Stockholm Syndrome

- 4 -

How many hours has it been since he left? There is no way to keep track of time in this black box. I am so tired, but I couldn't go to sleep, my thoughts are running wild and I'm so uncomfortable. Is this even healthy for me to have my arms tied up like this for so long? I have a feeling I won't be able to even feel my arms, if they ever get taken down.

I've been thinking about so much within this time. But, the one thing that has been on my mind the most is how I have never noticed him. Alex had said that he has been watching me for two years, how is that possible? Doesn't this guy have a job? Am I really that oblivious to my surroundings? Maybe he's lying... but there would be no reason to lie.

I heard sudden foot steps approaching the outside of my room and the doors opens. With a splinter of hope inside me, I look at the door expecting. Only to see Alex walk in, my heart drops. He comes in with a platter of food, to be more specific the platter contains a plate of spaghetti with meatballs and a glass of what appears to be fizzy water. How does he know that spaghetti is my favorite food... and that sparkling water is my favorite drink...

"I've brought you some food to eat." He says bluntly, but then quickly changes his tone. "I'm sorry for leaving you like that, I just don't like how you lied to me." Alex says, looking at me before placing the tray down.

Lie to him? When did I lie... oh wait.

"Be good, okay?"

I lift my head up to look straight at him, god that hurt. I didn't realize how long I had my neck dangling there.

"I'm going to remove the duct tape and untie your hands now, okay?" He says softly as he approaches me, taking off the duct tape from my mouth.

I don't say or do anything. I just wait.

He then gets onto the bed, which causes me to push myself closer against the headboard. Ignoring my behavior, he hovers over me and begins to untie both of my hands. As he's untying me, his chest is practically right up against my face. He smells like the outside, to be more exact, he smells like the forest. Are we near the hotel?

I feel my arms fall down to my side and I look over my hands. God, my wrists are so red? Or are they purple? I lightly touch my left wrist with my other hand and wince slightly, even the littlest touch hurts.

Alex is still leaning over me, his eyes plastered on my wrists. By his attitude towards me, I would expect him to look sad, but his eyes seem hollow. I move my hands to the side defensively, I still haven't said a word to him.

"Here," He gently places the tray on my lap. "Please eat, you haven't eaten since the picnic." He says, his voice filled with worry.

I don't give him any acknowledgement before I dig into the spaghetti with the fork he gave me. I drink a few sips of the sparkling water he gave me, but I just really want real water.

During all this, Alex has been sitting at the foot of the bed, just watching me eat, as if he's studying me. I swallow my last bite uncomfortably and I move to place the tray on the side table, but before I can do that Alex takes it from me.

"I'll do it, I don't want you to hurt your wrists." He says in his deep voice.

Hypocrite.

"Why didn't you drink your drink?" Alex asks me, looking at me for an answer.

I don't speak.

"May, answer me when I'm talking to you." His voice gets deeper and his tone quickly changed.

"Actually..." I speak, my voice raspy so I quickly clear my throat. "Can I have some, uh, real water? Please?" I ask quietly, but then quickly spit out the please.