Stockholm Syndrome

16: But That Is Why You're Here

16: But That Is Why You're Here

I shoved the sandwich back in his hand after I had eaten half of it. He let out a small gasp as he caught the top piece of bread from falling off. He looked at me as he fixed the food.

"No more!" I gasped, curling up a bit. The food hurt my stomach because I wasn't used to it. He was about to protest but I cut him off. "I ate as much as I could. You can't complain about that." I warned him. He nodded.

"You still have half an hour left." He dangled the rope in front of me. I took a deep breath.

"Why am I here?" I asked forcefully, but we both knew I was trembling. Luke took a deep breath as if he was going to reveal a huge secret and his response was not what I wanted.

"Madeline, you're here because I brought you here."

"That's not-" I cut myself off indignantly. "You jerk, that's not what I meant and you know it."

"But that is why you're here, isn't it?" He asked cockily.

"You're a jerk." I answered. He rolled his eyes. He was about to respond but I cut him off. "Who's the other guy?" I asked sharply.

"Huh?"

"The other jerk, who is he?" I asked, louder.

"He's not here anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because he left." Luke grunted. I was about to shoot out another 'why' but didn't bother. Instead, I lunged off the bed and out the door. He followed me. I knew I had no chance at outrunning him and I didn't try. Instead I calmly made my way to the front door and walked out. I was going to slam it in Luke's face, like usual, but he caught it before it shut. He was expecting it. He grabbed at my arm but I slapped his hand, shooing him away.

"Where are we?" I asked loudly, in hopes someone else would hear. He grumbled a couple things I couldn't hear before answering.

"Not in a place that you're allowed outside." He grabbed my arm firmly and pulled me back inside. I got the feeling that I wanted to cry again but, again, nothing came out of my eyes. Instead my lip just quivered. I screamed at Luke. A scream full of hatred. He jumped but didn't turn around.

As he worked the rope back around my hands, I looked up to see his eyes glazed over with sorrow. He turned me back around and didn't let me look at him. I continued screaming. And finally, the tears came. They were light but they didn't stop. And as I cried and screamed, I gradually grew hysterical as Luke placed me back on the bed. He let me freak out for a little bit before forcing a pill down my throat.

 Everything went black after that.