Chapter Three

Day Three

Friday, April 21

8 AM

When he wakes, he is dressed and the bed is dry, he also has a blanket on. When did she do that?

The room is dark. What day is it, is it still night? I wonder where she is. He lies there for hours. The door opens suddenly and it hits the wall, he is startled, she stands in the doorway for a few seconds before speaking.

"I think you have something to say to me."

I do, shit, what? Oh man, think. She wants an apology. She practically rips my nuts off and I have to apologize.

"I'm waiting."

Barely speaking above a whisper he says, with not much enthusiasm. "I'm sorry."

Nicole raises her voice. "That's it. That's all you have to say to me." As she speaks she moves closer, he can she the anger on her face.

Make it good. "Nicole I'm very sorry for the things I said, can you please forgive me."

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Am I supposed to answer her? She looks at him waiting for an answer. "No."

"I don't appreciate being spoken to that way, Bobby."

"I won't do it again."

"I know." She smiles at him then throws the key to the cuffs and it lands on his chest. He just looks at her. She stands there with her arms crossed.

"You're so helpless, aren't you?" She pauses. "I said you're so helpless aren't you."

"Yes I am."

She picks up the key and puts it in his hand. She lets him use the bathroom. When he is done, she leaves the room. He hears the outside door close. Nicole leaves the house and starts her forty-minute walk down the road to the grocery store. The house is set back away from the road. Nicole was able to buy the house with the money awarded to her from her divorce from Gavin, the house sits on ten acres of property, and the nearest neighbor is a mile away. She loves the quiet and has spent the last seven months living here.

The couple who own the store know her as Elizabeth not Nicole. "Good morning Elizabeth."

"Good morning Tom, Vicky." She walks through the store selecting items.

"What a lovely girl." Vicky whispers to her husband.

Nicole empties her basket on the counter. "I still don't understand what a beautiful girl like you would want to live out here, where the pickings' for men are pretty slim."

"I enjoy the quiet, and men they only break your heart."

"He's out there somewhere for you, you'll see."

I already know where he is.

"Enjoy your day, Elizabeth."

"Thank you Vicky, you too, I'll see you in a few days, goodbye Tom."

"Goodbye sweetie."

She leaves him alone in the dark little room, all day. He does not see her again until that night. She offers him something to drink and the use of the bathroom, she tells him to take a shower; he obeys her. She does not say anything to him and he wonders if he should start a conversation. He decides against it.

Day Four

Saturday, April 22

9 AM

His sleep is not restful. This morning the room is bright

It is too bright in here.

The sun hurts my eyes.

My hands and arms are numb.

My legs do not feel that great either.

My butt is sore, dam these sheets are rough.

Hey Nicole did you ever hear of fabric softener.

I should be hungry but thinking about food makes me sick to my stomach.

How long have I been here?

Here, where is here?

Will anyone find me?

Are they even looking?

I am sure they are.

I am sure………………what is her name.

Shit what is her name.

Oh, man this is bad.

I can't remember her name.

His head starts to hurt again and he feels sick to his stomach, he closes his eyes and tries to ignore the pain. He can hear her outside the door, music is playing and it makes the hours he stays alone in the little room a bit more bearable. He has not slept for more than two or three hours the last few days.

She finally comes in the room looking very cheerful. She walks over to the window and looks out. "You couldn't ask for a more perfect spring day, it's beautiful outside."

"It's a little bright."

She turns quickly around and faces him. "Aren't you ever satisfied? I thought you might enjoy a little sunlight in here." He says nothing. "I try to do something nice for you and you don't appreciate it, you want to lay there in the dark, you ungrateful bastard, fine." She pulls down the shade and quickly walks out of the room.

He is not sure how long he lay there before she came back. She opens the door and without saying anything, she walks over to the bed. She just stares at him. He does not look at her. He has to ask her. "Nicole, I need to use the bathroom."

"Next time I do something nice for you, I'd appreciate a more grateful attitude."

He nods his head and in a whisper says, "Ok."

"What I didn't hear you."

"Ok, I will."

She puts the key in his hand, the handcuff routine.

TBC