Chapter 4
Chapter four
Madelyn
His words should scare me, but would that do in the grand scheme of things?
Nothing for me and everything for him. Men like him thrive on frightened emotions.
Sometimes it is hard to keep my mind straight; I’ll admit.
When he chased me, fear threatened to take over.
But to my surprise, something else did too.
That emotion I won’t confess to so freely.
A whirling sound breaks the silence between us.
Lights shine against the clouds, and then a helicopter moves.
The stranger peers up at the sky, cursing under his breath.
I feel a tug against the collar of my shirt as his hand wraps around the fabric.
“Get the door unlocked before I break the window,” he growls.
His other hand slips into his pocket and produces my keys.
I snatch them, grateful to have them back in my possession.
The lock clicks open just as the helicopter changes course in our direction.
He pulls me inside and slams the door shut.
“They are looking for you, I’m assuming.
” I say more of a statement than a question.
Long-forgotten memories of a prison come to my mind.
I never travel that way except when I bought this place.
About two miles down the road is a correctional facility responsible for rehabilitating those who pose little to no risk to the public.
Obviously, something very wrong happened if this man ended up there and got loose.
“They better hope they don’t find me,” he says while walking further into the cabin.
I follow him while watching his movements. His statement makes me realize I was right. He came from there. “That place is for low-risk prisoners. How did you get a placement?”
He pokes at the fire, stirring up ashes. The flames have died out, leaving small embers behind. His eyes meet mine. “I kissed a lot of asses.”
“Figuratively?”
He shrugs. “Mostly. My psychologist was most fond of me.”
I swallow. Was. “And what’s happened to her if you are now here?”
“Dead.” He moves away from the fireplace to get closer to me.
His arms extend toward my face as a slow smile emerges from his lips.
“So, if you don’t want to be added to my corpse collection, here’s what’s going to happen.
” A finger runs along my jawline. “When the cops show up and ask you if you’ve seen an escaped convict, you’re going to say nothing.
If a single slip escapes your mouth, it will be the last thing you’ll ever say.
I have got nothing to lose, love. But I have everything to gain.
” His finger slides down to my neck, traveling lower until it reaches my chest. My heart beats loudly against my ribs at his words.
At the way he touches me. “You understand?”
I nod, going along with him. There is a part of me that is afraid, but another part that would rather just die and get it over with.
I’m just tired of being in a constant state of emotional upheaval.
My stepfather chose another option, and that is one I simply can not live with anymore.
He played with me until I broke free, only to haunt me.
I refuse to have another man do the same. At least if he killed me, I’d be free.
“The cabin is far from the road,” I mumble. “The cops won’t come here looking for a body or you.”
His hand moves to my lower stomach before stopping at my upper thigh.
My muscles tighten around him as I try to take a few steps back.
He grips my leg harder to keep it from moving.
“They would be stupid not to check. This is the first place they should look. Secluded shelter. It’s been on my mind for about years. ”
“If you knew it was the first place the cops would look, why even bother coming here at all?”
As the helicopter moves away from the property, its whirring sound fades. The stranger looks up as if trying to decide which way the helicopter will go. “The cabin was phase one of a very lengthy process. I never intended to stay long. The only thing that has changed is that I’ve gained you.”
I open my mouth to ask for how long, but he interrupts my attempt. “No more questions. You need to get cleaned up in case the police come knocking. We can’t have you with blood all over your face, can we?” He lets go of my leg and motions around the cabin. “Show me where the bathroom is.”
The cabin holds one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen with laundry, and a small den.
There is electricity, all thanks to the previous owners.
The internet is spotty at best, but the satellite cable works, so it’s not all bad.
The bathroom has an old claw-foot tub with a shower, one sink, and one toilet.
Nothing fancy. My bedroom is only big enough for a full-size bed and a wardrobe.
The kitchen is big enough to make a meal.
No more. No less. One couch, a TV, a bookcase, and the fireplace take up the den.
“The bathroom would be the door to your left,” I say. My body stays planted to the floor. He will not follow me in there. I can’t take a chance of him boxing me in with no escape.
“Come on then,” he orders as he stands behind me. “Be a good girl and do what you are told.”
I freeze at his words. A sudden dizziness takes hold in response to that phrase.
Be a good girl. Do what you are told. The same thing my stepfather said right after drugging me.
I force myself to breathe shallow breaths.
Fingers click in front of my eyes, jolting me back to the present. “I said…” he repeats himself.
“I know what you said,” I whisper. “Don’t say it.”
He laughs, obviously not giving one flying fuck about what he just caused.
I walk forward and enter the bathroom, my feet swaying. I fight down the urge to throw up as Oliver’s voice still plays inside my head. The door swings, and I almost keep him out except for his boot that makes a gap of space between us.
He peeks his head in just as the sirens blare out in the distance. My stomach turns hearing the sound. What if I say something wrong and get us both killed?
“Get a grip and wash your face. Let me see that fake smile, girl. They are on the way.”