VULNERABILITY

Alarms

It's been two days that I've been in captivity. It made me laugh as I thought about taking a pen and marking two straight lines on the wall, just like real prisoners did in the movies. I didn't indulge in my childish thinking. Instead, I focused my intention of the standoff between Weston and I. 

I didn't leave my room. The only places I would travel was the bathroom connected to the room. I showered earlier and took small bites of the sandwich he set on the stand when I was taking my third nap. He must be trying to give me space. He tried once to get me to talk to him. He growled when I ignored him and left the room with the door slamming shut behind him. 

I still haven't asked the question that has been nagging me: where is Daniel? 

My emotions were scattered. I felt sad, angry and confused, still. I felt lonely and scared. 

When a knock broke me out of my thoughts I frowned and nestled into the covers. I shut my eyes and pretended to be sleeping. When the door shut, I knew he was inside the room. I kept my eyes shut, firmly. 

"I know you're awake," the voice is feminine. The voice is Julia. 

I throw the blankets off the body and turned towards her. She was standing in the middle of the room with a half smile. A pitiful smile. Either way, I was finally happy to see someone other than that beast. 

"Julia! Thank god you're here, I need your help. I have to escape, but I don-" 

"No, Poppy. I can't help you," her reply is quick and knocks the wind out of me. 

"W-What . . . " I whisper in confusion. 

She's helped me before. Granted, I wasn't married at that time and I didn't have a clue what was going on behind closed doors. Either way, it hurt to see Julia deny me. She is my only friend that I can depend on. As I looked at her, it suddenly hit me. Is she human or is she . . . a wolf? 

Julia sighs sadly and takes a seat on the corner of my bed. 

"Poppy, I want to help you. I really do. But . . . it's too late now. It's time you realize that. Any thought of escaping needs to leave your mind. You need to accept it, Poppy. You'll be better off when you do," Julia says with a sad smile. 

"I was hoping you'd help me," I say in tears, "but I don't need your help." 

Julia looks hurt at my cold tone. I don't give it too much attention. She doesn't know what it's like to be forced into a situation. She doesn't know what it's like to have the love of your life restrained in front of you. 

"Poppy, I'm just trying to help you. It's really not that bad. This is your destiny-" 

"If one more person talks about my destiny, I'm going to freak out." 

Julia runs a hand through her hair and sighs. 

"Weston told me to come and talk to you. He's worried. He cares about you. The marking ceremony is next week and you need to be ready," Julia says with a voice as soft as silk. 

I ignore this piece of information she shares with me. I don't care if he's worried. I don't care if he cares about me. He shouldn't be wasting these feelings on someone who is going to be gone. 

"Did you say marking ceremony?" I ask with furrowed brows. Julia looks nervous. 

"Yes. . . I did." 

"Well, what is it?" 

Weston enters the room at this point. He looks as impassive as ever. There is one thing I have learned about my monster husband and it's that his eyes display a different emotion than his facial expressions.