Malik - Z.M (Book 1, Malik Series)

16.

I think I had passed crying.

As days went by, I no longer cried my eyes out or begged for freedom.

I learnt to accept what is.

I had grown accustomed to needing Zayn more than my own pride and gratification.

Seeing Zayn never repulsed me like it use too.

Whenever he returned, I was always willing to please him to avoid him ever hurting me. If I did anger him at all, man did I get it bad.

It seemed like every time he had returned, he would always find a reason to punish me. Each time got worse and it scares me how much I'm trying to please him to avoid getting hurt.

He had belted me, whipped and slapped me raw and my own mentality has managed to block my conscious mind out of the way to stop me from fighting against him.

It's no use anymore. If I ever retaliate against him, he'd fight back twice as hard so I no longer try.

Why try when you only come out worse?

I close my eyes and sigh to myself as the door opens. I hear the food tray being placed on the ground and I sigh again.

Is this what my life has come to me?! Is there any reason as to why I'm here?!

I'm done trying to get out! If I can't get out, why does he still keep me here?!

"Psst!"

I frown and open my eyes to the darkness.

"Alissa!" I hear.

What the fuck am I going crazy?!

"Alissa!"

I sit up and look at the door to realise it's still open.

Rushing over to the door, I open it wider and I wince as I try to make out the person who's in front of me.

"Oh my god Alissa!"

Taylor?!

Arms wrap around me and I hiss as the welts begin to sting and she pulls away when my eyes finally adjust to the light.

I pull her back into a hug as my eyes well up in happy teas. "Oh my god Taylor!"

"Ssshh!" She pulls away and covers my mouth. "I'm going to get you out of here. Here! Read the note and follow the instructions! I have to go!"

She places a note in my hand and a little torch before pushing me back into the dark and closing the door.

Almost immediately I flick the torch on and run towards the bathroom as hope springs through my body.

My excitement raises as I flash the torch onto the note.

'Next time I place the food tray in your room, I'll leave a key in the mashed potatoes for your door. Once you get out, you need to go on your left. Follow the hall way, it should lead you to the dining room. In that dining room is two doors. Go through the one that has a scratch mark on its handle. I've left it there for you. Once you go through that door you need to follow that hallway and towards the last door on the left. It should lead you to the kitchen I'm in. You need to be as fast as you can. There's a knife on the food tray I just delivered. Don't use it on Zayn if he comes in. You need to use it on the two guards that are with me. Please be strong and don't be afraid to stab the guards that are with me. We've only got one chance. If we don't make it, he'll kill me. I'm already on my last chance. I've got your back if you've got mine. We can do this!! -Taylor'

Hope and fear washes over me as I continue to read the note over and over again.

I quickly hide the note in between the mattress and base.