Chapter 3: Don't Lie.

Audrey.

I pace the room, my eyes drifting to the long, shapeless black dress that clings to my legs.

The memory of Xavier storming out and slamming the door, after I asked his motive for bringing me along with him, occupies my thoughts.

I'm relieved that I won't have to face Brandon tonight, at least. But as the silence stretches out, I start to get anxious and my mind starts to wander.

Why did Xavier bring me here?

Glancing around the room, I take in the large luxurious bed with sheets that smell like money. There's a closet on the side and the walls—although wood—are painted white.

It isn't exactly the kind of place I was expecting to find when Xavier mentioned his cabin.

I pace back and forth as my thoughts stray to Brandon, fear making my belly dip. He always finds me: it doesn't matter where I run to, or how hard I try to hide.

I can still remembered how he used to torture me and nausea rises in my belly as I look at the scars on my wrists. There are more on my back and as my mind wanders back, it takes great effort not to collapse into a sobbing mess.

I’m a danger to Xavier, and he doesn't even know it. Brandon won't just stop at punishing me when he finds me - he'll make an example of anyone who's helped me.

I've seen him do it before, and the memory finally makes me break into a sob. I can't stay here. I can't let an innocent man get killed for no reason.

I sink to the floor as tears run down my face, my eyes fixed on the door as if expecting Xavier to burst in at any moment.

My mind starts to spin with worst-case scenarios: what if he's just playing me, waiting for me to let my guard down? What if this is all just a ruse to get me to trust him? What if this is just a case of jumping from the frying pan to fire?

I try to weigh my options, but they're limited. I could try to run away, but the darkness outside is so heavy that I would not be able to see anything, and I know I won't last long in the cold.

My only hope is to make it through the night and escape in the morning. But the more I think about it, I realize it might not be enough.

Maybe it's better to go back to Brandon and accept whatever punishment he has in store for me, instead of waiting for him to find me.

As I sit in the darkness, I try to stay awake and prepare myself for what's coming. But despite my best efforts, my eyelids begin to droop, and I soon drift off to sleep.

I'm jolted awake when I hear groaning coming from somewhere in the cabin. Immediately, I sit up, my heart hammering in my throat, but the sound stops.

The room is dimly lit and I strain my ear but the only sounds I hear are the chirping of crickets and the swaying of the trees in the forest.

Glancing at the wall clock, I discover that it's almost 4 am. Has Brandon found me already?

Cautiously, I stand up and walk to the door, placing my ears on the wooden surface as I try to determine if the groan I heard was all in my head.

When I hear the groan again, I open the door and peep outside. I find Xavier groaning in his sleep and he appears to be having a nightmare. I walk up to him quietly.

His body is tense and his face is twisted in a mixture of fear and pain. My chest tightens as I stare at him. I know how nightmares can wrap around your mind, turning your once peaceful sleep into your own personal version of hell.

Making up my mind, I shake him away and he leaps up, breathing heavily as he glances across the room.

I stay in place, just staring at him until he calms his breathing. He goes to switch on the light and comes back to sit on the couch.

Gathering his face in his palms, he groans softly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask softly as I sit on the far end of the couch.

“Do you want to talk about your scars?” He counters, not raising his head and that shuts me up.

No, I don't want to talk about it.

We sit in silence but it is soon disrupted by the barking of dogs. I stiffen immediately, sitting upright on the couch.

Xavier raises his head and his eyes meet mine.

“Is that…?”

I nod. Yup, that's Brandon.

He stands immediately, “We're leaving now.”

My brain is scrambled. Here's my chance of going back to Brandon and begging for forgiveness. I could save my own skin by telling him I was kidnapped and forced to stay in the cabin against my will.

But if I run with Xavier and we're caught, it means death for the both of us.

I watch Xavier as he hurries into the room and comes back with a duffle bag clutched in his hand. He rummages through it, pulling out a bundle of clothes that he tosses to me.

“Hurry up and change into these,” he says, his voice low and urgent. "Meet me in the car when you're done."

With that, he turns and strides out of the cabin, leaving me to scramble into the clothes he's provided.

I quickly pull on the gray sweatpants, then discard my dress and slip into the black round-neck top.

I hurry out to the car, climbing in just as Xavier is starting the engine. Without waiting for me to put my seatbelt on, he swerves onto the road and steps on the gas.

As we cross the state line, leaving Texas behind, the first morning light creeps over the horizon. I see Xavier relax his grip on the steering wheel, but I can't stop my hands from trembling.

“Where are your parents?” He asks suddenly.

I sigh and answer in the most detached voice I can muster, “They’re dead.”

Silence envelops the car after, and before he could think of something else to ask, I press on.

“Where are you taking me? And what exactly do you want with me? Don't lie.”