The Psychopath's Prisoner

Chapter 41

Cheyenne's wounds healed slowly as she plotted and planned over the next several weeks. He hadn't hit her again, but had tried choking her. He yelled and screamed at her quite often because she kept putting up a fight. It made him really angry. Her ribs still hurt and occasionally sharp pains ran through them. Her body felt weak because he would often punish her by withholding food from her. He was weakening her, which she thought was either because he wanted to kill her, control her, or both. Her body wasn't as strong as it used to be, but her mind still was. Her mind had to remain strong enough to survive. Through sheer determination she had to survive. Everything, though, weakened through lack of food or drink. If she didn't get away soon, she was going to die. The only opportunity she might have is what Daniel had told her. He had mentioned he might take her out. Although, that was a big if. She hoped he would because; it might be her only chance to live even though she had a plan of escape. The outing would be the perfect opportunity.

"I'm so hungry. Please let me eat something," she pleaded as she hugged her pillow.

He rolled over on his side and wrapped one arm around her. "Maybe later. It depends on whether or not you're a good, obedient girl. Besides, you still haven't opened my gift for you. That's rude."

"I-I-I'm so sorry I'll open it. I promise. But please feed me something. Please."

"Like I told you, maybe later."

She cried into the pillow and thought about food. Even a cracker sounded good. All she wanted was a little something. Why wouldn't he allow her something? Her stomach hurt so badly.

With all the anger she could muster, she wished him nothing but harm. Poor Raina must be out of her mind with worry. Cheyenne knew she might never see Raina again. Her only hope was Daniel would actually take her out.

~

An hour later, Daniel had her sit at the table. He slid the box across the table toward her and demanded, "Open it."

Cheyenne stared at the box and felt her stomach tighten. She was afraid to open it. Her instincts told her not to because she wasn't going to like it. Yet, pulled like metal to a magnet, she slowly untied the ribbon and her heart began to pound ferociously. She pulled the top off the box. In it was some white tissue paper thickly layered. She pulled it back and saw something white and sparkly. Something that terrified her. When she realized what it was, she knew she really was in deeper trouble than she could ever have imagined.

"What is this for?"

"What do you think silly? Our wedding day, of course. You didn't forget, did you? Two days from today, we're going to Vegas, to get married."

Cheyenne swallowed hard. Their wedding? With him? Of all the men in the world, Daniel? She kept telling herself to play it cool and attempted to look pleased. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

"You really like it?"

"I love it."

"Are you looking forward to the big day?" Daniel's eyes were wide with excitement and his smiling face scared Cheyenne.

"Yes, but I'm a little nervous."

He reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. "It'll be okay. We can do this and make this work. Right?"

"Of course we can." She let out a nervous laugh. "I'm scared after the divorce. You know?" To her, the dress looked hideous. It looked like some hooded cloak worn by the elves in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, only shinier. If she was going to get out, she had to be complacent. She had to go with the flow or else she might not make it out alive and see her sister again. "Can I eat something? Please?"