Somebody that I use to know

Chapter 6

Sauteed chicken parmesan. That's his favorite dinner. I always made him it when it was Thursday night. He'd give me more freedom than what he usually does when he finds a new member to join us. But this time, that would be Belle. She hadn't moved an inch still. Not even to smell the food which was odd to me. Belle loved to smell the food while it was cooking. I had the chicken wrapped in tinfoil to keep it warm and fresh while I was steaming peas, making chicken alfredo pasta and baking brownies for desert. I had gotten the table ready while Belle was still sitting in one of the chairs so I just worked my way around her, trying to get things ready.

"Isabelle" I said sitting beside her, "I know exactly how you feel, I was in your position once, there were girls here before me, and they gave me a word of advice I'm passing down to you: follow my lead, do exactly as I say and we'll make it out of here alive. I've seen what he does to people if they don't listen. I'm just trying to watch out for you".

She immediately got up and started helping, I could tell she wanted to survive like I did that's something we always had in common. I could see she wanted to cry but she has nothing left in her to even make one tear droplets come out.

"I-is Breyvn and Brenda gonna have dinner with us?" Belle asked softly, finally speaking after hours.

"I don't know, but when Arnold comes, you don't have to talk to him, I'll tell him you lost your voice and it won't be back for a while until he gets you some throat medicine, okay?" rubbing her shoulder softly as she helps me pour the brownie batter into the pan.

"O-okay, but what's going to happen after..after tonight?... What will happen to me?... To us both?.." she asked, starting to panic.

"We'll be fine, just relax and do as I say. I promise he will not lay a hand on you!"

So the table was finally set, we had cleaned the kitchen and waited for Arnold on the sofa. I turned on the t.v. he had for us. He had a collection of old movies for us to watch, he knew what we liked and didn't like. He made this place our home, he made us his family. A family that he never had but will make.

"So, what do you want to watch?" I asked breaking the silence for a short while.

Belle just stared at the shelf of movies, but she just shrugged her shoulders, not caring really. Arnold just then walked in as we were deciding what to watch.

"Hello, my loves" he said greeting us with a devious smile carrying a bouquet of roses, "how is Isabelle settling in now?".