17. Now

“Please, don’t put me back in that cage. I’ll be good.” I bite down the sobs and try to act like the submissive doll he wants. I don’t know how much longer I can take this. I’m weak. I’m sick of being in this cold, damp place. In the tiny cage he likes to keep me in. I need fresh air. I need sunlight, and I know he won’t give in to me unless I start to play his game. I once knew Rexley Scott better than he knew himself. It may have been a few years, and so much has happened, but if I try hard enough, I just might be able to trick him.

“You see kitty, I have heard that before, and as soon as I turn my back, there is a knife shoved into my spine.” I gasp at the memory and bite back bile as he shows me the scar. I let the tears fall and look into his blazing green eyes.

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for everything, Rex. I should have never left that night.” I gaze up at him with sadness in my eyes hoping I can fake this remorse I don’t feel. He shakes his head and starts to pace.

“All I ever wanted was to keep you safe. With me. You were the only one in my life that loved me. My father liked to use me for his own selfish gain. My mother was a robot. But you… Sweet, innocent, with a huge heart and a love for my fucked up, twisted ways.” He spins to look at me, and I don’t flinch when he runs his finger down my cheek.

“You are my soulmate, Cat Colson. You were my reason for breathing. For not giving into the darkness and ending my miserable existence. You are my angel of darkness.”

“I never wanted to be,” I whisper. “I just wanted to love a boy the way I thought he loved me. I was so naive back then. I thought obsession was love. It wasn’t, Rex.” I glance up at him, and he’s frowning at me. I need to quickly fix this before he snaps again.

“I just mean, we’re all grown now. We can finally start the life you always talked about right?” He pulls my lips to his and kisses me so hard, I whimper from the pain. He pulls away, and his eyes are watery. Nodding, he takes my hand and leads me to the door. I watch as he opens it and pulls me up the steps.

“I have been waiting weeks for you to finally come back to me, kitty Cat,” he says, when we reach another door at the top of the stairs. “You’re right. It’s time we finally start our happy ever after.” I try not to cringe at that.

If he thinks kidnapping, raping, and abusing me is a fairytale then he’s a lot crazier than I ever thought.

I follow him up a wide staircase, my eyes going wider and wider. This place is huge. I haven’t seen much yet, but just the kitchen alone had my heart racing with excitement. Maybe I’ll be able to use it. I just have to keep being good. I need to earn his trust again, then when he’s not looking, I can make my escape. He leads me to the third floor and opens the French doors at the top. There seems to only be one room up here, and my curiosity is peaking. I watch as he takes a ring of keys out of his pocket and unlocks the door.

My heart drops, and I feel sick. Out of every sick, twisted thing, why would he do this to me?

“How?” I gasp, and his bright smile is more like a warning. I quickly fix my expression and try to act like this is a welcome surprise. He grabs my hand and tugs me over to my childhood bed. He jumps in the middle and pulls me down next to him.

“Ah, this is just like the good ole days,” he sighs, and I try not to cry, looking at all the things from my childhood I thought I had lost on that horrifying day. I gently lie on his chest and let him hold me.

Just a few more days, Cat, then you can make your escape.