Chapter 7
One night, I was jolted awake by a loud argument outside my door.
“Maynard, Patricia is in deep depression and could try to kill herself at any moment. If you don’t get her treatment and just lock her away in that dark room, she’s going to lose her mind.”
It was Derek’s voice. He was probably trying to see me, but Maynard was keeping him out.
I ignored their fight and tried to fall back asleep.
But Maynard’s hysterical voice shattered any chance I had of falling back asleep.
“I know, I know… but the doctor said her depression is because of me. To get better, she has to forget me. How can I let her go? How can I let Patricia leave me?”
I couldn’t make out what they were saying after that because the sounds of their fight and things breaking drowned everything out.
Later that night, the door to my room cracked open quietly. Maynard cautiously peeked in and whispered, Patricia, are you asleep?”
I didn’t answer, but he slipped inside anyway.
11
In the darkness, I heard his footsteps get closer until his face was just inches away. I could even hear his breathing.
“Patricia, I’m sorry.”
It was the first time he actually sat down and apologized properly.
I couldn’t hold back anymore. I jumped up and slapped him hard across the face, leaving a bright red mark.
“Maynard, how long do you plan to keep me locked up? Do you even realize this is illegal imprisonment?”
The force of the slap made him turn his face to the side, but he wasn’t angry. Instead, he grabbed my hand tightly and pleaded, “I don’t care about anything else. I just want you to stay by my side.”
I sneered. “Not even Darlene matters to you anymore?”
“Patricia, I haven’t had anything to do with Darlene for a long time. If it bothers you, I’ll make sure she’s completely out of our lives.”
I yanked my hand free and looked at him with contempt.
“Sometimes, I really think you’re pathetic. Darlene never cared about you, but you acted like a desperate fool begging for her attention. Now that I don’t love you anymore, you’re pretending to be so tender in front of me.
“I’m beginning to wonder if you’re the one who’s really sick.
“Darlene never loved you, and now neither do I. My love for you died long ago. Who would ever love a selfish idiot like you?”
Maynard’s entire body trembled. His eyes were bloodshot and wild, like something unhinged had snapped inside him. He clutched my wrist in a death grip, hard enough to leave raw red welts.
“Even if you don’t love me, I’m not letting you go. I’ll hold on to you forever. If you die, I’ll drag you back from hell itself. You will never escape me,” he snarled.
1/2
Chapter 7
+25 BONUS
Tears streamed down his face, yet he laughed like a madman. There was something so twisted in his expression. It was as if a demon had crawled straight out of the underworld and taken hold of him.
It took a long time for him to calm down. Then he sank to the floor. His voice was barely a whisper. “Patricia, stop trying to run. I’ll prove to you that I love you.”
Then he left.
But the gifts kept coming. Every day, like clockwork, flowers and expensive jewelry were delivered to my room.
I knew I couldn’t afford to provoke him now. If I wanted to get what I needed, I had to play along. I had to pretend to give in, just enough to make Maynard drop his guard.
So, I began cooperating with the so–called treatment. My moods smoothed out, my behavior mellowed. I even smiled at him when he came into my room, letting him believe I was getting better.
He was thrilled. He thought I was finally healing. Little by little, he removed the chains that kept me bound and took the bite guard out of my mouth.
Eventually, he even started letting me walk outside under supervision.
What he didn’t know was that I was waiting. I was simply waiting for the right moment.
And it finally came on Darlene’s birthday the next year.
