Chapter Twenty

A noise from behind the door startled her from sleep. Melanie slept all the time, but it was more like dozing off in a car or on a plane. Her head nodded and jerked at any odd sound. This time she knew she had heard something for sure. She focused on a sliver of light under the door. Then she saw a shadow at the threshold. He’s back! She turned her back to the door and shut her eyes tight. Her heart felt like it was trying to beat its way out of her chest.

As light pushed away the darkness, she told herself, Don’t move. This was the second time he’d come. The first time, she’d stood and faced him. Melanie’s questions had caught in her throat as she noticed the flicker of steel emerge from the switchblade in his hand. Against the light of the door, she hadn’t been able to see his face clearly. It hadn’t mattered; she knew he’d come to end her exile and send her away for eternity. She had curled up on the bed, pleading with him not to hurt her.

He hadn’t touched her. Instead he had brought her more food, this time including a banana and two apples. She wasn’t sure if she should be grateful or alarmed. How long was he planning to keep her here?

Now he was back. He always smelled like he’d just taken a shower. Though she was scared of his presence, the scent of his cologne was a pleasant alternative to the constant mustiness of the room. The floorboards crackled as he drew near her. A few seconds later, she felt his breath across the side of her face.

Her gut instinct told her to reach toward him and fight for her life, but knowing his switchblade was nearby, she didn’t dare. It was best to attack him upon his arrival, catch him off guard. If only she knew when he would come.

Melanie heard him walk over to the wall across from the bed. She slowly opened her eyes while his back was turned, and watched him pull out more water and food from a bag. He took his time arranging the items on the table. When he turned back around, she closed her eyes. She had yet to get a good look at him. He wasn’t young. That was all she could tell. The man moved very deliberately, like he was thinking with every movement. Then, as stealthily as he’d come in, he was gone, the door locked. She kept her eyes closed awhile longer.

Melanie scooted off the bed and walked over to the table. She stared at the assortment of food. Water, peanuts, and more fruit. She amused herself by saying, “Well, most of the food groups are represented.”

Her humor died when she noticed he had left her something else.

Not many people knew how much she loved this candy bar. Maybe it was a coincidence. She knew it wasn’t.