Next Door Neighbor

CHAPTER 20: THREATS

TW: Violence, sexual innuendos

STEPHANIE'S POV:

I wake up in Spencer's arms. He's curled around me, trying to shield me from harm even while he's asleep. I sit up, letting out a quiet groan. The concrete is not comfortable to sleep on. I feel Spencer start to shuffle. He sits up and gives me a small smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. My hand drifts to his cheek, gently tracing the cut there. He flinches and I pull away.

"How long has it been?" I ask him. He bites his lip and thinks for a moment. "At least eighteen hours, maybe twenty." He tells me. "We're not getting out of here, are we?" I choke out. "No. We will get out, I promise." Spencer tells me, grabbing my hand. I lean into him, my head on his chest as he holds me. We sit like that for a long time. At least, it feels like a long time. I can't tell if it's day or night in this room, if it's been minutes or hours.

Eventually the door opens. Lance comes in. He's wearing the same sweatshirt. The tiger no longer seems cute. It seems menacing, teeth bared, ready to kill me. In his hands, he has a glass of water. My throat aches. I'm thirsty as hell. He gives me a smile. "I bet you're thirsty, right?" he asks. I don't give him a reaction. I won't give him what he wants.

"I don't want it." I tell him. "You need to stay hydrated, love." he says. I keep my mouth closed. His face grows angry. He grabs my jaw, forcing my mouth open. He starts pouring the water in, forcing it down my throat. I choke, the water spilling down my chin. When he stops, I start coughing, my throat burning. Spencer scrambles over to me and supports me while I cough. "That wasn't so hard now, was it?" Lance chuckles. Spencer glares at him, fire in his eyes. He would speak up and defend me, but not if it meant me getting hurt.

"I brought you some food as well. It would be in your best interest to eat it. It's all you'll get for the next day or so." Lance says. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out two apples. He tosses them at us. He turns around and leaves, locking the door behind him. I grab an apple and take a bite. I finish it in seconds. It barely soothes the hunger in my stomach.

Spencer tries to hand me his apple, but I refuse. He attempts to argue with me, but eventually he caves in and eats his food, hunger getting the better of him. I put my head in Spencer's lap, and he starts to gently stroke my hair. "I'm scared." I blurt out. "I know. But I'm here, and I'm going to do everything I can to keep you safe." Spencer tells me.

We sit like that for God knows how long, relishing the momentary safety. But nothing good can last forever. The door opens again. We both stand, backs against the wall. Lance strolls over to us. He pulls me away from Spencer, pushing me up against the wall, just out of Spencer's reach. Lance smirks and puts a finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. "You're so beautiful." he murmurs. I glance over at Spencer. His breath is fast, eyes angry.

Lance leans down, his breath tickling my ear. "I can't wait to make you mine." He whispers. I stiffen. His lips start to kiss my neck. I feel sick. "Don't you dare touch her!" Spencer shouts, pulling at his chains. "You can't stop us from being together now, Spencer. We're meant to be, and she'll realize that. For now though, we still have to punish you for keeping us apart." Lance says, a twisted grin appearing on his face.