20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Four

I open my eyes for the second time and find myself on a strange bed. I sit up quickly, heart pounding. Where am I?

The room is small and dull—everything is grey. There's only a bed and four walls. No windows, no mirrors. I run my fingers through my damp hair and tie it up in a messy bun. At least I'm not floating in the middle of the ocean anymore.

I step outside the room and spot him—the guy—talking to someone. A girl with short blonde hair and a tattoo on her leg. She laughs at something he says.

"Hey," I interrupt, my voice scratchy but firm.

I glance out a circular window and see endless blue. We're on a ship. So that's what I heard before passing out. Maybe I will find Mom and Dad here...

Or maybe not.

"You're awake already?" he asks, turning toward me.

"Yeah."

It's evening now. Everything feels surreal, like a twisted dream I can't wake up from. "Where are my parents?" I ask.

"I don't know." He shrugs and walks over.

"What?"

"You can go downstairs and look for them."

Before I can say anything else, he places his hands on my shoulders and starts giving me a massage. I flinch and pull away, heart racing. Then I bolt downstairs.

The lower deck is filled with people chatting and smiling, like nothing happened. I scan every face.

"Mom? Dad?" I call, my voice cracking.

Nothing. Just stares. My throat tightens, and I cover my face, sobbing silently until my whole body shakes.

"Hi," a voice says behind me.

I turn to find a man with greasy hair and a smug grin. "Want a drink?"

"No, thanks."

He grabs my arm as I turn away. "You can't touch me," I snap.

"There are beds upstairs. Why don't we use one?" he says, leering.

"You bitch," I hiss.

He laughs, and something in me snaps. I grab a bottle and smash it against his arm. He screams and releases me. I run.

Back upstairs, I rush into my room and slam the door. My arm is red where he grabbed me. I hug myself, shaking.

The door opens again.

"What happened?" the guy asks.

"Where are we going?" I ask through sobs.

He rubs the back of his neck. "I'm not sure where you're going."

"And you?"

"I don't know."

"Do you know anything? Anything at all?" I shout, standing up.

He raises a brow. "Are you done?"

"Go talk to that blonde girl. I knew the moment I saw you—you're heartless."

"Heartless?" He steps closer. "You don't know who you're dealing with."

"I said go."

He doesn't. Instead, he walks over and gently takes my wrist in his hand.

"Ow," I mutter, pulling away.

"Wait, don't move," he says, disappearing out the door.

He returns with a first aid kit and kneels beside me, pressing ice against the red mark.

"Better?"

I nod. The cold helps. "Where are we going? Is there even a destination?"

"There is. Don't worry. They'll find us. Maybe even give us money as compensation."

"I don't care about the money. I want my parents. Please... can you help me?"

He studies me. "Okay. Tell me how."

"I... I don't know. But I have to find them."

"Nial?" the blonde girl peeks into the room.

He looks at her, then at me.

"Oh—sorry, I didn't know you two were..." Her cheeks flush as she leaves quickly.

"You can go," I tell him, voice quiet.

He nods and walks out the door.

At least now I know his name.