Today is the third night and he has yet to appear.
Hunger gnaws at your stomach and you can almost feel your consciousness slipping, nausea pounding at your head from how much you just want to give in. But you don’t know who or what to trust and even as your body trembles from how starved you are, you refuse to let go of your suspicion.
Yet, a part of you knows that this is as much an act of defiance as it is for survival and perhaps all you really need are answers.
The clock strikes twelve and a fist knocks on your door.
Your fingers tangle themselves in the bedsheets, unsure of who is waiting for you on the other side. But dread fills your gut from the silence and the definitive change in the air and you don’t want to acknowledge that it is him.
You open the door with a shaky hand and peer around the frame when he pushes his way through, caging you in with one hand behind your head and the other placed against the wall.
He is so close you can’t breathe.
You can practically count his eyelashes and you can’t deny the fury and heat in his eyes.
“Why are you doing this?”
His voice is clear and low and you push against his chest, hoping for any bit of space between the two of you but he refuses to budge.
You clear your throat, turning your gaze away from his so you no longer have to fixate on the intensity of his stare.
“That should be my question. What is all this?”
He merely grabs your chin between his thumb and forefinger, effectively keeping you in place and you find he is closer than before.
“Are you unsatisfied with the meals?”
You shake your head, your hunger being the last thing on your mind.
“No, I mean why am I still alive?”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Would you rather be dead because I think it would be a shame to slit such a pretty neck.”
His finger traces the curve of your jaw before he brings his hand to wrap around your throat, placing just enough pressure to let you know he would be able to crush your windpipe.
You eyes widen and you swallow harshly, willing your voice to be even as you keep your gaze locked on his. “So that’s all this is? A sick game for you to keep me alive to toy with me?”
He scoffs and steps away, bringing his hands back to his sides but you keep yourself pinned to the wall, unwilling to make any sudden movements.
“Contrary to popular belief, I am not a monster.”
Your brows furrow at his words and disbelief writes itself in your expression.
“If you’re not a monster, then what are you?”
Your breath is caught and you are sure that wasn’t the right words to say but he merely tilts his head back, eyes dark in contemplation and there is a look of sorrow that crosses his face that you can’t quite explain.
“I suppose that’s the question.”
He takes another glance at you, finally taking notice of your how thin your clothes are and the slight tremble of your shoulders. He scowls before moving his gaze towards the plate of food sitting untouched on the desk.
“Eat,” he commands, “I am not cruel enough to poison your food when there are easier ways to be rid of someone.”
And with that he exits, leaving you with more unanswered questions than before.