If Only She'd Loved Him

Chapter 29

Friday 9:02 pm

Erik lay on top of his bed. His fingers absent-mindedly ran a toy Corvette Megan had given him across his sheets. The car was only a few months old. It should have looked new, but constant wear and tear on its surface had taken their toll. The paint was flaking off its doors. Its proud green stripe had begun to chip away. Erik's face was drawn and hollow as he lay there moving the car up and down, up and down, his thoughts as frantic as the spin of the wheels below his fingers. Had he really been about to hurt Megan? All because she ran from him, he asked himself in disbelief. And why shouldn't she run? For God's sakes I kidnapped her. No wonder she's scared. The car picked up more and more speed on the covers. Heat grew under his hand as he fought the impulse to run from his room then and there, to beg her to forgive him, to crush her in his arms until she understood just how sorry he was. But at the thought of Megan wrapped inside his arms where she belonged, he began to ease the car more slowly. It wasn't really my fault, he reassured himself. After all, I never meant to hurt her. I love her. The car rocked gently back and forth. Besides, she did it to herself, he argued. If she hadn't tried to escape, I wouldn't have had to punish her. None of that is my fault. The car went still on the mattress. She just needs to learn, that's all. Once she understands that I just can't let her leave. She'll understand. I know she will. Erik got off the bed and walked over to his dresser. Maybe it's good that she's scared of me, he reasoned. Maybe she'll get too scared to run. That would be best for both of us. I was too soft on her tonight, he decided. Tomorrow, he promised himself, tucking his toy back in the top drawer where it was safe. Tomorrow, I'll show her what control really means. Tomorrow, she'll learn just how alone she'd be without me.