The next morning after the fight, Lucas walked me home from Jason's. Lucas attempted to start a few conversations, talking about the weather for at least three of the subjects he spoke about. In my opinion, he was running out of things to talk about.
My thoughts were elsewhere due to the conversation that I had overheard between Lucas and Jason. I felt as if I was balancing on top of a thin railed fence, if I leaned too far one way, I would fall for Jason and Lucas, pulling them into my catastrophic life. Yet, if I leaned too far the other direction, I would force them out of my life forever.
I just wanted to keep them safe.
Lucas stopped at my front door, turning to face me.
"So, I'll see you Monday?"
I nodded catching a glimpse of a smile on his face. "Yeah. I'll see you then."
Lucas paused for a second, the silence between us felt suffocating and I kept thinking about everything he had said to Jason the night before.
Lucas smiled and turned to leave as if he had suddenly forgotten what he was going to say.
"Have a nice day Celeste..."
I waved and felt as if I should say something more.
"Lucas!"
He stopped and turned from the end of my driveway.
" Thanks for making sure things got figured out after what happened last night."
He smiled, getting the hint that I was appreciative that he hadn't brought my family into my injuries while fighting and that he had agreed with Jason about not taking me to a hospital. I hated hospitals after I visited one to fix the injuries from the kidnapping.
"Anything for you Celeste! "
With a smile, he turned and walked off. I watched for a moment while he became more distant down the road.
I was brought back to attention when I noticed my mother peeking out of the window shades. When did she get so sneaky about who I hung around with?
She smiled and waved me in. I returned the gesture and entered the house.
"Good morning! "
She smiled as I shut the door to the house and stood in front of her.
"Good morning..." I answered.
"So, Lucas was here? "
She asked, her smile growing wider.
"Yep."
Her expectant stare seemed to tell me she was hoping for some wonderful story involving Lucas and I. "He just wanted to make sure I got home safely."
She nodded with a smile. "How was your friends house?"
Lucas had told my parents that I was at a friends house in order to not involve them in my injuries. I didn't want them to be concerned.
"It was great! Only a couple people were there and Lucas stopped by in the morning..."
She smiled again. "Great!"
My mother then walked towards the kitchen where she had a breakfast prepared, her feet seemed to skim the ground as if she was filled with joy.
Hope. She was filled with hope that I was finally making a recovery after all this time.
"Oh! " she paused. "You received this in the mail this morning. It doesn't have a name on it..."
She handed me a yellow package with my name written on it in a dark, calligraphic handwriting.
A wave a fear shot down my spine and I instantly was able to tell who it was from.
I held back my fear and wore a mask of surprise. "Thanks! "
I took the package from my mother and walked to my room. The package was most definitely from my kidnapper, and I began to wonder what sort of message it could hold this time.
I ripped open the package at the top and pulled out three items.
The first item was a withered rose, falling apart from its lack of water.
The second item was a neatly folded letter.
Lastly, I pulled the final item from the package...it was a blood-stained scalpel, most likely one of the one that he had used to cut me during my kidnapping.
It fell to the floor, my hands shaking violently.
I controlled my breathing as I opened the letter.
"My dearest Celeste,
I hope that you enjoy the gifts I send to you in this package... The scalpel was hardest to give up because it was the last thing that touched you before our time together had ended. I miss those days. "
Fear filled every vien in my body and my heart rate increased, as I remembered the violent cuts, one for each day.
I remembered the pain his hands inflicted on my skin, every time he hit me.
I continued to read the letter.
" I've been growing more impatient with each passing day. I long for the day that I have you back. This time you will not escape me.
I'm hoping that when I decide to take you, (very soon, my love) that you will not fight me. I would hate for something to happen to the people you love... "
What if I've already failed...all of those efforts to push people away...he would still harm them?
My hands shook and I fought away tears as I read the last of the letter.
" I will do whatever is necessary to take you away again. You will belong to me in the end Celeste.
I must say, I'm proud of you. You've been practicing those fighting skills! It will make our time so much more fun.
I hope that your pretty little face wasn't too injured after that last fight though. I may have hired someone, just to see how much you could take. You lasted a bit longer than I thought, which was why I made sure to teach you a lesson.
No matter how much of a fight you put up...every thing is gonna catch up to you and knock you out cold.
Be ready my Celeste, for when I come for you...if you don't submit, someone could pay for it. "
A tear fell across the letter when my eyes scanned over the bottom of the paper.
A picture for each person I had been even the slightest bit close to was taped to the bottom of the page.
Jason, Lucas, Stella, Simon, and my parents were only a few of the ones taped to the page.
The letter fell from my hands and an uncontrollable sob escaped from me. I haven't cried for the longest time, I locked emotion away after the kidnapping.
The tears then fell like a waterfall as I broke into pieces. I didn't realize how long I've kept control until everything fell apart.
After a minute or so of crying, I sobered up in an instant.
I had a small plan growing in my mind.
I needed to keep those closest to me safe...When my kidnapper comes for me, I will be ready. I will not fight him, I'll go willingly. If he's distracted by me, hopefully those I cared for would be safe.
I've accepted my fate and decided that I should make something in order to inform my family in case if something went wrong in my plan.
I took a clean notebook from my closet and began to write.
I hope I have enough time to let them back into my life, I may never see them again if my kidnapper is successful...
-
Hey readers!
Sorry for making you wait so long for the next update...
Thank you for all of the reads and support that you have been giving me on this story! I'll try to update again soon!
Also the amazing banner for this chapter was from bloomingXhibiscus
Thanks again! :)