As Richard pulled off the highway, the car was slowing as we approached a small gas station. He parked by the pumps and turned off the engine, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me.
"Stay here," he ordered, his voice cold and commanding. "I'll be back in a minute."
As he stepped out of the car and headed toward the convenience store, I felt a surge of desperation.
This might be my only chance to escape. Heart pounding, I glanced around, scanning for any potential help or route to safety.
The gas station was nearly empty, save for an elderly man filling up his truck and a bored-looking attendant inside the store. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to do. As soon as Richard disappeared into the store, I unbuckled my seatbelt and quietly opened the car door.
My heart raced as I slipped out, careful not to make a sound. I darted towards the edge of the lot, my bare feet, barely making a noise on the cold pavement. Just as I reached the edge, a sharp voice pierced the air.
"Where do you think you're going?" Richard's voice was a mix of fury and incredulity.
I froze, my body trembling. He was already sprinting towards me, his face contorted with rage. Before I could react, his hand clamped down on my arm, yanking me back towards the car.
"You think you can run from me?" he hissed, his grip tightening painfully.
"You're not going anywhere." He dragged me back to the car, my futile struggles no match for his strength. Tears of frustration and fear welled up in my eyes, but I forced them back, refusing to let him see me cry again.
"Get in," he ordered, shoving me into the passenger seat. "And don't try that again, or you'll regret it."
I nodded, too shaken to speak. As he stormed back into the store, I curled up in the seat, my mind racing. Any chance of escape seemed more impossible than ever.
When Richard returned, his arms were laden with bags. He tossed them into the back seat and climbed in beside me, his expression hard.
"We need to get you some proper clothes, " he said curtly, starting the engine. "There's a store nearby:"
The drive to the store was silent, tension hanging heavy in the air. When we arrived, he parked and turned to me, his eyes cold and calculating.
"You're going to behave," he warned. "We're going to get what you need, and then we're leaving. Understood?"
I nodded my voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Richard."
Inside the store, Richard guided me through the aisles, picking out clothes, underwear, and other necessities. Each item he chose felt like another link in the chain that bound me to him.
I followed his lead, too afraid to attempt another escape. After he paid for the items, Richard drove us to a nearby motel.
