Wait... he’s not hurting me.
I peek from under my eyelashes, my heartbeat calming a little.
Big mistake.
“This is the only piece of advice I will provide, so listen well.” His gentleman’s tone takes a darker turn. “Do not test my patience.”
“Or what?” I’m ashamed at my small defeated voice.
Sharp pain bursts in my wrist when his fingers press against the skin, in an obvious attempt to break it. “Do you really wish to know that?”
Tears spring to my eyes. I shake my head in a frenzy.
He releases me with a gentle gesture and backs away. My hand flies to the assaulted wrist, massaging the burning ache.
His warning is clear. He’s not the type of man I should play games with. If I give him a reason, I’ll meet my end sooner rather than later.
The stranger’s gaze drops to my now-red wrist. “You do bruise from a snap of a finger.”
He says it with such wonder. As if he considered the option before.
His lips widen in a smile. It reaches the inky pools of his eyes, causing them to glint. Fascinated, I stop rubbing my wrists and stare at him.
The stranger’s smile is the most terrifyingly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
How is that even possible?
The momentary change slips away as fast as it came, and his eyes go back to their punishing darkness. He gives me a knowing look before he turns and heads to the door.
“What’s your name?” I whisper, almost afraid he will hear.
He stops in front of the exit but doesn’t turn. “Aaron.”
The door clicks shut behind him. After that, silence. There’s no sound of his steps down the corridor, if there is one. Only the rhythm of my frantic breathing.
“Aaron...” His name rolls out of my mouth in a haunted murmur.
Asking for his name is equal to signing a death certificate. Now that I know my captor’s name and face, there’s no way he will let me go. Not that he would any way.
My muscles unbuckle. My legs give out unable to hold my weight any longer. I slide into a sitting position, my eyes filling with tears.
He’ll kill me. It’s as obvious as a horror film’s ending.
Why me? What about my family? My friends? My art?
A tear threatens to escape my lids, and I sniff, forbidding its escape.
Whatever happens to you, remember that perseverance can get you anywhere.
Despite my chaotic state, I smile at Dad’s words, driving all negative self-loathing thoughts away. I’m daddy’s girl. My story won’t end here.
Endurance. It’s in my blood. Nothing can ever stop me when I set my mind to accomplish something.
Not even a psycho in a noble’s clothing.
Sticking around for his sick entertainment is not an option. I’ll find a way to leave.
My eyes dart around the basement. Two metallic doors and a bed are all the tools I get. There’s the dusty lamp too, with no switch in sight.