Stockholm Syndrome

5

The door opens and Harry comes in the basement with a basket. I'm afraid of what's in it.

"I brought us some lunch," He answers my thoughts.

Harry sets the basket on the table and takes out our plates of food.  Luckily he's been nice enough to get me an actual chair to sit on. He actually brought down two so we can both eat together on the table.

"It's a plain ham sandwich just how you like it."

"Thank you," I say.

Harry has been asking me lately what I like and what I don't like on food. He's been doing great lately. I should be thankful that he's asking what I like instead of serving me some type of dog food.

"Harry?"

"Yes darling?"

"I was wondering if you can bring me a calendar and a marker or pen perhaps?"

"What for?"

"I like to keep track of the days because down here I feel lost not knowing what hour and day it is."

"That's all you want it for?"

"Yes I would appreciate it very much if you did this little thing for me."

"Okay then wish granted I will gladly do it."

"Thank you," I smile and we continue to eat.

"Marley?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Um well I was wondering that.. uh... Well you know how girls have their monthly cycles right?"

"Yeah...," I say not knowing where he's going with this.

"When do you have yours?"

"Um.. well..," I fumble with words and feel my cheeks getting hot.

"There's no need to be embarrassed Marley," Harry smirks.

"Like I said I have no clue what day it is so I don't know if I start it this week or what."

"Oh," He simply replies.

"Why are you asking me this?"

"Oh I just wanted to make sure I know when to buy you your you know... girly things for when the time is right."

"It's never too early to get them."

"Yeah I know. I was thinking of running to the store later to buy some things."

"Alright," I say and continue eating my plain sandwich.

"Oh and what kind of calendar would you like? Cats? Puppies? Flowers?" He asks making me giggle.

"Any is fine thank you," I reply still laughing.

"This is the first time I hear you laugh," He states making me stop.

"It's a beautiful sound," He compliments.

"Thank you."

"I wish I could make you laugh more often," He whispers to himself and looks down at his food.

"Well it's not that easy being in a good mood after being kidnapped and chained in a dark basement."

"It's not that dark anymore I brought you many Christmas lights to brighten this place up."

"Harry that's not the point. What you're doing is inhumane. It's not right to treat a person like an animal."

"I'm not treating you like one."

"Yes you are!"

"Do not raise your voice at me," He deepens his voice.

"I'm sorry," I apologize.

He pours us some punch and we eat the rest of our food along with our drinks.

Once we are finished Harry picks up our dishes and puts them in the basket and stomps away without saying a word.

"Harry...," I whine but he doesn't look back.

"Look I'm sorry Har-" He interrupts me by slamming the door.

I swear this guy is worse than a teenage girl. His mood changed so easily and it frustrates me. I know I was disrespecting him by raising my voice but is it necessary to ignore me like a five year old?

"Ugh!" I yell and hit the wall.

He can never be happy. I at least try to be nice to him. He should appreciate it since I'm the one who got kidnapped.

I should be upstairs living like a normal person because man I stink... I really need to take a shower. It's been a long time since I've showered. It was the day after I was kidnapped and I'm sure it's been at least a week that I've been down here. I just want someone to find me...

*****

I wake up from the basement door swinging open loudly. It's Harry.

"Here," He says throwing a calendar and pen at me.

"Thank you Harry."

"Yeah sure whatever," He says annoyingly and turns around to walk up the steps.

"Harry please don't leave."

"Why shouldn't I? You were very rude to me."

"I'm sorry okay? You should expect me to act like that after you kidnapped me..."

"Whatever," Harry says starting to walk up the steps.

"Harry please stay. I get lonely down here... Keep me company please," I whisper loud enough for both of us to hear.

Harry huffs loudly and makes his way towards me again.

"Do you forgive me?" I ask.

"Of course I do," He says sitting down on the floor next to me rubbing his thumb on my cheek.

"I'm sorry I get so angry. I just don't like that fact that I had to kidnap you for you to be mine," He apologizes.

"You know if you would of just talked to me I'm sure I would of paid attention instead of you needing to kidnapping me."

"You say that now but for some reason I just don't believe it at all," He says looking deep in my eyes as if trying to find out if I'm speaking the truth.

"Why not? You're gorgeous," I say setting my hand on Harry's cheek.

Harry smiles making his dimples pop out and I poke his left one making both of us laugh.

"I don't deserve you but I can't let anyone else have you," He says setting his large hand on my thigh.

I stay silent and I look deeply into Harry's green shiny eyes. I know he wants to kiss me but I don't know how I feel about that yet. He is gorgeous but at the same time he is my kidnapper.

"Please don't try to leave me again Marley," He pleads.

"Okay."

"I mean it."

"I know. I promise I won't."

"Let's see if you can keep your word this time."

"I will," I say making Harry smile for the tenth time.

Harry looks down at my lips not knowing if he should go for a kiss.

He brushes his lips on mine teasingly and once he decided to fully go at it I press my fingers against his lips.

"No, I need to shower because I stink," I say making him laugh.

"Well then let's get you cleaned up," He smirks.