Control

Chapter 9

Ella

"Ella," he spoke darkly, "I promise you right now, that I will be your first everything."

Too stunned by both shock and horror, I stood there gaping at him, flushing furiously with both anger and fear. He chuckled darkly, shaking his head while placing his hands in his pockets. He then made to move past me, but stopped and whispered an ominous farewell, "I'll see you tonight, baby girl."

I felt panic clawing its way to my throat and felt it take hold of my airway in its terrifying grip. I couldn't breathe. My face was flushed and my eyes widened as fear oozed out of every pore. I tried taking shallow breaths, but if felt as though the oxygen never made its way all the way to my hungry lungs. Help. I let out a strangled cry while clutching my torso, trying desperately for some sort of calm to alleviate my terror. Numbers, think of numbers, I chanted to my self. Recalling my therapeutic help tools, I thought of a string of numbers out of order, and attempted to repeat it over and over. My breathing finally carried the must-needed oxygen to my body, but I hardly felt relief. I had to get out. I grabbed my things and made my way home, hardly remembering even making it there.  

I opened the door to find Allison and Jack cuddled together watching television. Allison glanced behind at my entrance and popped up immediately. "What happened? Oh my gosh are you ok?!" She exclaimed worriedly.

No doubt, I had panic still written all over my face. As Allison tried to read my stricken expression, I attempted to explain what happened. "H-he...he wants me t-to... he won't l-let me...I don't know wh-what to do!"

"Shh, calm down Ella. Just breathe. Take a deep breath for me ok?" Allison cooed gently and I nodded and followed her instructions. "Ok, now come to the couch and tell us what happened so we can help."

Nodding to myself in affirmation that I could do this, I began. "I did and said everything like we had planned. I was just about to leave, when he grabbed me and told me that he was going to make me be his fake girlfriend to gain his father's approval. If that's not bad enough, he kissed me and told me he was going to do other stuff, too!!" Tears had begun pouring down my face as I relived the worst afternoon of my life.

Allison and Jack just stared at me, gaping in shock. There was a long beat of silence before Jack spoke up.

"What the f*ck? I mean, I don't get him. James could get any girl he wants, and could easily find a 'good' girl to play nice for a bit. Why would he do this?"

"He said it was easier this way because he wouldn't have to deal with someone getting clingy or emotional. I would just do as I was told." I replied shakily.

"What a douche!" Allison proclaimed loudly. "He can't get away with this, Ella. It's ridiculous. I am sure he was just trying to get a reaction out of you. There is no way that he can actually enforce something like that. Don't worry, ok? Jack will talk to him, right Jack?" she turned to look at Jack expectantly.

"Yeah, of course. I'm sorry, I'm sure if he knew how upset you would be about this, he wouldn't have done it. I'm sure he was just having a little fun." He muttered confusedly.

"Well it wasn't fun for me. He just...he sounded so serious...so demanding. If it was a joke, then he's a really good actor." I countered back.

Jack and Allison sat there thinking for a minute before I rememberd, "Oh my goodness! He said he would see me tonight! What does that mean? Allison! He knows where I live!!" I pleaded.

"Ok, look. Jack and I will stay in tonight. If or when he comes, we will sit him down and talk this out. We can even tell him you aren't here and you can just hide out in your bedroom. Did he say what time he would be coming?" She asked carefully.

I shook my head before snapping it up in surprise as the doorbell rang. I looked to the cute couple in front of me in panic, while Allison motioned for Jack to go answer the door and for me to quietly go to my bedroom. Once there, I softly closed the door and listened behind it as Jack opened the door.

"Hey man! I didn't know you were still here. Listen, I'm here to pick up Ella for a date, we're going to be late so I'm just going to go get her." I heard James state and heard footsteps approaching quickly.

"She's not here!" I heard Allison answer hurriedly. 

It was like I could hear the smirk on his lips and I knew that he knew she was lying.

"Look man," Jack interjected, "she told us what happened. You totally freaked her out. I think you need to stop playing. She has legit anxiety problems and can't handle your games. You and I can go out tonight, I'll play wing-man and if I don't get you laid, then you can drive my car for a month."

I held my breath in anticipation, hoping beyond hope that he would go for it. I listened carefully, trying to figure out what was going on, when suddenly my door was yanked open and because I had been leaning against it, I fell forward straight into the devil's grasp.

"Hey kitten," he purred ominously, "Let's get going." He help me firm in his grasp and started dragging me out of the apartment. I tried to dig in my heels and escape his clutches, but it was no use. It all happened so quickly, neither Allison nor Jack really registered what was happening before it was too late, and we were out the door.

Still struggling and in a last-ditch effort of desperation, I started screaming. I looked behind me to see Allison and Jack quickly making their way towards us. My screams were cut off by his large hand covering my mouth has he wrapped his other arm around my waist and picked me up, quickening his pace.

"Stop it! Let her go!" Allison cried.

"James, dude, you're being ridiculous. You've gone too far. This is like kidnap-" Jack trailed off as James rounded on the couple, I could feel his power and rage emanating from him and could guess what menacing glare he threw their way as they both simultaneously took a step back in fear.

"What?" he chuckled darkly, "you promised me a lay tonight. So be a good wing-man and shut your b*tch up while I take what's mine."

Tears were streaming down my face over his hand and I felt the panic closing my throat for the second time today before I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head and all I saw was black.