?" he mumbled, scratching his head. He turned to me, and smiled.

"Ah, darling Skye." He reached out to take me into his arms. I scooted farther back.

"I hope you slept well," he muttered. Actually, I did, but I didn't tell him that. He stood up, and grabbed his boxer shorts, and slipped into them. I bolted for the door, but he noticed, and he ran faster.

"No," he sang, wagging his forefinger. He grabbed me and hugged me.

"You didn't like it?" he pouted. I shook my head vigorously. "Oh, well I'll just have to fix that." He brushed his lips against my cheek. I tore away from him, and folded my arms across my chest. He shook his head, and walked out of the room, shutting and locking the door behind him, locking it. Tears spilled over my eyelids, as I walked over to Mommy's old vanity table. I sat down, staring into the mirror blankly. I picked up a brush, and started to brush my hair, making long strokes. I noticed my looks, how much I had changed. My eyes had grown darker. They almost looked like they were black than brown. My skin had become a little paler. My cheekbones were coming out beautifully. My lips became redder, like crimson. I also had a hypnotized stare, concentrating on one significant thing. I brushed my hair more, staring back into the mirror.

Zach walked into the room, carrying a tray. He sat it down on his desk, and walked over to me, kissing my neck. I put the brush down slowly. He took my hair into his hands, and rubbed it to his cheek. He smiled, and went over to the tray. He sat it down on the bed, and picked up a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. I looked at it, and then up to Zach.

"I'm not hungry," I announced, standing up and walking to the window. Zach followed persistently.

"You must eat," he demanded. I shook my head.

"I've lost my appetite."

"But I went to all of that trouble to make if for you," he whined. I turned around.

"I don't give a damn! Don't you get it Zach? I don't want your love, your things, I don't want any of it!" I screeched. "Why are you doing this? Why can't you just let things be?"

"I love you Skye! There isn't anything I can do about that now!" He bellowed.

"You're my stepfather! I'm you stepdaughter! Doesn't that seem so wrong?" I asked, walking over to him.

"Not anymore. I divorced your mother, remember?" He asked. I narrowed my gaze at him.

"I don't care. I don't love you, I love Brad," I said coolly, and stormed away from him. He grabbed my arm and spun me around.

"I don't care if I have to beat you to get you to love me, you will love me, whether you like it or not."

"I don't like it!" I screamed, and stared at him in the eyes. He returned the cold stare.

"Eat your breakfast," he commanded, nodding to the plate on the bed. I stomped over there, took the plate, and started shoving food in my mouth.

"Happy?" I snapped when I had cleared the plate. Zach took it from me and brought it downstairs. He came back up.

"I have to take care of something. I'll be back later," he said, and leaned over to kiss me, but I turned my head away. He growled angrily, and got dressed, then stormed out of the room, slamming and locking the door behind him. I grunted, and lay back on the bed, my hair fanning out on the pillow. I watched TV until it got boring, and decided to take a nap. When I awoke, Zach was sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"Yeah," I grumbled. He smiled.

"Tonight, I have a wonderful surprise for you tonight," he sang.

"Hopefully it isn't sex," I said from the corner of my mouth. He gave me a warning glance.

"I've arranged for our marriage," he said. My head snapped towards him so hard, I thought my head would fall off.

"What!" I screamed, leaping out of the bed. He stood up, wearing a crazed smile.

"Finally, we can be together forever," he said happily, taking my hands. I snatched them away.

"You're crazy," I said, looking around the room nervously. On the other side of the room, the oak door to the balcony was cracked, only to let in a fraction of an inch of light into the room. I bolted for it quickly, throwing the door open and going out. I skidded towards the edge, and swung my leg over, preparing to climb over, but my hand slipped, and I screamed, now hanging on to the railing with all my might. Zach ran out, and pulled me up easily, carrying me in his arms back into the room. He grabbed the key, and locked the door, putting the key into his pocket. He stomped over to his bed, and dropped me, crawling over top of me. He pinned my arms down. He kissed me, his hands roaming my body. I screamed, my voice growing hoarse quickly, and I bit my lip.

"Yes, that's it," he whispered, inside of me now. I shook my head, and stifled any cries that would come to my mouth.

"Brad," I moaned, tears streaming down my cheeks. Zach looked at me.

"Don't speak his name in this house again," he snapped. I cried harder.

"Don't cry darling, don't cry," he whispered. "This is supposed to be good."

"No it's not!" I screamed. He ignored my comment, and was finally spent, laying beside me. He sighed, catching his breath, and sat up.

"I have to get in the shower, because tonight is a special night," he said, and waltzed over to the bathroom, shutting the door.

"You're welcome to join me," he called, and started the shower. I grunted as tears came to my eyes. I put my nightgown on again, and buried my face in the pillows, crying.

Why wasn't Brad calling? Didn't he love me? Why wasn't anyone looking for me? Even Brian? Why is this happening? God, please help me, I thought, tears wetting the pillows. Suddenly, an idea popped in my head. The gun, why didn't I think of that before? I thought, then tip toed to the door. Luckily, it was unlocked. I laughed quietly, and slipped out, running to my room. I crawled under the bed, grabbing the box, but then I felt Zach's hands on my hips, pulling me away. I kicked him, not knowing where, and darted under the bed, again, lifting the lid off the box and grabbing the gun. It felt cool in my burning hands. Zach pulled me out from under the bed, and lifted me. but I kicked him again, and he tore away, shaking his arm, where I had kicked him. I cocked the gun and put back the safety lock, pointing the gun at his forehead. He held up his hands.

"Feisty, I see," he muttered. My hands trembled, but I kept them steady.

"Don't come near me," I ordered snappishly. He nodded, his lips turning white when he pulled them taunt.

"Darling, can't we work this out?" he asked.

"No, we can't," I snapped. He lowered his hands. We made eye contact for a moment, challenging each other to do something, when Zach finally did. He lunged towards me, turning around and grabbing me from behind. I pulled the trigger too late, missing and hitting the wall. Zach tried to pry the gun from my hands, but I held on firmly. He put me into a choke hold, and finally took the gun from my hands, he released me, and I stumbled away from him.

"Where did you get this?" he demanded.

"It's not important," I snapped. He ran towards me, and pointed the barrel to my temple. I began to cry.

"Tell me, where you got it," he demanded.

"From Brad," I whispered. He took it away slowly.

"Good," he muttered, and cupped my face and kissed me. I snapped my head away.

"I'll keep this in a safe place," he said softly, and took my hand, and led me back to the room, shutting and locking the door behind him.

"Get into the shower, you'll have to look nice for tonight," he ordered, nodding towards the bathroom. I turned to him, sighed, and shuffled towards the bathroom.

"See? If you only listen to me, good things will only come," he said. I ignored him, and turned on the water, making it as hot as I could stand it. I undressed, and hopped in, the water scalding my body. But I ignored the pain, and scrubbed my body, my skin turning red. Inside, I knew that I couldn't was away what he had done. This was going to be a permanent scar. I got out of the shower, and wrapped a towel around my body, making sure that I covered up well. I walked out of the bathroom, and looked around. Zach was gone. I sighed with relief, and noticed the red dress that I had boughten for prom laid on the bed, along with my bra and underwear. I dried off my body, and slipped into the clothing, looking at myself in the mirror. I put my hair up in a clip, and didn't put on any makeup. I sat down on the bed, staring at the floor, until Zach came into the room.

"You look great," he said with a smile. He was wearing the same suit that he wore on his wedding day. He walked over to me, and kissed my cheek.

"Why don't you be happy? You're getting married!" he cried, sitting next to me and holding my hands.

"It's a marriage I don't want," I whispered. He sighed, and the door bell rand.

"That's the minister," he said, and rose to go downstairs to answer it. I remained sitting, wringing my hands in my lap. He was downstairs for about 15 minutes, then entered the room again.

"Here we go," he said excitedly. I looked at him, pleading to him with my eyes, and stood up, slowly walking over to him. He threaded his arm with mine, and walked downstairs. I stared at the floor as we walked, wishing I would melt away in a puddle. He walked downstairs, and lifted my chin.

Candles had been lit everywhere, vases of roses sitting next to a candle. The minister was waiting in the middle of the living room, holding a bible. I gulped, tears coming to my eyes, and walked over to him. We stopped, and he began.

The words went by quickly as I listened blankly. The thing that snapped me out of my dream state was Zach nuging me with his elbow.

"You're supposed to say I do," he whispered. I didn't answer him. "Don't make this difficult. Just say it." I shook my head.

"I won't," I whispered, closing my eyes. Zach grunted angrily.

"Say it. I still have that gun, remember? I don't want to kill you, so just say it."

"I do," I blurted, immediately regretting the words. Zach smiled. The minister prounounced us man and wife, and Zach brought his lips to mine. I turned my head away, and ran back up to my room, shutting the door and locking it, also with the chain locks. I locked the lobby door, and proped up chairs against the doorknobs so that he couldn't enter. I threw myself on my bed and cried. I was now Mrs. Zach James. I curled up into a ball, and heard Zach pounding on the door.

"Open the door Skye!" he bellowed. I shook my head, and crawled under the covers, not caring if I had an expensive gown on. I closed my eyes, tears still escaping my eyelids. Oh Brad, please come and save me soon.

In the morning, I woke up, my body aching for more sleep. I opened my eyes, and looked around. I wasn't in my room anymore, I was in Zachs! I leaped up out of his bed, and sighed.

"Oh, you're up," Zach said with a greedy smile.

"How did you get into my room?" I sputtered. He shook his head.

"That, I will never tell you. I have my secrets," he said, sitting up.

"Don't we all?" I muttered, rolling my eyes. He closed his eyes, and rubbed his face with his dry palms.

"Were they any phone calls for me?" I was stupid enough to ask the question. Zach looked at me like I was crazy.

"I disconnected the phone lines a long time ago Skye," he told me. I grunted.

"I should have expected that," I whispered loudly.

"How does it feel to be married?" he asked sheepishly, crawling out of bed and walking over to me. I squeezed my eyes shut. I had completely forgotten. I wish I could have forgotten forever.

"It sucks," I replied. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"That's not the answer I was expecting," he said dryly, seizing my shoulders.

"Then what were you expecting?" I spat.

"Something respectable," he retorted. I laughed madly.

"You're kidding me," I asked, my eyebrow raised. His hand came across my face quickly in a loud slap. He stared at me. It felt like he had nearly punched me! I opened my mouth, but no words formed properly. They were jumbled up in my mouth. I could feel the red mark forming on my cheek.

"That's what you deserve. I've been nothing but a loving husband to you, and you treat me with disrespect. That won't be tolerated. I won't tolerate it," he snapped. I gaped at him. He smiled, touched my red cheek, and walked off into the bathroom. I growled angrily, wanting to charge up to him and slap him as hard as he slapped me, but he had shut the bathroom door, and started the shower just as the thought was conceived. I angrily slapped my thighs, and paced around the room, fuming. He finally got out of the shower, and walked over to me, inspecting my cheek.

"You'll live," he muttered, and went to fetch his clothing. I sat down on the bed, crossing my legs angrily, and stared at the TV. He came back out, wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

"I have to take care of something, I'll be back later," he said gruffly. He reached over, kissed me, and left the room. He slammed the door, and locked it behind him.

"Bastard," I muttered, and rolled my eyes. I pulled back the covers, and decided to take a nap, since it passed the time. I sighed, and lay back, wanting to get out of this prison so badly.

Why wasn't Brad coming home? He should be coming home soon! My brain screamed, making me have a headache. I closed my eyes, trying to block the thoughts that were coming to mind, and tried to fall asleep, but the attempt didn't work, because I stayed up most of the time, only getting about 15 minutes of sleep. When I woke up, I called it quits on sleeping, and paced around the room, waiting for Zach to come home and keep me company. He was the only thing I had, at the time.