Chapter 4 Terrified

• Eloise attempted to roll off the bed, as she had a horrible case of cotton mouth and desperately needed water. Her knees buckled as she started the trek to the sink. Usually, her prison room seems so small, but right now, it feels like she is a hundred yards from the wall. She must have taken quite a beating; She was hurt everywhere.
• Finally reaching the sink, she grabbed the rusty tin container. Water never tasted so good. She wet her lips and let it trickle down her throat before collapsing into a painful ball.
• She began to sob, knowing she’ll never get out of there. She can only imagine how bad her back looks. It feels wet and burns terribly, her head is throbbing, and her wrists feel tender. He must have tied her up during…her stomach drops.
• She slowly moved her hand down to the hem of her nightgown and pulled it up. She let out a hiss of relief when she saw she still had on the same panties as yesterday. Her outsides may be damaged, but the rest remains undefiled, at least for the moment. But emotionally, she was spent.
• Her hands covered her face in sudden defeat as she lay on the floor to think. She has been treated like something less than a barnyard animal for way too long. Her captors never seem to tire of their sick power trip over her.
• She was sure it brought them endless amusement. She gets a bath once in a while, during which they take plenty of photos and videos. She has a toothbrush, which has grown disgusting, and a bar of soap down to a small nub.
• When they decide to feed her, her food is some kind of soup and crusty bread. The water is always warm, with flakes of dirt in it.
• Occasionally, a doctor is brought in to check her over, and twice she had to get IV fluids pumped into her. She was more concerned about whether the needle was clean than what they put inside her.
• Once, she tried to ask the doctor for help, but he acted like he didn’t understand her. She knew he did because when she mentioned home, he flinched and wouldn’t make eye contact. All she got was a jab in the ribs from one of the men and shouted admonishments in Spanish for attempting to talk.
• Her only choice will have to be starvation. She decided she was done, and at least her death would be under her control.
• She heard footsteps outside her door. At the click of the lock, her body automatically starts to tremble. Sure enough, the fat guy returns with her tray of food. He dropped it loudly on the table and then glared at her.
• “Sore?” he asks with a laugh. Eloise wanted to lunge at him and jab another piece of plate into his neck. Next time she’ll remember to pull it back out and continue until the fat bastard dies.
• “No, you?” she hissed back.
• Really, what does she have to lose?
• His face drops, and his hand jerks to touch her neck, but he stops. He picked up her water glass, poured it out on the floor, and continued to do the same with her soup and bread as he watched her with an insolent smile.
• She would have been heartbroken a few days ago, but today it plays right into her decision, and she smiled back. ‘Fuck you!’
• A few hours later, she heard the familiar key in the lock. The lights are dim, so she can’t see very well. Someone brings a new tray. She heard it scrape on the floor as he put it down. He moves toward her bed. She smelled the familiar aroma of Montecristo and knew it was the man with the cigar.
• “You need to eat,” he said sternly.
• Eloise didn’t move. She just lay there, feeling completely defeated.
• He reaches over and chucks a piece of bread at her. It bounces off her shoulder. “Eat, bitch!” He leaves, slamming the door behind him.
• After some time, Eloise finally moved over to the tray and nearly vomited when she saw the same meal she’d been fed for lunch and dinner for God knows how long—a watery beef stew.
• Knowing these guys, it’s probably a rat or possum. It helps reinforce her choice not to eat. She sipped the water, and some grit slid down her throat. She coughed, choking down the rising bile, and stumbled back to bed.
• Five more meals are brought to her, five meals that stay untouched. Although her body begs her to eat, her willpower doesn’t falter. Needless to say, she felt like shit.
• Her mother visits her often to whisper words of encouragement. She knew it was only her mind’s way of coping with starvation, but on some level, it brought her joy to see her mother again. She is just as she remembered—long, dark hair, perfect teeth, and dark eyes. Her touch is so real Eloise could feel the heat from her hand on her face.
• “I love you, Eloise. You’re aware of that, right?” she says. “I’m here for you.” She touches her chest right over her heart. “My little angel.”
• Eloise pulled her knees up to her chest and sobbed as the memory faded.
• She wished she were capable of love like that now. Love and trust were things she’d promised herself she would never give away. She has been tested many times, only to be betrayed repeatedly. It is always a trap. They can have her body, but she will be damned if they will get her soul.
• She was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, watching it fade in and out of her blurry vision, when she thought she heard a popping noise followed by loud shouts. If she were in a clearer frame of mind, she might have understood what was going on, but in her present state, she doesn’t really care.
• A series of events seem to happen all at once. There is a loud bang, her door flies open, and a bright light moves around the room.
• A man dressed completely in black with a helmet and goggles draws closer. It took a considerable effort, but she rolled her head over to face him.
• The light flashes over her face, making her squint. He pauses momentarily, then shouts something into a radio on his neck. He reaches forward to lift her out of the bed.
• Eloise groaned as his hand gripped her back. She doesn’t know if she is dreaming, but she doesn’t seem to be able to take it all in. Her brain isn’t functioning properly.
• The man holds her tightly as he carries her down a long hallway. A few other men are in front of them, dressed in the same black outfit; guns raised and ready to fire.
• She was so tired, but now she was wide awake and afraid if she closed her eyes, she would find herself again in that room, alone.
• They travel down a long staircase toward double wooden doors that appear blown open.
• Eloise didn’t seem to be able to speak; She was still afraid she was dreaming.