My eyes fluttered open, and my head throbbed with a dull ache. Though body was heavy with exhaustion, it felt like I was being restricted in movement. I blinked and my eyes darted around at the space around me. The room was larger than expected. It appeared to be a barn shed, which exuded an aura o
I felt the gnawing ache in my stomach as I sat in the dimly lit shed, weak from hunger. I returned to cutting at the rope, but my movements were less methodical and more robotic as I grew tired. It looked like midday, but I wasn’t sure if that was a whole day that had passed by, or perhaps more tha
“But anyway,” he switched the conversation, looking satisfied that he’d drawn out my tears. “I called lover boy, and he said he’d be here promptly to ‘bash my head in’.” He made air quotes around that last part, but I could hear the tension in his voice. He stood up and dusted off his pants before
The air in the shed grew thick with tension as Bruce hovered over Timothy, his knife dripping with blood. Timothy was sprawled on the ground, his injured shoulder clutched in his hand. “Oh, God!” I screamed, though it was muffled through the tape. Bruce's face contorted with a mix of anger and des
Timothy took the knife at my feet and began working on the ropes. Within a few cuts, I was freed. I felt compelled to reach out and touch his hand, my thumbs ghosting over his marred skin. "Thank you," I whispered. Timothy's shoulders relaxed slightly as he closed his hands around mine. "I won't l
The nearest hospital was a few miles away, and the drive felt like an eternity. I kept glancing back at Timothy, worried about his condition. He had saved my life, and now he might pay for it. Finally, we arrived at the hospital's emergency room entrance and I shifted the car into park. I looked ba
Aria's tone softened. "Oh, Evie, I'm sorry. Is Timothy okay?" "I don't know yet," I admitted with a sniffle. "The doctors are examining him now. It's been so long, and I'm scared, Aria. I'm really scared." "Try to stay strong, Evie," Aria encouraged. "Timothy is a tough guy, and he'll make it thro
The hospital room was dimly lit, casting a flourescent glow over Timothy's frail form lying in the bed. A cry escaped my lips at the sight of him in such a weakened state. His face was pale, and his eyes were heavy with pain. Fresh tears welled in my eyes as I approached his bedside. As I walked cl