Against My Will

Chapter Five - Sunrise

     I can't remember the last time I woke up and it was still dark outside. The blue-black color of early morning painted the woods on the other side of the window. My body wanted to return to sleep - my eyes would not have that. For the longest time I stared at the ceiling, breathing evenly. My face felt swollen on the left side but most of the pain had subsided.

     Lincoln obviously knew about injuries. I wondered who taught him, or if he'd studied in classes based on anatomy. My mind turned with thoughts of Lincoln. He was human, after all; he did what every other kid went through. School, friends, dances, parties - had he been apart of these things? Lincoln was once a kid. I found it incredibly hard to imagine him as a child.

     He was by no means old. But he wasn't my age. I guessed him to be in his early to mid-twenties, possibly 25 or 26. That made him even more of a criminal. An adult kidnapped a minor. I still couldn't figure out why.

     I pushed myself up and scraped my fists over my eyes. If I couldn't sleep then I'd work towards an escape.

     Uselessly, I examined the window. Through the slivers of space between the boards I could see trees. Breaking the glass of the window would be easy. Getting past the boards was what worried me. My only chance was getting out the front door again and making a run for the road. I hadn't the faintest clue of the location of Lincoln's property, only that it was far from civilization by foot.

     I opened my bedroom door, peering out into the hallway. Ribbon had not moved from his spot in the foyer. He appeared to be dozing, soft snores leaking through his nostrils. I removed the sleeping pills from my sports bra, tucking them at the corner of the mattress where the tight end of the sheet was pulled taut. I tip-toed to the kitchen.

     The house was fairly well-lit despite it still being night-morning. I didn't need to risk turning on a light to snoop around.

     I started with the idea of a house phone. Maybe, if Lincoln was anything like my grandparents, he'd own one.

     The counter was clean of dishes. The table clear of plates. The desk at the back of the room looked all but bare as well. I walked the perimeter of the kitchen in order to eyeball everything effectively.

     "Shit," I sighed.

     A light flicked on overhead as soon as I spoke. I turned around, eyes wide, unsure of what else to do. Run? Hide?

     Lincoln stood in the hall I had just came from. His hand was still on the kitchen light switch, dropping slowly as he noticed me. But I was positive he knew I was in there before the light turned on. It's something that he would know.

     I backed away, towards the fridge. "I was thirsty. That's all." I wanted to think it sounded believable. "I'll go." Anywhere was better than the kitchen at that moment. Standing next to Ribbon sounded more pleasant than remaining in Lincoln's presence.

     He didn't move as I started to approach the archway. His body became bigger, taller, as I grew closer. Had I shrank in the night? As per usual, he had his mask on his face. His eyes were unblinking as they stared down at me. But they held a look of surprise - maybe even delight.

     Suddenly he was shaking his head, small turns, and then his hands came out and landed on my shoulders. I shied away but he didn't take offense. He definitely noticed. I had to assume he was in a good mood, a far better mood than yesterday. And that made me curious.

     Lincoln turned me around. He walked me toward the table, hands still encasing my shoulders. The callouses on his palms felt strange against my skin. Though I was nervous, I wasn't afraid anymore. It was clear he has no intention of hurting me. He indicated for me to take a seat.