Emerald and I had begun to share his bed upstairs. He held his side of the bargain and didn't make me go back down to the basement as long as I behaved. I was on my best behavior. Each time that he wanted me, I assented and fell into his embrace without hesitating. His behavior, too, had changed. He had become more sensitive to my needs and doted on me. It felt wrong of him to be so attentive as my kidnapper and rapist, but I had little say in the matter and was just glad that his physical aggression could be stymied.
"Good morning, sweet prince." He said as he rolled over and pulled me into his arms.
"Good morning, Emerald." I replied groggily, curling into him and away from the sunlight that streamed in from the blinds.
"I have to go to work today." Emerald's large hand covered my head and petted my hair. It felt nice. I grumbled in response and buried my face in the covers. I didn't want to be locked in this room while he was gone. "Come downstairs for breakfast first, then I'll pack our lunches."
"I'm not hungry." I sighed and pushed away from him, now fully awake. "Can I eat it later?"
"No. Eat while it's hot." Emerald kissed my forehead then slid out of bed and walked into the bathroom.
The water in the shower started and I turned over onto my back to stare at the ceiling. I'd be alone today for nine hours in this bedroom. It would be just as bad as the basement. I dreaded being alone just as much as I dreaded Emerald's presence. I covered my eyes and held back tears. I didn't know what to do. It felt as if I were just giving in to Emerald. I didn't want that. I couldn't become dependent on him. I felt sick to my stomach thinking of the future Emerald wanted for us. I'd be his slave forever if I didn't find a window to escape soon.
The shower turned off and Emerald came out of the bathroom glistening. I turned away so I didn't have to look at his sturdy muscled body or handsome face. I felt stupid for it, but I liked the way he looked. He was, after all, the only person I could look at. He came to my side of the bed and pulled the covers off of me to reveal my naked form. I glared at him.
"Come on, let's go downstairs." Emerald said as he grabbed a pair of boxers from the top left drawer of the chest of drawers. I followed him, grabbing my own boxers and t-shirt from the top right drawer. We dressed and then I followed him downstairs and to the kitchen where I sat idly looking out the window to the corner of the empty house next door.
I wondered if I could convince him to ever let me be alone in the house without being locked in. I glanced over to where he was cooking us the usual oatmeal and shook my head. Emerald was a patient creature of habit. He wouldn't take any unnecessary risks. If there was going to be an opening, I'd have to make it myself.
"Here. Eat." Emerald said absentmindedly as he set my bowl of oatmeal in front of me. He was distracted with his phone. If only I could get my hands on that phone, I could dial 911 for help. I ate absentmindedly while thinking about that phone.
"Do you really have to lock me up?" I asked as I finished my breakfast. He gave me a pointed look and I dropped my gaze to my lap. He picked up the dishes and washed them before moving on to pack our lunches. I was back to the usual turkey sandwich and crisps.
"You'll try to run if I don't." He said matter-of-factly. I opened my mouth to deny it, but couldn't.
"Please, Emerald." My hands shook as I watched his back as he worked. He said nothing.
When he'd finished zipping my lunchbox closed, he turned to me and motioned for me to stand. I did so and waited. Emerald walked to me and cupped my cheek in his hands. He kissed me gently and then looked down into my eyes. His verdant eyes were a deep forest in which I became lost.
"I'm sorry." He said and pulled me by my hand up toward his bedroom. I stifled the tears, not wanting him to see me weak. Fear began to chill me with each step toward his room.
When he opened the door, I walked through and immediately got back into bed. I didn't care what else he had to say or that he kissed my forehead before leaving and locking the door behind him. I cried. I don't know how many times I've cried since being kidnapped over a month ago, but now the dam broke again and tears streamed down my face while my sinuses inflamed and I sobbed. I wanted him to come back. I was so lonely. I also hated that I wanted him to come back. I cried out of loneliness, hatred, and guilt. I sobbed until I couldn't stay awake and fell asleep.
**
When I woke up, the light would suggest it was early evening as it now no longer came in directly through the window. I sighed and stood, stretching myself after falling asleep. Suddenly, an idea came to mind and I walked slowly over to the window. Raising the blinds I looked at the locks and thought that it couldn't be this easy. I unlocked the window and raised it. Carefully I lifted the tabs on the screen and then pushed it out. It was now clear and I could get out onto the roof!
I popped my head out of the window and looked from right to left and saw that there was only a small overhang to stand on if I wanted to make my way over to the porch where it would be easier to climb down. Taking a deep breath, I backed up then swung one leg over the windowsill and slid out onto the roof. The overhang groaned at my weight and I wondered if it would support me. Still, I took the chance and moved the rest of my body out of the window as carefully as I could.
Slipping, I cursed Emerald for making me go to this extent to escape. I regained my composure and began to slowly make my way across the thin strip of roofing by keeping my hands against the side of the house. When I reached the roof of the porch I knelt down and looked over the side. There! I caught sight of the railing of the porch and estimated that if I could lower myself down, I'd be able to get to the ground without hurting myself. I turned around on my belly and began to slide my lower half off the roof and dangled my legs down.
I was thankful to my errant upbringing where I'd often sneak in and out of the house. Using all of my upper-body strength I began to lower myself down, feet seeking the railing. It was close. I knew it. Then, I slipped. I fell the rest of the way to the ground and landed haphazardly on my right hip. The breath was knocked out of me and I struggled to regain stable breathing. I groaned and rolled onto my hands and knees before standing gingerly and dusting myself off. I looked around in amazement. I had made it to the front of the house. I looked toward the sun and tried to estimate how long I'd have before Emerald came back. It could be soon.
Now sure I could escape, I tested my hip and felt it creak in painful response to the movement. Shit. I had hurt myself. I began limping to the house I could see in the distance, the white paint standing out among the green of trees and underbrush. He said it was abandoned, but I didn't fully believe him. I stumbled through the yards and made my way to the house. The closer I got, the more dilapidated it seemed when compared with Emerald's clean white house. I didn't care. At that moment I just needed to get out of the open and see if there was anyone who could help me in that house.
Nearing the house, I noticed broken glass, twigs, and nails scattered around in the yard. Years worth of clutter was strewn throughout the yard and I had to choose my steps carefully in order to not cut the bare soles of my feet. I walked gingerly up to the front door and knocked. No response. I tried to look through the windows but they were boarded from the inside and an old eviction notice still hung on the front door. Emerald hadn't lied. It was abandoned. I held back more tears as I desperately looked around for the road and saw a long gravel drive that led from Emerald's house and into the trees. I looked down at my bare feet and groaned.
As I walked over the yard, I misjudged a step and didn't see a piece of a beer bottle sticking up like a violent blade of grass. The green glass shot into my foot and I cried out in pain. Struggling to stand on one foot, I pulled out the long sliver of glass and tossed it aside, my foot now weeping blood. I didn't care. Damn the pain. I walked slowly to the gravel drive and then began to walk.
