Fight or Die: Ch. 4

Empty Eyes

A shiver ripped through my body as I gasped, bringing my head up. I must have doze off again. Blinking my eyes, I could make out a sliver of light coming through the furthest part of the room.

Was that a window? Was it a crack in the ceiling? I can’t see.

Without any warning I felt a hard kick to my back. The chair that I was strapped to flew forward, hitting the ground with so much force that it knocked me out…again.

Coming to, my head was throbbing. I tried opening my eyes, remember where I was. I still had not woken up from this nightmare. I was sitting upright again. There was a light in the room this time. I’m not sure where it was coming from, but it was dim.

Sitting across from me was a scrawny, pitiful man. His face overgrown by years of neglect. I could only see his eyes. I will never forget them. They were empty. No feeling, no emotion.

He just sat there, silent.

I asked him, “What do you want? Why am I here?”

silence…

“Please let me go,” I pleaded. I sounded pathetic, but I was knocking at death’s door and I felt helpless. Just hours ago I was unloading my groceries, and now I’m in some cellar sitting in front of a stranger.

He had done this before. Many times. He was calculated. He was manipulative. Had he just lived in society among us, or does he hide – only coming out to prey on his victims before he retreats back to this place. Whatever this place is.

A few more minutes of silence…painful silence…went by. Then he spoke.

“You’re bleeding,” he said.

“No shit, asshole,” I thought…I could feel blood dripping down my cheek. I was still shackled – so there was no way I could feel my head to see where I was cut, or how bad it was.

He grinned, and stood. Slowly he walked passed me. His steel toe boots making a very distinct sound on the concrete. I shivered as he walked by me. Would he kick me again, hit me? What did he want with me.

He kept walking, as he made his way up the stairs behind me. The cellar door creaked as it closed…and just like that – he was gone again and I was alone.

Next Chapter: Fight or Die Ch.5