Mean Girls Missing

5

March 22

7:12 am

Samantha

My captor had stored a full set of groceries in the fridge, freezer, and cabinets. It was a stockpile of food. Stephanie and I could've lasted off it for a couple months at least. Nope. I pushed that thought out of my head.

Steph and I would be found. We found. I had a gut feeling that someone would put all the clues together and discover Arnie's secret hiding place. When we were free, charges would be pressed and we would live to see the day he was locked behind steel bars for the rest of his life. And that moment wouldn't be able to take away what I went through, but it would let me wallow in the satisfaction.

Breakfast was officially served. I set the plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, buttered toast, and waffles. Syrup bottle on the side. The orange juice carton was half empty – Stephanie and I loved OJ in the morning. I swished it around before setting it on the table.

I was about to plop my butt into the chair when the creak stopped every movement, every breath. The small speck of sunlight transformed into the flood of fresh air and natural light. It caught my attention instantly. I couldn't even see Steph from the bathroom but I couldn't hear the makeup brushes tapping against the counter anymore. She heard it too.

The hatch doors flopped to a close as heavy steps tumbled down the cement staircase. I saw the shiny black shoes before I saw the rest of him. Swallowing the minimal spit left in my mouth, I prepared for interaction.

It was like my acting class in high school. I was never the shy type. Obviously my sister and I were extroverted. Social butterflies, if you will. We grew up around large groups of people and always had to speak in uncomfortable situations with a mass crowd watching. It wasn't like performing scenes in front of my class was anything new, really. That didn't stop the sweat from forming on my palms. It didn't stop the shudder in my voice or the way my body shook as I portrayed my character.

I had to get into this character I wasn't fit to portray in order to socialize with Arnie. That's exactly what it felt like.

He had on a navy blue button up and black pants. He grinned at me. "Good morning, my darling." Arnie's eyes darted to the food sitting on the table. "Oh, and you've set the table. Perfect timing."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Still, I forced a smile. "Good morning, Arnie."

Stephanie's head appeared from the doorway before the rest of her body. Panic flashed over her face once she realized she didn't hear anything. Arnie was down here. In this room. With us.

If she wasn't finished getting ready, she definitely didn't look like a mess. It was possible the glittery gold eye shadow could distract from uneven foundation blending or matching contours.

She headed towards the table, nodding her head at Arnie. "Good morning."

A nod wasn't good enough for him. I held my breath as he advanced closer to her. She stopped dead in her tracks. Arnie reached out to hold her hands, which she limply accepted, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. It wasn't short enough to be a peck. I could see the vague hint of slobber near her chin when he finally pulled away from her.

I don't know how she pulled that smile out of her ass. They exchanged grins and met me in seats.

"This is great, is it not?" he declared. "One woman cooking me breakfast, the other one strutting her stuff..." His eyebrows wiggled as he snuck a glimpse.

I suppressed the urge to vomit.

"It's the best!" My voice cracked. My heart pounded against my rib cage, hoping he wouldn't question my sincerity and chop my head off right here.