•Escape Plan•

Tammy:

 Rays of sunlight flooding the room notified me that it was morning. I'd been in the room he left me for two days. All thanks to the single window in it that told me when it was dusk or dawn. My captor hasn't been back since he shared the information of me being his new year's gift but he kept passing food to me through space under the door, trying to fatten me like an animal that would be killed for a celebration. In any case, I wasn't complaining. 

I stretched in the bed, pulling the worn-out blanket over my naked body. Feeling the urge to empty my bladder, I lazily climbed out of the bed and got into the bathroom. I did my business, cleaned my teeth with my fingers, and splashed some cold water on my face. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror. My hair was in a tangled mess, having not combed it in a while. Dark circles were evident in my eyes due to lack of sleep. I couldn't risk sleeping so I wouldn't be caught unaware of whatever plans the mystery man had for me. 

My eyes strayed to my chest to see the scar from the little cut he had inflicted on me. I raised my left hand to touch it, rubbing little circles on it with a frown on my face. I hated having marks on my body due to the little freckles that dotted underneath my left eye. Dropping my hand, my shoulders slumped as I heaved before leaving the bathroom.

I stepped out of the bathroom to see a plate of Nutella french toasts and a bottle of water beside the door.

If he continues like this, soon the room will be filled with a collection of all the plates I've eaten with.

I got the food and settled on the bed to eat it, resting my back on the headboard. After consuming it, I added the plate to the pile at the corner of the room.

There was nothing to do anymore. The day was going to be spent like the past two, sitting around awaiting my fate. I didn't know if I would be found anymore but I kept on hoping help would come soon before the new year. As the days passed, it was gradually approaching and I wasn't looking forward to what being mystery man's new year's gift would entail. The thought was terrifying.

I fiddled the blanket as these thoughts consumed me. My eyes trailed to the pile of plates on the floor and an idea struck me.

Suddenly, I realized I didn't know where I was nor what the house I was in looked like. I'd been spending my days, holed up in the room without having a hint of where I was or if there were others residing in it.

What if I go out of this room? What will I find? Who will I see?

I wondered, eyes still on the plates.

Without hesitating a second longer, I wrapped the blanket around me, tying it as best as I could. I was going to act like I was returning the plates to the kitchen. That way, even if I was caught, my punishment might be less or so I thought.

Carrying the plates, I opened the door as quietly as I could to avoid any creaking sounds that would alert anyone. Blanket concealing my nudity and plates in hand, I stepped out of the room onto the hallway.

I felt anxious as I looked to the end of the hallway that led to the basement where he'd kept me. Ignoring the pang of anxiety, I started walking away from the door, towards the other end of the hallway. A few steps away from the room, I saw a flight of stairs.

That must lead to the living room or maybe another basement?

I swallowed the thoughts of walking into another horrendous scene. Gulping, I held on to the plates tightly as I climbed down the stairs as quietly as I could. At the foot of the stairs, I was presented with a luxuriously furnished living room but my focus wasn't there. I peeped to the extreme end of the room to see a door. I didn't think opening doors was a good idea, so I decided to call for anyone but then I remembered I couldn't speak coherently.

In my desperation to know the occupants of the house, I purposely dropped one of the plates and watched it shattered, making noise. I held my breath to know what would happen next but strangely, nothing happened. No one came to scold me. Everywhere was eerily quiet.

Perhaps no one is home?

An idea hit me at that. 

If no one is home, can I escape? What if they're outside? 

I stood there, trying to make the right decision.

I guess I'll just have to try. This might be my only shot at freedom and again, I'll never know till I try.

Feeling courageous, I dropped the pile of plates and watched them shattered into pieces, making a loud clicking noise. I stood frozen to the spot, expecting someone or even a mystery man to show up but again, no one came. I waited a few minutes, using the time to tie the blanket tightly around myself. If I was going to escape, I didn't need anything slowing me down.

Steadying my rapidly increasing heartbeat, I bolted for what I assumed to be the first step to my freedom, the front door. I got to it and swung it open hurriedly, to avoid second-guessing my actions or letting the golden opportunity as I saw it, slip away. 

I ran out, not bothering to close the door to see a huge platinum gate about fifty steps away from the door. The compound was big, so was the house I was escaping from. But I didn't have enough time to marvel at It. I needed all the time I could get if I was going to leave as quickly and as unnoticed as I wanted.

Grabbing hold of the edges of the blanket pooling at my feet, I pulled them higher above my knees as I began my run for the gate. Everything felt so easy that I should doubt it but I didn't have the time to embrace these thoughts. Not when I was ten steps close to my freedom.

I could smell, even taste it on my tongue. A rush of excitement and anxiety was flying through me. I kept assuring myself that my freedom was close. All I had to do was get past the gate.

With just a few more steps to go, I crashed to the hard floor, wincing in agony as pure pain engulfed my body. It felt like a tornado ran into me, whizzing air from my lungs. I gasped for air, battling with the pain at the same time, trying to get back on my feet. I wouldn't let anything deter me. I had to get to the gate. Just a few more steps.

After much struggle, I got on my feet and began limping. The fall had affected my ankle. I was sure it was sprained but I ignored the pain. Finally, I got to the gate and held on to it with a triumphant smile creeping into my face. All I needed to do was to push it open and I did. 

The fright of who I saw sent me crashing down on my bottom, blood draining from my face.