Welcome To The Family

Forever

Gabe's snoring filled the room. I had myself propped up on my elbow. I had been staring at the key on Gabe's chest for what seemed like hours. It was rising and falling with Gabe's rhythmic breathing. I chewed on my bottom lip as I watched my escape be so close.

There was no way that I could get the key off from around his neck without him noticing. If I tried to lift his head, that would wake him up. If he woke up I would have to try and explain myself and I would probably still be punished.

I squinted, trying to see better in the dark, at the key. The moonlight flooding past the bars provided some light onto Gabe's chest. My eyes scanned along the chain to see that there was a clasp.

That was it!

I would have to undo the clasp and pull the key off of the chain. I could most likely do that without waking up Gabe. By the way he was snoring, I could tell that he was in a deep sleep.

My heart was pounding as I looked around the room. I was naked under the blanket, and I did not want to try to run to freedom nude. The wedding dress was crumpled on the floor and Gabe's clothes were scattered around.

I lifted the corner of the blanket and stepped onto the floor. I tiptoed toward the closet. I stopped when the floorboards creaked under my foot. I looked behind me to see that Gabe was still asleep. I cursed myself with every step that I took. This old farm house was betraying me once again.

I grabbed the first pair of shorts and the first T-shirt I could find. I slipped them on and did not bother with trying to find underwear.

I crept back to the bed. I placed my knee down slowly onto the bed. I sucked in a deep breath as I reached toward the key. I let my hand hover over Gabe's chest for a moment.

I grabbed the chain and lifted it up. I gasped when Gabe stopped snoring and stirred in his sleep.

I could not do this. It was too dangerous. I was going to have to come up with a different plan. I could not imagine what kind of punishment would be waiting for me if he woke up. He cut me for finding me on top of Jenny. I had no idea what his plan would be if he saw me trying to escape.

I set the chain back down on his chest. I tried to be light with my touch, but Gabe's eyes fluttered open after I dropped the chain. I fell down onto my side and squeezed my eyes shut pretending to be asleep. He rolled onto his side to face me.

"Lindsay, what are you doing?" he asked.

Crap, I thought. He knew that I was awake.

"I was having trouble sleeping," I said.

"Why are you wearing clothes?" he asked.

"I was cold."

Gabe raised an eyebrow. He wiped the sweat off of his forehead with the back of his hand.

"It's August," he said. "It's ridiculously hot out."

"Sometimes I get a chill in the night," I said.

He ran his fingers through my sweaty hair and shook his head. He grabbed the bottom of my shirt. I held onto his wrist to stop him.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I don't want you overheating," he said. "Take this stuff off."

I sighed before pulling the shirt up over my head. It was better that I undress myself rather than have Gabe's hands on my body. I pulled down my shorts and kicked the clothes out of the bed. I rolled onto my side.

I felt Gabe's weight on the bed shift as he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest. He nuzzled himself into my neck. The rough edges of the key dug into my back like they were taunting me.