FINDING LOVE IN DARKNESS

rce my eyes open, but they feel like they have sandbags over them. And my mouth. God

g on a hard surface, rather a very soft one. I am also covered up with sheets. I know that it isn't m

g but a white ceiling. It must be daylight, because

g my bearings. Everything seems so fuzzy. Like I have al

ece I have, is me going to a bar. I know that I was supposed to be meeting someone at the bar

en...then there is nothing. Save for the faintest scent of expensive c

up in one swift motion. It hurts like hell but I manage to stay upright, my head k

ds from somewhere. I start trying to kick the cov

are flashing before me. The man I met at the bar, no I didn't meet him, he showed u

you." The woman fluffs up so

e color. Framed artwork of rolling green hills and canyons are hanging from the walls. A high back green chair sits by a double p

's about my height, with long brown hair. Her bangs are cut short, framing her forehe

cups adorn it. She busies herself with making me something. I don't ev

your paralysis." She says.

se, like I've been screaming a

down on the bed. "I promise it's safe. I would never poison tea

slides down my throat, coating it. It doesn't taste good but not

ots of questions to ask, I sup

is Riley.

oman's...Riley's sm

I feel sad to hear it. I lower the tea and glance out the window. I can't see

ctly?" I ask

I don't. What the hell is going on? I went to a bar to meet someone, how th

I wonder what part R

bed. She takes the tea cup fro

pt here against y

se not. Although sometimes it can be ins

" I state. Riley's smile vanishes, instead she seems wo

ll not harm you. I will make sure of it.

ulls out a pair of plum colored silk pajamas. I only realize now that I am s

es are those

want to clean up." She says. "It's four now, I can bring your dinner up later if you'd like. Or maybe you'd like to join

em to be taking this shit very seriously. She acts like I am a guest or something. I really don't think I am any type of guest, more like a pris

ng my toes into the plush green rug. I manage to take small steps even though m

kitchen combined. Whereas everything in the bedroom seem

u if you'd lik

I think I can

e if it has a lock. It does. I push it in and breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe there is something useful I can use as a weapon. Rile

facial cleansers and makeup wipes. The next couple have things like deodorant and toothpaste. I notice a brand new

the drawers and cabinets, finding n

there?" Riley asks from t

ything's fine.

, albeit slowly and crawl into the claw foot tub. Bubbles tickle my skin as I sink into the warm water. I guess

ey?" I c

er voice

world are we in

t and then more quietly

ught

ad something to do with Freeman. I knew Freeman dealt with some business that didn't involve me. Most likely underhand

f joining Riley and whoever else lives in this house for dinner. It's definitely a pros and cons situation. If I don't go down for dinner, I might not be able to figure out my purpose

the tub and dry off. Riley had laid the silk pajamas on the countertop. I pick up the

sitting in the high back chair by the window reading a book. When

tter?" S

by going over to the

ir?" She asks sweetly and goes into the

d it reminds me of my mother and how she used to brush my hair like this. She would spray tons of detang

s been so attentive and nice to me so far. I also know that she knows more than she's lettin

hy he brought

d no."

my boss, I promise I don't know

ust keeps brushing my hair l

ready know the answer but I

ren." Riley speaking my name for the first time sends a jolt up my spine. I s

t stay here." My voice cracks on that last part b

help me, she would. Maybe she is tied to t

l be good for...well everybody." She finishes. Riley stands

hould be. I am being held hostage in someone's home. But I only feel frustrated. I just want to know why. Th