Martha looked down at the phone in Irene's hand. Many thoughts were going through her head; call the police or even Jack.
Irene started smiling. "I told you everything would be okay," she whispered.
"You should put the ring tone on silent, just in case someone tries to ring and Corey hears it," Martha told her.
Irene nodded. "Good thinking. You know, I'm surprised no-one has already tried to ring me," she said pressing a few buttons and setting the phone to silent.
Out of the corner of her eye Martha noticed Corey getting up from his chair at the kitchen bench. She started panicking.
"Quick, put it away. He's coming," she hissed.
Irene quickly shoved the phone down under the cushions and sat back trying to act like nothing had just gone on. Corey walked over towards them and sat down in a chair opposite them.
"Having fun?" he sneered, looking at Martha.
"Tons," Martha said sarcastically, trying not to show him that she was frightened.
The way that he was looking at her made her skin crawl. But she was determined not to let him know that he was getting to her.
"Look Corey, people are going to come looking for us soon. So why don't you just let us go," Irene said.
"I'm going to say this one more time. No, I will not let you go. Do you understand what I am saying?" Corey snapped at them.
"Jack will be finishing his shift soon. And he's going to wonder why I'm not home or answering my phone, and he's going to come looking for me," Martha told him.
Corey jumped up and strode over to Martha. He grabbed her arm and pulled her up so that they were face to face.
"Don't you ever say his name around me again," he growled at her, squeezing and digging his fingers into her arm tightly. She knew it was going to leave a bruise. He then roughly pushed her back down into her chair.
"Why? You jealous?" was Martha's automatic response. She instantly regretted saying it, but she couldn't help it. She knew it would piss him off.
And before she knew what was happening, Corey was swinging his open palm towards her face. Martha's face snapped to the side when his hand connected to her cheek. The sharp slapping sound echoed through the house.
Irene gasped. "Oh my god," she cried.
Martha immediately raised her hand to her stinging cheek and looked up at him, shocked.
"Got anything else to say?" he asked with a smug look on his face. Martha shook her head.
"Good girl," he said and walked back over to the kitchen bench.
"Darl, are you okay?" Irene asked and ran her hand over Martha's cheek, trying to soothe it.
"Yeah, but it still hurt like hell," Martha replied.
Irene nodded. "I can tell," she started. "You already have a red handprint coming up. And the skin around your cut is starting to bruise aswell. I just wish we could get you to hospital; I don't want it to get infected," she continued.
"I think it's safe to say that he likes hitting me," Martha sighed, rubbing her cheek. She looked over at Corey; he gave her a sly smile and then looked away and started looking at some photo again.
"It probably makes him feel powerful," Irene told her.
"Yeah, I guess. But let's forget about me for a second, let's get back to the important stuff," Martha began. "You should go the bathroom and use the phone to call the cops," she told Irene. She nodded her agreement.
Irene reached her hand under the pillow and grabbed the phone; putting it into her pocket.
"Corey, may I go the bathroom please," Irene called across the room.
Corey snapped his gaze onto Irene. "Fine, but make it quick. We'll be leaving soon," he said.
Irene stood up. "Where are we going?" she urged. "It's a surprise," he told her.
Martha looked at Irene, panic written on her face. "It's okay," Irene mouthed to Martha.
Irene slowly made her way to the bathroom; keeping an eye on Corey who was still sitting in his seat, but was giving Martha evil looks. Irene didn't like the idea of leaving Martha alone with Corey, even if it was only for a few minutes. Irene walked into the bathroom and slowly closed the door behind her.
Jack sat at his desk, going over some paper work. His boss still hadn't completely forgiven him for the whole ear lie yet; so he still occasionally made him do the boring stuff.
Jack kind of liked this quiet time though. It gave him time to think about Martha and their reconciliation. He was so happy that she had decided to give him another chance. There was no way he was stuffing up again.
Jack had already planned a romantic dinner for the next night. He'd found out that his dad and brother were going to Yabbie Creek for a late night movie with Beth and Matilda; so he and Martha would have the house to themselves.
He was also wondering how Martha's talk with Corey went. He wanted to know how Corey had reacted. He'd tried to call Martha, but her phone was off.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing. He stood up to go and answer it but stopped when he saw Sgt McGrath standing there already picking up the phone. Jack sat back down, but quickly looked up when his boss started to raise his voice.
"I'm sorry I can't hear you. Can you speak up," McGrath said. There was a women on the other end of the phone and she was whispering, so he couldn't hear that well.
"Did you just say Irene Roberts?" McGrath asked.
When Jack heard his boss mention Irene's name, he stood up immediately.
"Yes, this is Irene Roberts. I'm being held hostage at my home by…," Irene started, but was cut off by a banging on the door.
"What the hell are you doing in there?" Corey's voice rang out. It startled her so much that she dropped the phone. She quickly snatched it up from the floor, but was devastated when she found that the phone would no longer work.
Damn it, she thought to herself. She just hoped that the officer that she spoke to had heard everything she said.
