Trapped

Chapter 20-Emi

I watched the clock slowly turn to 4:00. I turned on the kitchen faucet and let the water run down slowly. The water made a relaxing sound as it hit the sink and went down the drain. The thought of running away from this prison was almost too much to bear. Part of me didn't want to leave, I felt like I wouldn't be able to function in a world where I was free. It was then that I realized how much I had changed.

Lynn was standing behind me, helping me with the dishes. I looked over at her at smiled. I turned back to look at the window in front of the sink. The luscious autumn colors of the trees swayed back and forth as the leaves fell.

Then, there was a ring on the doorbell. I put the dishes down in the sink and dried my hands on the towel.

"I'll get it sweetheart don't fret," called Lynn. She went to answer the door as I followed behind her. She opened the door to a surprised Jake standing behind it. He greeted her warmly before coming in. I noticed that his hand was clenched, he was holding something in it.

He discreetly came up to me , and put something in my hand as he walked by me. I gasped as I grabbed a hold of what seemed like a piece of paper. I looked at Lynn immediately to see if she saw anything, but she was busy closing the door. Just then, Will came downstairs.

"Hey man, you're early." He said.

"Well, you know how the traffic is at Seattle Airport, it's best to get there about 2 hours in advance if you wanna catch your flight." Jake said.

"Well I suppose, I haven't air traveled in a while," spoke Will.

Because that would mean leaving me behind, I thought coldly.

"You all set?" Asked Jake.

"Yup, let's go in a watch the game for a bit" Will said.

They went into the living room, chatting away.  I clenched the note tighter in my hand as I told Lynn,"I'll be upstairs if anyone needs me," and ran up the stairs.

I ran straight to the bedroom and locked the door behind me. I was panting, my heart thudding. I opened my hand to find the note now drenched in sweat, and opened it. It had some writing in pen on it.

1561 Gem Street, 7:00 pm, Tuesday. I'll be there.
-Jake

Gem Street, that was about half an hour away from here. Was that our route of escape? Must be so, I thought. I held the note in my hand and folded it up before putting it in my pocket. I opened the door and went downstairs with Will's luggage.

I came down to the entrance and put his luggage there. I went to the living room to find Jake sitting alone.

"You read the note?" He asked hurriedly.

"Yeah but how are you going to be there when you're going away for three days with Will?" I asked confused.

"I'll stay with him for a day, then when I have the chance, I'll catch the next flight here. Just be there by 7" he said sternly.

"Ok." I said.  That was the last thing I said before will came in. I smiled immediately, hoping he didn't hear anything. He didn't. He came and sat beside me.

"I brought your luggage downstairs for you." I said, trying to deflect his attention from staring at my face.

"Aw, you really didn't have to, it must've been heavy," he cooed.

It was the least of my burdens, I said to myself. To Will I just nodded and smiled back.

"Well my luggage is at my place so how about we go and leave from there?" Jake chimed in.

"Sure, let me grab my wallet," said Will as he went upstairs. I opened my mouth to talk to Jake, but Lynn came in.

"It's amazing how almost nothing in this house needs cleaning," she gushed. "You must take such good care of it."

"It's about all I do when I'm home alone," I responded truthfully.

"That must be an awful lot of time then," she said. I knew she didn't mean it to sound scornful, but somehow it did. I ignored the comment.

I saw Jakes eyes on me. I looked up to make eye contact. He raised his eyebrows and held up his hand slightly. I knew he was asking about the note. I pointed to the shirt pocket on his top. He understood. He gave my a childish thumbs up, which unintentionally made me giggle a little. I gasped and covered  my lips with my hand, and looked at Lynn. She was too busy examining the paintings on the wall.

Will came downstairs and held up his wallet. "I got it!" He called.

"Ok man, let's go." Jake said getting off the couch.

"Wait-before we leave, Emi can I see you in the kitchen please?" Will asked me.

"Sure" I said following him to the kitchen.  I looked at Jake before I went in. We went to the kitchen where Will went to the drawers.

"Emi, I don't know how to bid you goodbye. I know it's only for a few days but still, I've never been away from you so long," he said longingly.

"Don't miss me too much, or else you won't enjoy your trip." I said.

He laughed a little before opening a drawer. He  searched through the contents of the drawer before pulling out a long and shiny knife. My eyes widened with fear and surprise. Where did that come from, I thought.

"You remember our first anniversary?" He said eyeing the knife as he spoke.

"Yes, why?" I said trying to back away.

"We used this knife to cut the cake," he said with a crazed grin on his face.  I said nothing.
He came closer, until I could feel his breath in my face. Then, unexpectedly, he dropped the knife to the floor. The clang it made when it hit the floor made me jump. Will grabbed my arm arm and said into my ear, "Remember Emi, I trust you." He stroked my hair and held up my chin. "Goodbye," he said as he left the room. I let go of my breath as he left the room. I took a  deep breath and straightened my appearance before walking out behind him.

Jake was still waiting in the living room, discussing the paintings with Lynn when we came in.

"Done?" he asked.

"Let's move!" Said Will excitedly.

Both of them went to the entrance where Jake took out his car keys and Will grabbed his luggage. Jake opened the door and waved goodbye to me and Lynn. Will did the same, though he kept his eyes on me when he waved to Lynn. I weakly waved back and said goodbye. Then, the door closed. That's it-I thought. He's gone. He's not here anymore. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Just one more day, I thought.