My mouth was as dry as Sahara when I woke up with a throbbing headache. I was getting really sick of waking up like that. My lids felt heavy when I looked around me. Dread seeped into my veins when I found myself on a small twin size bed with pink blankets, a soft dim light from the gray ceiling, and an old, small desk in the corner. There was a heart-shaped pink mirror and some stuff lying on top of it.
I forced myself to remember what had happened, but my memories were hazy. Cillian and Caleb were talking downstairs while I was getting ready to take a relaxing bath in Cillianâs washroom. I remember turning around and being pushed into the cold tile with a chemical handkerchief covering my nose and mouth. I had panicked seeing the black ski mask and struggled to fight. Even though I had tried to smack his face with the bottle of conditioner, he had overpowered me. Tying my wrists together and dragging me into Calebâs room when I heard Cillian and Caleb climb upstairs. I had whimpered and begged the man not to hurt them, but he didnât listen to me.
They both were on the ground and Cillian was bleeding from his head when the stalker picked me up. And the last thing I remembered was being forced into a trunk of a carâ
Oh my God.
I sat up, my head pounding as I tried to shake off the dizziness and looked around. I was in a fucking prison with bars covering me from three sides with a wall on my back.
âFinally, youâre awake, little Emma.â
I clenched my hands behind me, my legs wobbling in the heels that I was still wearing. âW-who are you?â I asked, my voice hoarse.
The tall shadow leaned closer, and I saw his face. He was average looking with dark gray eyes and darker hair. I didnât remember him. I had never met him.
âIâm disappointed that you donât remember me, love, but itâs okay.â He smiled creepily and opened the door, the snick of a key unlocking it. He kept the key around his neck and entered the cell, my feet stumbling back until my back pressed against the icy wall. âWe have a lot of time to spend together, so youâll remember me soon enough.â
âI donât know who you are,â I said, my body shaking with terror, but I willed myself to stay calm. If Cillian was here, heâd keep his breath in control and handle the situation calmly. I couldnât overpower the man in front of me, especially when I still felt drugged.
He pouted, standing across me and touched my cheek. I looked away, but he grabbed my chin, an evil look in his eyes. âDonât look away when Iâm touching you, little Emma.â
I swallowed the urge to spit on him and stayed calm.
âWe spent so much time together, donât you remember?â he asked, his voice gentle when I kept looking at him.
I shook my head and sighed in relief when he pulled away his hand. âThatâs sad. But I know once you remember, youâd never want to leave me, little Emma.â He smiled, and there was nothing sweet or loving about it.
âReally?â I asked, reining in my anger. I licked my lips. âThen I want to remember. Please, help me?â
His eyes widened, and he looked like he was in awe. âYou want to know me?â
I nodded quickly. Cillian was right. He was delusional. âI want to know s-so we can stay in our home together,â I stuttered. I wanted to throw up, but I needed to escape and get away before he completely lost it. âThatâs what you said in the message, right? Our home?â
He smiled and nodded, cupping my cheek. âYou donât know how happy it makes me to hear you say that, little Em. Say it again for me?â
Fuck you.
âOur home.â
I squeezed my eyes shut when he leaned closer and kissed my forehead. He smelled like chemical and garlic. My body wanted to push him away.
âI can help you, but I prepared all of this for you,â he said, waving around the prison cell with gray floors andâmy breath hitched in my throat when I found a puddle near the desk. I remembered it. Lincoln. The picture of Lincoln was taken there. Then that meansâ¦
My knees wobbled when I peered up at the man, my heart threatening to burst out of my ribs. Run. I needed to run away from him. He was a murderer. He had killed him here.
âAre you fucking listening to me?â he asked, his voice rising as he came closer. âI did all of this for you!â
âI-itâs great!â I said, my eyes burning. âI love the pink blankets and⦠and this makeup.â I touched the lipstick, my eyes fixed on the heart-shaped mirror as a tear slid down my face. âI canât believe you prepared so much for me.â
My throat burned with the lies and fear.
Cillian. Help me, please.
âRight? I knew youâd love it.â It seemed he was in awe. âAfter seeing your bedroom and all the makeup stuff, I knew youâd get sad if I didnât have it, so I bought all this for you.â
My bedroom. He had snuck into it andâ¦
âReally?â I asked brightly, smiling at him and clutching the lipstick in my hand.
âYes! So you can dress up for me.â
This pervert.
âI also bought this ring for you.â Something shuffled and I turned around to see a familiar golden band. âIâll buy one for you tomorrow so we can say our vows and get married.â
A lump formed in my throat. It was Cillianâs wedding ring which he had stolen after drugging me.
I need to get out. Now.
âWhatâs your name?â I asked, batting my lashes. âYou know my name and I donât know yours. Itâs unfair.â
âIt is?â he asked, blinking at me.
âYes.â
âBut if I tell you, then⦠youâd know.â
This was my chance. I took a deep breath and kept the soft smile on my lips. âHow about you tell me your name when we go upstairs?â
He frowned and nodded. âI like that you are accepting this faster than I thought, little Emma. This way, we can live our happy life together!â
âI canât wait!â To fucking punch you.
He held my hand, and I looked down when steel handcuffs cinched around my wrists. A shudder rolled over my body.
âW-whatâs this for?â
âSo you donât do anything silly,â he smiled, dragging me out of the cell, holding my arm. âIf you do, Iâll have to punish you and lock you back here until you learn your lesson.â
My hope diminished, and I let him drag me upstairs.