"You look like you've seen a ghost." He squats down in front of me and grins.
I stare back in fear, paralysed by it yet the handcuffs still dig into my wrist.
The pain is crucifying, but I don't even have it in me to scream. All I can do is stare back at him, mouth shut, throat dry, eyes wide.
"Cat got your tongue, sugar?" He's mocking me.
He leans his face closer, mine moves back, he puts his hand up, I flinch.
"You're no fun," pouting in mockery and shaking his head, he continues. "No wonder your dad couldn't even bother to come for you."
His words hit me like a truck, knocking the air out of my lungs and the blood in my heart.
My tears well up and spill down my cheeks, the confusion and fear running down my cheeks, something I couldn't do.
I couldn't run.
"Well, sugar" he places his hands on my knees and stands up, a waft of his strong scent enough to make me scrunch my face, "until you can speak up, you're staying in here."
He turns to walk out, and when he's halfway across the room, he stops in his tracks and turns to look at me with a wicked grin.
"Oh, and no food for you. You clearly don't need anymore."
**
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milayah.
I startle up, my chest heaving with terrified gasps, but the blackness persists. Tears wet the pillow under me as they run down my cheeks.
It seemed like some memories, no matter how hard you try to bury them, they find a way back through your dreams.
I sit up with trembling hands from grasping oxygen. All was quiet in the room, save for my heart viciously drumming against my chest.
Trying to steady my breathing, I wrap my arms around myself, trying to anchor my racing thoughts and stop an asthma attack.
"It's not real." I whisper to myself, my voice shaking.
With my bare feet resting on the plush carpet, I swing my legs over the edge of my bed. I concentrate on the comfortable aspects of my space, but the room is so unfamiliar that it's almost impossible.
However, gradually, I begin to regulate my breathing, trying to calm my heart down.
I inhale for four counts, hold for four and exhale for six. Repeat.
