The Red Room

By Caitlin Jae

Ember Welbin is the luckiest girl in the world. Or atleast she feels that way. At only nineteen she is a published author and getting married to the man she loves. What more could she ask for?
But on her wedding night, the most unexpected thing happens. A man she's never met before kidnaps her and steals her away from the man and life she loves so dearly.
In the upcoming days Ember fights fiercely to escape and return home. But as the days drag by a new plan arises: learn who the man is and play along with his game until she can escape silently into the night.
But what she learns from him will change everything, forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477256145

Book preview

Chapter One: The Beginning

Are you ready?

It had been a long time, a long wait. Preparing everything for the wedding, the long hours and short nights. I was nineteen, marrying my one-year sweetheart, Troy. I had never had a second thought about my feelings for him, but now the question had been brought to my attention: was I ready? I think I was.

Ember? My mother asked standing behind me, fixing my veil. She gazed at me in the mirror; my fluffy white dress extended far enough to almost reach the walls. My long black hair was woven into a tight and intricate bun, but the white against it still made it stand out. Did you hear me? she asked.

Yeah.

Well?

I sighed, a happy sigh. I have to be.

Oh, Ember, you look so beautiful. Her British accent was thick today. My dad was American (so I never adopted the accent). They had decided to settle here in Colorado, but after a month of me living with Troy, they had moved to Illinois.

They had flown in last week to stay with Troy and me here in Vail. This week had been very long. With me being the only child, I think my parents were scared to let me go so soon out of high school only four months ago. I stood looking at my mother trying not to cry, waiting for my father to come in.

Are you sure you want to get married now, that you don’t want to wait? she asked.

Mom, you’ve been asking me this question all week. I’m sure, okay? I love Troy. I don’t need to go to college to be a writer, especially because I already have a contract with my publishing company to keep writing. Why wait?

I don’t know. You just seem too young, too… unprepared.

Mom, I know you’re worried, but you need to trust me. I’ll be fine, I said smiling.

I know, dear. There’s just this part of me that keeps saying, don’t let her do this, she’s not ready, she’ll get hurt!

You said the same thing about my book, ‘You won’t go anywhere, that tatty old thing, they’ll laugh at you for it.’ And look at me now. My critics say that my future is looking bright and that I’m on the road to success.

Well, if you’re sure. My mom was hard to convince.

Do you remember your wedding day? I asked. Grandma Dani was probably the same way with you.

Hon, that’s only because I love you.

I love you, too, but it’s time to let go. I know it’s a little sooner than you planned, but life doesn’t always work out like you want it to. Besides, I’m not dying. I’m just getting married. I smiled and she chuckled, sniffling.

I know, she said, and you may not think it, but I am very proud of you, and I think you made a good choice.

Mom, Troy chose me.

Either way, he loves you and cares for you. I’m glad you found someone with so much heart.

Thanks, Mom. I leaned in and gave my mom what seemed like a good-bye hug. I pulled away to see her wiping her eyes. To be rid of the awkwardness, my father walked in at just the right moment. Tall, with spectacles, in his black suit he did somewhat resemble a penguin.

Brandon, there you are, my mom said, walking over to him. Doesn’t she look gorgeous?

My dad just smiled and nodded. My dad and I were usually the two that could never stop talking around each other, but now, there was nothing to say.

Come on, he said. There’s a wedding to be had. Marie? He opened the door, motioning her to leave.

Oh, of course. Shouldn’t keep our guests waiting. She left, dabbing her eyes on her way out.

This way, my sweet, he said as he laid a hand towards the door. We’ve an aisle to walk.

I looked at the mirror and thought to myself of who I was before and who I would be now. All that was changing was a name, but I couldn’t lie, not even to myself. It did feel as if I was leaving a part of me behind. I could only hope that the new part that would replace it would fulfill itself and be even better. I motioned to myself, once more thinking to myself, Goodbye, Ember Dellay Welbin. Hello to a new Ember, Ember Dellay Nelson, Welcome.

My dad and I lined up at the end of the aisle, the music began, and the line got shorter and shorter until we were next. I was about to start, but my father was stuck in place, just looking on, content on where he was.

Dad, I know it’s hard, but I will love you just the same. He looked down at me and smiled, then looked back up and nodded.

It’s time, he said.

The isle wasn’t very long, but it seemed to take forever to get to the end where Troy stood. He was smiling so big you couldn’t see his eyes; maybe it was to keep him from crying. My father kissed my cheek and then handed me over.

Troy leaned over and whispered, You look beautiful. I knew he would say more if he could, that was the way Troy was. He was just a half-inch above me, brown shaggy hair, light hazel eyes. He had a way about him that just seemed so smooth and easy for him. It was and never had been hard for Troy to win me over. We had met close to a year ago. I was staying with my best friend for the weekend and so was her brother, Troy. One thing led to another, and we’ve never been apart since. It was a simple romance, but one that I cherished. Troy was my first real love, and I was happy to say he would be my last.

I never thought time could move so quickly, but two I do’s and one hour later Troy and I walked out of the church as husband and wife. I’d never been happier—and to think it was only the beginning of the night.

At the reception everyone was having a great time laughing, dancing, and drinking—everyone but me. Even though I couldn’t drink yet, the thought that alcohol could destroy my creative mind had always scared me, so I had vowed a long time ago not to drink until I was retired. Other than that, I was having a blast, everything was going just the way it was supposed to, surprisingly. Everyone’s speeches were wonderful and heartbreaking, no one crashed the wedding, and everyone was happy. But when it came down to the end, I was somewhat glad to see people leaving. I was exhausted, and from the looks of it so was Troy.

I swear, Troy said, that was the longest yet shortest day of my life.

Don’t forget happiest, I said leaning on him. Everyone was gone by now. We sat in the big white tent, white tables all around.

I never thought Grandma Dani could drink so much, he said.

I nodded my head. Scary.

Although, I think our stay at the Hilton tonight might lengthen our evening, he said, rubbing my back.

I don’t see why we couldn’t have left tonight.

You obviously don’t know how small airplane bathrooms are, he said smiling.

You obviously can’t take a challenge. I smiled back, and he scowled.

You know I don’t like the redeye, he said.

That’s only because you saw that movie.

He thought for a moment. Well, you know I don’t like flying.

And that’s only because you jumped off the roof of your house when you were five, thinking you were Superman, breaking one arm, both legs, and three ribs. Oh, and you almost killed yourself doing so.

He gave up.

Do we have to clean this up? I asked looking around at the mess.

Not if we leave quickly enough. Troy looked to me, then to the street where the present from Troy’s parents sat: a black Mercedes Benz. He looked back, and we sprinted for the car. We laughed until we were far enough away that we couldn’t see the view of the tent anymore.

We were driving for only a little while when I pointed out that our new gift had very little gas in it. Troy soon stopped at the nearest gas station to fill up while I went inside to use the restroom.

Don’t be too long, Troy shouted after me.

I miss you already! I giggled.

On my way toward the register to pay for our gas, I grabbed a bag of beef jerky. At the end of the aisle stood a man. He was tall with brown messy hair. He wore a simple grey crewneck shirt, blue jeans, and had the most beautiful green eyes I’d ever seen. He looked confused and sensitive but yet guarded, very guarded.

He smiled at me. What’s your name? he asked.

I was silent, but I must have been crazy to answer him. I don’t know why I did.

Ember.

You look beautiful tonight, Ember, he said as he looked me up and down. I took half a step back.

I just left my wedding reception, I said as I grabbed my dress and showed him my ring, hoping it would push him away and end the conversation.

Really? He took a step towards me. What a shame.

Excuse me? I took a full step back.

It’s sad you won’t get to see him anymore.

How could I have been so stupid? Why did I even talk to him, a stranger? Sure, I wasn’t in high school anymore, but I was technically still a teenager and apparently still acting like one. I still played dumb, hoping to weasel my way free, somehow.

I’m sorry, I said, but I don’t seem to understand.

I’m sorry Ember, but you’re going to have to come with me now, quietly.

Adrenaline pumped through my body as I tried to make a run for it, but I got nowhere with a fluffy wedding dress and my proximity to the man, I tried to scream but he covered my mouth and nose, closing my airway until I stopped. I looked over to see the cashier watching the television behind him, oblivious to what was happening. I tried to struggle free, but I stopped when I felt the gun