Arthur sits out on the porch, sipping a beer, watching his neighbours rake their leaves, have coffee on the porch, some of their children ride their bikes as it will likely be the last few nice days of pleasant weather. There is a slight chill in the air, which does get Arthur thinking about Emma in the basement. She's not useful to him if she catches pneumonia, that could very well kill her.
He ponders over the question that Emma had screamed at him. Why was he doing this?
His main reason was to give this family one more child. Megan and Ben play together on the front lawn, kicking a soccer ball between themselves, giggling when one of them kicks the ball too far. They then race each other to get it first.
Arthur liked this life. It certainly wasn't perfect, but he had an amazing blessing, a family. Two beautiful angels that made him feel like a good person, despite his gambling and his…fantasies. Emma fulfilled that purpose as well. It had been a long time since he and Gwen had had an intimate night together. She was always working late or was too tired to do so. The spark they had was out, had been like that for a long time, but with the beautiful blonde in his basement, it captured some of that excitement and thrill, despite the fact that she was not a consenting partner. Arthur knew a long time ago that his ideas of being intimate were twisted and he never sought help because he would be locked up for being a sex offender for sure. Everyone would judge him and he'd ruin his family's already delicate life. He remembers times when he got too rough with Gwen and left her afraid and sometimes bruised. It would take her awhile to even sleep in the same bed as him again, despite his apologies. She wasn't into anything that he was, and so he buried it inside himself, trying to be a normal man, but once in awhile, especially after a few beers, the urges came out.
There was also the prospect of having another child. When Gwen told him about the surgery, Arthur had lost it, breaking half the glassware in the house and going on a drunken stupor around the neighbourhood. The neighbours called the police as they thought it was a domestic disturbance. Arthur was fined for it and Gwen left with the kids to her parents' house for a week until Arthur told her that he was in rehab and trying to control his anger. Surprisingly, she did come back and he hoped things would go back to normal. Yet, the prospect of not having another child hurt him. He wanted to bring another life into the world, but now that Gwen had stopped that, he had to find another way.
He thought about adoption or surrogacy, but those cost a lot of money and with him unemployed, it would be unlikely that he would be considered suitable for adoption with his arrest. Plus their tiny house and mediocre living space weren't good either.
Arthur thought long and hard about what he could do. He thought about knocking up a waitress or something, someone who could keep the child until it was born and was still technically his. He did what many surrogate searchers look for, "the perfect woman." He spent many nights looking and when he came across young Emma, he knew he'd found the one. Her unique traits were perfect, especially if she has a girl. He originally intended to just drug and have his way with her once, but in that moment, a sick fantasy re-emerged and he took her home. He felt thrilled and excited at what he was doing, and yet scared. He knew this was way worse than putting their family into huge debt over adoption, but… he kept going. He had Emma now and if she could give him what he wanted… he might let her go.
Megan and Ben go to play at the neighbours and their father tells them to be home by 5. Arthur goes inside and prepares some food for Emma as well as ice packs to help with what happened when he attacked her. He sneaks downstairs and checks on Emma.
…
Emma's throat burns as she opens her eyes. She doesn't know how long it's been, but she's very weak after being severely deprived of oxygen. Her entire body aches and she's practically drowning in her tears. The tape over her mouth prevents her from breathing fully, so she tries to take deep breaths in through her nose. Her mind races to recall what happened before. She remembers what this man had said, that he wanted a baby from her.
I have to escape she thinks desperately. I'm not just some abducted surrogate.
Eventually, she hears keys and the door opens again. Emma again tries to make some noise with her handcuffs and muffled voice, but the man shuts it.
He comes down, turns on the light, causing her to squint. He removes the tape from her mouth and loosens the chains to allow her to eat.
Emma didn't want to try and reason with this man. He had abducted her to be his slave and surrogate in the middle of the night, but he did have a family. Surely, he would understand her desperation to get back to her own son.
Emma finds more food than before as well as ice water and ice packs.
"They're for your throat," Arthur says quietly, sitting on the crate again, watching her. "You'll probably have some bruising from it. This should keep the swelling down."
Emma is stunned, it's as if he's trying to make it up to her for what he's done by giving her ice packs for an injury he caused. It hurts for her to breathe and it hurts to swallow the food, nevertheless, she eats what she can.
"I sometimes lose control, especially when someone insults my children," Arthur says quietly.
"So trying to silence me permanently helps with that?" Emma wheezes angrily.
Arthur shakes his head. "I have no excuse," he says.
"No, you don't," Emma says. She wants to shout obscenities at him, but she doesn't need him breaking her neck.
"I was out of line and I should be treating you better."
"Right, like how you treat all your sex slaves."
Arthur ignores her comment. "You don't know what it's like to be me."
"No, I don't, I'm not some messed up psychopath who wants to impregnate an abducted woman."
"I'm not a psychopath," Arthur says through gritted teeth.
"You sure act like one," Emma mutters.
Arthur cracks his knuckles and stays silent.
"Is there a bathroom in this hellhole?" Emma asks, thinking if there's a window in it and she's out of his sight for awhile, she might be able to think of an escape.
Once Emma is done and drinks the water, he unchains her and leads her into the darker part of his workshop, to an area with a door. Inside is a toilet, sink, and shower. He shuts the door and waits outside of it in case she tries to run.
Alone, Emma scans the bathroom and to her despair, there is no window, it's just a room carved out of concrete. Emma feels the need to cry again. She sits on the toilet and sobs a little bit longer.
"You can have a shower if you want," Arthur's voice says from the other side of the door. "There are towels under the sink."
Emma doesn't want to do anything, but a hot shower might be good for her. She uses the bathroom and then turns on the hot water. She steps into it.
The hot water on her bare skin feels soothing in a way, despite the handcuffs and chains on her ankles. She feels almost at home again and it was a relief to wash the sweat and dirt she's covered in. She uses a bar of soap to clean herself up as best she can, but she still can't wash off what he's done to her. She knew she never would be able to. She just wants to stay in the shower forever, away from him and this nightmare. The water did a good job of masking her tears.
Eventually, the man bangs on the door telling her to finish up. Reluctantly, Emma dries herself and as she gets back into the clothing she's been wearing, she looks at herself in the mirror.
She can't recognize the person anymore. Her eyes are bloodshot, her hair, limp and almost colourless. Her skin is pale, her body thin and shaking and there are bruises on her neck, as well as other places on her body. Emma can feel more tears burning her eyes. She was a prisoner and she was almost wasting away. This man was destroying every aspect of her life, slowly but surely.
Emma slowly walks out and the man grabs the chains around her hands again to prevent her from trying to run. He leads her back to the bed and re-chains her up, Emma crying silently as he does so. The man had no remorse for what he was doing. Of course, he was a psychopath, twisted and demented. And yet, he had some humanity, he had a family and he wanted a child from her. Emma decides to try reasoning.
"Please," Emma begs, quietly. "I have a son at home."
"So do I," the man responds.
"Aren't you worried about what he'll think of you when he figures out what you're doing?" Emma asks.
The man frowns at her and his face flushes red. Emma winces as if waiting for him to attack her again. Instead, he reapplies the tape.
"Try not to make noise," he says grimly. "I'd hate to hurt you, especially when you'll be carrying my baby."
He shuts the light off and heads upstairs.
…
Later that night, Arthur is watching TV while Gwen puts the children to bed. When she comes down, they talk about their day. She curls up next to him on the couch.
"Anything happen?" she asks.
"Nothing," Arthur says. He gives his wife a small hug and she lays her head in his lap.
Then a news story flashes on the screen.
A female reporter sits at a desk, reading the teleprompter. "Breaking News, a young woman, by the name of Emma Swan was abducted last Friday night at a bar while out partying with her friends."
An image of Arthur's prisoner flashes on the screen.
"Friends ae extremely worried about her well-being and know for certain that she would not leave her life completely. Lieutenant David Nolan of the Boston Police Department is in charge of the case and had this to say."
A news video of a brown-haired police officer appears as he speaks to a reporter.
"We are doing everything we can to bring her home safe and sound. Most of the Boston Police Department is tracking down any possible leads and would like to let Emma know that we are looking for her."
A reporter at a desk re-appears. "According to Lieutenant Nolan, Emma Swan works in the police department and is a trusted member of their community. Commissioner Gold has declined to comment at the moment, but many of Miss Swan's friends are desperate to find her and are willing to make statements and offer rewards if it will bring her home."
A video of a girl with dyed red hair comes on screen. The caption Ruby Lucas, a friend, and witness is next to it.
"Please, can someone just come forward. Emma has a life and family of her own and she doesn't deserve whatever's happened. So please, if you know something, call the police."
"One of Emma Swan's most trusted friends gave an emotional plea for her friend's life."
A woman with short dark hair and tears in her eyes stands in front of the camera, tears in her hazel eyes. The caption reads Mary Margret Nolan, a friend. A young boy whom Arthur recognizes from the photo from Emma's wallet stands next to her and the man, Killian stands in the background, both looking depressed.
"I don't know what kind of monster would abduct an innocent mother. Emma's had a hard enough life as it is and she doesn't deserve this. She has a son and a life of her own and she's not just some runaway. She has people who love her and want her to be brought home. Emma if you're out there, please know that we love you and we will find you."
The mic then moves to the son, who's on the verge of crying himself. It reads Henry Swan-Cassidy, son.
"Please don't hurt my mom. We'll do anything to get her back. Mom, I love you. Please don't give up." He then leans into Mary Margret.
The story the goes back to the reporter. "There is a chance to help look for Miss Swan as search parties are being organized as we speak. Miss Swan is described as 5 foot 4, with blonde hair, green eyes and was last seen wearing a dark blue dress in a downtown Boston bar called The Goodluck Chuck Wagon. If you have any information, please contact the Boston Police Department." The contact number flashes on the screen.
"Isn't that sad?" Gwen says from Arthur's lap.
Arthur looks down at his wife and nods.
"I hope they find her soon, no kid deserves to lose their mother."
Thank you, readers. Please follow and review. Thanks to luvfordelena and all your comments. Please keep in mind that as the semester goes on, I might not be able to update every day.