by Paula Nicole
Alec smiled, quickly giving him a silent toast before taking his first sip. “So,” he began. “You are really marrying Lindsey?”
“Of course,” Kyle snapped back, his eyes suddenly narrowing.
“I am only saying that it may be too soon,” Alec said softly. He watched Kyle carefully, trying hard not to upset him again. “She only moved in recently.”
Kyle turned away from Alec, his hands tightening into strong fists. He closed his eyes, sucking in a deep breath. “Well, thankfully, Alec, it is not up to you when I decide to marry my Lindsey.” His voice was cold and sharp.
“Just do not to anything you would regret,” Alec murmured, deciding it was a lost war to fight Kyle. “But,” he said. “I think you should loosen your hold on her.”
“Loosen my hold?” Kyle smirked. He lifted a hand to his forehead, massaging himself gently as he gave a light chuckle. “Now why would I do that Alec? I have been nothing but lenient.”
“Perhaps you should do something to show her she isn’t a prisoner?” Alec suggested in a low voice.
“A prisoner Alec?” Kyle laughed, shaking his head slowly.
“You haven’t let her outside since she got here,” Alec pointed out honestly. “So, of course she will get the impression she is a prisoner. Then she’ll want to escape.”
“Hmmm,” Kyle mused. The room was silent for a moment and in this moment Kyle pondered how he could appease his Lindsey. “I’ll take her a walk today,” he decided quickly.
Alec smiled softly and gave a gentle nod in approval. “I am sure she would appreciate it,” he told Kyle.
“She had better,” Kyle mumbled. He carefully got to his feet, dusted himself off and then headed for the hallway. “Lindsey!” He called upstairs. “Put on a coat and a flat pair of shoes!”
Upstairs, Lindsey looked to Lynn, confusion flashing in both of their faces. “It appears Kyle is taking you outside,” Lynn finally whispered.
Lindsey got up from the chair and politely thanked Lynn for her time, even if it was being wasted on a wedding Lindsey planned would never happen. She went to leave the room, but Lynn’s voice halted her.
“Don’t try anything Lindsey,” she warned firmly.
Slowly, Lindsey turned to Lynn, forcing a small smile. “I won’t,” she said quietly.
“Good,” Lynn nodded sharply. “Because you would regret it.”
Lindsey left the room, a little shaken by what Lynn had told her. She had said it so strongly; there was not a hint of a joke in her cruel green eyes. Lynn was really warning Lindsey. Yet Lindsey couldn’t miss this chance. As she put on a long cream coat and slipped on a pair of black gloves, she knew this would be her only chance to get away. If she didn’t she would have to marry Kyle.
She had to escape.
Lindsey watched with anticipation as Kyle turned the keys on the lock of the front door. She bit down on her bottom lips, resisting the overwhelming urge to run when the light of day poured over her. She ignored the twitching in her legs, tried to conceal her fast, beating heart and looked up at Kyle, smiling softly.
He smiled back at her, extending his pale hand to her. She took it happily, secretly celebrating that it would be the last time she had to touch the manipulative monster. Soon she would be free.
Together, they ventured out into the cold crisp air of winter and headed down the dusty, old courtyard. For now Lindsey stuck close to Kyle, keeping up with his fast pace as they made their way to the gates.
“The ring looks even more beautiful on your finger,” Kyle told her very softly.
Lindsey smiled and quietly thanked him.
Kyle smiled in return, wrapping an arm around his bride. He looked around before opening the gate, allowing Lindsey to pass through first. He followed her out, catching her hand again before she could get much further.
Lindsey was careful, she knew Kyle was fast and that there was nowhere for miles around. She looked to the road, silently praying a car would drive on by. Then she glimpsed at the forest, wondering if she could hide in there.
“I love you Lindsey,” Kyle spoke gently.
Lindsey’s attention was pulled away for a moment, falling upon her abductor. She managed a smile, but she could not say she loved him. Even if she could lie like that, the words would burn her. She just couldn’t.
“We’ll have a beautiful life together,” he said to her dreamily. “We can start a family, Lindsey.”
Lindsey gulped deeply, trying to hide her fear.
“But there is more to this Lindsey; I didn’t just take you for love,” Kyle went on quietly. “And I’m not just marrying you because I want you to be mine.”
Surprised, Lindsey stared at him in awe, her eyes wide and full. She waited for him to speak again, but Kyle paused. There was a gentle purring sound coming from behind them, and it grew louder and louder with time, until Lindsey registered what it was.
It was a car.
Her body jumped into motion as if struck by an electric current. Time seemed to slow down around her as Lindsey’s legs behind to move swiftly. She pulled herself away from Kyle and a loud scream propelled from her throat as air rushed past them. She ran after the car, words finally forming amongst her screams and cries of both fear and joy.
“Help!”
She kept running, aware that Kyle was fast approaching. His muscular legs sprinted, his eyes blazing with an anger even he couldn’t suppress.
Lindsey didn’t dare look behind her.
“Help!”
The car continued to speed before her, the blackened windows giving nothing about the passenger away. Surly they had seen her! Her thoughts were becoming desperate, her legs were becoming tired. Her thoughts were chaotic and when Lindsey heard Kyle’s voice her panic rose.
“Get back here Lindsey!” Kyle screamed from behind her.
But Lindsey would not give up.
She fought on, pushing her body like never before. She tried to ignore the sudden pain shooting up her legs and sides, trying to keep ahead of Kyle as she raced for her life.
But a great pain struck her head without warning, a pain like never before. Suddenly, Lindsey felt her world spinning and before she could react she was on her way to the cold, hard ground. Her thoughts left her. Motionless, Lindsey concentrated on breathing. But each breath was becoming harder for her to grasp.
Lindsey had failed. She would never be free.
She swallowed painfully as she heard Kyle’s footsteps slowly approaching her. In one last attempt, Lindsey tried to push herself up off the floor, but Kyle pressed his boot onto her back, pushing her back down.
Kyle chuckled darkly, tutting mockingly as he leant down, roughly taking her face into his hand, forcing her to look up at him.
“Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey,” he crooned sadly. “What am I to do with you?”
She was silent.
“I trusted you Lindsey,” Kyle growled. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
“P-please,” she spluttered. Her world was fading. Lindsey couldn’t fight how dizzy and tired she felt.
“Please?!” Kyle laughed.
He scooped her limp body into his strong arms, throwing her effortlessly over his shoulder. Lindsey gave little protest and soon her sobbing and begging slipped into silence. Kyle continued on, humming quietly as he entered their home. He vowed then he would never give her a second chance to escape him; she was his.
Chapter Fourteen
A strange, pungent odour slowly beckoned Lindsey from a deep, foggy sleep. Pain rang through her body, making her grip her head. She let out a quiet groan, wishing she had no woken up. But the pain in her head was not her biggest problem; when Lindsey looked around she saw she was confined to the bedroom, tied down to the bed with ropes. She tugged on her bindings, only to find her wrists were already red raw and sore. Kyle had obviously not been gentle when tying her up, which made Lindsey fear what was to come.
He was going to be furious.
Lindsey closed her eye
s again, letting out a quiet sigh of despair. She had not only failed to escape Kyle, but she had made things far worse. Now she would never be able to escape, and now Kyle would treat her horribly. Maybe he would lock her up in the coffin or beat her like when he hit Lynn.
“Ah, you are awake,” came a gentle voice.
Lindsey looked towards the door, spotting Alec, who was watching her with concern. She looked away, realising what this meant. Alec had always known Lindsey was Kyle’s prisoner.
“What do you want?” Lindsey hissed. “You’ve not come to free me, I take it?”
Alec smiled softly, slowly making his way to her bedside. He stared at her bindings, cringing when he saw her wrists. They would bruise for sure.
“Lindsey,” Alec said tenderly. “You shouldn’t have tried to escape.”
“I did warn her,” another voice interrupted.
Lynn entered the room, swaying her hips in a model fashion as she approached. She stared down at Lindsey, smiling unpleasantly. “You ruined all that make-up,” she commented heartlessly. “It’s all down your face and now I’ll have to wipe it all off for you.”
“Lynn,” Alec sighed. He turned to her, gesturing to the door. “You’d better hurry because I am going to take Lindsey down for dinner.”
“Ah,” Lynn said, suddenly grinning. “The very special dinner?”
Alec nodded slowly.
“Alright then,” Lynn beamed, leaving the room as quickly as she appeared. She returned seconds later, only to give Alec a wipe to take Lindsey’s ruined make-up off with. “You’d better not keep Kyle waiting, he’s in a foul mood now. If you don’t hurry it won’t just be your job you lose,” Lynn advised Alec before she disappeared again.
Then it was just Alec and Lindsey.
He began to take her make-up off, gently wiping away the long black tear strains down her pale face.
“Please,” Lindsey whispered.
Her wet eyes caught Alec. He was enchanted by how they sparkled with her fresh tears.
“Help me Alec,” she begged quietly. “I can make it worth your while. I’ll give you what they’re paying you. I’ll give you more.”
He looked away, recoiling. Lindsey knew she must look pathetic, but for her freedom she was desperate.
“I do not need anything Lindsey, not from you,” he said very quietly.
Hope flickered in Lindsey’s wet, blue eyes.
“But you must be patient,” Alec told her firmly. “And do what Kyle tells you until then. Understand?”
Alec placed the make-up wipe on the bedside cabinet and turned his attention to her bindings, cautiously untying her hands then ankles, trying his best not to hurt her. But Lindsey did not care about the pain, not now Alec had promised to help her escape.
He stood back, watching as Lindsey attempted to get up. She did not last long. Alec scooped her into his arms and carried her from the room himself.
“He must have hit you harder than I thought,” he frowned. “Do you still feel nauseous?”
Lindsey nodded lightly. “But I’ll live,” she assured him. “As long as you swear to me you will be true to your word, Alec.”
Lindsey watched Alec’s eyes shift slightly, as if he was considering now the danger he faced if he tried to free her from Kyle’s clutches, but he gave a nod still and smiled.
“I swear,” he assured her quietly. “Just don’t do anything stupid in the main time.”
A wide grin crawled over Lindsey’s face and for a moment hope made her world bright again. But as they reached the kitchen that hope faded away, replaced by shock as Lindsey realised what the terrible smell was.
Kyle addressed Lindsey with an exaggerated grin. He threw his hands in the air, gesturing to the two plates on the table.
“Ah!” He cried happily. “Glad to see you decided to join us!”
Lindsey looked away, burying her face in Alec’s chest, which only made Kyle laugh.
“You can’t hide from me Lindsey, and you can’t run,” Kyle smirked as he stormed towards them.
Lindsey felt her body being passed from Alec’s strong, secure arms into Kyle’s. He paced over to the table, plopping her down carelessly into a chair. He then went to his own chair where he sat and watched her reaction to what he had made for her.
She almost choked as she looked down at the meat pie on her plate; it bled a thick meaty sauce and steam escaped from the top. It was slightly burnt, thanks to the amount of minced meat that was forced into the thin pastry. The pie looked like it was ready to burst.
Lindsey bit down on her tongue, looking up at Kyle in confusion. He knew she was a vegetarian.
“K-Kyle,” Lindsey stammered weakly.
“I made it just for you, my Flower,” Kyle sneered. “So eat up.”
“But Kyle,” Lindsey tried again. But it was hard for her to speak with such a dry throat and she was trying her best not to be sick. “I am a vegetarian…Please…”
“I said, eat, Lindsey,” Kyle growled in a low voice. “You eat this, or I’ll put it in the blender and make you drink it!”
Lindsey knew then that this was her punishment for trying to run away. The man knew everything about her; he had been watching her for God knows how long. He knew all her weakness and exactly how to manipulate them. Now he was using them to punish her. Kyle was showing that he had complete control over Lindsey, even down to what she ate.
She looked down at the pie again then back up to Kyle. He had picked up his knife and fork and was pointing the knife at her. “Do I need to convince you Lindsey?” He asked darkly. “I could put you in that coffin and see how spirited you are then.”
Lindsey looked around the room, her pleading eyes searching for Alec, but he was no longer there. She would have to fight her own battle.
Kyle got up from his seat and strode confidently to her side. Suddenly his sharp knife was at Lindsey’s delicate throat and his hand grabbed hers.
“Eat up my love, or I will make you,” he hissed into her ear.
“Please Kyle,” Lindsey whimpered as she watched his hand take her fork. He stabbed it into the pie, picking out a large chunk of meat which was a dark pinkish colour. Was it even cooked enough?
“I won’t run away again,” she promised him.
“I know you won’t,” Kyle answered arrogantly. He lifted the meat to her lips, pushing it against her. “Now eat or today will become even worse for you!”
Lindsey obeyed.
Grudgingly, she chewed. The foreign texture made her want to gag and the juices it exerted made her want to spit it out. But she swallowed, making Kyle snigger.
Lindsey cast him a hateful look, wishing him dead. But Kyle’s grin did not die upon his lips. He continued to watch her closely, making Lindsey more frustrated. Lindsey had always thought that bad people would be punished, and in her life they normally were, but not now. The man who stood before her was evil itself and in good health. It was Lindsey who was being punished now.
“Good girl,” Kyle praised condescendingly.
Lindsey glared as she ate.
Kyle gathered more onto Lindsey’s fork and continued the torture until the entire pie was gone. Only then did Kyle allow Lindsey to leave for the bathroom, where she was sick.
When Lindsey finally emerged from the bathroom, Kyle stood by the door with a tissue in one hand. He willingly gave it over to her and watched with a smug smile as she wiped her lips.
“I suggest you get some sleep, my love,” he said to her. “You’ll feel better in the morning and perhaps we can put this incident behind us, start a fresh.”
Lindsey did not reply. She headed for the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She wished she could lock it and keep out the dark world she had found herself in. But Lindsey had to fight these demons now, she couldn’t snub them.
Feeling weary, she retired to the bed in her clothes and wrapped herself in the covers. Within moments her head was on the plump pillow and her eyes were flickering shut. Sleep was here to take her
away to her own personal sanctuary and Lindsey didn’t dare fight it. But even in her dreams she could not escape evil.
Chapter Fifteen
A gentle breeze toyed with Lindsey’s long locks of hair, tossing them lightly within their invisible fingers before gently placing the hair amongst the long, lush strands of grass. Lindsey lay in the jungle of grass, hidden amongst the purple flowers, which were in full bloom. Their sweet scents calmed Lindsey, making her sigh deeply with content. She hadn’t been so relaxed in so long.
Quiet music lulled over the innocent field. Slowly Lindsey sat up, finding that all her aches and pains had melted away. She smiled softly, running her fingers through her hair as she got to her feet. Looking around, all she could see around the field was more fields full of different coloured flowers and the bright blue sky, which seemed to be never ending. Small white butterflies rested on a great willow tree. Their little wings flickered gently in the sun, flashing like little lights.
Lindsey’s wide eyes rested upon the small stream which ran through the middle of the field, dividing it into two. On the other side Lindsey spotted a small wooden hut covered in vines sprouting white and purple flowers. A lone rocking chair sat nearby, silently moving in the light wind. But Lindsey could not find the source of the music.
There was a shaded forest to the left of the field, the only forest in sight. As Lindsey drew closer, she realised the music was not coming from the forest, but the hut. She made her way towards the hut, deciding to keep away from the forest.
Carefully, she pulled back the door of the small, wooden hut, revealing an empty interior. She frowned slightly, wondering now if the music was real or not. As she turned around she realised that she was no longer alone. A man stood before her, dressed in a white suit. But his hair was long and black as charcoal, his eyes were like mismatched orbs, one striking blue, the other ember and bright like a fire.