Curiosity Killed the Cat

Chapter Four

"Perfect." Jackson says, marveling at his work.

We all had been living in my old room for the past two weeks so he could do "renovating" in the basement. Well, that is after he had us bleach the whole place and clean everything so no one would be suspicious. Two weeks, spent with all my possessions. I finally had had clean clothes and underwear as did the other girls. We took showers and felt cleaner, less disgusting. I read all my books, all day, everyday for the past two weeks. We would have dinner at the dinning room table and then he'd leave us to clean the house. We had been chained at our feet. Enough room between cuffs to walk but not enough to run. When he'd leave for work, he'd lock us up in my bedroom. Then the past day he locked us all in the bad girl's room and now...

"What is this...?" Marie asks, looking around the basement. We all walk a little further down the stair at the sight of the basement. 

There were four beds on the wall under where the shackles used to be and three nightstands. Across them was a kitchen area, with a fridge, sink, counter and cabinets, dishwasher and a washer and dryer.  There was a wall at the end of the kitchen area where there was a full bathroom. And lastly between the bathroom and beds was a couch and a TV in front of it. How long does he plan on keeping us?

"This is a joke, right?" Jenna utters, checking out the mini living area that used to be the basement. The other girls follow her, looking around and ooo-ing and ahh-ing at the sight. I stayed on the stairs, not trusting any of it. 

Four beds. Only four beds... but there are five of us.

"Why only four beds?" I ask, making them all stop in their tracks. I bet they were thinking what I was. One of us is going to die today.

"I'm glad you asked, kitty cat." Jackson smiles, walking over to me. "My precious little Cat, you'll be sleeping right where you belong; in your room."

"Really?" I ask, feeling a little happy. He nods and I smile.

Don't even think for a second I'm getting Stockholm syndrome. I have my cellphone in my room and can call the police. We're all going to be saved.

_________________

"I'm sorry." Marie pleaded on her hands and knees in front of Jackson. Leila just kept silently laughing to herself. She thought this kind of stuff was funny. The sick evil girl. Jackson hit Marie in the head with the hammer and she fell to the ground. He growled as he saw the bloodstains on the carpet. He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her upstairs, slamming and locking the door. 

"Why are you so fucked up? He might kill her!" I yell, turning to Leila. 

She starts laughing out loud. "If we do what he wants, we won't be hurt or killed. That's how I'm still alive and yet to be hurt. I'm going to outlive all of you because I'm smarter and wiser. You're all dumb and naive. Just face it, you're all gonna die." She retorts, walking to her bed and laying down in it. 

Jackson had bought us clothes to wear since Halloween is coming up soon. 

He gave Jenna a cowgirl outfit, with daisy dukes, boots, a flannel and a cowgirl hat. 

He gave Leila a french maid outfit, with the 6 inch heels.

He gave Sally a Harley Quinn outfit, and made her put her hair up in pig tails.

He gave me a cat costume. 

Lastly, he gave Marie a Minnie Mouse costume but she refused to wear it and right now she's being punished for it. 

A tear rolls down my face as I hear her muffled screams from upstairs. It sent shivers throughout my body. He's ruthless and vile. I can't believe this man is my own flesh and blood. I walk over to the bathroom and grab a tissue to wipe my tears, praying for Marie.  This is the fourth time this week she's angered him. She may not be coming back. 

Hours pass by when we finally see Marie come down the stairs. Her legs and arms were covered in dried blood, her face was black and blue and one of her fingers were missing. I run to the bathroom as Jenna and Sally sit her down. Getting out the first aid kit, I try to bandage it up as best as i can and we clean her up. I look Marie in the eyes and ask, "What did he do to you?"

"He raped me, beat me, cut me and then chopped off my finger for fighting back." She deadpanned, sounding cold and emotionless. I could tell he broke her, he took away everything she had left and turned it into dust. We help her get into her bed and tuck her in. Her dress was covered in blood and we threw it in the washer. 

"At least he didn't kill her." Jenna tries to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, not yet." I hear Leila's voice sound, making my stomach churn. I don't think I could take watching him kill another girl after what he did to Cassidy. 

_______________

"Where did you take her?!" I yell, banging on the basement door over and over again. 

Marie had been missing for a week now. He hasn't told us a single thing about her. He hasn't come down here for the whole week. Finally i hear footsteps near the door. As the lock sounds, I prepare myself for him to kill me. To my surprise, he's smiling. "Ladies, come upstairs."

We all cautiously walk upstairs and go to the living room. He smiles and tries to showcase the living room but nothing seemed different. "Oh my god!" I hear Sally scream. Looking around again, I feel my lunch coming up.

Mounted above the fireplace, was Marie's head. he beheaded her and displayed her as a trophy. 

"You sick bastard!" I yell, running at him with all my force and punching and kicking him. During my scuffle with him, Sally and Jenna managed to run out the front door. Once he noticed, his fist came in contact with my face and everything went black. 

Am I dead? I wish I was.

As I wake up, I'm back in the basement on one of the beds. Looking around, I only see Leila watching TV. "Where is everyone?"

"Dead." Leila tells me, watching Sponge Bob. I feel the tears roll down my face and get up, feeling dizzy. I go to the small window in the corner of the basement, above the living room area and see him shoveling dirt with two lifeless bodies in a small pile. Jenna and Sally. He killed them. "Just you and me, Cat. I told you all, I'm going to outlive you." She smiles, the same vile smile Jackson has on his smug face all the time. I keep crying, feeling so alone. Leila would do anything to survive, I already know that. How long did I have before she got me killed?