I woke up feeling out of it, and when I opened my eyes, my world was still black.
I wriggled my arms, my legs—didn't get very far. Still tied down. Fuck.
All around me, there was silence. I wondered where he was. Was he there in the dark, watching me?
Maybe it wasn't even dark, but I was still blindfolded, so I didn't know any better. What I did know was that I had to pee. Badly.
"Hey, mister!" I called out. My voice didn't carry very far. I was hoarse, probably from lack of fluids, and maybe because the water he'd given me to sip last night had been drugged. That would explain why I felt so woozy.
"Hey!" I yelled, as best I could.
Still silence.
Then I heard a chuckle.
He'd been there all along.
"Mister, please. Can you take me to the bathroom? I'm not gonna try anything funny."
I heard him sigh. "I suppose you do have to get off that little bed sometime. Bathroom's as good a time as any."
I felt his hands on my wrists, then heard the sound of latches. When my arms were free, I gratefully stretched them, cracking and rolling my wrists. I moved them around gingerly, trying to get them used to moving again.
He unfastened my legs. "Sit up very slowly," he instructed, and I did so, the blood rushing to my head.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Dehydrated, stiff, and like somebody drugged me."
He laughed. "And also sarcastic. I admire your spunk, Belle."
"May I please go to the bathroom?"
"You may, but I will take you there. Since we're just getting to know each other, I will stand outside the door—but that door stays open. Once you're done on the toilet, I'll help you freshen up."
"And then what?" I asked.
"And then we eat," he said, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.
He took my hand and helped me climb down off the bed. He pulled me gently down what must have been a hallway. I walked slowly, both due to exhaustion and also because I was weighing my options. What if I tore off the blindfold and bolted, or tried to fight him?
No, I told myself, best to try that after you've eaten. You're way too weak for that. Plus, you don't want to do this on a full bladder, right?
I could tell we were in the bathroom because the soft carpet had been replaced by tile. He led me into the room and helped me to sit down on the toilet. I desperately needed to go, but he was still standing there.
"You said you'd stay outside the door," I said softly.
"So I did. Very well then. Tell me when you're done." Listening to his footsteps walk the other way on the tile floor, I thought I was going to burst. As soon as I heard him stop walking, I let loose and peed like never before. The relief felt incredible, but I couldn't help but feel ashamed; I knew he was hovering outside the door, listening to every drop, every relieved sigh.
My hands shot out, grappling for the toilet paper. I found it, wiped, and stood up on shaky legs. "I'm ready," I called.
He came in and turned on the water. "I'm running a bath for you. You'll get in, and I'll help you clean yourself."
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Have I ever not been?" he asked.
"Um, you kidnapped me. I'd say that's not very nice."
"You don't have to go to work today. I'd say that's a vacation."
"What do you do?" I asked.
"Of all the questions you could be asking right now, you want to know what I do?"
"Yes. Besides kidnap young women."
"I work with computers. I can do much of my work from home, and often do."
"Can you make the water warm, please?"
"What?"
"The water. I've been chilly here," I said. "I would like a hot bath."
"Yes, of course," he said, and I heard him adjusting the faucet. Shortly after, he turned the water off and said, "Allow me to help you into the tub."
I stuck my hand out, and he took it. "Lift your leg up," he said, guiding me so one leg was in the tub. I sighed with pleasure, feeling the hot water on my foot and calf.
"Next leg," he said, and I lifted my other one in. "Now sit."
I sat, shakily, but god, did that water feel good. My muscles were thrilled, and the chill was getting steamed off my skin.
"Tell me when you're ready to be washed," he said. I nodded, but knew I'd need a few minutes to enjoy this simple comfort.
After a short while I said, "Ready," and I felt his hand plunge into the water. I instinctively scooted back, and he laughed. "Do you really think I'm going to hurt you?"
"I don't really know what the hell you're going to do," I said, my voice coming out raspy.
"Well, first I'm going to bathe you," he said, and I felt the warm friction of a washcloth on me. He dipped it into the water and onto my, washing my chest, arms, back, and legs. The shower gel smelled of sugar cookies, which seemed out of place for a kidnapper's bathroom, but at least it was pleasant.
He let the washcloth slip into the water. I felt his hands, slick with shower gel, massage my tits. I moaned softly, and then he squeezed hard. "Ow!" I yelped.