I curled around myself on the bed, desperate for any form of warmth I could find. It was raining heavily outside and there was nothing to shield myself from the onslaught of cold air that blasted through the windows.
The windows were closed but they had a crack so air still managed to find its way into the room. The room was so cold so there was no escaping the cold no matter how hard I tried and thus I was at the desperate mercy of the harsh weather.
My teeth clattered against each other in the cold and I was shivering so bad. I knew there was no preventing the fever I would get tomorrow.
I had lost count of how many days I have been here. My faith in Atticus finding me has dwindled so low, it sat at about 0.1 per cent. The living conditions here were terrible and even the workers at home didn’t live like this.
I had been reduced to an animal. My body especially my legs hurt from having to sit down or lay down since I was here. I was only released to take a shower and use the bathroom twice a day and for food, I got a measly meal that could barely fill a toddler three times a day.
My legs hurt so bad, especially around my ankles where the chains were. The chains weren’t the problem since they were not big but the fact that they had been there for so long was what was making it hurt.
My stomach grumbled loudly and even though it was raining hard, I could hear the loud noise my stomach was making. I knew there was no point in calling for help because they wouldn’t come and the dinner I had was so little.
There was no way I could hide that I was pregnant. Maybe if I said something, they would provide me with a little more food and a blanket.
The only option I had now was to sleep and wait till they gave me the scraps they did. I folded more into myself if that was even possible.
I thought about Atticus and how worried he must be. He was probably doing all he could to find me. I hope he forgives me for not listening to him when everything is over. I prayed to God to help them find me before I was lured into dreamland.
“Rise and shine princess. It’s another beautiful day isn’t it?” An obnoxiously loud voice startled me awake and I sat up fast because of the shock. I quickly tried to get hold of my bearing and see what or rather who woke me up.
I saw Jason and the other guy who I know now as Fred standing over me. It was still so surprising that they had yet to lose the facemask so I couldn’t attach a face to the names.
“What’s happening?” I ask groggily as I stare at them in confusion. This was the first time they were waking me up in the morning. Usually, they just let me wake up whenever since there was nothing for me to do and we barely had any conversation together.
“Don’t you think you sleep a little too much? I admit there’s nothing to do since you are all tied up but the average woman would be scared out of her mind and be beginning for release but all you seem to do is sleep” Fred said pointing his hands at me.
“What do you expect me to do? You were obviously hired and therefore don’t have the power to let me go. Didn’t I ask you to let me speak with your employer but you wouldn’t let me so I have no other choice but to wait” I spat and they both raised their hands in surrender.
“Well, your wishes will be answered today. Our employer would be here midday so you might want to do your thing and wash up. It’s always important to at least look nice in front of your enemy slash competitor” Jason said and Fred groaned in annoyance.
“Jesus Jason, Did you really have to call them competitors? Release her you dumbass” Did I mention that they weren’t the best of friends and just tolerated each other just for the money.
“What got your panties into a twist?” Jason grumbled before coming to unlock the chain. I groaned in relief and used my hands to massage the red marks left by the chain.
“Ouch. That looks painful. I’ll look for something to help with that” Jason said looking at my legs.
“Thank you” I mumbled grateful for the suggestion.
“It’s not your place to do that. You better mind your business” Fred warned Jason but the latter just rolled his eyes.
“Look at her legs, you can’t possibly not want to help her, I know you’re not as heartless as you claim,” Jason told Fred.
“Look, can you argue about that somewhere else because to me you are both heartless bastards that took me from my home so regardless of whatever nice things you try to do to help me feel comfortable or to make yourself better, I would never see you as the good guys,” I said angrily as they were starting to piss me off especially Jason trying to act as if he was the good guy when he literally kidnapped me from my house.
“Look, I’m not saying we are the good guys…” Jason started but I cut him short.
“I’m sorry but I don’t care about anything you have to say. Just get out so I can take my bath in peace. It’s better if I get this done faster so you can chain me up like a dog again. That way we won’t have to see each other for the rest of the morning and hopefully afternoon” I deadpanned and Jason just nodded before removing the chains
The both of them stepped outside to give me privacy like they always did each time but I knew they were probably standing outside the door.
I grabbed the faded sweatpants and t-shirt that they gave me last week when I complained the clothes they kidnapped me in were stinky. The clothes they got me were just two pairs of sweats and shirts and I could swear on my life that they were probably thrifted.
The bathroom in the room was even in a worse state than the room. The white walls were no longer white, instead, they had turned into an ugly shade of cream. The walls and floors looked so greasy and I had to stop myself from throwing up anytime I ended up in there.
I took a very quick bath like I always did and got dressed because that was not somewhere you spent a long time no matter how tempting the hot water was.
My plate of breakfast was already on the bed when I exited and there were just two strips of bacon and eggs on the plate along with a medium bottle of water. My eyes watered at how small the food was. I was so hungry and that food would be barely enough for me.
I was still sitting on the bed and looking at the plate of food when the door opened and they both stepped in again.
"She’s done. Cuff her again” Fred instructed but Jason made no move to do that.
“Why are you still standing? Go and put the chain back on right now” Fred said pushing
Jason a little towards me.
“Can’t we wait till she finishes eating? It’s not like she has anywhere to run to” Jason said and Fred turned to him with an angry glare.
“Are you mad or something? Go and chain her up before I tell her that you are conniving with that woman to escape here” Fred threatened and I saw Jason’s eyes widen in panic before rushing to my side to put the chains back on.
“I’m sorry” Jason muttered as he put the chains back on but I just averted my eyes because I would never see him as the good guy so there was no need for him to keep acting like he was.
I didn't care about the reason he is doing this because there would never be any excuse that warranted kidnapping someone and holding them hostage.
“Eat that food fast and be ready. She finally decided to see you so she is on her way, "Fred said. They threw me one last glance before stepping out of the rook and locking the door after them.
I reached for my plate to grab some bacon but I found it empty. I threw my head back and laughed at the pathetic situation I had found myself in.
I could feel my body itching with anticipation and anger. I was eager to know who the person was that kidnapped me and had been sending me those letters.
I picked the plate and it landed across the room but it didn’t break or get damaged one bit since it was plastic. My eyes watered with anger and hunger. I didn’t even realize how small the food was.
That goes as much to show how small it was and how hungry I was. I was scared for my child. If I wasn’t pregnant, I probably wouldn’t have minded one bit and would have endured but I have to take care of my baby.
If anything happened to my baby, I would never forgive myself for that because I put myself in this situation. I should have listened.
I rubbed my hand across my belly. I smiled at the little bump that was there. If someone saw me they wouldn’t have any idea I was pregnant except they knew me really well and even then they would just suspect I ate a little too much.
I wonder when Atticus will finally find me. I can’t even think of escaping since I have no idea how to defend myself and I didn’t even know where I was being kept to even draft out an escape plan.
The only thing I can do is to pray and hope that they find me really soon. I had almost little to no hope left in me but the one per cent I had was because I knew that Atticus would never let me stay here. He would definitely come for me.
The door opened this time and the person who stepped in was the least person I could ever suspect.
“Samantha?”