I wash my coffee mug, white dish soap bubbles getting all over my hands as I scrub the cream colored ceramic clean, the sweet scent of the soap rising into the air as I rinse the dish off with lukewarm water.
When I'm finished with that, I stroll over to the supply closet, pulling out the window cleaner and a roll of paper towels before shutting the door.
I sigh, walking over to the closest window and pull back the curtains, revealing the familiar view of steel bars outside of the glass.
I'm a prisoner here, a little voice says in my mind. There's no way out.
I shake my head to clear that thought away and think, Jake just wants to keep me safe from the world.
He's hiding you from it, the voice replies quietly. When was the last time you went outside?
"Shut up", I say aloud. "That's not true. He loves me."
It doesn't respond, and I spray the glass, wiping it down before moving on to the next window, still trying not to focus on the metal partially blocking my view of the outside world.
A thin string of doubt hangs over my head, but I quickly shove it away, returning my full concentration to my chore while reminding myself that Jake will call at noon.
I sigh again and put the supplies away, a sudden tired feeling weighing me down as I trudge back to the bedroom, dragging my feet as I walk.
I open my nightstand drawer and pull out my cell phone, which can only call Jake or Zack on, or play a game if I want to.
I hop up onto the mattress and get under the covers, rolling onto my stomach before clicking on my fiance's number.
Me: The meds are making me sleepy. I don't like it.
Jake: I'm sorry, Darling, but you gotta take them.
Me: I miss you.
Jake: Me too. Take a nap; it'll make you feel better.
Me: I love you.
Jake: Me too. I gotta go, but I'll still call at noon. Go. To. Sleep.
Me: Ok. <3
I sigh and shut off my phone, setting it off to the side before closing my eyes and giving in to the urge of sleep.
-----
Jake carries me inside a large lime green house, taking me into our bedroom and gently sets me down on the mattress before unwinding the tape from my fingers.
He gets up and walks into the bathroom, and I gingerly peel off the duct tape from my mouth and stay quiet as the man comes back, now shirtless, a bottle of wine in his left hand.
"You look cold", he says. "This should warm you up quite nicely."
I snap awake and shiver, my back damp with cold sweat as I turn on my phone to check the time.
11:50 am.
I may as well make lunch, as every time I close my eyes, I see an obvious lie.
My phone rings at exactly noon, just as I finish eating, the sudden vibration of the device inside my pocket startling me as I swiftly down a small glass of water in my rush to answer the call.
I pick up on the second ring and hold the device up to my ear.
"Hey Cupcake", Jake says from the other end. "Miss me yet?"
"Very much", I answer. "When are you coming home?"
"Around 7:30, I think. You doing okay without me there?"
"Uhuh. Can you come home at 6:30 instead?"
"I'll make it 7:00", he offers with a laugh. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm just tired", I reply quietly. "I'm fine, Jake. Stop worrying so much about me all the time."
"Any flashes?"
"No", I lie. "None since before you left."
"That's good", Jake responds. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Yes. I can take care of myself, you know that right?"
He sighs, "I know, I know. I just worry about you when I'm not there."
I smile. "I promise I'm okay. Besides, wouldn't I tell you if anything happened?"
"You're right, honey. I have to get back to work, but I'll see you at 7:00. alright?"
"Okay. Don't have too much fun."
"Not without my Cupcake. Bye."
"Bye."
I end the call and sigh as I set my phone gently on the table a split second before another flash takes over what I call reality.
I open my eyes to find that I'm sitting in a metal chair, with my arms tied behind my back and a strip of thick fabric knotted over my mouth.
I'm wearing the same clothes I wear now, not the ripped jeans and gray sweatshirt I was wearing the last time I flashed, which tells me that time has passed. Not much time, but time all the same.
A door opens behind me, and I start struggling against the thick cord, uselessly trying to break free as someone walks towards me, stopping to rest their warm hand on my left shoulder.
"Are you ready to talk?", Zack asks from behind, his breath wafting just behind my ear as I tense up and squeeze my eyelids tightly shut, letting out a muffled moan of fear. "Or am I going to have to 'persuade' you to?"
I feel the barrel of a gun dig into the back of my head, which causes me to let out the quietest of whimpers, nodding my head frantically.
Zack yanks the gag down to my neck before calmly strolling in front of me and kneeling at my feet.
"Are you going to answer my questions honestly?", he questions, the gun hanging loosely in his hand. "Or are we going to have a problem?"
"I-I'll answer your questions", I stammer, blinking away hot tears. "Just please, put the gun away."
"Not gonna happen."
"Zack", Jake's voice calls from the back of the room. "Just get to it."
His friend rolls his eyes but moves on.
"How much does your father care about you?"
"A-Alot", I stutter nervously. "He's always cared."
"Do you live with him?"
I nod nervously, crossing my fingers from where they're tied behind my back as I pray that was is happening is just a dream, even though I know that this is all unfortunately real.
"Good. Now we're ready."
"Ready for-?" Jake, from behind, swiftly pulls the cloth back over my mouth, silencing me before I can finish asking my question and joins Zack front of me, reaching into his pocket, pulling out a phone with a turqoise case, holding it up for me to see.
"We're going to give dear old Papa a call. Surely by now he's worried about his precious daughter", he says, swiping at the screen with one finger. "Don't you think?"
I watch wide-eyed, as he clicks on something and calmly sets the device on the floor.
"Theresa?!", a man's voice exclaims from the other end. "Where the fuck are you?!"
"Your daughter's here", Zack says, cocking his weapon and pressing it into my neck. "Unfortunatley, for you, she's not coming home for a long time, Dr. Moore."
"What the fuck do you mean?! Who are you? Let me talk to my daughter!"
"She's a little tied up at the moment", Jake says with a chuckle. "And did I mention the gun against her neck?"
"I don't believe this shit."
Jake sighs and pulls out a navy blue flip phone, pointing it at me and clicking a button before flipping it shut again.
"You probably just recieved a message from an unknown number", he says calmly. "Check the message and then try and tell me that we don't have your daughter."
There's silence for a moment, and then the man speaks again.
"Oh. My. God."
YOU ARE READING
Insanity
Mystery / Thriller"Oh, my God." I look up from my hands, the blade wet with red liquid. "Hi", I say cheerily, giving him a wave, laughing as more drips onto my lap. I gently set the knife down on the counter top beside where I'm sitting, my legs covered in knife mar...
