The thuds grew louder. Nervously, I glanced over and was relieved to see that he hadn’t noticed. I knew I needed to escape. This was my last chance. If I failed, I knew it’d be the end of me. He turned and smiled at me. Sheepishly, I returned that smile. I didn’t want him to get suspicious or foil my plans of escape.
He drove at a steady pace. No, now is not the right time for my flight. I shouldn’t do anything drastic.
I could feel a drop of sweat slowly trickle down the side of my face. Stopping at a red light, he reached over and wiped the sweat off my brow with the back of his bare hands. The very same hands that could break me if it so desired. Instinctively, I recoiled from his touch.
Curiously, he gave me a cursory glance and returned his concentration to the road.
I feigned ignorance and willfully examined a dark red spot on the dashboard. What was I to say? Tell him the truth and risk him destroying my life as I know it now?
Thud.
Thud. Thud.
The pain was unbearable. My head swirled and my vision blurred.
“If you’re not feeling well, I could send you home….”
The honey-smooth voice that mocked me sent shivers down my spine. I knew he was teasing. There was no way I could leave! My feet were bound, my lips were sealed, I was held captive against my will! Daring myself to look into his soul-searing eyes, I shook my head and knew my fate was sealed.
There was no escape. I should stop kidding myself. Even if I could fling wide the car doors and run, I knew deep inside it would be pointless. I’d find myself back here.
Resigning myself to the impending life in captivity, I felt a queer sense of peace.
There was no fighting it. I was in love.
