Amber Alert (Amber Alert Series Book 1) (7 page)

Chapter 8

I lost track of the number of days—Garrett had once told me I had been here for a month, but even he wasn't sure. It felt longer than that, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could make it. I wanted to end this suffering, but I was still here—very much alive. I only had two choices, I could leave the house dead or alive. 

My vote was for getting out alive, but if that didn’t work, I would take death over this life. I couldn't live through it; I'd find a way to kill myself before I let Steve have his way with me again. Although, I knew I couldn’t do that either. I would have to get out of this house and I'd make it home somehow. Maybe I would even send help for Garrett. Did Garrett really deserve any help? He chose to stay here, and then he blamed the girls who were taken against their will for them being here. His own mother was a hostage in this house, so how could he blame the other girls when he knew what his mom went through? He needed someone to blame and it was easier to blame the girls, even knowing that his father was a monster. Garrett needed help, whether he admitted it or not. He wouldn't do it for himself so that meant I had to get out alive so I could help Garrett too.

"But how would I do it?"

"How would you do what?" A soft voice asked from behind me.

I turned to see Garrett leaning on the door frame in jeans and no shirt. I fought to control the butterflies that were growing in my stomach as I looked into his beautiful, soft brown eyes, but soon I couldn't take my eyes off his shirtless chest. The fabric of his shirt normally hid the muscles and scars, but now it was exposed, like the growing feelings between us.

I had long given up on joining Andy, and I had been with Garrett for about a month; the feelings were only getting stronger. I had once told Andy that I hoped he would forgive me, but I was in hell, and if I could find solace in one thing, I deserved it. I had since told Andy goodbye and good luck with the afterlife—maybe I would see him sooner than I hoped.

Garrett just watched me with a smile until he spoke, "Do you like what you see?"

I could hear the slight tingle of laughter from his joking tone, but I couldn’t understand the humor. It seemed foreign after being stuck in this house for so long. I caught myself smiling at him and wanting to laugh at his joke, but we still hadn't forgiven each other for our fights. They had grown worse and very few times could we be civil.

"Depends on what I see," I said sourly, letting my words drip with venom. He believed that it was my fault I was here. He just assumed he knew everything about me because he's watched the other girls go through this. I'm different, and I'll prove it to him by escaping then coming back to help him get out.

I'd like to see pretty boy do that all on his own. He had given up a long time ago. He was living an existence, not a life, and there had to be a way to show him that's exactly what he was doing.

"Don't get sassy with me Anna. Just answer my question," he sighed sadly. He slowly walked over to sit with me on the bed and the second he landed the springs screamed in pain, but my butterflies started again.

"Which one?"

"The first one. How would you do what?"

"What do you mean?" I questioned, attempting to play stupid. I would much rather think about how distracting he was when he walked around half naked, but of course his stubborn streak shone through and wouldn't ask me that question again.

"That's exactly what I'd like to know." Garrett’s voice became harsh, he hated when I played games; he just had to know everything for some reason.

We glared at each other for a while, neither of us backing down. I could tell he wanted to know, but he had something else on his mind and it was distracting him. I wasn’t sure what could be distracting him. I was in his jeans and oversized t-shirt, so it wasn't like I was walking around without a shirt on. Garrett suddenly leaned forward and I felt my heart start beating faster. I wanted to feel his lips on mine, I missed the contact with him while he was avoiding me after the argument, but just as our lips were about to touch, there was a sudden pounding that came from downstairs.

Garrett chuckled lightly, before the terror reached his eyes

"What's so funny?" I questioned, as the pounding continued.

"You're about to find out," he said, swallowing his fear and jumping up from the bed.

Bang. Bang.

"What do you mean?" My voice shook with fear. Garrett was terrified, but wouldn’t answer my questions until I answered his.

Boom. Boom.

"It must have been a bad day at work," Garrett stated. He knew I was watching as he ran his fingers easily through his hair and flexed his muscles. He glanced around the room behind him and added, "and the mess of the house sure won't help that matter."

"What are you taking about?"

Bang.

The door downstairs burst open and then quickly slammed shut. I could hear boots stomping downstairs. Steve was angry, really angry, and that meant tonight would be torture.

"Sounds like Dad's home. I sure hope you have dinner ready,
mom.
Otherwise Dad will only get worse." Garrett turned around and quickly walked out of my room. I noticed he worked really hard to keep his footsteps quiet. I got out of bed and followed him toward his room as heavy foot falls proceeded up the stairs.

"Garrett!" I whispered in an urgent tone.

Garrett proceeded as if he didn't even hear me, but his pace picked up.

“Garrett!"

At the threshold of his door, Garrett turned to look at me with fear shining in his eyes even though his voice was cold and harsh. "What do you want?"

"What's going on?"

"Don't you remember? You're not like the other girls, so I don't know anything about what's going on. I can't help you,
mom.
" He knew I hated when he called me that. Could he put our argument aside for a few seconds?

"That's not funny, Garrett! What's going on?"

"Kelly!" The sound of his angry voice sent a wave of panic through my body.

"You better answer him," Garrett said closing his door slowly so it wouldn't make a sound. I forced myself to run back to my room, so I could stay out of his line of sight.

"Kelly! Answer me!"

"Yes?" I asked quietly, hoping he wouldn't hear me.

"Where are you?"

"My room," I said with a shaky voice. All of my hope faded from me as I saw his foot come into the room followed by his body and head.

"Where is dinner?" he asked as he grabbed my arm, forcing me up from the bed, and getting inches from my face

"I haven't made it yet," I said honestly.

"You've been slacking, Kelly. For almost two months now your chores have gone undone. In fact, I don't think you've done anything since you came back home! What's wrong? Have I not given you enough time? Have I not given you enough love?" I watched as his eyes started to travel my body. Garrett had given me jeans and long sleeves to wear for the colder months, but I knew that wouldn’t stop Steve.

He took my face in his hands and held me in front of him. He planted a sloppy kiss on my lips. When he finally pulled away, I could see the lust filling his eyes. If I didn't say something right away, this was going to get out of hand and I would be used again.

"No, I've had plenty of love. Thank you for showing you love me," I forced out as he pressed me against the wall.

"Then what is it? Because I can't ignore that you've been skipping your duties any longer. You're supposed to be a good wife, and good wives have dinner ready when their husbands come home, and at least have the house clean."

"Good wife?"

"Yes, a good wife. The rules, Kelly, you know them, right?" he asked angrily, his voice became darker, more aggressive. The rules were the law here, I knew them by heart and it sickened me to admit it.

"Yes, I do..."

"Good, now you better start following them, or I'll have to give you a lesson..." Steve released me from his hold and pushed himself away before walking out of my small concrete room. "Get dinner started, Kelly! I want it done by the time I'm out of the shower."

I stood, stunned for a moment I had come out of his hold without an attempt to force me out of my clothes. Steve had come in here, kissed me, started to have his way with me again, and then stopped when I said good wife.

"A good wife. That's what I need to be." I felt a smile curl at the corners of my lips. This one could actually work for both Garrett and me. We could both make it out alive if it worked. "I can do that."

"Do what?" Garrett asked, as he suddenly reappeared at my doorway again. Amazingly, it didn’t bother me that he acted like nothing just happened, or that he ditched me when I needed him most. I understood that Garrett was protecting himself, that's how he survived in this house. It was smart, but I needed to convince him that I was worth protecting, too. Couldn't he feel what I was feeling?

"Be a good wife."

Garrett furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and anger. "You're giving up? You're just going to give him whatever he wants?"

"He raped me," I said bluntly, even though it made Garrett cringe. "He has what he wanted."

"You think he won't do it again?" Garrett’s anger gave him away. He felt something for me, and he was furious that I was giving up.

"I'm sure he will, but not if I behave. I'm not giving up, I'm fighting my way out by being the wife he truly wants." I wrapped my arms around his neck and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. The action shocked him, but his tension dissolved, and for a moment, I knew I had someone else to fight for.

How so?" he asked.

"You'll just have to wait and see," I said vaguely, as I pushed past him out of the room. I had just taken my first step down the stairs when Garrett called to me again.

"Where are you going?" His tone changed, I couldn’t place it, but it reminded me of concern.

"To make dinner."

Chapter 9

For weeks I followed the rules perfectly. It kept Steve happy, he didn’t touch me, and there was no reason for him to punish me. Garrett was starting to warm up to me again, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Garrett had distanced himself after a while, but when he was sure his father wasn't around or wasn't looking, I would catch him stealing a few glances. It stung for a while, but I could understand why he avoided me. Garrett saw all the girls in here as the same, he said so himself. I was just another girl.

I was fine with that for now, because soon I wouldn't be just another girl. I would be the girl that escaped and still had the courage to come back for him. I just had to play by Steve's rules for a little bit longer. Steve had started quizzing me on the rules, looking for any excuse to punish me again, but if I did nothing wrong, there was no reason to punish me. Although, I wasn't going to let my growing feelings for Garrett get in the way of my escape plan. I wanted to gain Steve’s trust so I could leave the home. Without him would be preferable, but I was sure he would insist on taking me with him. He would have to be careful though, depending on where we were, but someone was bound to notice me. Someone was sure to have read the papers or know I had been kidnapped. People would still be looking for me, even after these last few months, right? My family wouldn't give up until I was found, no matter how long it took. Dead or alive, they would look until they found me.

***

Steve was starting to sense that something was up. His gaze scrutinized every move I made for any signs of false loyalty, but I made sure to be careful about my actions. I was the 'good wife' he wanted me to be, and he couldn't argue that I was his version of the perfect wife.

"Kelly?" Steve asked cautiously, as he placed his hands on my hips. It was clear by the tone of his voice it wasn't the first time he called to get my attention.

"Yes, Steve?" I asked, as I suppressed a shudder of disgust from his touch. Steve turned me around, looking intently over my facial expression before he gestured for me to sit at the table in between him and Garrett.

As I sat down I noticed Garrett was staring at me with a very deep interest. Even when I met his gaze, he didn't flinch away like usual; he offered a small, almost unnoticeable smile. I felt my heart beat faster as I let out a breathy chuckle and returned his smile. I could see Garrett's eyes lighten when he saw me return his small gesture. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Steve; he returned Garrett's smile with a glare and clearing his throat.

"I said that I will be leaving on a business trip. You will be here for three days with Garrett. I trust my rules will still be followed," Steve said angrily. He glared at Garrett, making it clear who that last statement was meant for.

"I understand, all the rules will be followed. There isn't anything to worry about." I answered for both Garrett and myself as I continued to eat dinner. I had learned to cook the steak right by using the television Steve had treated me with for our 'anniversary' last week.

I had been sick to my stomach for a few days after that. He used the day as an excuse to stay home from work, and that whole day he didn't leave me alone. In fact, he left me tied to the bedpost and didn't let me leave until late at night. My body had been ravaged repeatedly, my throat sore from screaming. Garrett must have wanted to make up for it, because while Steve was gone and I was asleep, he started doing my chores for me. He managed to lock himself away in his room before I woke up. He never commented on the chores, and I didn't ask why he started doing them. I was thankful, since it still hurt to move from the repeated beatings.

"I'm sure you do. You've been excellent lately, so when I return I will reward you for your behavior," Steve said with a smile as he placed his hand on my knee.

I instantly grew uncomfortable as his touch sent images of him raping me through my mind. His sighs of pleasure, my pleading, the fabric being ripped from my skin, and the pain.

He would order me to stop talking, maybe even hit me a few times so I had to co-operate with him. "You'll love it" was a phrase I heard often

I would pray that he would be stopped, but no one ever came.

I would do my best not to struggle, he liked it too much when I struggled.

I tried to picture Andy the first few times it happened, but without warning it suddenly changed to Garrett. His presence calmed me, but it also infuriated me. He hadn't talked to me in so long, and I was missing him even though he was in the same house as me. Picturing Garrett made the experience better, but I knew I was still being violated. It always felt like it went on forever before he finally got off of me. The pain was a scarring reminder of what had just happened; I was drained of all energy and self-worth.

I shuddered slightly at the memories. I glanced at Steve's pleased smile; it caused my stomach to clench, but I hoped I had just found my window of opportunity and everything was about to come to an end.

From the corner of my eye I watched Garrett stir, growing uncomfortable with each passing moment; something was really bothering him. He wouldn't look up from his meal, but I could tell he was steaming under his lengthening hair. It had grown significantly since I first met him, almost covering his eyes now so he could hide his emotions behind it.

"I will even treat you tonight. Let me pick up and clean the dishes tonight, then we can watch your favorite movie together," Steve said with a gentle smile, as he pushed Garrett and me lightly out of the room and went to work cleaning up.

"Thank you," I answered, knowing that was the answer he wanted.

“Anything for my loving wife. You deserve some rest, so please enjoy these next few days,” Steve said stroking my hair lightly as he lifted the plates and walked off toward the sink.

“I will find a way to relax, I promise,” I said as I pushed my chair in and walked out of the kitchen.
I will enjoy them because you won’t be here.
Garrett cleared his throat to catch my attention as we walked out of the kitchen. He motioned for me to follow, and with a weary glance in Steve’s direction we snuck upstairs, with only a few protesting squeaks from the stairs below.

"What are you doing?" Garrett asked, as he glanced back to make sure Steve hadn't followed us. 

"What do you mean?"

"You're just going to let him have his way? Have you totally given up?" He seemed angry, the way his eyebrows furrowed together and the sharp twang in his voice. Why was he so angry? It wasn't his life on the line.

"No, I have a plan,"
and you're a part of it
, I silently added to myself with a devious smile curling my lips. 

"I sure hope so, because it's painful to watch this!" he said pushing me slightly—even if it was by accident I stumbled and almost fell on my butt.

"I'm sorry that it's painful to you!" I spat. Garrett didn't have to put up with the abuse I had to. He just hid in his room all day and night.

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Do I, Garrett? I'm not so sure, because you certainly don’t act like you know what I go through. Every time you make the whole situation about you—even though you’re not involved! I’m the one stuck here, and it’s painful to me because of what I go through!” I said sourly as he flinched back.

“I went through much worse before you even got here! Would you like to see the scars again?” Garrett said, lifting up his shirt just enough so I could see the beginnings of the marks.

“Don’t you dare make me look at those again!” I practically yelled.

“I’m sorry that I disgust you, 
mom,
” he sneered angrily at me.

“Don’t you dare call me that again!” I yelled louder that time, my voice bouncing off the walls and empty rooms.

"You really want to start a scream match, 
mom
? I don't think Dad would like that very much." Garrett sneered knowing how much I hated when he called me mom. It only emphasized the fact that I was trapped in this house and supposed to be a good wife to a man I despised.

"Not now, maybe later." I said as I turned on a heel and walked back down stairs completely ignoring Garrett's protest at my actions. He'd find out later just what I had in mind for him.