Kara's POV
When I come to, I'm confused. I look around, trying to gain my bearings.
"Hi there Kara." A quiet voice comes from my left.
I'm on a squeaky mat of a bed. I turn and nearly faint when I see Joe sitting there. I scramble up and try to get away. But he reaches gently for me.
"Shh Shh. Kara, it's okay."
My mind, racing, stops short at his soft tone of voice. It's almost kind and caring.
"What? Where am I? What's going on?" I ask, looking around.
I unfortunately find nothing I recognize as I glimpse out the window.
"You're home now." Joe says.
He's looking at me with what would be a loving smile had I not known how twisted of a person he is.
"What?!" I stare at him.
"You're home, Kara. Everything is okay. There's no need to worry." He rubs a hand through my hair before he stands and walks to the door.
"I'm going to make some tea. You look parched." He said.
I sit still as I hear him filling a kettle with water and turning on the stove. What the hell is going on right now? I pinch myself hoping it's a dream. But I only feel a quick pain pulse through my arm where I pinched it.
Slowly, I remember the events of the night before. I reach up to my head, it's been bandaged. I look down to my belly. I peek under my shirt and see bruises on my stomach. Shit. I think. I curl up, caressing my baby as I cry.
I want this nightmare to end.
I want my baby to be okay.
I want George.
Joe comes in with a steaming cup of tea. He hands it to me.
"Careful. Hot." He said.
I take the cup but don't dare drink from it. I've made that mistake before.
Joe sits on the floor next to the cot.
"So I was thinking we spend the rest of today just inside since it's almost over anyway. And then tomorrow we could go to the farmer's market. How does that sound?" Joe says.
I just look at him.
"What the fuck is wrong with you."
I don't curse aloud often and this took him a little by surprise.
"I'm just doing my job. I'm taking care of you. You'll forever be my always."
He seemed completely serious.
My jaw dropped. Joe reaches for the remote and turns on the telly.
"I know how much you enjoy cartoons." He said crossing his arms and sitting back, watching the show as I sit in the corner watching him, shaking from fear and confusion.
