CIARA
Staring blankly at the wooden floor, my mind is inundated with hellish memories of the past week.
I fight Nolan every night, so he’ll shove me into the trunk. Because of my disobedience, I’m not allowed to sit on any chairs and have to kneel on the hard floor. My knees ache, and they’re constantly purple.
Being locked in the trunk at night is worth it, though. I’m safe there from being raped, which is my biggest fear at the moment. It’s the one thing Nolan hasn’t done yet, and I fear it’s only a matter of time.
Nolan jerks off once a day, usually before dinner, and he always squirts his release over my chest. Afterward, I’m forced to endure it when he bathes me.
But that’s not the worst of it. My eyes drift shut when unspeakable humiliation coats my skin.
The past week, I’ve been degraded over and over again. I’m not allowed to do a single thing for myself. He even wipes my butt.
My face crumbles, and once again, tears threaten to fall.
I’m going to lose my mind in this house.
Grace.
I latch onto memories of my sister, remembering how safe I felt with her.
The sound of my phone beeping has my head snapping up and my eyes popping open.
Nolan glances at me, a smirk forming around his mouth. “Hmm, sounds like you have a message.”
Hatred for the vile man fills my chest until I can’t keep myself from glaring at him.
“Looks like you still haven’t learned your lesson,” he mutters before turning his attention back to the TV.
I clench my jaw, my chin quivering as I sacrifice the little pride I have left. “I’m sorry, Nolan. Please, can I read the message?”
He looks at me again, then lets out a sigh before patting the space beside him on the ugly brown couch.
When I move to stand up, my legs cramp horribly, and the chain rattles. I shuffle closer and slump down next to him.
He pulls the phone out of his pocket, and as he goes into the message, I greedily read the words.
Grace: This is my new number. How are you? Are you enjoying your travels? Do you need anything?
My hand flies up to cover my mouth, a sob bursting from me. Seeing Grace’s name and the short message shines a light into the darkness that has engulfed me over the past week.
“I’ll allow you to talk to her, but watch what you say. I don’t want to have to kill you today.” I nod quickly, reaching for the device. He pulls it away. “First, say thank you.”
I clench my jaw again, and leaning into him, I press a numb kiss to his mouth, my lips not moving at all.
When I pull back, there’s a pleased expression on his face, and he hands me the phone.
I read Grace’s message again before quickly typing my reply.
Ciara: I’m good. Don’t worry about me, I don’t need anything. How are you? Are you home? Sorry, I missed the funeral. I miss you!
I try to get in as much as possible, fearful that Nolan will take the device away at any moment. Luckily, Grace reads the message and responds immediately.
Grace: I didn’t attend the funeral. Uncle Gerry arranged everything. I’m still with Dominik in Slovakia.
While I begin to type out a reply, another message comes through from her.
Grace: I’m married to Dominik. The wedding was the morning after you left. But don’t worry! He’s actually an amazing person, and he treats me so well.
Shock shudders through me, and it feels as if another piece of my soul is chipped away.
Ciara: Oh my God! You’re married? I can’t believe Dad forced you again. I’m so sorry, but I’m glad to hear Dominik treats you well. I’m so sorry though. I feel rotten.
I should’ve given in and married Dominik to save Grace. I’m being tortured anyway, so it wouldn’t have made any difference whether it was Nolan or Dominik beating me.
Grace: Don’t feel bad. He’s so good to me, and I’m even falling in love with him. I think I can be really happy with him.
I reread the message four times, relief sinking into my bones.
At least Grace is happy. Thank God.
Nolan places his hand on my thigh and mutters, “Finish up.”
I close my eyes for a moment before typing my reply.
Ciara: I’m so happy for you. I have to go. I love you, Grace. So, so, so much!
Grace: I love you too. Let me know if you need anything.
I only get to read the message once before he snatches the phone from my hands.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to beg him to let me read all the messages again, but when I see the smirk on his face, the blood chills in my veins.
“Take off the dress so I can see your perfect body.”
Nolan sets the plate with tuna mayonnaise sandwiches on the table before taking a seat in front of me, where I’m kneeling on the floor.
Feeling torn between going completely numb and losing myself to hysteria, I just stare at him.
I’ve lost complete track of time and have no idea what day it is. All the torture and degradation just blur together into one endlessly long nightmare.
He’s only left the house once to go out for supplies, but with the chain permanently around my ankle, I couldn’t get free no matter how hard I yanked at he chain. After hurting myself badly from trying to get my foot free, the chain is back on my left ankle while my right one heals.
If I could reach the drawer where the utensils are, I would’ve taken a knife and cut off my foot to escape.
Or stab Nolan until he’s nothing but a bloody mess seeping into the slits between the wooden floorboards.
There are times when I daydream about managing to pry my foot loose from the chain and running out into the sunlight.
Sunlight. I miss being outside.
I take a breath of the stale air.
Nolan picks up a sandwich and brings it to my mouth. My lips part, and I take a small bite even though I’m struggling to stomach food.
I’ve lost weight, and he doesn’t like it one bit.
While I chew, he takes two bites and watches me with the love-crazed expression that hasn’t lessened over the months.
Has it been months?
He brings the sandwich to my mouth again, and I take another small bite. Before I can swallow, I hear a phone beep, and it feels like I’m struck by a bolt of lightning.
“Well, what do you know,” he mutters while setting down the half-eaten sandwich. He pulls the phone out and checks it.
My heartbeat speeds up, my eyes glued to the device.
Grace.
Nolan’s eyes flick to me, then he lets out a dark chuckle before he types something on the phone.
“Please.” My lips form the word, but no sound comes out.
He leans down until I’m able to see the chat, and my eyes greedily fly over the words.
Grace: How are you?
Ciara: I’m okay. How are you?
Grace: Very happy. I’m busy making dinner. Roast chicken with the cauliflower and cheese sauce you love so much. It made me think of you.
Instead of giving me the device, Nolan types a reply on my behalf.
Ciara: I’m jealous.
Grace: Why don’t you come to visit? I can ask Dominik. Or maybe I can meet you somewhere. It’s been months since we’ve seen each other. I miss you.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he taunts me before he types a reply.
Ciara: I’m busy right now. Maybe in a month or two?
Grace: Is everything okay?
No! I’m in hell, Grace. I can’t take it anymore. I’m losing my mind.
Ciara: Yes!!! Totally. I’m just getting ready to go out and have friends waiting. I’ll talk to you later.
He turns off the phone, then sets it down on the floor right in front of me. Before I can reach for it, the heel of his boot smashes into the screen. With horror, the last hope I had that Grace would realize something is wrong and come looking for me evaporates.
An intense loneliness wraps around me, the dark shroud weighing a ton and forcing my head to lower.
I suck in a shaky breath, and when I exhale, I wish it was my last breath.
Nolan takes hold of my chin and forces me to tilt my head back as he brings the sandwich to my mouth.
“Eat,” he orders, a sadistic look darkening his eyes.
Maybe I should just rile him up so he’ll kill me and get it over with. But I don’t think he’ll take things that far. He’ll just beat me.
I automatically take bites until he feels I’ve eaten enough, then I’m allowed to drink the usual glass of water he holds to my lips.
I remain kneeling with my broken phone in front of me while Nolan cleans the kitchen, then he takes hold of my arm and pulls me to my feet.
Locking eyes with me, the sadistic look is replaced with affection. “Now that Grace can’t bother us anymore, I’ll have all your attention to myself.”
He leans his head down and presses his mouth to mine. I stand frozen while he proceeds to kiss me, his tongue invading my mouth. The taste of tuna mayonnaise makes my stomach roll with queasy waves, and I wonder if he would snap and kill me if I vomited into his mouth.
