Whispered Promises

Songbird

Before leaving her, Holloway tipped back the glass of water and drank every drop while she watched. Afterward, he swept his hand over his mouth and winked at her.

The entire cage rattled when he shut the door and slid the key in to lock it. He smiled as he looked at the metal bars. “Do you know why I chose a birdcage for you?”

Brie stared at him but said nothing.

“You are my songbird.” He glanced at the bed, his laughter low and cruel. “I can’t wait to hear your guttural songs of passion when I claim you.”

Bile rose in her throat.

Holloway quickly turned and shut off the light before closing the door behind him. She was grateful to hear his footsteps echo down the hallway as he walked away. But soon, all she heard was silence. Once again, she was alone in the smothering darkness.

She couldn’t stop replaying the image of Holloway drinking the water in front of her, and it left her even thirstier than before.

Brie struggled to hold back her tears, unsure how she would survive another day.

“Don’t give up,” she called to Mary as she laid her head against the bars of the cage and closed her eyes.

Brie screamed out loud when music suddenly filled the room. A low, seductive male voice began singing, “Hey, little songbird…”

The dark undertones of the lyrics seemed to match the man’s dangerous voice, causing goosebumps to rise on Brie’s skin. It was like listening to a predator singing to its next meal.

When Brie heard the beautiful voice of a woman taking over, she thought it would provide much-needed relief, but the girl sang about wanting to feed out of the man’s hand.

Brie covered her ears, frightened by the meaning behind the lyrics, but the music was so loud that she could still hear every word. The song reverberated around her like a physical force, making Brie its unwilling captive.

When Holloway finally returned, Brie was on the verge of a panic attack.

The moment he opened the door, the music stopped. He turned on the light and walked over to the cage, chuckling lightly. “I see the music has had an effect on you.”

Brie was grateful for the unexpected silence and took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Once her eyes adjusted to the bright light, she noticed the glass of water Holloway held in his hand as he walked to the large bed. He placed the glass on a nightstand.

Brie couldn’t stop staring at it, captivated by the idea of the cold water traveling down her parched throat. When Holloway caught her eying the glass, he asked with an almost playful grin, “Would you like a drink?”

She assumed he was teasing her but nodded anyway.

Holloway walked over to unlocked the cage, opening the door wide before returning to sit on the bed.

“You know what you must do.”

Brie swallowed hard. The only way she could survive was to submit to his games. Slowly pushing herself up off the floor, she stood on unsteady legs and walked out of the cage.

Holloway watched her with interest but made no move to help her when she stumbled only a few feet away from him. The entire time, Brie kept her eyes riveted on the glass of water.

When she reached out a shaking hand to take it, he shook his head.

Sighing in resignation, she lowered herself to the floor and bowed before him.

“Forehead on the concrete,” he ordered.

Even though it killed her inside, Brie reminded herself that she was not submitting to him but to her need for water. This was simply a role she was being forced to play.

Placing her palms on the floor in front of her in supplication, Brie pressed her forehead against the cold floor.

“And, now…?” he stated.

Brie sighed inwardly, hating that he was making her beg, but she forced the words out of her parched throat, “Please, may I have a drink of water?”