blood orange sky (bwwm horror)

atomic tangerine

Calliope sat at the small kitchen table, the morning light filtering through the windows and casting a warm glow on the worn wooden surface. She felt a mix of unease and determination as she worked over the stove, the sounds of sizzling bacon and the aroma of fresh coffee filling the cabin. Lucas had insisted that she take on the morning meal, and despite the gnawing anxiety in her gut, she tried to focus on the task at hand.

She glanced over her shoulder at Lucas, who lounged at the table, scrolling through his phone with an air of casual authority. His relaxed demeanor was a stark contrast to her growing tension. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was always one step ahead, orchestrating every moment of their lives together.

"Lucas," she began, stirring the scrambled eggs with a wooden spoon. "Can I have my cell phone back?"

He didn't look up at her, his eyes glued to the screen. "In a minute," he replied absently, his voice lacking any real engagement.

Frustration bubbled up inside her, but she pushed it down, reminding herself that she had to remain calm. "It's just... I want to check in with my friends, let them know I'm okay."

Still, he ignored her, chuckling at something on his phone before setting it down and leaning back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. Calliope took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew was coming.

"I've been thinking," he said, his tone shifting to one of excitement, "I want to bring my parents and brothers over to meet you."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her heart raced, and she turned to face him, her spoon pausing mid-stir. "What? I'm not ready for that!"

He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her reaction. "Why not? They're eager to see my wife. You'll fit right in. They'll love you."

"I don't want to meet them!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. "I just want my phone back. I want to talk to someone who understands what's happening here!"

Lucas's smile faltered, his expression shifting to something more serious. "You should be grateful for the life I've given you, Callie. You're safe here with me. You don't need anyone else."

She felt a surge of anger and desperation. "You're not listening to me! I can't just pretend everything is fine when it's not!"

"Callie," he said, his voice low and calm, "this is your life now. Accept it."

With a heavy heart, she turned back to the stove, her hands trembling as she continued to cook. The smell of bacon filled the air, but it did little to calm her racing thoughts. She needed to stand her ground, but fear kept her silent, the weight of his presence suffocating.

Lucas leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "After you are done, go wash yourself up.. You'll want to look nice for my family."

She tried to focus on her cooking, but the knot in her stomach only tightened. How could she face them, knowing what her life had become?

.

.

.

.

Calliope stood near the entrance of the cabin, her heart racing as she heard the crunch of footsteps approaching. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she opened the door to welcome Lucas's brother, Ben. He stepped inside with a broad grin, his eyes shining with an energy that felt both warm and intimidating.

"Hey, sis!" he said, pulling her into a brief hug that made her tense up. She forced a smile, trying to ignore the creeping sensation of unease that settled in her stomach.