Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 1

For Lucy, it seemed like an average day. She had spent all morning with her friends, doing nails and going shopping.

When she walked to the mall from Jacy's house, it was just after six. Most stores were closing, but there was only one she needed to go to anyway.

When she entered the book store, it was nearly empty. The cashier looked up at her through her glasses and gave her a welcoming smile. "Why hello Lucy! It's been awhile since I last saw you!" Lucy smiled politely back and wandered off to find her book.

The story was about a girl who got lost one day, and used only her senses to find her way back. Lucy's favorite subject.

She paid for the book and left the store in search of a pay phone. It took only a moment to spot one before she filled it with her coins. Then she dialed her home number and listened to the ringing. Eventually, it was answered.

"Hello?" The voice had a hint of static.

"Hi Mom. I need you to pick me up. I'm at the Crossway Mall."

The line was silenced for a second before she heard a sigh.

"Look, Lucy, I can't pick you up. I have dinner in the oven. Can you walk?"

Inside, Lucy was shaking her head. But on the outside, she agreed. Then she hung up and headed towards the mall doors.

It was pouring rain outside. Puddles covered the roads and flooded over the sidewalks. But being Lucy, she didn't complain.

She never complained. Mostly because she was used to being let down. Her family had little money for her high expectations. After a few years, the expectations dropped. She began to understand the process of work.

Her mother had been let off, just after her father had died. Lucy, her two brothers, one sister, and mother, had all been living off his life insurance.

On the way home, she heard a car pull up behind her. At the time, she hadn't thought anything of it. It seemed to be just another car. It was after she heard the footsteps, that the thought of being stalked occurred to her.

Lucy spun around with fear growing in her heart. She was going to burst.

The stranger that stood before her had a face no one could forget. Scarred and tired. His eyes were black and dangerous.

"Who are you?" she demanded, trying to sound confident.

As she asked the question, the man leaped forward and grabbed her. She attempted a scream through his big, over worked hands. Then, with force, he brought his other fist down to her head.

Only a second passed before Lucy was out cold.

When Lucy regained consciousness, she took a quick look around.

The walls were covered in a slight green color, mildew. She could smell it too. Not her favorite thing in the world. Not at all.

But what she saw before her was familiar. A pink sweatshirt that she hadn't yet worn. It was supposed to be in her closet at home. How had it got here? she wondered. It only took a moment to realize the answer.

Whoever had abducted her, had planned it. How else had her new sweater appear in the basement of her kidnappers home?

As Lucy was lost in thought, the basement door flew open.

"So, tell me your name." the man said with his deep voice. It made Lucy shake.

"Please, don't hurt me! My name is Lucy Fesh. Just don't hurt me!" she wailed, trying her best to hold back the tears she knew were coming.

The man sensed her fear and seemed to be enjoying it. "I'm in charge here. Don't tell me what to do."

He plopped down beside the quivering girl. "So Lucy, do you know why you're here?" she shook her head. "Of course you don't. You're here because of a promise I made to your father. A promise I must keep. And that promise would be to make sure you grew up right. Well, let's just say he never asked what my opinion of 'right' is."

He glanced over at the girl and sneered. "In order to become proper, you must learn pain."

Then he rose, still watching the girl. "And don't try anything funny. I know everything there is to know about you. And the most important thing in your life is your mother. We wouldn't want her to get hurt, would we?"

Lucy shook her head with distance in her eyes. A single tear rolled down her red cheek. "No, we wouldn't." she muttered before looking away from the monstrous man that stood before her.

"Good girl. My name is Malcome by the way." Then he left.

Lucy got up to get her sweater. The cold damp room was overwhelming her.

She slipped it on and sunk down to the ground into a heap. Lucy sobbed, and muttered, "Please, don't hurt me."