The silence is unnerving, as the seconds go by I try to tell myself that he fell asleep, that he just didn’t hear. He’s choosing to ignore me. That’s it. My ears are ringing, all the blood is rushing through my head. The moment of braveness is gone, just as soon as the words slipped out. I’m blinking trying to see the shapes in the darkness, I know he’s next to me. I can feel him. He’s right there, but neither of us moves. The whole room seems as if it was charged with electricity. Tension maybe is me. Maybe I wasn’t loud enough for him to hear, I’m constantly having one-way conversations but that mostly happens when Buddy is in the room. God, who hasn’t said something? Minutes, maybe hours have gone by and he hasn’t moved or made a sound. When I rise he doesn’t react and when I pad slowly to the door and twist slowly on the knob he doesn't rouse. He’s dead to the world or a very good actor. The light on the other side is soft on my eyes but bright enough to catch the resentful
Once I started talking I couldn’t stop.She dabbed her eyes with a crumpled paper napkin as I told her about Melanie’s last days, how Buddy was gifted to me, and how I couldn’t leave her after seeing how much she needed a friend.“Poor family.”“I wanted to come back, I really did but…”“I understand.” Our cups are half full most likely lukewarm, with the dog at my feet we conversed. I told her about my friends back in the little town. How Connie had taken me in and about my job and the kids. How much I loved my independence and how much I dreaded their hate. “But I could never hate you.”“Lacey,” I started licking my lips, tasting the salt of my tears. “She came and she definitely hates me.”“You had your reasons.”“He doesn’t want me.” There it is, telling one person doesn’t give me peace but lifts a little weight off my shoulders. “He just wanted the land.”“No, Rebecca, you can’t say that.”“He never touched me or treated me like his wife. We pretended for his sake and then the m
Sunshine lights up the room. I frown as I try to recall last night's events. The blurry memories start building up slowly as I continue to stare into the hazel eyes that seem to watch mine. Andreas was sick, the power was out and now he looks at me with angry eyes, his eyes always look like he’s angry. At the world, at me. Mostly me.“Your dog is whining.” Oh shit. I didn’t set the alarm.Pushing myself onto a seating position I look around the room, the sheets sticking to the side of my face. My brain is hazy and my limbs are heavy. Last night was an adventure, walking in the darkness was nerve-racking. Shaking my head as I crawl off the bed, trying to get rid of the sleepy cobwebs around my brain.Putting on a thick sweater and rain boots I take Buddy’s leach and close the door behind me. She knows better than to pull while we walk down the path, I have little energy and she can read me too well. “I’m going to sit here and you enjoy yourself.” She looks at me with her big brown ey
The big three in the backyard provided enough shadow for a picnic. The sun is out, is hot enough to sit on the plastic chairs laid out and enjoy the little warmth the day offers after days and days of rain.Buddy trots from here and there, while I skim the pages of a romance book. Looking over my shoulder every time I’m outside has become a habit, right now I know I’m safe but knowing he’s around on the property gives me a sense of anxiety. “Rebecca.” Buddy barks and runs toward the old woman. “I have been calling your name for a while now.”“I’m sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.”“I can see that.” She holds a big brown bag. Is Thursday, and she usually comes Wednesday but with guests staying at the old house she’s been busy.“What are we making today?”“Something simple, spaghetti, and vanilla muffins.” For two months she and I have our small meetings, girl's days. Sometimes Andreas drops us off. Ever since that comment, and John Clark being at the ranch he hardly ever leaves me
Rebecca held tightly onto Andreas's arm as they made their way through the crowded room, her heart racing with anticipation. It had been years since she had set foot in this place, and she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Her dress was long enough to cover her scars, but she still felt self-conscious as she walked past the groups of people, each one chatting excitedly about old times. As they made their way towards the bar, Rebecca's eyes darted nervously around the room, looking for any signs of trouble. But to her surprise, no one seemed to be paying them any attention. Andreas squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Relax, Rebecca," he whispered in her ear. "No one here can hurt you anymore. You're stronger than all of them combined.” His voice to her out of the incoming flashes of memories of her being taunted, pushed and even screamed at in this same gymnasium. Rebecca felt a wave of gratitude wash over her as she looked up at him, his dark eyes full of warmth and love. She
Andreas couldn't help but feel drawn to Rebecca as he watched her sleep. Her long, dark hair fanned out around her pillow, her pink lips slightly parted as she breathed softly. He longed to touch her, to feel the softness of her skin against his fingertips. As he leaned in closer to her, he could feel the heat rising in his body, the desire building inside him. He knew that he shouldn't be feeling this way, that it was dangerous to let his guard down around her. But he couldn't resist the temptation any longer. Slowly, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers, savoring the sweetness of her mouth. He deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the depths of her mouth as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him. Rebecca stirred in her sleep, and for a moment Andreas thought that she was going to wake up. But she settled back down, her body relaxing against his as she continued to sleep. Andreas pulled away, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked down at her.
Rebecca was proud to be by Andreas' side, supporting him and being there for him. She was wearing a simple but elegant black dress, her hair in loose curls framing her face. Andreas had complimented her earlier, telling her how stunning she looked and she couldn't help but feel a little giddy at his words. As they mingled with the guests, Rebecca found herself getting more and more comfortable. She chatted with the other wives, exchanging stories about their lives in the town and sharing recipes. Andreas was always nearby, making sure to introduce her to everyone and keeping a protective arm around her. John Clark made another appearance, his eyes immediately locked onto her. Rebecca felt her stomach turn, but she tried to hide it behind a smile. She knew she couldn't avoid him forever, but she didn't want to be alone with him. Andreas seemed to sense her discomfort, and he made sure to keep John at bay, striking up a conversation with him about business. Rebecca was grateful for h
I no longer fear the night, not while he sleeps right next to me. The bad dreams do return but not as frequent as before. He sleeps soundly on his back, an arm lays on his stomach while the other almost brushes my face. At least is close enough, if moved a few inches forward his fingertips would brush my lips. He twitches and moves with the sounds of thunder in the distance. The one that woke me was pretty close. Long minutes after I lay awake, watching the flashes of light as the thunderstorm. Raising to her elbows she reached forward to push a his hair back from his forehead, making him stir but not wake up. As another thunder sounded she almost jumped to snuggle closer to him but as always she was stopping herself from touching him. He was the one who’d initiate and the light touches were sorely for show and innocent, nothing like the images burned in her brain. The kisses. The lessons. Still too vivid. The fee times she dare to touch that part of her that ached resembled noth
Rebecca sat on her porch, covered in a warm blanket, as the first snowflakes of the season began to fall. Buddy, her ever-faithful companion, sat by her side, contentedly enjoying the quiet moment with her mistress. The previous year had been an emotional rollercoaster, but they had made it through together, stronger than ever.The love she shared with Andreas was worth every hardship they endured. If only Lacey were here to share her happiness. She couldn’t wait to tell her, but first Andreas.Just then, the sound of a car approaching broke her reverie. Andreas pulled into the driveway, his smile as warm as the fireplace awaiting them inside. He stepped out of the car and hurried towards her, his breath creating small puffs in the cold air."Hey, beautiful," he greeted her, leaning in for a sweet kiss.Rebecca's heart skipped a beat as she returned his kiss. "Hey, yourself," she replied with a grin. "You're home early."Andreas chuckled, his eyes filled with affection. "I couldn't wa
She watched, her eyes drinking in his naked form. He stepped towards her, his eyes never leaving hers. He pressed his lips against hers, kissing her hungrily. Their passion intensified as their bodies pressed against each other, and their tongues explored each other's mouths. The room filled with the sound of their heavy breathing, fueling their desire for each other.She opened her mouth eagerly for him, tasting him with her tongue.He moaned and began to kiss her again, moving his hands to her waist. She could feel the heat between them intensify as his hands explored her body, igniting a fire within her. With each kiss, their desire grew stronger, and their bodies became one in a passionate embrace.He pulled her closer to him, his hardness rubbing against her stomach. She could feel the heat emanating from between them, and she trembled. As their bodies pressed against each other, their breathing quickened, and the anticipation built. Their kisses grew more urgent, fueling the fla
His hand reached out, his fingers tracing a delicate path along her jawline, sending shivers down her spine. "I want you, too," he admitted, his voice husky. Rebecca's breath caught as his thumb brushed over her lower lip, and she leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed. The intimacy of the moment and the electricity in the air made her feel more alive than ever. His fingers trailed down her neck, sending tingles of sensation wherever they touched. She could feel the heat between them, the anticipation growing with each passing second. Her hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her fingertips. Andreas leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a teasing, featherlight kiss. It was a promise of what was to come—a tantalising taste that left her craving more. She leaned in, deepening the kiss, their mouths moving together in a dance of passion. Their bodies pressed closer, the heat of their desire igniting like a wildfire. His ar
With a warm cup of tea in her hands, Rebecca watched as the sun fell below the horizon from a seat on the porch. The previous week had been a tornado of feelings and encouragement. Now that John was no longer a danger, she felt relieved, but the recollections persisted in the back of her mind. She inhaled deeply, attempting to shake off the residual anxiety. Andreas walked up behind her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, offering a small smile. He had been her rock through it all, supporting her in every way possible. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly. Rebecca sighed, leaning into his touch. "Better," she admitted. "The weight feels a little lighter now that he's gone." Andreas nodded, his gaze full of understanding. "I'm glad you're safe," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "And I'm here for you, always." She reached up and touched his hand, a silent thank you passing between them. They sat in comfortable silence, the sounds of the evening
Rebecca’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the flashing lights of the police cars in the rearview mirror. John had been trying to evade them for miles, but they finally caught up to them as they attempted to cross the state line. She begged him to stop, to give up, but he only revved the engine and pushed the pedal to the floor. The car swerved through traffic, cutting off other vehicles at a dangerous speed. Rebecca gripped the armrests, her knuckles turning white. She tried to reason with him, telling him that they would only make things worse, but he only laughed maniacally and continued to weave in and out of traffic. Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the car, and the vehicle next to them spun out of control on the freeway. Rebecca’s head slammed against the window, and she let out a scream. Rebecca was panicking, looking out the window and watching the police cars in pursuit. John was driving recklessly, swerving and dodging as the car hit high speeds. "John, pleas
Andreas felt his heart racing as he picked up the book from the floor. It was one of Rebecca's favorites, and he knew she had been reading it before he left to run his errand. The rumpled sheet and Buddy's whining only added to his growing anxiety. He called out for Rebecca, but there was no answer. Panic started to set in as he frantically searched the house, but there was no sign of her. He tried calling her cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. It was then that he knew that John had taken her again. Andreas felt a wave of anger and frustration wash over him. How could he let this happen again? He had promised to keep her safe, and he had failed. He felt a sense of responsibility and guilt for leaving her alone, even if it was just for a few minutes. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Sheriff Hughs' number. He knew he couldn't do this alone. The sheriff arrived quickly, and together they searched the house and the surrounding area. They scoured the nearby woods, b
Rebecca tried to calm herself down, taking deep breaths to steady her nerves. She couldn't panic; she needed to think clearly. She looked around the trunk, trying to find anything that could help her escape. But there was nothing, just some old blankets and a spare tire. She tried to open the trunk, but it was locked from the outside. She pounded her fists against the trunk, yelling for help, but she knew it was useless. Her mind raced with different scenarios, wondering where John could be taking her and what he had planned. She had to get out of there, but how? She thought of trying to break the taillight and attract attention, but she didn't want to alert John. She needed to come up with a plan that wouldn't put her in more danger. As the car continued to move, Rebecca's mind drifted back to the moment John had taken her. She thought about her options. She could try to kick her way out, but that would be difficult with her legs cramped in such a small
John had been sequestered in a small apartment in another state, watching the news constantly for any developments in his case. He was astounded by how quickly everything had degenerated since that evening. Despite his meticulous planning and careful execution, one slip-up caused everything to fall apart. He sorely missed Rebecca because of the way she made him feel alive by laughing at his jokes. He couldn't allow Andreas to separate from him for her. He had been working on a plan, biding his time until the right moment. He knew he couldn't just show up at her doorstep; that would only scare her away. No, he needed to be more subtle and strategic. He had to make her believe that he had changed and that he was a different person. He couldn't risk losing her again. He spent his days researching and gathering information about Andreas and his life. He needed to know his enemy. He needed to know what he was up against. John knew he had the advantage when it came to money, but Andreas w
Andreas sat across from Sheriff Hughs in his office, worry etched deep in his features. They had been discussing John Clark and his ability to stay hidden for so long."He's got enough money to make it happen," Sheriff Hughs said, leaning back in his chair. "But what worries me is the possibility of him returning. You know what he's capable of."Andreas nodded grimly. "Rebecca's nightmares have diminished; she's sleeping better, but she's almost always looking behind her. I've noticed how she starts to have mini attacks whenever she finds herself alone. Not even Buddy has been able to keep her at ease."Sheriff Hughs sighed heavily. "I wish there was more we could do. We've had people keeping an eye out, but he's just too good at covering his tracks."Andreas clenched his jaw. "We can't let our guard down. I won't let him hurt her again."Sheriff Hughs nodded. "I know. We'll keep looking."Andreas stood up, ready to leave. "Thanks for the update, Sheriff. Let me know if you find anyth