Captivated

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

Reign O'Connor

I'm beginning to feel restless. Although Christmas was a pleasant break from reality while it lasted, it's over now, and we're right back into regular routine: Dane brings me porridge for breakfast then leaves for work. Avery hasn't come down to see me in two days. Since Christmas Eve – the day we sealed as forever ours. Since he said he loved me; those words ringing through my mind on constant replay. Do I love him? I thought I did. I mean, maybe I do. I'm so confused and I wish I had someone here to talk about this sort of thing with. Life is so different here. Nothing at all what I need. Love. If what he claims is true, that he loves me, why the hell hasn't he come down to talk to me at least? This is good, I remind myself. People do reckless things for the ones that they love. Maybe I'll have a change after all. But that chance needs to start with a conversation. Come on, Avery. Don't let me down now.

When Dane gets home he brings me dinner and we talk for a bit. Small talk, nothing too interesting. Nothing like the answers I'm begging to know. I don't know how much longer I can do this. I can't just continue sitting in this room, doing absolutely nothing, waiting for... something. Him, perhaps? It's driving me mad. I worry for Tori as well. The poor girl is probably crying herself to sleep each night wishing she could be home to reunite with her family. But for me it's different. I'm no longer sad – I'm angry. I've used all my sadness to fuel the rage I have inside of me right now. And although the feeling of hopelessness still looms around my mind, I have now replaced it with a new emotion: determination.

I'm going to get out of here. That's what I've been telling myself for the past two days. I guess I made the decision after I saw Avery's final Christmas present. Is Dane planning on taking me out sooner than later? It's almost January which means I will have been here over three months. Is my time possibly coming to an end sooner than I suspected? And the big question that begs: is Dane going to make Avery do it?

I was foolish for thinking that I was special and that things could work out. I have to remember that Dane is a psychopath. He doesn't feel empathy or any kind of emotion for that matter. Sure he may be fascinated by me now because I look like his daughter that died, but that will not last. He will get bored of me. In fact, I'm surprised he's not fed up with me yet. I do admit that I am quite stubborn and can give him quite the bit of attitude. I guess I am like a daughter to him in some ways. But I have to stay on my toes – never let my guard down. I have to be ready and attentive at all times. Because as soon as I get the chance, I'm getting the hell out of here.

__

I wait around doing nothing all day, as usual. Avery hasn't brought me a new book since before Christmas so I can't even entertain myself with fiction. After what feels like an eternity of silence and boredom, Dane finally gets home from work, entering my room shortly after his arrival.

"Hello Reign," he smiles as he walks in.
"Hi,"
"How are things?"
"You mean since the last time I had human contact at breakfast? Oh they're just dandy."
"Since breakfast? You mean my son has not brought you anything all day? This is unacceptable,"
"Yeah, you should tell your son that. I'm hungry. And I have to pee."
"My apologies Reign, I will fix you up something to eat as soon as possible."
"And take me to bathroom?"
"Sure. Let's go."

He comes around to the bed and I stick out my ankle for him to unlock. I consider kicking him in the head, but I opt out on that one. Once the ankle cuff is off, he reaches down to grab the wrist cuffs. On second thought, perhaps I will.

Without giving it another thought I kick my leg up as hard as I possibly can and connect it to his face. He winces backwards and I kick him again with my heel in the side of the head, just to make sure he stays down. And then I'm standing and in a panic. Now what? I didn't think that far ahead. So I run. As fast as I possibly can because my life depends on it – literally. I sprint out the bedroom door and through the basement, moving swiftly as I reach the stairs and race up them at jet speed. I heard his voice when I was at the bottom, but now I'm at the top and I know he's almost right behind me. I open up the door that leads to the main floor and sprint faster than I did in the basement. There's so many fucking hallways and doorways that I'm lost. I turn left down the long corridor and open up another door. I can hear his heavy footprints stomping somewhere near the dining room. I slide through another door and lean my back up against the wall. I need a minute to catch my breath. I listen carefully, hearing my own heart pounding in my ears. I'm such an idiot. How could I possibly think this plan could work? I didn't even think it through. I just acted without thinking. Stupid. But if I make it out of here... then I won't be so stupid after all.