You'll Always Be Mine (12 page)

              He came back not long after, bursting into the room without knocking. He smiled when he saw me and spoke softly, “Dinner is ready.”

              I turned away from him and stared at the rocking chair.

              “I see you haven’t put on your clothes,” He walked closer to me and sat on the edge of the bed. “I would really appreciate it.”

              Like I would really care about what
he
appreciated.

He sighed and began stroking my cheek with the back of his hand. “Dinner is ready, my love.”  His touch gave me goose bumps and definitely not the good kind.

              “Okay,” I mumbled, giving in. He held my arm and guided me out of the bedroom, through the hallway, down the stairs and into the kitchen. On the far side of the room stood a dark wooden table with two wooden chairs on opposite sides of the table. Two dark brown bowls were set on the table and two glasses of wine. He sat me down and went over to his own seat.

              I examined the bowl in front of me. It was filled with a thick brown liquid and small chucks of what I assumed were vegetables. I sniffed at it and pushed my chair back in repulsion. “What is that?” I asked him.

              “Beef stew,” he said with an eerie smile on his face.

              My stomach churned and I pushed the bowl away from me. “I can’t eat that,” I said monotonously.

              His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Why not?” he said, a look of concern flashing over his face.

              “I’m a vegetarian.” I told him.

              His face twisted into an expression of disbelief. His eyes though, told a different story. I wasn’t sure if he was amused or annoyed. “Eat,” He reached over the table and pushed the bowl towards me.

              I stared at the contents inside of the bowl with disgust. If he thought that I was going to eat that then he had another thing coming for him. “Does it matter? You’re going to kill me anyway so don’t bother feeding me.” I spat, folding my arms across my chest and letting my eyes roam over the kitchen.

              He slammed his hands on the table, walked over to me and grabbed my arm, holding it tightly. “Elizabeth,” he said. I didn’t look at him, just continued to look around the kitchen. “Elizabeth,” he repeated.

              I ran my tongue on the outside of my teeth, becoming agitated. “My name is Liza!” I yelled, a little louder than expected.

              He was taken aback, obviously surprised that I had raised my voice at him. “Fine,” he said simply. “Starve.” And with that, he led me back to the room, locking the door behind him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN - JACOB

             
I felt guilty about how I treated Elizabeth last night. I thought that maybe when she learned that I spent hours cooking for her that she would at least try to appreciate it. Quietly turning the knob to her room, I pushed the door open and peeked in. She was still fast asleep on her bed, breathing silent breaths. I watched her chest rise and fall to the rhythm of her breathing. Stepping into the room, I walked over to her.

              She was so beautiful.

              I sat on the edge of her bed, beside her and brushed her forehead with my fingers. I traced them down to her chin and to her hair. She was flawless. I couldn’t believe that I actually had her to myself.

             
She bolted upright suddenly, settling her pale blue eyes on my dull ones. She let out a disgusted groan before she turned away from me, her back facing me.

              “Hello, sweetheart.” I greeted her.

              “What do you want?” she demanded.

              “I was just checking on you,” I said, my fingers softly combing through her soft dark brown locks. “Breakfast is ready,”

              She didn’t respond. She remained turned away from me, refusing to look me in the eyes. “You’ve checked on me. Now, please leave.”

              I allowed myself to gain control before I did something I would have regretted later. “Elizabeth, you have to eat.” I told her. “I made waffles and pancakes with hash browns. No meat, since you are a vegetarian.” I had taken the time to make food that she would actually eat so I wouldn’t be disappointed.

              “Great,” she said hoarsely, still not meeting her gaze to mine. “I want to be alone right now.”

              I sighed, giving in. She obviously needed more time in order to accept the fact that this was her life now. “I just want to let you know that this is your home now. You can walk around if you’d like or you can go outside…” I snuck a glance at her to see if she seemed happy with going outside. She didn’t move. Even if she decided to run away, she would never succeed.

              She pushed herself up in the bed, letting her dark hair fall down her back flawlessly. Barely blinking, she simply nodded.

              “I’ll be back to check on you again,” I told her, making my way over to the door. I exited the room and closed the door gently behind me.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - LIZA 

              Laying there, I realized one simple thing. I was never getting out of here unless I did the unexpected. He expected me to run away, scream, and fight against him. That is why he was prepared.

              I was surprised I had slept at all, but knew my body was working against me. I was quite hungry but after what happened last night, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to face that again. He did say that this was my home and I would be free to look around. Sliding off the edge of the bed, I walked over to the bedroom door and opened it with ease.

              I was surprised that he didn’t lock it like last time.

              A painting of the ocean and paintings of other exotic scenes instantly greeted me as I walked through the hallway and into the narrow foyer. I stared blankly at the front door, contemplating whether I should walk out or not. As someone who killed plenty of girls, I would assume that he would have this place on lockdown.

              Shrugging, I opened the front door and walked out onto the steps. The sunlight blinded me shortly but it was nice to see something so familiar. I breezed my way through the road that I was certain led to nowhere. Tall dark trees that made it impossible to see any sign of civilization surrounded the house.

              I sighed, turned around and walked back into the house. He really did make it impossible to try to escape. To my left were stairs, and to my right was a doorway that led to the kitchen. Finally deciding that I wouldn’t make any progress if I resisted him, I walked into the kitchen and smiled weakly at him.

              He was washing dishes. For someone who killed for a living, he seemed very clean. He raised his head and smiled when he saw me. “Elizabeth, are you hungry?” He gestured towards the already made plate on the dining room table.

              I cringed when he said my name. It was my birth name yes, but only my parents used it and frankly I did not want to be reminded of their death. I walked over to the dining table and stared down at the plate that was arranged very nicely. “I don’t really like hash browns,” I said.

              His brows furrowed, “That’s okay.” He finished up with the dishes and dried his hands. “You can eat the waffles and pancakes while I make you something else. Is there anything you prefer?”

              “I like eggs,” I told him simply, turning away from him and taking a seat in front of my plate. It had been a whole day since I have been here now. I knew that Lou noticed that I was missing and probably had the police searching for me right now. Hope fluttered in my stomach as I realized that I wouldn’t be here for much longer. “How long am I staying here?”

              He chuckled as if my question amused him. “You’re going to be here forever. With me and our children.”

              My eyes widened. I was glad that I was facing away from him so that he wouldn’t see my reaction. I regained my composure and replied in a calm voice, “Children? We’re going to have children?”

              “Yes,” he said simply, pulling out a frying pan from underneath one of the cabinets.

              “What am I going to do?” I asked, raising my voice a little. “Stay in this god damn place and just pop out babies? I don’t get to see my friends or my family or go to school?”

              He sighed and I heard him walk closer to me until he was completely in sight. “Why do you need all that when you have me?” A comforting smile stretched on his face but it felt anything but comforting.

              “I don’t even know your name,” I said softly. How was I supposed to spend the rest of my life with someone who I didn’t know anything about. Well, other than the fact that he likes to murder people.

              “My name is Jacob,” He smiled, “You can call me Jake or whatever is suiting.”

              “Jake,” I repeated, trying out the word on my tongue. “I want to go home.”

              He sighed, slamming his fists down on the dining table. “You’re not going home, Elizabeth!” he yelled, “This is your life now.”

              “No, it’s not!” I protested against him. “This isn’t what I signed up for! Let me go! I don’t want to be here!”

              Jake watched as I uttered exclamation after another until he grew impatient and grabbed my wrist, pulling me harshly towards him. “Elizabeth,” he said. “You will never say those words again? Do you hear me?”

              I stared straight ahead at nothing in particular.

              “Elizabeth,” he repeated, shaking my arm furiously.

              “What?” I whispered, snapping my eyes to his.

              “I asked you a question,” he said. The soft lines on his face hardened and for an instant he looked like he was going to kill me. For that fraction of a second, he looks at me with the eyes of a killer and in those dull eyes; I could swear I saw my life flash. “When I ask you a question,” he continued with a softer smoothing tone. “You answer it, okay?”

              “Okay,” I croaked.

              He released my wrist and stood up, walking over to the kitchen.

              I shook my head, forcing myself not to cry but it was too late. Tears were already forming in my eyes. I stood from the table, walked past him and continued throughout the room with the full intent of going back to my bedroom when his voice interrupted me.

              “Elizabeth,” he said.

              I bit down on my bottom lip from hearing the sound of that name. “What do you want?” I asked, turning around to face him. Tears were streaming steadily down my face and I took shuddering breaths as I tried to calm myself.

              “Where are you going?”

              “Anywhere but here,” I mumbled under my breath and continued walking out of the kitchen and into the hallway that led to my room.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
- LIZA