Trapped

Trapped - 2

Sorry its a bit short but plz let me knw how its cumin along and plz plz comment ... xxxx

SIX WEEKS LATER...

I catapulted up in bed drenched in sweat. I sat gasping for a few minutes, trying to forget the horrific dream I had been having. I looked to the clock. 4 a.m. I crossed over to the window for the fourth time that night, searching for any sign of Jason.

Six weeks since the beating with the belt and Jason still hadn't returned home after emptying half his wardrobe. Although I didn't miss any of his beatings, I couldn't help missing him. The house was oddly empty. I should be feeling the deepest hatred, hoping he would stay away forever, instead, I was wondering where he was, what he was up to...and when he'd be returning.

Yes, I was mad. But I knew that if I loved Jason like no one else could, he'd change. If I could give him another chance, he'd become a better person. If only he'd return.

I slumped back onto my pillows staring at the ceiling. I hadn't done anything these past few weeks except sleep and eat the bare minimum. I couldn't be bothered to do anything. I vacuumed the house once a week in the hope that Jason would return at least to a cleaner house. Besides that, I remained within the confines of my room gazing out the window every so often. I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to take me once again as its victim.

***

I stirred as I heard a gentle voice calling out my name. I froze. It couldn't be. I couldn't even remember when I last heard that voice. I screwed my eyes shut again, refusing to awake, in fear of it all being a dream because that voice could only mean one thing. My Jason was back.

"Mel? Mel, are you awake?"

I sat up in bed, shielding my eyes from the sun streaming in through the curtains that I wasn't even aware of drawing open. He sat on my bed and I noticed his holdall nearby. I looked at him properly and saw that he was radiating with the familiar charm that I thought he had lost a long time ago. He looked at me tenderly and moved a strand of hair away from my face. He gently brushed the bruises and cuts displayed on my face.

"Wh... I-I-"

"Shh. Are you okay? Can I get you anything?"

"No, no. I-I don't understand. What --- Jason what are you doing here? You left! You left me Jason, for six weeks. Have you any idea what I've been going through? Where have you been? You took your clothes, you didn't ring me, I thought---I thought -" my voice trailed off to a whisper. This was too much to get my head round. I opened my mouth to continue but Jason put his finger on my lips.

"Hey, hey, calm down sweetie," he said soothingly. "I'm here now and that's all that matters okay?" I nodded, though privately disagreeing. I didn't want to spark off another fight. "There's a firework display along the waterfront at seven-ish and I thought we could go together. You know, a break from the house. You haven't been out of the house for a while."

I stared at him in amazement. I had no idea where this was all coming from. Where was the monster that had ruthlessly attacked me weeks back? Had he forgotten? Impossible. Yet, I saw no trace of amusement, no indication that he was joking.

"Um...yeah, I guess. That'd be great," I replied meekly with a forced smile. I decided to go along with it and see where it'd land me. After all, I could hardly suffer worse than I already had. I'd ask him about his disappearance later.

While Jason showered, I had my breakfast, trying to comprehend Jason's sudden appearance and the dramatic turn in Jason's behaviour. None of this made sense. Where had he gone? Why had he left? Why he come back? What was this evening about? And why was he being so nice? It wasn't comforting, if anything, it made me feel more afraid. I was waiting for the unexpected.

"Mel, the hot water's off at the moment so you'll have to wait a bit for your shower." His voice startled me and I jumped. "Are you okay? You look a bit peaky."

"Hm? Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Um...why don't you have your breakfast? I'll just fix something up for you."

My hands were trembling as I fried Jason eggs and sausages. I couldn't remember the last time he had had breakfast, the last time he had spoken to me so warmly and treated me like someone he truly cared about. I looked at him and he was studying my face with curiosity.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing. Nothing, I was just thinking about the first time we met. You remember that?"

"How could I forget? Didn't you say something like...what was it? Oh yes, 'hey, I lost my phone number. Can I have yours?' " I laughed in spite of myself.

"Hey, it worked right?" He was smiling his devious smile, the smile I loved. It could light a room and fill the darkest dwellings with a beautiful glow. It was the smile that left me breathless.

"Yeah, well, not exactly the best of lines is it?"

I smiled wistfully, longing for the days when Jason would constantly make jokes and keep me laughing all day, even through the toughest of times.

I struggled to hold myself together and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself. I placed Jason's breakfast on the table, my hands shaking slightly.

"I'm, um, going to take my shower now. I won't be long." I left him looking a little puzzled at my behaviour. What was happening? I felt like I was going mad. It was as though Jason had no memory of the last few months. It was creeping me out.

***