Her Captor, Her Savior

Flashbacks: Evelyn Young

Warm water trickled down my face as I increased the water pressure. I couldn't help but smile at the memory of what had happened last night. How his lips had felt on mine, his scent so overwhelming.

Everything seemed a little bit lighter, rays of light illuminating the room. As I finally stepped out of the shower, a towel around my waist, I heard a knock.

A low murmuring voice spoke, "Evelyn, are you awake?"

Panic flooded my head as I opened the door. He was holding a tray of food, his expression turning flustered in seconds as he stared at me.

"Turn around," I yelled, my cheeks heating up. He complied, apologizing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were changing."

I changed quickly, pulling a creamy white summer dress over my head.

"I'm good. You can turn around now." His sweet attempt was ruined, and everything felt rather uncomfortable.

"Um...can I...? Can we eat downstairs?" I asked, combing my hair with my fingers, my cheeks still flushed. He nodded, straightening, and followed me down the stairs.

He had placed the food down on the table for me, but there was nothing for him.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked, searching his face for answers.

He chuckled, responding, "I already ate. I didn't know the morning would turn out like this." Clearing his throat, he shifted back to his emotionless self, covering up again.

"Don't do that with me. Fold into yourself. I want you to let me in, be vulnerable. Otherwise, this," I motioned between us, "can't work." His eyes cloud over, and I pick at my food in silence, relieved when he picks up my plate.

"I'll wash the dishes."

His evasiveness stings. I walk up to him, my hand reaching out for his. "What did I do?"

He pulls away, turns the water off, and faces me. "It's just... I don't think this is such a good idea after all." He watches me as my face contorts in pain, and I walk away.

Did last night really mean so little to him? Was everything a lie? I staggered up the steps, fury replacing his rejection. My blood boiled, and I turned in the hallway, wishing away tears.

I took my anger out on the pillows, finally sinking into the mattress. Gripping my bedsheets, I felt something shift. Faces flooded my memory, and I was transported into my past. The air felt thick, and the walls seemed to close in on me as voices flooded the room.

---

Bright light overwhelmed me as the truck doors opened, a rough hand yanking me out.

"Here's your merchandise, Mr. Monroe, just as you requested." My handler said, pushing me in front of him. Strands of hair stuck to my face, my head hanging low as I stared at my buyer's feet. Black, sturdy leather shoes, a cane in his hand.

"Very good, very good." He nodded in approval, his eyes scanning my beaten body, "She'll be of good use to me." Chuckling, he grabbed me and led me down to my chamber. "Wash off all your filth. Your clothes are on your bed."

I nodded in submission, too tired to try to defy him. His foul breath wafted against my neck as he pushed me forward, locking the doors behind me.

I showered, the water warm against my skin. Finally turning the knob off, I reached up to tie my long brown curls back. Droplets spilled from my eyes, saltiness in my mouth. My body was covered in bruises, my eyes bloodshot with blue shadows underneath. The girl in the mirror stared back at me, a look of brokenness about her. Sniffing, I turned and opened the door, scared of the plans my buyer had for me.

As the sound of footsteps crescendoed, I wiped away any signs of weakness, rolling my shoulders back and waiting for the door to open.

---

What came next seemed like a flurry of images, nightmares come to life. The moment he entered, I recoiled, all my courage gone. His eyes scanned over me, predatory and evil. I was wearing a bathrobe, the only thing waiting for me on my bed. To him, it was like I was just a piece of meat, something to be chewed and discarded. I shivered, and that's when I shut down.

His hands were everywhere, his rancid breath roaming my face, whispering unspeakable horror. I tried to wake up, but I couldn't. Time seemed to stretch out in all eternity, and pain and terror were the only things I knew. Finally, my body lay broken and bloody where he had hit me for my resistance, and a shiver of hope found me.

Crash. The man who had slipped into the room caught my abuser's arm, yanking him away from me, and slit his throat. Scarlet liquid sprayed everywhere, mixing with the blood trickling from my matted hair. Tears and red blocked my view as screams flooded the room. I curled up, stars roaming my vision, and lapses of blackness settled in.

The last thing I knew before I went limp was the strange man kneeling beside me, his words urgent and mournful.

"Fiona? It can't be..." He trailed off, kneeling beside my fallen body. "No, you're not her. You just bear her features."

My head pounded, unaware of his arms scooping me up, taking me away from this awful place.

"Evelyn!" A voice yelled.

Wouldn't it be nice to die? To just sleep for eternity? Except for me, the landscapes of my mind wouldn't allow me peace.

"Evelyn." The voice now shook me, my body thrilling as everything disappeared. And then I awoke, crumpled instead on Raffe's floor, his hands on my body. I recoiled from his touch, memories free in my mind now. Apparently, I didn't need a key, and this surely wasn't treasure.

Rocking back and forth, my knees hugged tightly to my chest, I found my tears in this reality to be just as flowing. Raffe's hand floated above me, unsure of what to do. Instead, he just whispered, "It's okay. I'm here; you're safe."

The room seemed to spin, and I reached up for his levitating hand, pulling it close, an anchor to ground me. He knelt down, taking my touch as an invitation to pull me close. My heart still beating loudly in my chest, I collapsed into him, sobs wracking my body.

His soothing voice drifted around me as I tried to speak, my effort futile.

"Shhh, don't talk. I wish you wouldn't have found out like this. I should have handled it differently." His voice held quite remorse, his hold tightening as he tried to shield me from myself and all the horrors of the world.

I know why he didn't tell me. I'm not sure I'd ever have wanted to know, not to this extent, but it was too late now. I don't know how long we stayed there, but the questions would have to wait.