The next morning I woke up to gentle kisses against my neck, sending my mind into a serene bliss.
Giggling quietly, I was enjoying this dream. My eyes stayed shut and my body leaned towards the bare chest behind me. "Jess. Wake up." The masculine voice whispered softly in my ear, his breath warming my cheek.
Finally opening my eyes, I expected my taupe bedroom walls, but I was met with bright white instead. A shrill scream left my throat at the memories of yesterday and the day before.
A heavy figure immediately pulled me into their chest, stroking my left cheek. "Shh, it's okay Jess. It's just me." I continued to shriek, which caused him to pull a hand over my mouth.
"Jess, stop. You're okay." No I'm not. No I'm not. No I'm not. The nightmare I hoped to wake up from wasn't a fabrication of my mind, it was real life. I was in the arms of my kidnapper, the one who stabbed, hit, and slapped me repeatedly.
Beginning to wail against his hand, warm tears rushed past my eyes. He didn't let go at my cries, so I dug my dainty fingers into his arm and pulled as hard as I could, thrashing my legs. Somehow finding his face, I dragged my nails into his skin.
Suddenly, I was flipped onto my stomach, a rough hand squeezing my neck. He was on top of my hips, applying loose pressure to my trachea. Air still passed, but barely.
"Baby, calm down and I'll let go." Whimpering in pain against the pillow, I struggled to free my body. "Do you want to breathe?" He asked darkly, a threat hidden beneath.
A nod of my head was all this uncomfortable position allowed. "Stop struggling." He grumbled impatiently, squeezing roughly. I halted my flailing as his left hand wrapped around mine. Slowly, he released the constriction against my throat.
Pulling my head from the sheets, I gasped in oxygen uncontrollably. Chandler sat up, leaning himself on the headboard, my body following, but against his naked chest. His hand still held onto mine, squeezing with a soft gentleness.
"Deep breaths, Jess." I was taking short and uneven drags of air, not helping my sobbing. "It'll feel better if you breathe deeply, baby." His right hand ran through my hair as I took a slow and long inhale, exhaling with the same rhythm.
I felt a heavy tug on my heart, missing my family and friends. This wasn't supposed to be my life. Being an adult meant I could control the messes around me.
"You'll get used to it, I promise." I wanted to scream, I wanted to rip out my hair, I wanted to get drunk and kill myself... But all I could do was stare at the wall in silence.
"I just want to go home." My lips quivered and my hands shook. "You are home." He answered with a sigh.
"No. Home is where I feel safe. Home is with my family. This is hell." Taking my bottom lip into my teeth, I bit harshly through my sobs.
"Come on, get up." Chandler commanded and pulled me off the bed. My shaking legs struggled to support me, but I leaned against his grip on my left hand.
He pulled me behind him, unlocking the white wooden door. "Don't even think about running." He ordered and turned left, leading us down a hallway with several doors.
I barely had time to inspect my surroundings before we arrived at another door. He used the same key for the bedroom to unlock this room. He pushed the door open, nudging me in.
My heart stopped, my eyes widening. My body went rigid, frozen with fear. Stumbling back, I hit Chandler's chest. His hands came down on my shoulders, holding me still. He bent down, his lips grazing my right ear.
"The next time I hear you speak of leaving or home, this is where you'll end up, so watch your words."
YOU ARE READING
Shattered
Romance"Baby, there's no secret you can keep from me, which means that if you leave me, I will always find you." In another life we would have been lovers. In another life this was my happily ever after and he was my Prince Charming. In another life it wou...
