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Chapter 55
Steven returned half hour later carrying a tray with two sandwiches and two diet cokes.
Cameron watched as he sat the tray down on the mattress and retrieved a small folding table that was propped against the wall and sat it in front of her. He then sat the tray on the table and pulled up the chair he had been sitting in earlier and opened up each of the containers that held the sandwiches, pushing one towards Cameron.
He looked at Cameron. "C'mon Allison. Let's eat." He said with enthusiasm.
Cameron reluctantly did what she was told and proceeded to take a small bite of her sandwich. The thought of doing something normal, like eating, wasn't too appealing at the moment. She was thankful that they were eating in silence. She was not in the mood to listen to any more of his little speeches of why they should be together. She managed to choke down a few bites of the sandwich before pushing it away from her. She glanced at Steven, who was not having any problems eating. As a matter of fact, he was so consumed with his own food, he didn't seem to notice she had stopped eating. Cameron continued to sit quietly, taking a few sips of her soda and waited for Steven to finish.
When Steven finally took his last bite, he looked over at Cameron and saw that she hadn't finished her food. "Why aren't you eating?" He asked annoyed.
"I told you I wasn't hungry. My stomach is upset and I have a headache." Cameron answered softly.
"You have to eat Allison. I hope you don't plan on being difficult every time we are together. That could cause problems for you."
Cameron looked at him and wondered what he meant by problems.
Steven abruptly stood and grabbed the plates, letting Cameron know he was not happy.
Cameron remained silent as Steven climbed back up the stairs. She listened to his movements above her and presumed she was either under the kitchen or close to it. Why that mattered, she didn't know. She was just trying to imagine the rooms above her incase she had an opportunity to escape. She stared at the objects around her and observed how neatly everything was placed. Steven definitely intended to keep her there for a while, at least until he felt he could trust her and move her upstairs. But how long would it take for her to gain his trust? She wondered. She knew she couldn't wait that long. She had to find a way to get out soon.
After sitting for quite some time, Steven finally returned with two asprin and a bottle of water. "Here." He said and dropped the asprin into her hands.
Cameron was surprised he had given her something for her headache. "Thanks." She said, hating that she had to be grateful for something he did.
Steven unplugged the small lamp and placed it in the furthest corner where she couldn't reach it. He saw that she was watching him. "If you behave yourself, I will let you have the light but not yet. You have to earn it."
Cameron bit her lip, holding back a rush of emotion. The thought of someone controlling her was over whelming.
Steven walked around and stood in front of her. "I realize you don't know all the rules yet Allison but you will have to be good, like eating the food I so lovingly brought to you."
Cameron hadn't realized how upset he was over her not eating. "I told you Steven, I'm not feeling well. It has been a long day." She tried not to sound cold but she couldn't help it.
Steven turned around so she couldn't see the anger that crossed his face. "That's what I'm talking about. That tone of yours will have to change if you want things from me. If you continue to be difficult, I will be forced to punish you and I don't want to have to do that. Keep in mind, I don't have to do something to you directly to punish you."
Cameron suddenly became alarmed. "What do you mean?" She asked, staring at Steven's back.
"I'm prepared to hurt those you care about." He said as he turned around and looked at her again. "Maybe someone who is special in your life." Steven gave her an evil grin.
Does he mean House? She wondered.
Steven turned and started back towards the stairs, satisfied he had gotten his point across. Just as he was about to take the first step up the stairs, he stopped and turned to her. "You know Allison, I have been dreaming and fantasizing about this moment for a very long time now. Don't ruin it before giving us a chance."
Cameron watched as the evil man she once thought her friend climbed the stairs for the final time of the night, his cold words still hanging in the air. The thought of him hurting someone she cared about, terrified her. She waited until he had closed the door before she dropped her head into her hands and began to cry. She still couldn't believe this was happening to her. Thoughts of her brother crossed her mind and she wondered if he knew yet. She knew the news of her disappearance would be devastating to him. She thought about her little apartment and she wished she was there right now, warm and safe.
As she laid down on the mattress and pulled the thin blanket over her, thoughts of House began to run through her head. She wondered if he was looking for her, was he worried, did he miss her? Would she ever feel his touch again or his lips on hers? There was so much left unsaid between them. Would he ever know how much he meant to her? She wondered as tears fell down the sides of her face.
She didn't know how long she had been crying when she realized that there was no more movement above her and she presumed Steven had probably gone to bed. Suddenly, she felt the darkness engulf her like a thick blanket. She stared at the light from the small window and actually found it comforting for some reason. She knew she had to continue to think clearly if she was ever going to find a way to get out of the prison she was forced to be in. She also knew that she had to out smart Steven at his own game even if she didn't know how to do that yet.
She could feel her eyelids growing heavier and knew she couldn't fight sleep any longer. Her body and her mind were tired. As her mind began to drift, she thought about God. Was he real? Was he watching over her? She wondered. She hadn't prayed in a very long time. The last time was when she was a teenager and even then she was skeptical if he existed but just before she drifted into a restless sleep, she said a small prayer… God, if you are out there, please keep those I love safe and save me from this nightmare.
