Page 9 of Strings Attached
“Tell you what... I’ll think about it.”
It wasn’t a ‘no,’ and I’d take it as a win. I couldn’t help but beam as I clapped my hands together in excitement, the handcuffs clinking as I did. Glancing to the side, I stared at the loose chain next to me.
I lifted it up and grabbed another section with my other hand. “Isn’t it a bad idea to have this much give in this chain? It could be used to wrap around your neck and choke you.”
He leaned forward even more and dragged the chair until one of his knees pushed between my legs. “I dare you.”
I couldn’t breathe, but it wasn’t just fear anymore. Something in his tone pushed me to act, and in one quick motion, I wrapped the metal links around him just as he pressed the knife against my throat. It was cool against my skin.
For a few seconds, no one moved or spoke. This close, the scent of wood and musk filled my nostrils.
“Are you always this obedient?” he asked; I could almost hear the smile.
I grinned, relieved he didn’t decide to kill me. Instead, he seemed to find me amusing. “Only when it’s malicious compliance.” I let go of one end of the chain and slowly pulled away from him.
He chuckled as he lowered the knife. I waited for him to unlock my cuffs, but when he didn’t move, I lifted my arm. “I do have classes I need to be at before you make up your mind about the interview. If you don’t mind...”
“And why would I let you leave?” he asked as though my request was absurd. “No. You can stay right here while I decide.”
“I’m not inputting the PIN until you let me go, and when the cops find you?”
He stood and grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking back as I gasped. “How do you know I’m not tired of this and want it to all end? Death by cop is easy. Quick.” He traced the leather gloves along my cheek. “And I’d have twenty-four hours before that little timer of yours ran out. Do you know how much pain I could inflict in that time? How much I can bend you until you break? Don’t mistake my curiosity for weakness,darling girl, or it’s the last mistake you’ll ever make.”
I nodded despite the added strain it put against my scalp, and he let me go. Tears burned my eyes, but I ignored them as I massaged my head, wincing at the pain. “I have classes where they take attendance. If I don’t show up, they’ll let my social worker know, and she’ll have my ass.”
He strode to the door and vanished for a few seconds before returning with a syringe. “If you insist on leaving, then you’re doing so the same way you came here.”
“Can’t I just close my eyes?” I asked, almost in a whine. I really hated needles.
“We’ve already established you’re smart. I wouldn’t put it past you to already have figured out where inside this place we are.”
“Basement,” I blurted out. I couldn’t help it; his compliment about my intelligence made me tingle everywhere. “So does that mean you’ll never invite me over to do the interview here?”
He approached, and I eyed the syringe as though it was worse than the knife.
“We haven’t established whether I’ve agreed to that offer yet.”
“Okay...but could you not stab me in the neck with it this time? That really hurt...”
He sat next to me on the cot, and I hoped he couldn’t feel the heat coming off my body like I could his. “It has to go into the muscle,” he said quietly as he took out a small packet from his pocket.
How many things does this man have in his pockets?
He ripped it open, then motioned at my upper thigh. “That’s where it’ll hurt the least. That or just below your shoulder.” He traced a gloved finger on my back, just above my shoulder blade, and I couldn’t help the tiny goosebumps spreading across my arms.
I swallowed against the dryness in my mouth. “Shoulder is fine,” I muttered. “What is that, anyway?”
“A sedative. Midazolam.”
He rubbed the pad on my skin, and I shivered at the sudden cold. Without another word, he pushed the needle in. I hissed through my teeth as the pressure grew. Instinctively, I leaned forward, trying to get away from the shot, but he grasped my arm, keeping me in place. His arm pressed against my chest, and I leaned into it, closing my eyes. The hot lead pushed into me again, and I clenched my jaw to keep from screaming.
Doziness hit me, and my head leaned against the sleeve of his leather jacket. For a second, I pictured him smiling, and something deep down inside felt like everything would be okay.
7
Following
Ihad woken up on my couch. It was so surreal to be in my apartment after everything that happened. A quick shower woke me up, but I emailed my social worker saying I wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t attend my classes. Thankfully, there were only two, and both professors posted the notes online.
