Missing Pieces

10

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

Over and over again, as I sat surrounded in a blanket of darkness on the floor of my closest, I counted to ten in my head.

Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

I never went past that number because it was the one she'd told me to count to. It was the one that reminded me of how long we had left here—in this house that was more of a hell than a home.

Ten days.

Then, she would get us out.

She had promised.

A flinch coursed through my body as I heard another crash before a helpless cry traveled through the hollow house. Biting my lip to hold back the fear that wanted to escape, I pressed my legs closer to my chest and buried my face in my arms.

In my head, the strong voice counting to ten turned louder—as if it was trying to block out the sounds.

Ten days.

We could make it until then.

One. Two. Three—

When the house became silent, the voice in my head did too.

I curled up further, wishing this closest could swallow me whole as I heard the stairs creak. Heavy footsteps thudded through the house, the repetitive noise getting louder as he neared. My mind caved in on itself; my body trembling in fear of what was to come next because of the hatred he held in his heart for me. For us.

Ten days.

I heard my door knob rattle. I heard him curse. I listened and waited and prayed to hear her voice behind him as she did her duty and tried to protect me, but my faith was in vain. She never came. She never had the chance. He never gave it to her. When he was angry, there was no force in this world that could stop him.

The very house seemed to tremble as the door was kicked open. I buried my face further in my arms, seeking comfort in the darkness. Light flooded into my safe haven as the closet door burst open, but still I did not look up.

This was the man who was supposed to love me.

And he had.

For a long time, he did.

I never really knew why he stopped.

***

As soon as the phantom pain began, I jerked awake with a gasp. Sweat stuck to my body as I staggered out of my bed, throwing the covers off of me as I stumbled around in the darkness of my room, seeking a source of light.

With fumbling hands, I managed to find the switch.

As soon as I could see, I rushed out of my room on unsteady legs, desperately needing to get out of the place that I'd had the nightmare in. My heart hammered against my ribcage as I scrambled through the corridor, making my way down the stairs.

When I reached the kitchen, I immediately raced to the cabinet that held all the glasses without bothering to turn the lights on. My hand trembled as I reached for a cup and brought it over to the sink.

It was almost filled to the brim when someone called my name. A scream caught in my throat as the glass slipped from my hands, shattering as it hit the sink.

I whipped around to come face to face with Ezra.

He stood at the threshold to the kitchen, his dark eyes locked on me. His brows furrowed slightly as he took in my disheveled state—my wide eyes, unsteady breathing, and shaky limbs.