Behind The Bars

Chapter 1

"Hey. Wake up. Wake up."

A tap on my cheek woke me up. I tried to rub my eyes but I couldn't lift my left arm. That's right, I was shuckled at the rails of the stairs of this psychopath's house. I jolted back as I saw the man from last night crouching in front of me.

"Eat." He said.

He dropped a plate with food in front of me, went into the dining area and ate there. I stared at the food placed in front of me. The rice and the hotdog is burnt. Does he know how to cook? I could do better than this when I was 10.

I roamed my eyes around the huge house. The house looks luxurious as if it is owned by a rich family. Does he really live here? But the beauty of this house is ruined by clutters and trash. This man can't even clean his own house. I looked back at the man. He is tall, well-built and dark-toned. He looks like he is at the same age as me.

"What're you looking at?" The man said.

I stared momentarily as I compose myself.

"Please, I want to go back home." I pleaded again.

"I won't let you." He said.

"I promise to not tell anyone. Just send me back home."

"Your words won't change my mind."

Ofcourse. Why would he believe me? He stood up and grabbed his plate. He went into the kitchen sink and threw his plate there together with a ton of uncleaned plates. He can't even wash dishes?

His phone rang and he picked it up. Then he walked past me towards the staircase and went up. He dropped something in front of me, but it seems like he did not notice. It was a key! It might be the key to my handcuffs. Then footsteps broke the silence. He was going down. I grabbed the key and hid it at my back. He walked down wearing a different shirt. Later, there was a knock at the gate.

"Joshua. Joshua?"

These men kept on calling the name Joshua.

"Hey shut it. I'm coming."

My kidnapper said. So his name is Joshua? He openned the door and went out. I was not able to make up what they are talking about. The sound of the gate openning and closing was all I heard, then again, there was silence. It seems like they're off to somewhere. This is my chance! I took the key behind me and tried it on the cuffs. It went in and with a twist, the cuffs fell down the floor. I'm free. I smiled as I touch the swollen part of my wrist. This is not the time to celebrate. I stood up and went at the windows. I looked around. It's hard to see without my glasses but, it seems like there are no signs of Joshua nor anyone. I went towards the door and openned it. Suddenly, I stopped. I just stopped and did nothing. I looked back and wandered my eyes around the house. I closed the door and went into the living room. It's very dirty. A picture frame caught my attention. It was face down. I took it and looked at the picture. It was Joshua's family photo. It could have been a perfect photo if only he and his, I guess, father smiled. I put down the frame. I looked at the other picture frames and again, Joshua doesn't look happy at any of these photos. It seems like he has 3 older brothers and a pretty mother. He was born in this rich family, but what could have led him to do things like murder and kidnapping?

I went upstairs and saw several rooms. I went in one of the rooms and found some sort of white powder laying on the bed side table. Is this drugs? I looked around and found my bag. My things are scattered - my books, papers, and notebooks. At the other side of the bed, there was a paper. I picked it up. It was a letter.

"How are you Joshua, my son? Take this money. Please use it well honey and don't cause any trouble. I love you son, very very much. You have all the rights to hate me, but please don't hate your father. I hope you understand why we have to leave you. I personally don't think that this is the right thing to do, but your father... Don't worry son. I will try every time to talk to your father about this. I love you son. Take care always."

I put back the letter on the bed. I looked at a picture hanging from the wall. It is Joshua and his mother. They are both smiling. What could have happened to Joshua? Suddenly, I felt sad. Joshua, I want to know more about you...

~~~~~

It was 10 in the evening when I heard the gates open. Seconds later, the door openned. It was Joshua. His eyes widden as he roamed his eyes around the house.

"Who did this?" He asked. "Who cleaned the house?"

"Who else?" I responded.

"But you are currently shackled."

I threw the keys of my handcuffs towards him. He caught the keys midair. He stared at it and slowly moved his gaze towards me.

"You got out?" He asked. I cannot determine the tone of his voice. It's like he's both angry and confused at the same time.

I gulped and nodded. I did his chores for him. I thought that this is the least I could do to help him. Afterwards, I shackled myself back unto the railings of the stairs to show him that I don't have the intention to escape. He went towards the dining table and looked at the food I prepared for him.

"You cooked for me?" Again, I nodded.

He just stared at me with an angry look on his face. I suddenly felt tensed and looked down. Something was thrown in front of me. It was the key to my handcuffs. I looked at him confused but he was busy eating on the table. I took the keys, unlocked my cuffs, and stood up.

"Have you eaten already?" He asked me.

"Y-yes. I already did."

He went back to eating. I slowly walked into the kitchen. His eyes followed me as I gave him a glass of water.

"Why are you doing all these?" He asked. "Why didn't you just ran away?"

I looked down as if I was thinking for an answer when in fact I don't have the answer to his question. I stayed silent.

"Hey, I'm asking you."

Again, I gave no response. He just stared at me for some second and went back to eating. After he was done, he stood up and drank water.

"You're a great cook." He said.

He went towards the staircase and started to walk upstairs.

"You could go home now. I don't care anymore." He said before continuing his way up the stairs.

I took his plate, washed the dishes, and put the leftovers inside the fridge. I turned off the lights and went on the sofa and laid down.

I'm not going home yet, Joshua. I want to understand you better.