"Do you think people are still looking for me?" Mal asked the painting in front of her. It had been just under three months since she was taken on her way to the bus stop. She had heard stories of the notorious killer Benjamin but she had her head in a fantasy world.
"Do you want them to be?" Mal dropped her paintbrush at his voice. She felt a shiver down her spine at his voice.
"I-I…" Mal stuttered. Benjamin had been nothing but attentive to her, but she knew who he was. She had heard the police briefings. She listened to the news anchors. She researched on her own.
Benjamin chuckled at her wide eyed expression. "They are still looking. It's only three months, you know?" He sounded reassuring, but Mal didn't trust him. "What are you thinking about for dinner?"
Everyday Benjamin asked her what she wanted to eat. He asked her if she had enough supplies. He asked her if she wanted to watch a movie or read a book. He offered her everything except her freedom.
"Two months and twenty-six days." Mal muttered under her breath. She counted her days down. Three months was the timeframe Benjamin had each victim. His last victim was found four days before she was abducted.
"Excuse me?" Benjamin cocked his head to the side with a smile. "I couldn't hear your mumbling."
Mal blushed. She wasn't sure if it was from fear or embarrassment. "Nothing," she didn't meet his eyes.
"Okay," He never pushed her. "I was thinking about getting take out from The Cheesecake Factory. I could get you a piece of strawberry cheesecake?" He smiled at her.
"What happens if the police catch you?" She wanted to ask what happens to her if he is arrested. Would he give up her location? Would he call a friend to finish what he couldn't from inside a jail cell?
"They have no leads on what I look like." His eyes twinkled with mischief that made Mal's heart flutter in fear. "I'm flattered that you are worried about me."
Mal felt the anger rip through her chest. "Worried about you?" She spat out the words before she had time to stop herself. Her eyes widened in fear once her brain caught up with her words.
"Someone has a bite in her personality finally." Benjamin just chuckled. "I knew I picked the right one."
Mal felt the nausea at his words. It wasn't the first time he mentioned picking her. The police still struggled to find a connection to each of his victims, but he clearly had a reason for each. "Why did you pick me?" She blamed her lack of filter on knowing she only had four days left.
"Why do you pick a flower you love?" He shrugged. "You pick your favorite so you can take it home and admire it."
Mal felt the chill in her bones. "You are going to kill me because I am beautiful?"
"Kill you?" Benjamin laughed. "I'm not going to kill you. I just wanted a friend." He shrugged as it was the most obvious answer in the world.
Should I continue? Thank you for your feedback!