In The Dark

Chapter 3

The next morning I'm faced with the decision of seeing my family. Truthfully we've never been close so I'm terrified of seeing them in my pathetic state. I look over and see Mason slumped over pitifully asleep in a chair. Quietly I make my way to the bathroom and turn on the light leaving the door ajar. I look in the mirror for the first time noticing how thin I became. My naturally pale skin turned a sickly yellow and dark bruises under my eyes. My hair is the only thing that looks moderately healthy, and even that's only slightly. I don't know how Mason could look at me normal when I look so grotesque. I mean I know he never knew me from before but still. I grip the sink tightly at the memories I've been hiding from, when I hear a knock of the door. Looking out the bathroom door I see Mason stumble out of his sleeping position to open the door to a cop.

"Hello my name is Detective Sparks I would like to speak to Miss Jones about the incident. I was just informed that she has been awake," the middle aged man spoke. Mason narrowed his eyes at him angrily.

"I don't think she should be put through that again right now, she has barely been able to stand being around people she knows let alone strangers."

"With all due respect son it is not up for debate, we need her to recount what happened so we can begin an investigation." Mason blew out a sharp breath.

"Well that's up to her and her doctors if she's okay to do it." He says protectively.

"The doctor cleared it as long as I didn't overwhelm Miss Jones," the detective countered. I walk out of the bathroom meekly, arms wrapped around my waist self consciously as they both turned to me. Masons eyes soften and he wraps me into his protective embrace.

"Miss Jones, is it okay if I ask you a few questions about your ordeal?" He asks softly and I nod. Mason guides me to the bed and picks me up laying me onto it. Pressing the buttons I guide the bed into a sitting position.

"What happened on the night of August 3rd?" He questions softly.

"I uh- well Joseph and I were arguing.. I honestly couldn't tell you about what anymore.. but it was bad so I went outside to calm down and I was sitting outside the gate by the road when some vehicle came up and a guy opened the door and grabbed me.. he uh oh God," I start crying.

"It's okay sweetheart take your time just breathe," Mason says rubbing circles in my back.

"He uh- threw a bag over my head and I panicked and passed out and when I woke up I was in complete darkness. I-I I don't know how long I'd been there I have claustrophobia so I was in a constant state of panic and delirium until I saw Masons flash light." When I finish I turn into Masons chest and cry harder.

"I'm sorry Miss Jones I know this is hard for you but can you tell me what the vehicle looked like and describe the man?"

"It w-was dark, I'm sorry I think it was small l-like a car but that's all I remember and he was wearing a mask and he was bigger than me." He puts a hand on my arm and gives me a reassuring fatherly smile.

"It's alright Miss Jones we'll find him if you remember anything just call." He gives me a card and Mason thanks him as he walks out the room.

"I think you should get some rest before your family comes to see you," he kisses my forehead and lays the bed back.

I open my eyes to complete darkness, part of me wonders if I even opened my eyes at all. My heart races but this time I can't hear a heart monitor beeping along with me. I scream terrified of the darkness and silence.

"Mason where are you! Please help me! Mason!" I see a light coming and smile knowing he came to save me again. When the light gets closer I can see his face but the sinister smile is so wrong on his face. I scream as I feel his hands gripping my arms shaking me.

"Scarlett sweetheart wake up it's just a bad dream you are safe." I jolt awake looking around frantically. I notice there's still no beeping and I panic more afraid that I'm still dreaming. Mason pulls me into his arms cradling me. He rocks me softly murmuring that it's okay. That I'm safe. Slowly I stop shaking and crying. I wipe my eyes and Mason reaches for some napkins for my snotty nose. Finally calm I look around and notice that not only is the heart monitor off but we are also in a different room.

"What's going on? Where am I? What happened to the heart monitor?"

"Everything's okay sweetheart, your family came and caused a huge commotion about you being asleep again and the nurses decided to move you to a safer room and the monitor came off during your nightmare."

"Why would it be safer to be in a different room?" Mason looks at me sadly.

"During they're struggle to wake you up they unhooked your IV and monitor. No one had noticed until they were gone but it almost cause you to go into a coma because of how nutrient deprived you are. I'm sorry sweetheart but they have been banned from seeing you until further notice."