Escape

By Henrietta V. Yunn

A man is obsessed with a young girl: she has no idea the lengths he will go to in order to make her his. Stalked, kidnapped, threatened, she knows she needs to escape him. But how?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781326350772

Book preview

Escape

PROLOGUE

The walk from school; I only lived about twenty minutes’ walk from the cold, concrete building. I loved the calming sensation as a strolled through the dirt tracks and the lush cool shrouds of trees. I loved how composed nature was, how I became part of it as I ambled through the clearings, and I loved the fulfilling feeling as I saw the first glimpse of my small cottage as I passed that last small conifer. I was contemplating how I'd been walking home alone since I was fourteen- yet I'd never grown bored of that thrill. I had been walking for under a few minutes on that bright autumn afternoon when a chilly breeze blew past my face, blowing strands of golden brown hair into my eyes. Sweeping it away, I carried on.

I think it must have been there when I heard the footsteps. Heavy. My pulse quickened- in two years, I had never passed anyone on this obscure route. I kicked the reddening leaves on the dusty ground as I hurried on, checking my phone for the time. 4:47. Shifting my hair from my face once more, I began to turn instinctively to peer at the person. The footsteps were definitely getting denser. I lost courage and turned forward again, making my pace faster and ensuring a tight grip on my schoolbag. Suddenly, the footsteps broke into a sprint and within seconds I felt breath on my neck, a hand around my waist, and another clamped down on my mouth holding a damp cloth. We struggled for what seemed like hours, as I tried to scream through the vice-like grip around my nose and mouth. I twisted my body around in painful angles, bucking and kicking to try and claw my way free. My limbs flailed helplessly and I fought the urge to close my eyes. The lack of oxygen and this sour chemical were making me feel disorientated and confused. That was the first time I felt true horror- I feared rape, and pain.

I had managed to slip onto the ground but his hand was still on my mouth tightly as I struggled there; he had his thighs either side of my waist and was securing my wrists together with one strong hand. I tried to look up at my attacker but white spots were invading my vision as I gasped through the cloth, still fighting, weaker now. The last thing I heard was a deep, strangely soothing voice. I'm sorry. Then the blackness overwhelmed me.

I remember that I dreamed; I dreamed of soundless screams, terror welling up inside my heart, and darkness. I felt random pain in my dreams; in my hands, in my wrists and ankles, in my head. I can't remember anything else.

CHAPTER ONE

When I woke, I could have sworn my pounding head was on fire. My eyelids felt so heavy I couldn't open them, and more importantly, I couldn't remember a thing. I was about to slip from consciousness again when I shifted slightly to the left, sending sudden pain shooting up my body, a gut-wrenching stiffness retrieving the haunting memories of the struggle... and the darkness. In a quick burst of terror-filled energy my eyes flew open. I saw the cracked white ceiling first, and I wondered if I dared look further, dared look at where I was. Trying to swallow my shock and terror, I attempted to sit up using my weakened arms. Realisation dawned on me and I came accustomed to my surroundings and my situation: I was shackled. My wrists and feet were chained, and each attached to some unmoveable object either above or below me. My panic climaxed as I found myself lying in a king-sized bed with silken sheets. The same rose-pink sheets I have at home. I screamed.

Except it wasn't a scream. It was a muffled squeak. A soft material had obviously been tied around my mouth while I was out of it. I had no way of escape, no hope, no chance. Tears dribbled from my eyes messily around my face. My eerily quietened sobs did little to soothe me as I started to wail into hysterics, pulling desperately at my bound limbs, feeling my joints stab with pain as I twisted them awkwardly in a frenzy. I jumped tensely as I felt a smooth hand graze upon my right cheek from nowhere. I couldn't see from my angle who it was, or possibly know how long they had been there. I attempted to speak between my jagged breaths, but the muffled sound was barely noticeable, even to me. I felt the hand trail from my face to my shoulder, where it rocked me gently, and I felt extra weight come onto the bed. A young man came into my vision.

He was well-built with wide shoulders, thick arms and a strong chest, with olive skin, loose, brown locks of hair and startling blue eyes. His creased blue shirt and jeans looked ruffled as though he had slept in them, and I noticed he had a scar on his right arm. He must have been in his younger twenties; he terrified me, even more when I realised his eyes were laden with concern.

There, there. Don't cry, sweetie. The deep voice was definitely the same I had heard that fateful afternoon- the meaningful tone of it made me shiver more intensely than if he was brutal. This strange man carried on with false, soothing words as I began to become distressed further, avoiding his eyes, looking around the room for help desperately. After a few minutes he reached towards my face. I shrank back as far as I could from his touch, but I couldn't move far. With a little relief, I realised he was pulling my gag from my mouth- he let it hang around my neck. I took in some fresh air gratefully, then tried to scream as loudly as I could for help. My voice came out barely as loudly as it did with the gag; it was hoarse, cracking, and sore.

No one can hear you. He hushed, smiling slightly.

I shook my head silently, not wanting to believe it, but there was something in his eyes, a forced understanding, that made me abandon hope. I gathered up as much courage as I could. Wh- who are you?

He smiled playfully, and quickly clasped my face between his hands, stroking me with his rough thumbs. I gasped and tried to pull away, but failed miserably.

Marc. It's Marc, darling. Marc! Then suddenly his eyes filled with tears. Oh, my love, I'm so happy! I've been waiting so long- so long, Kate! Now you're here, everything's perfect! I stared at him, dumbfounded. He knew my name? He'd been waiting for so long- to have me here? My mind spun. I could only stutter one dry word.

W-why?

Why? Why? Because I love you, Katherine Rose Moore. And I always will. And, now- finally! You are mine. He paused to wipe his eyes. I stared at him, choking in shock, as his words sunk in. He was mad, deranged. He knew my full name- this terrified me. I felt so overwhelmed, I felt dizzy again.

L-let me go. Now. My parents will be looking for me.

That may be so. But they'll never find you, love. Never. You're better off here than with your stupid parents. I'll care for you in a way they never really cared to-

No! Let me go! Why the hell am I ch-chained up? I need to- please just... Please don't- I stuttered as my nerves got the better of me and I started to shake. I realised what the bed could mean. Don't- don’t hurt me, I-

I'd never hurt you! You are my only reason of existence- you complete me! I love you. I love you! It feels amazing to be able to finally tell you. I promise to treasure you, and keep you safe. Always. I only wanted to keep you here. The chains are necessary, love. Just for now. Until you accept our fate. We're meant for each other, darling. C'mon, stop shaking! I love you.

A- are you mad? You... you don't even know me! I've never seen you before in my life! Just l- let me go, I won't, I won’t tell anyone, I swear! Please! Find someone else! P- please... I just want to go home... I wanted so much to be strong, to be defiant, but I was lost, trapped, and alone. Fire burned in Marc's eyes as he came closer to me.

No! This is your home! With me! I know you better than anyone else, Kate, and I don’t want anyone but you! You are staying here! With that, he kissed his own fingertips quickly and stroked my forehead with them, before hurrying from the room and slamming the door that was beyond my vision.

That was when the sobbing returned.

CHAPTER TWO

It took a while for my predicament to sink in. I had been flung here by an unbalanced man, and expected to grow the same amount of obsession for him as he had for me. I was so confused, lonely, frightened… but I decided I couldn't cry anymore. Women were not objects that men could own- I knew this, I was passionate about this. Instead, I ceased my weeping and began to scream angry orders. How he needed to let me go, how I was a person too, how I would do something regrettable if I didn't get my way. Not that I could do anything in my current state. The silence that filled the room between my shouting seemed to fuel my anger. I was choking on the tears that threatened to well up, even though I refused to let them, and I could feel my face was hot and blotchy.

I heard the door being unlocked, which was strange- I hadn't heard it be locked. Then my kidnapper entered, and as he neared I noticed he was holding a tray. I began to shout again. He sighed to himself, and perched on the bed smoothly, placing the tray on his lap. On the tray was a plate of strawberry jam toast and milk- the condensation on the glass told me it was cold... it was the exact meal my mother made when I was ill, and therefore confined to my bed as I was then. The tray also held two damp cloths of different colours and- and a small, old fashioned key? I gasped; was he going to give me my freedom?

He reached down and retrieved a blue cloth. He stroked my cheek again, sending that same unnerving chill through my body- then he gently dabbed my face with the cold, damp cloth. Although it soothed my burning skin, I just stared at him defiantly- hating him, loathing him, wanting him just to die. He seemed absorbed in what he was doing, with a thin, satisfied smile playing across his jaw- he was loving it. You monster. were the only words I could spit out through my blinding hatred. He tutted, but said nothing. He reached down and took the small key with one finger and thumb. He waving it in front of my face slowly and chuckled to himself- how could he be so happy?

Oh, darling, you're so beautiful when you're angry. You know what this is? Now, my sweet, I'm going to unlock the chains on your hands. What would I do if you didn't eat? I made your favourite! He sighed contentedly. To my horror he leaned forward over my captured body, and his lips lingered on my forehead. He swiftly placed the key into the lock on the shackles and with one strong turn, they fell from my wrists. I gasped at the twinge of pain as they opened and bit into my skin. I rubbed my wrists and slowly pushed myself into a sitting position- I realised irritably that my ankles were still chained to the foot of the bed.

Peering around, I took in the room;