by Paula Nicole
Lindsey stared at the man for a long time before she realised he held the source of the music in his hands. It was a music box.
He stretched out his arms in silence, offering the blue, velvet box to Lindsey. She accepted, but was still in awe of the man before her. She tried to speak, but her words died upon her trembling lips.
The man gazed into her eyes, as if trying to read into her very soul. A slow, gentle smile curved his soft, pink lips and he gave a light laugh.
Suddenly the music stopped and the wind seemed to still. Their eyes were locked onto one another’s and for that time nothing else seemed to matter.
“Lindsey,” the man finally spoke.
His voice was as soft as smooth silk. Her name sounded beautiful upon his lips and when he said her name again Lindsey’s skin erupted with goosebumps. She just wanted to reach out and brush her fingers cross his perfect skin, but she could not move.
Suddenly the man began to move, gradually turning away from Lindsey and as he turned Lindsey realised that his shadow was not normal; it circled him, enclosing him like a swirling mist.
Lindsey gasped aloud, moving backwards so fast that she fell back and as she fell the world around her tore away like paper. Then all that was left was darkness, and the soft cooing of the man’s voice.
“Lindsey…Lindsey…”
That voice would haunt her for years to come.
Abruptly, Lindsey sat upright, her eyes flying open. She looked around the room, feeling suddenly dizzy by her efforts to sit up. She rested her hand on her forehead, sighing loudly as she lowered herself onto the bed. Her eyes closed over again and she wished she was safe at home. Normally after such a nightmare she could get up and have a hot chocolate or curl up with some gentle music in the background. But here, all she could do was cry quietly.
“There, there,” a familiar voice said soothingly.
Lindsey’s eyes flickered open and she rolled over, finding Kyle lying beside her. His arms pulled her close, holding her tightly.
“You are safe now,” Kyle smiled as he breathed in the scent of her hair. “No more nightmares.”
And for a moment Lindsey’s senses lulled into a false sense of security; she felt relaxed and calm, almost safe. She was enveloped in his warmth, comforted by the steady beat of his heart.
“I love you,” he whispered into her ear tenderly.
Reality crashed back down on Lindsey. She knew she was not safe with Kyle and that as long as she was in his clutches the nightmares would never stop. A chill crept upon her, making her feel the true extent of her fear. Her head began to lightly thump, reminding her of the blow to the head she had taken earlier.
“You actually thought you could escape,” Kyle stated.
Lindsey didn’t need to see him to know he was wearing that all too familiar smirk and it made her blood run cold, like ice slowly slipping through her veins.
“I don’t know why you resist me Lindsey, you could have it so much worse,” he went on quietly. “I don’t want to hurt you, my Flower. I just want you to be mine.”
“You have a strange way of showing that, Kyle,” Lindsey replied bitterly. “Maybe if you would have just talked to me like a normal person you would have had a chance at my affections…But I’m not that naive, I can tell a psychopath from a charmer.”
“A psychopath you say?” He sniggered.
Lindsey bit down on her lip, wishing she hadn’t spoken. But it was too late to pull back her words; Kyle was already on the move.
He threw himself on top of Lindsey and pinned her down, straddling her even when she cried and struggled below him. Kyle was far stronger than Lindsey; her struggle was a waste of energy and fruitless.
Menacing, he leaned down, his forehead pressed against hers roughly. “You want a psychopath Lindsey?” He growled hatefully. “Then I’ll give you one!”
“Please Kyle,” she begged desperately. Lindsey had stopped writhing and set her heart upon melting the ice around Kyle’s. “Don’t do this; you don’t need to prove anything.”
“But I am a psychopath Lindsey!” Kyle laughed manically. “I don’t care what you think or want; only what I desire. And I desire you.”
She cried out her protests, but Kyle’s hand clamped over her mouth, silencing her immediately. They were still, both waiting on each other’s reaction in the darkness of the room. It was Kyle that made the first move.
“I could claim you if I wanted to, force you right now and you couldn’t do anything.” He paused, slowly considering his words, secretly hoping to frighten her. “I could rape you, Lindsey.”
She let out a muffled scream of terror, closing her legs tightly together. But Kyle remained still.
“But I won’t…I can’t,” he murmured.
Lindsey froze, her eyes wet with tears.
“I really love you, Lindsey,” Kyle whispered. “And in time you will understand how important you are to me.”
Lindsey closed her eyes tightly, whimpering as Kyle climbed off her body and took his place beside her. He pulled her close again, wrapping his strong, muscular arms around her. “Night, Lindsey,” he said quietly.
She did not reply.
Chapter Sixteen
Morning came too soon for Lindsey. And when she woke she was still enveloped in her captor’s possessive arms. With a frown she wondered if she would ever escape his grasp, if she would ever savour the sweet taste of freedom again. Surly her fate was greater than being a prisoner for all her life? There had to be more; Lindsey craved more.
Kyle stirred quietly, making a light, happy sigh as he felt Lindsey in his arms. Lindsey kept quiet, wishing he would fall back asleep so she didn’t have to face another day spent shackled to him.
Unfortunately, as soon as Kyle laid his electric blue eyes on Lindsey he was wide awake and running his fingers through her long, dark hair.
“Morning, my love,” he greeted in a gentle coo.
Lindsey gave a small nod in reply.
Kyle smiled, rolling his eyes slightly as Lindsey tried to put some distance in between them. But her attempt was futile and as soon as the distance was made, Kyle quickly closed the space, moving his body up against hers.
“Now what should I do with you today?” He smirked.
Lindsey closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. How she wished she was somewhere else, anywhere else. But no matter how hard she tried, every time she opened up her eyes all she saw was Kyle staring back at her, wearing that smug smile.
“You have not tried on your dress yet,” he pointed out quietly.
Lindsey gulped deeply, trying to keep calm, but her heart rate continued to soar until she felt as if it may stop beating completely. And then she forced out her response, almost choking on her words as she did so.
“I don’t want to.”
She sounded like a spoiled child to Kyle and Lindsey could see his pupils begin to blacken out his eyes as his eyebrows rose, challenging her to say it again.
“I want you to,” he replied tensely.
Lindsey watched as his teeth ground together. He looked like the mad man who had hit her over the back of her head the day before. It was clear Kyle was becoming impatient. He was tiring of Lindsey’s reluctance to play his game.
But Lindsey would hold her ground.
“I will not marry you Kyle,” Lindsey protested quietly. Her eyes were stuck on his, meeting his blistering gaze. “I don’t want to be here, chained to you for my life. And you can’t make me.”
A sudden laugh erupted from Kyle’s throat and he swiftly made his move, pouncing onto his unwilling bride.
“I can convince you,” he hissed, his face coming down onto hers until they foreheads were crushed together. “I could torture you Lindsey, make you submit.”
This time Lindsey did not close her eyes. She faced him, her wet eyes wide and full of determination.
“I would rather die,” she snarled in response. “Who would want to spend their life bound to a demon?”
&nb
sp; “A ‘demon’?” Kyle sniggered. “Make up your mind, my love! Am I a demon or a psychopath?”
“You are both,” Lindsey sneered hatefully. “You disgust me!”
Kyle laughed mockingly and unexpectedly got up, leaving Lindsey alone on the bed. He turned away from her, grabbing his trousers from the floor. Lindsey watched as he slipped into them, quickly doing up his leather belt. He did not look back at her; Lindsey had pushed him and now even Kyle feared what he would do to her to make her obey him.
“You’re trying my patience, Lindsey,” he murmured, with his back to her still. “Lynn will come and help you into your dress, which you will wear when we marry. Then we’re going to have a talk about your attitude recently. I won’t tolerate it.”
And then he was gone, leaving Lindsey with that long lasting icy look. Her pale arms wrapped around her torso, cradling tightly. She got out of the bed slowly, feeling unsteady on her feet at first. It was only then she felt the tears dripping down her cheeks.
As if she were listening to the entire conversation, Lynn burst into the room with a determined face, striding towards the bed where she lay out the wedding dress as swiftly as she could. She turned to Lindsey, her eyes big and wild as she addressed her.
“Kyle wants you to try on the dress, now,” she spoke quickly.
Lindsey backed away, her heart set upon the open door. Lynn did not try and stop her, but as soon as Lindsey crossed the threshold strong arms pushed her roughly back into the room. Shocked and sore, Lindsey looked up, meeting Kyle’s blazing eyes. He did not have to say anything. By the time he had left the room Lindsey was stood beside her dress, trailing her fingers up and down the fabric.
“You had better hurry,” Lynn murmured as she closed the door behind Kyle.
Lindsey hoped he wouldn’t return with that cold air again. Then she looked to the dress, frowning lightly.
“It’s no time to contemplate your fate, Lindsey, because you know it already,” Lynn piped up again, this time sounding agitated. “You will marry Kyle.”
Lindsey shook her head slowly, biting down upon her bottom lip. All she wanted to do was scream, but she didn’t; she knew her protests would go unheard. And so, once Lynn had turned away, Lindsey stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the wedding dress. The fabric was smooth; it caressed her, strangling her in its tight folds.
Lynn came over to tie up the corset of the dress and she tied it as tight as she possibly could. Lindsey held her breath, trying not to glance around at the mirror nearby. She didn’t want to see herself in Kyle’s wedding dress. It was bad enough feeling it on her skin.
Lynn stood back, her bright eyes searching for any fault. Finally she shook her head, smiling gently. “It’s perfect,” she informed Lindsey at last. “You can take it off now if you like.”
Lindsey smiled thankfully and without thinking she spun around, catching her reflection in the mirror. She froze, her feet rooted to the spot as she stared at the young bride gazing back at her. Lindsey couldn’t tear her eyes away. She looked over the dress, almost admiring how it flaunted her hourglass figure and glistened with the little diamonds on the corset bodice. It was beautiful. It was the kind of dress Lindsey would have chosen herself one day. Yet she still resented every second she spent inside it.
Snapping out of the trance, Lindsey turned herself away from the mirror, finding she was not alone in the room with her reflection. Without hesitation her fingers flew to the corset of the dress and desperately unlaced it, fumbling through each ribbon until she could safely step out of it and was free. She stared at the wedding dress, her stomach clenching with dread. Was this really to be her fate?
Suddenly anger grabbed Lindsey by her throat and for a moment she was hot and breathless. She took the white folds of the dress roughly into her hands and tugged and tore on the fabric. Crying in frustration, she realised the fabric was tougher than she thought; she couldn’t tear it.
Defeated, Lindsey threw the wedding dress onto the floor and in a flash of rage she stomped on it, before striding over to the wardrobe where she picked out a royal blue dress and boots. Her eyes focused on the door, knowing that someone lurked behind it and that there was no chance of escape, which only made her frustration grow.
As if on cue, there was a quiet rap at the door.
Stunned, Lindsey took a step backwards, her boots brushed against the wedding dress’s long skirts. She quickly scooped the dress into her arms and laid it out on the bed and by the time she was ready, the door was open, revealing a surprise guest.
“Alec,” Lindsey whispered.
His warm eyes flashed brightly, a soft smile stroked his lips. “Lindsey,” he spoke gently. “You look beautiful.”
She looked away, her long black eyelashes hiding her bright green eyes. She could tell Alec was watching her keenly, smirking playfully as she became shy and quiet, but his face soon dropped when he saw why she was so timid.
His eyes fell upon the wedding dress and for a spilt second he frowned, before quickly forcing a smile. “Your wedding dress,” he stated in a murmur.
Lindsey nodded lightly, biting down upon her full lower lip. She watched as Alec quietly made his way over to the dress.
“I don’t want to marry him,” Lindsey admitted.
Alec looked to her, studying her face carefully before he responded. “Lindsey,” he began, his voice serious and low. “I will get you out of here, if you want.”
Her eyes lit up with sparks of hope, her mouth dropped open. Alec swiftly strode towards her, taking her hands in his. He squeezed her lightly, letting his warm engulf her and only then did Alec realise just how fearful Kyle’s bride was; she was trembling.
“Please Alec, do not tease me,” Lindsey begged him in a whimper. “I want out of here; I need to go. But I won’t sit by and wait for some miracle rescue. If you are going to help me escape, please, do it now and do it for sure.”
Alec blinked slowly, taken back by Lindsey’s request. He turned away from Lindsey, but she managed to steal a glimpse of his grim face as his skin visibly paled. Lindsey’s heart sunk down, deep into her chest, and she heaved a heavy sigh.
“Keep out of trouble, Lindsey,” Alec murmured. He moved forwards, bound for the door, and Lindsey did not call him back. Instead she watched him leave her, silently distraught and afraid of what was to come for her.
What else could Lindsey do? Kyle always seemed to be a step ahead of her. After all, he had been watching her for a long time, too long. He knew the way she thought, the way she moved. It was as if he could read her mind. Lindsey cringed, holding her arms protectively. She felt her body trembling, her knees threatened to give way below her, but she stood strong.
Quietly, Lindsey left the room, abandoning her wedding dress on the bed. She didn’t dare look back; she never wished to see that costume again.
She continued down the hallway and stairs, finding the house was eerily silent. Lindsey looked around, but nothing dared to move. Confused, she walked briskly into the living room, to uncover a shocking site. Her breath grew still and her hand fly to her heart, clutching rigidly as she fought the urge to cry out.
Alec looked up at her, casting a satisfied smile as he lugged Kyle’s limp body up onto the sofa. He laid him there beside Lynn and swiftly began to wrap duct tape around her wrists and ankles.
“A-are they dead?” Lindsey whispered.
Alec was still smiling as he left the two bodies on the sofa. He approached Lindsey swiftly, seemingly unfazed by what he had done. He grabbed Lindsey’s arm and tugged her, trying to lead her towards the front door, but her feet were firmly rooted into the floor; she couldn’t move.
Her big, green eyes stared, unblinking as she considered that Kyle was dead. A flush of strange emotions crashed into her body, flooding her mind with so many thoughts. She cried out in frustration and tried to pull from Alec, but he held her tight, pulling her in close so he could hold her, cradle her.
“Oh Lindsey, oh innocent Lindsey. The
y are not dead,” he cooed into her ear as he ran his hand up and down her back, trying to comfort her. “Come on, let’s get you out of this place. You’ve been here too long.”
“Wait,” Lindsey said.
Alec let her go and she returned to Kyle’s side, pausing for a moment. Holding her breath, she quickly unclipped the necklace from around her neck and sat it on the coffee table. But Lindsey knew she had to leave every essence of Kyle behind. Slowly, she took hold of the silver ring around her finger and easily slipped it off, placing it into Kyle’s closed palm. Alec placed his hand onto her shoulder and managed a soft smile of encouragement.
This time Lindsey went willingly, but it didn’t register she was free until the pair were in Kyle’s car and driving out of the yard, leaving the house and its residents behind. Lindsey watched as it slowly disappeared from her sight, slowly she felt her heart begin to lift, the darkness around her began to fade.
She was free.
Chapter Seventeen
Alec’s eyes flickered back and forth, checking on Lindsey every few seconds. She was fast asleep; she was exhausted from the day’s events. But now she was free from Kyle, at least for the time being. Alec knew he should have killed Kyle and Lynn; it would have ended it there and then, but he couldn’t, not when he saw Lindsey standing there, her face pale and stretched with shock.
“Where are we going?” Lindsey’s tired voice asked, breaking the silence.
Alec glanced at her, smiling slightly. “I have a friend who is waiting for us,” he explained to her softly. “We will stay with them until further notice.”