Captive

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

And he watched and he waited…

He had to wait until she was alone. Tonight would be perfect. She always took the trash out to the dumpster alone, never watched her back. It would be easy to come up behind her with the gun and press it to the small of her back. Just the thought made him sick, but it had to be done. He never wanted to hurt her, never wanted to scare her, but he didn’t have a choice! It made him burn with fury the way that cop had ruined everything. Why did he have to get in the way? Why couldn’t he just let Kurt keep admiring Erin from afar? There was no crime in watching her when he could. It made him happier than anything else just to watch. It had taken him weeks to get up the courage to walk into the bakery and actually talk to her, to order coffee and a muffin or a biscuit. He couldn’t eat the sugary cupcakes. But watching her made them bearable to be near.

So he watched and he waited…

He’d long since forgotten the taste of sweets. Mother had always told him sweets would rot his teeth out, and cleanliness was next to godliness. She only brought out the belt because she loved him. It was thanks to her and the lashings of the leather on his bare back and bottom that he still had perfect teeth. Just looking at sweet treats brought the pain searing back so that it made him ill to be around them. But he could endure that for Erin’s pretty smiles and smooth voice. Her voice reminded him of silk, cool and slippery between his fingers. Sometimes Mother would let him touch her silk robes. Mother wouldn’t like Erin, though. Women were conniving and lustful and only existed to tempt men into sin. But how could it be a sin to adore smiles and kind words? He’d never met anyone as kind as Erin before, especially not a woman. Sometimes when Mother went on retreat with the other women of the church, he would sneak a movie home to watch. That was how he learned about love. He knew that when a girl smiled at a man and treated him kindly and talked to him about his day that she liked him. At least she could learn to love him. When Erin smiled at him and treated him kindly, giving him the best muffins or biscuits or bagels, and when she asked him about his day, he knew she liked him. Not liked him liked him but enough that maybe she could learn to. That’s how it worked, right? The prettiest girls always fell for the awkward boys. And she wasn’t just pretty…Erin was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen…

So he watched and he waited…

He hoped she wouldn’t be like the other girls. They called cops on him, kept him away even though he was just trying to tell them how much he adored them. Those girls broke his heart. They just wouldn’t give him a chance. This time he wasn’t going to let that happen. He wasn’t going to end up with another broken heart. Mother would be so disappointed in him. Even though he kept everything exactly as she would want it, right down to his hair cut, she wouldn’t approve of him falling in love. She would say Erin was just tempting him to sin, but he couldn’t even think of her that way. He just wanted to be close to her, talk to her, have all of her smiles and know everything about her. But when the cop came along…he was threatening to ruin everything again. He was going to get in between him and Erin and he just couldn’t let that happen. Not to mention he suspected the cop of vying for Erin’s attention. It was his fault she almost got killed in that shootout! He was no good for her and he only brought trouble, upsetting her and such. No, Kurt wouldn’t allow that man to get in the way.

So he watched and he waited…

His heart leapt into his throat. There she was, going out into the alley with her trash in hand. His heart was hammering as he reached for the gun in his pocket. She might scream…he’d have to put his hand over her mouth. God, he hated having to do this. The rustling of the trash bag and the slamming of the lid over the dumpster masked the sound of his footsteps as he rushed up behind her, feeling sick to his stomach. He couldn’t be sick, not now…In moments he was right behind her, his hand coming up to her beautiful mouth and covering it tightly, pulling her back into his gun at the small of her back. Even as he was threatening her, his hands were shaking. “I promise I won’t hurt you as long as you do what I say. Understand?” he asked softly and close to her ear. He didn’t want to risk anyone hearing him. “I really don’t want to hurt you, Erin.” His voice was a soft plea, begging her not to give him an excuse to do what he dreaded he’d have to.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

It had been a quiet day for Erin. In fact, it had been a quiet week. After her standoff with Cal he hadn't bothered coming around. Actually, since her standoff with Cal the frail, dark haired man hadn't bothered coming around either. She assumed she was right about Cal's involvement with the guy in the past. He wasn't afraid because Cal was onto him, he was afraid because Cal was a piece of work, one that Erin wouldn't be afraid to stand up to. Molly had asked a couple times about the guy but Erin had quickly put the subject to bed, assuring her daughter she had nothing to fear, and soon Molly seemed to agree. Erin was glad Cal had stayed away, not sure she could handle another confrontation with him. She didn't understand his obsession with her. Maybe Cora was right; maybe he did like her, but if that was the case he had a very strange way of showing it. It was like he wasn't satisfied until she was ready to pull her hair out, something only he could really push her to do. If getting in her good graces was his goal, he was doing a very, very poor job of it.

Molly went to bed with no problem and Erin set to work cleaning up as she always did. She straightened the curtains and packed Molly's book bag, since she hadn't done it herself, then set it by the door. She put the dishes in the dishwasher and wiped the counters clean, then the kitchen table. When all was said and done she took out a wine glass, poured some wine into it and then left it on the counter so when she returned from taking the trash out she could sit and relax. She had a couple of shows she wanted to catch up on before bed.

Erin took a sip of the wine before moving to the trash can. She pulled the old bag out and tied a knot at the top before setting it on the ground. She fetched a fresh one and line the can before grabbing her sweatshirt off the back of one of the dining chairs and sliding it over her shoulders. She grabbed the trash and made her way out of the apartment, leaving her phone and keys on the counter since she was just running out back to the dumpster. The night was only a little chilly. She didn't even see her breath as she exhaled, a good sign that Spring was actually finally coming. She made it to the dumpster and pushed the lid open before throwing the little white back inside, letting the lid slam shut. There was something satisfying about knowing the rest of the night was yours, and Erin was about to turn to head back inside when something very unexpected happened.

A hand slid around her mouth and someone was pulling her back against them. She was so startled she didn't react yet, but when she felt something hard and narrow pressing at her lower back she froze. Was someone holding her up? Here at the dumpster when she was practically in her pajamas? Her eyes went wide as thoughts of Molly slid through her mind. What if she died? What if they went upstairs and hurt them? “I promise I won’t hurt you as long as you do what I say. Understand?” The voice was soft and in her ear. She muffled a soft whimper and then nodded, her eyes darting around trying to catch a glimpse of her assailant. “I really don’t want to hurt you, Erin.” That voice.. it was familiar. He knew her name... Realization hit with a sickening thud, making her feel very sick to her stomach. The frail man.. It was him.

Cal had been right.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

over her mouth and the gun still pressed to her back, he turned her away from the dumpster and slowly guided her further down the alley. His building was just next to hers, but he needed to get her down the alley and around the corner to the service entrance. For a few paces she calmly followed his instruction, but with a sudden movement she tried to snap away from him. Though he was thin, he was much stronger than he appeared, and his hand clamped tighter over her mouth. He pressed her back against him more firmly, his gun buried into the small of her back. Why was she making him do this? Didn’t she know he didn’t want to hurt her? “Please, Erin, don’t struggle. I don’t want to hurt you.” His voice was soft but insistent. Slowly they moved along again, Kurt’s legs feeling like jelly as he quickly surveyed the area around them. No one was around and no one was looking into the alley, but he needed to go as fast as he could to avoid being seen. He picked up their pace, wishing he could simply carry her into the building, but then his hand wouldn’t be able to cover her mouth.

They were a quarter of the way there when she began to struggle again, and he had to do what he’d been avoiding. There was a damp rag in his pocket, soaked with a sweet smelling substance that his mother used to pacify him as a child. She used it to make him sleep so she could restrain him properly before she punished him. Kurt wouldn’t punish Erin, though. He pulled the chloroformed cloth from his pocket, dropping his gun in that pocket at the same time and pulled away his other hand from her mouth only long enough to press the rag to her nose and mouth. She tried to fight for several more moments, but slowly her struggling ceased until she was quite limp in his arms. Perhaps he should have begun this venture that way. As deadweight she was heavier than he’d imagined, but he was able to scoop her up in his arms and hustle his way to the door. There were several flights of stairs once inside the entrance, and he had to take a short break once, but eventually he made it to his floor at the top of the building. The floor was all his, the building belonging to him now that his mother had passed. Of course he’d been the only one taking care of it for years before she died, but he tried to keep things just as she left them.

In his apartment there was a dim lamp on in the corner, splashing just enough light around the living room that it had a warm glow. He would make sure to sleep in mother’s room while Erin was here—she wouldn’t like Erin staying in her room. His bed was all made up for Erin to lie on, so he placed her gently on the mattress as though he were laying a child out on their bed. Silently he moved to his desk and grabbed the soft rope he would use to bind her wrists. He didn’t want to do it, but he knew it would be necessary until she got used to him. There was nothing for it, so he wrapped a soft cloth around her wrists before tying the rope around them; he didn’t want her pretty white skin to chaff. That would be very uncomfortable for her. He’d been a boy scout, so he tied the knots just like he’d learned too, flawless and unrelenting though he tried not to tie them too tight. Next he wrapped clothes around her ankles and tied them together as well. He carefully removed her shoes, knowing it wouldn’t be very comfortable to rest with her shoes on. There was tape in case he needed to gag her, but he was hoping he wouldn’t have to do that.

When he was finished, he pulled his desk chair beside his bed, waiting patiently for her to wake. The bedside lamp gave the room a warm glow, though it wasn’t very bright. He didn’t like lights to be very bright. Mother had never liked it that way. His room was impeccable, very barren by way of decoration. There was a shelf with a few medals and trophies on it from when he was a boy and a couple figures he had whittled—a figure bearing the cross and another of an angel. He had a picture of his mother on his desk and a shelf of books, all the classics encased there. Kurt was very neat and that was reflected in his room perfectly well. Even though The Count of Monte Cristo lay on his nightstand, he spent the minutes watching Erin as she slept. She looked so beautiful, so peaceful. All the worry was gone from her face, at least for now. She always looked so worried, but he’d helped her ease into rest. When her eyes began to flutter, his heart began to race nervously. She opened them, blinking a few times, and a kind smile came to his lips to assure her she wasn’t in danger. The fear slowly came to her face and his smile faded, jumping up from his chair to kneel beside the bed, shaking his head before she could utter a sound. “It’s okay, Erin. I won’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you. But if you scream, I’ll have to gag you and I really don’t want to do that.” His voice was pleading and still soft, just as it always was. Mother had never approved of loud voices. “I’m sorry I had to bind your hands and feet, but I put a cloth beneath the ropes so you would chaff. Don’t move around too much, though, or you might make the clothes slip.” Of course he wanted her to be as comfortable as possible.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin was breathing hard, desperate to think of a way safely out of this. The man began to lead her away and she was thinking of how she could escape when she thought of the way he'd spoken before. He didn't want to hurt her. He wouldn't hurt her.. not unless she really messed up. She decided to risk it, struggling against his hold, but he only held her tighter, pushing her firmly against his body, the gun pressing low into her spine. She let out a cry of frustration which came out muffled as he forced her along down the alley. What did he want with her? What could he possibly want her for? "Please, Erin, don't struggle. I don't want to hurt you.". His voice was soft but almost pleading which only proved to annoy her more. He was being a pussy about this! She could get away... he wouldn't hurt her! He was ushering her down faster, but she was intentionally dragging her feet, not cooperating for the little shit. They'd gotten a little further down the alley when she tried to break free again, only this time his reaction was different. Instead of telling her to stop, he slid a damp rag over her mouth. Erin immediately began to flail, screaming into the cloth which only muffled her voice. The frail man was stronger than he appeared, though, and she soon found the world around her darkening as he held her tight to his body, her energy draining. Then only darkness.

Dizzyness and confusion were the first things Erin felt when she began to rouse. Her head felt like it was spinning as though she'd been drinking too much. What happened? Her dark eyes fluttered open and everything around her was blurry at first. Where was she? She blinked her eyes a couple of times, taking in the strange room and then her eyes fell on the man beside her. Why was he smiling? Terror gripped her and she tried to move her hands but they wouldn't budge. Her head was still spinning and she let out a soft cry, testing her voice.

Erin jumped as the man got to his knees at the side of the bed, her body instinctively trying to wriggle as far from him as possible. "It's okay, Erin. I won't hurt you. I'd never hurt you. But if you scream, I'll have to gag you and I really don't want to do that." His voice was begging her to obey which only angered her further. Did he think she would so easily submit to his psychotic behavior? She squirmed again, pulling at her hands only to look down and se they were tied together. Her feet, too. "I'm sorry I had to bind your hands and feet, but I put a cloth beneath the ropes so you would chaff. Don't move around too much, though, or you might make the clothes slip."

Erin let out an angry sound of frustration as she pulled at her restraints, but they were tied well and she couldn't possibly dream of freeing herself from them. "You sick son of a bitch, let me go!" She spat at him, glaring angrily. "I have a child! If you really didn't want to hurt me you wouldn't have taken me from her!" She growled, bucking on the bed as she desperately tried to pull free. "Please! Let me go, I'll do whatever you want, okay? I won't even tell the police. Just let me go!" She begged, her yes pleading. "Please!" She said agin a little more firmly.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

The sound Erin made was just short of a growl, bringing the frown back to Kurt’s face. Of course she wasn’t happy, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t hurt by it. In time she would understand it had to be this way. “You sick son of a bitch, let me go!” The words cut deep and he frowned more deeply, his face a Greek tragedy mask. It hurt to hear the woman he loved say those things. One day she might say sorry for them. “I have a child! If you really didn’t want to hurt me you wouldn’t have taken me from her!” He was confused by that statement. No mother really wanted their child, did they? Mother had loved him, but she’d always been so unhappy with him around. Erin would be happier without her daughter around too. “Please! Let me go, I’ll do whatever you want, okay? I won’t even tell the police. Just let me go!” She looked so scared and desperate and Kurt wished he could let her go. But then he’d never see her again… “Please!” He gave her an agonized look, obviously torn about keeping her restrained; but he didn’t have a choice! His head shook side to side slowly, sad he couldn’t do what she asked of him.

“I can’t let you go, Erin. If I let you go, then I’ll never see you again. I can’t let that happen. That’s why I had to do this in the first place.” With a heavy sigh, he stood again and then took his seat once more, his back straight as an arrow, just like Mother taught him. “That policeman. The captain. He wanted to keep us apart. I saw it in the way he looked at me. All these weeks I’ve just been happy to look at you and talk to you when I come in, but…well, he wouldn’t let me do that anymore. He wanted you all to himself and I know you didn’t like him. You always get angry when he comes by. I didn’t want him bothering us anymore. I know it’s selfish of me to bring you here just so I could keep you close. You’ll get used to it, though. I’ll take care of you.” He gave an awkward, thin smile, almost childlike in its innocence. “And I’m sorry to take you from your daughter. I know you love her, but you’ll be happier without her. I know because Mother was the same way. Even though she loved me, she was always happier when I wasn’t around. You’ll see. Your aunt will be there to take care of her, so you don’t have to worry. Maybe even that policeman will look out for her. I just want to make you happy, Erin.” Another hopeful smile came to his wan face. Mother wouldn’t approve, but at least he was being polite to the girl, just like Mother taught him to do with guests.

He stood again and looked like he was about to walk out, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants. Whenever he was nervous his palms would sweat. They were still shaking a little from how scared he was that he would be caught with Erin. No one would understand why he had done what he’d done, but soon Erin wouldn’t be upset with him anymore. That’s how it always ended up—when she fell in love with him, she would forgive him. “Are you hungry? I can make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if you’d like. Or maybe something else? I have bacon and ham too.” She might have eaten already, but it never hurt to offer refreshments. Then again, maybe she would want to be alone for a while. Sometimes he liked to be alone too. He waited eagerly to hear what would make her happiest…besides letting her go, of course.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

The way he frowned made her want to slap him across the face. He looked almost apologetic, but clearly he wasn't if he was continuing to restrain her this way. "I can't let you go, Erin. If I let you go, then I'll never see you again. I can't let that happen. That's why I had to do this in the first place.". Erin gulped while watching him get back into the chair. He was clearly delusional nd not right in the head. She'd gathered that much. Now she needed to think of something to convince him to let her go since it was only her he wanted.

"That policeman. The captain. He wanted to keep us apart. I saw it in the way he looked at me. All these weeks I've just been happy to look at you and talk to you when I come in, but...well, he wouldn't let me do that anymore. He wanted you all to himself and I know you didn't like him. You always get angry when he comes by.". Cal! If he'd quit bugging her like she asked then she wouldn't be in this mess now! This little sideshow wouldn't have bothered taking her! Then again she didn't know that. How long would she have had before he needed to have her? Had Cal only sped up the inevitable? "I didn't want him bothering us anymore. I know it's selfish of me to bring you here just so I could keep you close. You'll get used to it, though. I'll take care of you." his smile was almost childish and Erin could only frown in return. She needed to think of something, and fast!

"Aed I'm sorry to take you from your daughter. I know you love her, but you'll be happier without her." her lips parted in shock. Was he serious?! She hadn't been apart from Molly for more than a day since she was born! Molly was her universe! "I know because Mother was the same way. Even though she loved me, she was always happier when I wasn't around. You'll see. Your aunt will be there to take care of her, so you don't have to worry. Maybe even that policeman will look out for her. I just want to make you happy, Erin.". Her throat tightened. The thought of Molly waking up in an empty apartment made her heart shatter. She slid her eyes shut and consiered everything briefly. Cora would take care of Molly, there was no question about it. She was Practically another mother to her already as it was. Her own parents would help with any finances. They might not approve of her life choices, but they still cared for her, and for Molly. Then there was Cal.. as obnoxious as he was, he wouldn't rest until she was found, and he would suspect this guy. Really it was just a matter of time before Cal pinned the location down. He would be notified first thing in the morning when Molly or Cora called the police. Molly knew where Cal's number was. She just had to hold her head above water until then.

The man stood and Erin opened her eyes, sensing the movement. One thing was for sure; this guy had some serious mommy issues and she would make sure to hold tight to that information in case she could use it later on. "Are you hungry? I can make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if you'd like. Or maybe something else? I have bacon and ham too.". Food was the furthest thing from her mind. "I'm not hungry." Her voice came out a hoarse, hurt whisper and she turned away from him. Her mind raced as to what she should do, thinking about the clues he'd given. He didn't want to hurt her. He did this to stay close and he clearly wanted her to like him. "I'm very upset right now and would like you to leave me alone." She said matter of factly, refusing to look at him and testing this method of communication. She only needed to bide hertime. It would only be a few hours until Cal saved her. Hopefully..

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

“I’m not hungry.” Kurt’s brow furrowed and he frowned again at how sad Erin sounded. He knew she would stop being sad after a little while, but he still didn’t want her to be so. What could he do to make her happy? Even worse was she turned away from him. He should have expected it, but…he just wanted her to be happy. “I’m very upset right now and I would like you to leave me alone.” Kurt sighed, staring down at the pretty woman who refused to look at him. He decided he would simply have to leave her alone for now. Walking to the end of the bed, he reached for a soft, well-worn quilt. It was freshly washed but always smelled a little like peppermint—Mother had loved the smell of peppermint. He pulled it over Erin up to her shoulder, just in case she went to sleep. “If you need anything, just shout my name. It’s Kurt.” With an awkward smile that the woman couldn’t see with her back turned, he grabbed his book off the nightstand and left the room, closing the door behind him. There was a recliner not far from the door and he made himself comfortable in it, sipping a cup of tea as he read. It was hard to focus when he knew Erin was sad, though. He found himself reading the same sentence five times before he actually got up to go speak to Erin again. Just as he was raising his knuckles to the door, though, he heard a soft sob from inside the room. She was crying. Mother used to cry too. She got mad when he came in and she was crying. He decided he would leave her alone as she had asked.

Hours passed and the pages turned and still there was no sound from Erin. He brushed his teeth and combed his hair, frowning at his reflection in the mirror. The older her got the more sallow his face became. He went back to the recliner and continued to read until his eyes began to droop. The whirr of the vents pumping heat into the apartment lulled him to sleep and soon he was silently breathing slowly. Kurt never liked dreams and this one was no different. Mother wasn’t happy he’d brought Erin home. She screamed at him, swung the belt down on his back so he would know women were only temptresses and liars. Erin had lured him into sin and he had to release her before she dragged him down with her into Hell. And every time the belt hit his back, searing pain rushed through him. He clutched the arms of the chair, panting and sweating as his dreams tormented him with no escape. When he finally woke, it was with a start, sweat dripping down his face. A look at the clock told him it was half past five in the morning. His back was still aching from the phantom lashes, but with every deep breath it got better. Kurt found it rare that he slept well. His fears always got him in the night.

He lowered the leg support of the recliner, ready to get up for a glass of water when a voice called out to him in the dark apartment. Immediately he forgot water and wiped the sweat from his face and palms, heading to the room where his love was stowed away. The light was still on, as he’d left it, and Erin was still lying beneath the quilt. Her big, beautiful eyes were on him, though, not like when he’d left. “Yes, Erin? Do you need something?” He would bring her anything she asked for or even take her to the bathroom if she needed it.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin found her heart beating rapidly as the man stood close. She refused to turn to him, afraid of what he might do. Finally he moved to the end of the bed and pulled a quilt up and over her. It smelled of soap and peppermint, very clean but not in a comforting way. He pulled it all the way to her shoulders, and though the room was hot, and the blanket made it stifling, she accepted the bit of protection which made her feel slightly less vulnerable. “If you need anything, just shout my name. It’s Kurt.” She heard him but ignored him, pretending as though he wasn't there at all. Kurt. She vaguely remembered him telling her his name once, long ago, when they'd first met but she'd long since forgotten. She heard his footsteps as they echoed away and then the door creaked shut. She chanced a glance over, finding she was at last alone.

A deep breath escaped her and her eyes immediately welled with tears. She sobbed softly to herself, for herself and the situation she had gotten herself into. She'd been foolish to leave her phone upstairs, foolish not to check around before going to the dumpster like that. She should have heeded Cal's warning, but she had been so sure he wouldn't have done anything! He was a weird man, but one who seemed relatively harmless. She needed to figure a way out of this, though! For Molly if no one else. Then she thought of Cal again. He wouldn't let this go. He would find her. He wouldn't rest until she was found, and for the first time she was grateful for his insane desire to keep her and Molly safe. She tried to stop her sobbing, tried to stop feeling pity for herself for getting into this mess, and she had to start thinking of a way out. She could still convince him. She could still scare him into letting her go, and she could still try and convince him she liked him to get out of these ropes, or maybe she could tell him she needed the bathroom. He would have to untie her and then she could maybe attack him and run out, but she had no idea where the hell she was. All she needed to do, though, was to run out of the apartment and scream bloody murder. Someone was bound to call the cops, and hopefully he wouldn't hurt her, just like he said he wouldn't want to.

Erin thought of everything, slowly forming a plan as the hours ticked by. She was exhausted but unable to sleep. She was too scared, hot, and uncomfortable to let sleep take her away from this strange, clean and orderly hell. She spent a lot of time observing the room she was in. She wondered if it was Kurt's room. It looked as though a younger boy lived in there, but there were some things that seemed strange and off. The book collection was mature and it was extremely tidy, two things that made it stand out as not a child's room room. Had this been his room as a boy? Had he grown up in this home? Had his mother passed? The one who loved him but didn't want him around?

As the time passed, her bladder filled. Erin ignored it at first, but it soon became clear she wouldn't be able to ignore it for long. She sorted out a plan in her mind, one to talk to him and then try to escape depending on if he untied her or not. He would have to. She would cause a scene if he dared tried to toilet her, and she already had key words ready to throw at him if he tried to hurt her. Erin knew she didn't come off as the most intelligent person considering her lifestyle, but there was a reason she'd been accepted to an ivy league university. Finally she wasn't sure she could wait much longer and she cleared her throat. "Kurt?" She called out hoarsely, finding herself feeling a little ill at saying his name. It didn't take long for him to pad his way into the room. He looked a little nervous and anxious, but maybe a little pleased that she was calling for him. “Yes, Erin? Do you need something?” She gulped, feeling dread in her stomach, a sick feeling encasing her. "Yes." She didn't sound nearly as confident as she wanted, though. "I need to use the bathroom." She told him, looking him in the eye. "Can you please untie me?" She gulped, having no idea if he would comply or not. She really did need the bathroom, and wouldn't make a move until after she'd gone, not wanting to risk wetting herself as she ran from him.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

It took a moment for Erin to answer him, but Kurt waited patiently for her request. “Yes. I need to use the bathroom. Can you please untie me?” Oh…he hadn’t thought of how tight her hands and legs were. He frowned and then nervously shook his head. “You know I can’t do that, Erin.” She pleaded her case though and she was right, she couldn’t use the bathroom properly with how tight he’d tied everything. He couldn’t very well untie her though—she’d be able to run away or hit him or something. That couldn’t happen. He’d never see her again! “Well…well, I can loosen your ankles a bit so you can move a little more.” He moved forward hesitantly and then sat on the end of the bed. “Okay, stay turned away from me and bend your knees to place them in my lap.” She seemed a little confused, so he helped her some, very gently instructing her with his hands. While she was on her side, her legs curled around his side and tucked under his armpit, he went to work giving some leeway in the rope. He would take no chances of her kicking him in the face to startle him and remove her own restrains. With her legs tucked under his arm, he had a sure grip that she wouldn’t break easily. His fingers worked quickly, making sure to loosen everything in an orderly fashion so he wouldn’t give her much room to wiggle free if she thought to right now.

She didn’t struggle, though, and he found he was safely able to give her about five inches of extra space between her ankles so that her stride would be just under ten inches. It would make for quick, shuffling footsteps, but ones she could make on her own if she tried. The knots were just as secure as they had been and with her position she wouldn’t be able to see how he’d done it. “Unfortunately I can’t do anything about your wrists right now. Let me help you up.” He offered his hands and helped pull her to her feet. When she was standing in front of him, he grabbed hold of her arm carefully so he could assist her as she shuffled her way to the bathroom. A couple times she tripped, but Kurt was there to help her when she did. It was unfortunate he had to keep her bound, but he couldn’t trust her not to run away yet. The bathroom was sterile and he’d removed anything she could use to undo her ropes and placed them in a drawer in Mother’s room. There was soap for her to use and a towel for her to dry her hands on and other necessary toiletries, but nothing more.

He realized he might have to help her at some point, and that made his heart race and his hands sweat. No, he couldn’t help her with this. This was her own business. He cleared his throat once he’d led her into the bathroom, releasing her so she could use the sink for support if she needed it. “Well, um…just call me when you’re…done.” He nodded stiffly and shut the bathroom door behind him, walking away down the hallway a couple paces so he wouldn’t overhear what was going on in there. Just the thought of it made him all hot and dirty. He couldn’t think of her with…with nothing on her bottom…It made him itch and he scratched the back of his neck roughly, sweat blistering faintly on his forehead. He was disgusting for even thinking such things about the beautiful woman in his bathroom.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

She watched the frown form on his lips, which made her own spread in return. Slowly he shook his head, his eyes showing remorse, though Erin wondered how genuine it was. "You know I can't do that, Erin.". Erin felt her anger rise. "Well I can't very well go like this and don't you dare even think about helping me! I deserve some amount of dignity. If you don't untie me, how can I walk? How can I move?" He seemed to be considering her case and she gave him a hard look as he came to his conclusion. "Well...well, I can loosen your ankles a bit so you can move a little more.". He offered meekly and she huffed, frustrated with the whole situation. He inched forward and sat on the edge of the bed, and Erin wanted to move away again but behaved. "Okay, stay turned away from me and bend your knees to place them in my lap.". She wasn't sure what he meant and didn't move, but his hands soon came to her legs and moved them the way he wanted them. His touch was gentle and she considered kicking him, but didn't want to risk not being able to use the bathroom. He got her legs into his lap, gripping them tightly under his arm and she found he was stronger than he seemed, all while still touching her legs so gently. It was strange.

He worked at the knots and she laid there semi patiently waiting. She hated everything about this but assured herself it would be over soon. "Unfortunately I can"t do anything about your wrists right now. Let me help you up.". "Can't or won't?" She muttered angrily under her breath as he helped pull her to her feet. Adrenaline pumped through her, but she ignored it for now. Her movements were slow as she had to shuffle to he bathroom. It was all so degrading, but she was strong and she could get through this. She tripped a couple of times but he caugh her easily enough. Erin looked at the house ashe lead her to the bathroom, catching a clock on the wall that told her it wasn't even six in the morning yet. Too early for Molly to be up yet. Finally they reached the bathroom and he let her go, clearing his throat. "Well, um...just call me when you're...done." He nodded stiffly and shut the bathroom door behind him, and she could hear him walking away. Erin looked to see if there was a lock but o course there was not. She opened the drawers and medicine cabinet but the only thing in the room was soap and a towel for her to wipe her hands on. She huffed before getting to work pulling her pants down.

It was the most awkward trip to the bathroom she could remember. Wiping had been difficult and pulling her pants up completely had been impossible. Her pants were still down a little in the back and there was nothing she could do about it. She spent a couple minutes trying to undo the restraints at her feet but it was useless. She wondered if she should just shift into a cat, get free of her binds, redress and make a run for it, but if he caught her she would be in worse shape for it, and there was no guarantee Cal would be there to save her right away. No, she needed to go along with this.. for Molly's sake. Instead she washed her hands thoroughly, thinking about all the things she couldn't do to this creep.

"I'm finished." She called out, keeping her backside from him. It took a second for him to arrive, but when he did she took a step back. "You know he's going to find me." She said in a hard voice, looking Kurt in the eye. "And when he does you really never will see me again, or possibly the light of day. So this your last chance.. let me go and I won't report you. You can still come to Cora's everyday and I won't say a word, i'll pretend this never happened." She offered, hoping he would take the bait. "That would make me happiest, Kurt.. and you said you wanted me to be happy, didn't you?" She licked her lips, her eyes pleading. "You meant it, right?" She took a hopeful step towards him, showing she wasn't afraid though her heart pounded fiercely in her chest. Her shirt hung crooked, her stomach pokingout on the side and her pants not completely up, but she wasn't aware how much skin was actually showing since the mirror didn't show that low. "We could be friends if you wanted.." she offered softly, her voice kind.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

Kurt could hear the water running as Erin’s hands gently splashed water into the sink. He was glad she was thorough as he never really liked the thought of germs. It was a couple minutes before she called out to him, “I’m finished.” Kurt moved back to the door and he walked in, smiling a little nervously, but the moment he looked at the disheveled state she was in, he frowned once more. Her stomach and part of her hip was showing, her pants obviously not all the way up in the back. Again his neck itched and his hand snatched up to rub it, a tight feeling in his chest. He might have to cool the place down some or sit in front of a fan for a time. The sensations left him irritated and anxious even before she spoke. “You know he’s going to find me.” His eyes shot up to look into hers, his stomach falling to hear the certainty in that statement…and the hope. He didn’t want her to want the cop to find her. “And when he does you really never will see me again, or possibly the light of day. So this is your last chance…let me go and I won’t report you. You can still come to Cora’s every day and I won’t say a word, I’ll pretend this never happened.” It was a nice thought, one he dearly wished he could give in to if only to take away Erin’s anger. But he knew she was lying, and that made him sadder. “That would make me happiest, Kurt…and you said you want me to be happy, didn’t you?” His heart began to rush as her big eyes pleaded with him. “You meant it, right?” The way she stepped toward him made him look down to the obscene amount of skin showing at her stomach and hip. It occurred to him that she was using the same tactic Mother always warned him about: seduction. The thought made rage boil in his belly.

“We could be friends if you wanted…” That made his anger ebb as he stared with surprise into her eyes. She sounded so kind and genuine. They could be friends? Even after this? It was all he wanted…but not like this. He didn’t want her to say that just so she could be free—he wanted her to really want to be friends with him. His eyes wandered down again and the sight of her skin made him itch one more time. He stepped forward and reached for her hips, grabbing her pants and tugging up. His movements were maybe a little rough, but he was agitated by her carelessness. As soon as her pants were fixed, he straightened her shirt out too, much like Mother used to do to him. When she was adjusted, he took a step back once more and cleared his throat. “I want to be friends, but I can tell you don’t want to be. Not yet anyway. And I’m sorry but I can’t let you go. You will tell the police, I won’t be welcome in Cora’s and you’ll never speak to me again anyways if I let you go. In other words, it doesn’t matter if I let you go or the policeman finds us, I’d never see you again if you left.” His voice was soft and sad, his eyes the same. He helped her out into the hall once more, the sweat that had prickled on the back of his neck and palms now cool on his skin.

Standing in the hallway and making their way back towards the room, Kurt looked down at his lovely guest. He didn’t want her to feel like a prisoner even though he had her tied up and wouldn’t let her free or leave. Of course, it had to be this way, at least for now. “Is there anything you need now that you’re up? Water or food? A book to read? You could even lie on the couch and watch television if you’d like.” There were few accommodations he wouldn’t make for her. The only ones he wouldn’t were obvious.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Kurt was considering her words and for a moment she was hopeful. This nightmare could end bfore it even truly began! She could be home in time to send Molly off to school and take the day off. She would consider telling Cora what happened but Cal would fly off the deep end and she didn't feel like dealing with that. There was no proof kurt had taken her so pressing charges was useless, but she could file a restraining order and that would at least keep him away.

Her doe eyes watched anxiously as he thought it over. She saw his eyes move to her stomach but she didn't follow his gaze, knowing skin was showing but afraid how much. It might work to her advantage to show a little skin. Suddenly he stepped forward and Erin jumped, wanting to step back but allowing him to grab at her pants. He pulled them up roughly and the yanked her shirt bck into place which startled and relieved her. At least he wasn't being a pervert. "I want to be friends, but I can tell you don't want to be. Not yet anyway." Erin frowned knowing this wasn't heading in the direction she wanted it to be. "And I'm sorry but I can't let you go. You will tell the police, I won't be welcome in Cora's and you'll never speak to me again anyways if I let you go.". She wanted to protest but her throat clenched with her frustration and she felt the dizzying anger seep in. What did she have to do to get out of there?! "In other words, it doesn't matter if I let you go or the policeman finds us, I'd never see you again if you left.". He sounded sad but her blinding rage could care less. Did he really thing holding her hostage would make her like him? That this was some Disney fairytale?

"Is there anything you need now that you're up? Water or food? A book to read? You could even lie on the couch and watch television if you'd like." He offered as if those were things she wanted! He took her arm to help her walk but she yanked it back, stumbling a little before catching herself. "Are you dense?" She snapped angrily. "I don't want anything but to get away from you! I want to go home you freak! I'm not you fucking play thing!" It took a lot for Erin to swear, but she was angry and scared and wanted desperately to shift, but couldn't. She flailed her arms at him like a club, but he was much quicker than she was and dodged her, grabbing her from behind when she inevitably stumbled with her legs being tied so close together. "LET ME GO!" She hollered, wanting to alert someone, anyone, that she was there. "HELP! SOMEONE HELP M--" His hand came to her mouh and Erin bucked wildly, but Kurt had a strong hold on her. Tears welled in her eyes as she desperately squirmed to try and get free, but it was futile. Kurt was rummaging in his pocket and in no time his hand was replaced with the other, a cloth now pressing to her mouth and nose. She screamed "No!" over and over but it was muffled into the cloth and not nearly loud enough for anyone but them to hear. Again Erin felt herself growing heavy, her body started to go limp as the world around her went dim...and again, she was thrust into darkness.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

Just as Kurt was beginning to escort Erin out of the bathroom, she yanked her hands back and stumbled, an action that confused him. Why was she pulling away? “Are you dense?” His stomach dropped to the floor and his brow furrowed, worried she would start yelling at him. Mother used to yell at him too. He didn’t like it and it made his palms sweat again. “I don’t want anything but to get away from you! I want to go home, you freak! I’m not your fucking plaything!” Freak…so she thought he was a freak too. He suddenly felt like getting into the shower and hiding, just like he used to do. But that would only encourage her more, just like it used to encourage Mother. And he didn’t see her as a plaything. He just wanted to have her nearby always. Her hands came up and she started swinging them like a club, but he avoided her swings and got behind her. He knew how to subdue women, he just was hoping he wouldn’t have to do it with Erin. His arms came around her, hugging her tight so she would stop struggling. “LET ME GO!” Her screaming sent a jolt through him, his stomach churning. Even though the whole floor was his, what if someone heard from below? What if elderly Mrs. Watson’s granddaughter was staying the night and heard the ruckus? One hand shoved into his pocket for the bottle, twisting the cap off quickly. “HELP! SOMEONE HELP M—“ He covered her mouth with his hand, pressing it tight into her lips so no sound would escape. His fingers continued to work at the bottle cap, trying desperately to hold her still with one hand over her mouth while the other worked at the bottle.

Finally the cap came off and he slipped the rag over the top of the bottle, tilting it quickly and then setting it upright in his pocket again, hoping it wouldn’t spill in the struggle. He snatched the rag out and slapped it over her mouth once he’d removed his other hand. While she breathed in the anesthetic, he screwed the cap back on the bottle quickly. By the time she slipped back under, his hands were both free to carry her back to the bed. He laid her down gently even though she’d just lashed out at him, cutting him with her words. The quilt was still on the bed and he pulled it up over her body, hoping it might comfort her. How could he get her to like him? How did it happen in the movies? In most of the stories something traumatic happened and brought the two closer together when they were forced to look after each other. But he didn’t want to put Erin in a traumatic situation. How else could he look after her? She didn’t want him to after her now, she hated him…but what if she was sick?

It was a crazy idea, but it started to run through his head as he looked down at Erin sleeping on his bed. Mother used to make him sick when he’d been bad. Never sick enough that he would be really damaged, but it would teach him not to disobey her. It also taught him never to eat sweets or drink soda or a lot of other things that were bad for you. She would just put a little bit of solution in whatever he was eating to teach him what bad things could do to you. His belly would hurt for a few days and he lost his appetite for unhealthy or rebellious things. Maybe he could make Erin sick…only a little bit though! He didn’t want to really hurt her. But if he could make her sick, then nurse him back to health, then maybe she would like him! Maybe she would trust him then! He went to the bathroom and found the solution, Visine…he got dry eyes when he was reading, so he always had some handy. Gulping hard, he went back into his room and stood over Erin. He didn’t want to hurt her…but it was the best way to change her mind about him, to prove he didn’t want to hurt her. Gently he pulled her chin down, opening her mouth. He squirted just about five drops directly into her throat, which she automatically swallowed and then turned her head from him unconsciously. Going back to the bathroom, he hid the evidence in the cabinet and then wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. It would be okay; he hadn’t really hurt her. He took a deep breath and then went back into the bedroom to wait for Erin to wake.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

The chloroform knocked Erin out, but the exhaustion from being up all night mixed with the overwhelming anxiety she felt and heat in the room kept her aleep for a few hours after the drug wore off. Her dreams made her restless, and though she was tied up she still squirmed from side to side, groaning softly. She dreamed of Molly being alone, calling out for her and though she was calling back, Molly couldn't hear her or find her. She felt like the girl was close, around the corner maybe, just out of sight, but no matter how quickly she ran she couldn't find the girl. The more she looked, the more her stomach churned. Finally she could run no more and she stopped, holding onto her stomach as she hunched over groaning.

The pain was what woke her and she openedher eys with a start. A thick layer of sweat was beaded on her brow and she immediately felt like she would be sick. Her knees pulled up and she looked over, seeing Kurt sitting there, watching her. Anger bubbled inside but before she could say anything another wave of nausea hit, churning her stomach. "I'm gonna be sick.." she wheezed, turning her body more, unable to seperate her hands. Suddenly her stomach jolted and she threw her head towards the edge of the bed just in time. What little was in her stomach came out, her stomach cramping angrily in protest. Erin couldn't recall the last time she'd felt so ill and all she could think was this was a fine time for a stomach bug to hit. She hadn't been sick in years! The vomiting did little to ease her stomach and she laid there awkwardly, twisted with her head over th side, her arms tucked under her and her legs out to the side a little. She felt Kurt pulling her hair back, but she wasn't sure if any vomit had gotten in her hair or not. And though she didn't want him touching her, she was grateful for the support since she was unable to do it herself.

Erin had told herself she would be strong, that she wouldn't cry or do anything stupid, but she'd already broken one promise to herself, so what was the use of holding onto the other? The tears welled in her eyes, and though her captor was sitting right there with her, his hand still smoothing her hair bck, she let loose her tears. She sobbed, pressing her face into the bed to hide it from Kurt still not wanting him to see her that way. She sniffled as the soft cries were muffled by the mattress, feeling strangely broken. She was still so tired, her body drained from everything, and now her stomach was cramping into a knotted mess. "Can i have some water, please?" She asked softly when she finally managed to control her sobs some, hoping it might bring her some relief.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

For hours Erin stayed asleep and Kurt eventually went out to retrieve his book while she rested. The pages flew, the occasional murmur or movement catching his attention, but she always stayed asleep. After a while he could see the sweat forming on her brow and his own wrinkled in dismay. He’d hurt Erin. He did what he said he wouldn’t do. It hurt him just to know that. But what else could he do to get her to like him, to trust him, see he would take care of her? After a while her murmurs became whimpers and her tossing became more violent. It was with a start that she woke and he watching her eyes snap open, looking at him with pained confusion. Then he could see the latent disgust there, something that made him feel sick too—he was disgusted with himself, probably more than she was disgusted with him. It didn’t last long, but he’d seen it and it weighed heavily on him. “I’m gonna be sick…” As she turned onto her side, he quickly got up, dropping his book to grab the trashcan out from under his desk. He placed it at the edge of the bed just where she was making to lean over.

The contents of Erin’s stomach were in the trashcan in no time, spilling from her gut until there was nothing left. He pushed her hair back gently, keeping the long brown strands from falling into the mess spewing from her mouth. His hand ran softly over her back while she puked, hoping to soothe her some since he knew it had to be painful. Of course he knew—Mother had done the same to him. She was twisted awkwardly, but she remained that way until she stopped heaving. Once more his hand smoothed through her hair, attempting to calm her as he saw her eyes sparkling with tears. He’d made her cry. He never wanted to make her cry. Who could do that to the person they loved? He promised after today, he would never make her cry again. She hid her face in the mattress below her and he wanted to leave her to her tears, but he didn’t want to abandon her to her illness. It was obvious she was in many forms of pain, both physical and emotional. He would be there to help her even though he was the cause of it. That was just the way things had to be, like in the movies. Her sobs slowly began to ease but his eyes just watched her face sadly, hoping this painful beginning to their relationship would be over sooner rather than later.

“Can I have some water, please?” The request gave him an excuse to give her something she’d asked for. “Yes.” His voice was soft in reply and he immediately got to his feet, his long, stiff gait carrying him into the kitchen. It didn’t take long for him to fill a glass with the cold water from the refrigerator, but then looking at it, he had an idea. This was the perfect way to cover up his crime. He could slip her the drops and she’d never know. Not wanting the effects of the artificial tears to wear out too quickly, he pulled out his small bottle of Visine and squirted some into the clear, cool water. He grabbed a spoon from a drawer and gave it a swirl, masking the salty flavor. This was how Mother gave it to him the first time, if he remembered correctly. Before he went back into the room, he went to the hall closet and produced a medium sized floor fan in case she was too uncomfortable. Sometimes when he’d been sick like this, cool air would help ease his nausea. He came back with it in one hand and the glass of water in the other. With a small, awkward and almost hopeful smile, he handed Erin the glass of water and set the fan on the floor. “Would you like me to turn the fan on? Sometimes that helps me when I’m not feeling well.” He was her obedient captor, waiting for any request she might have for him. It was almost as if their roles were strangely twisted with the willing servant having the power and the unwilling master the servant’s captive. Then again, Kurt had never had a normal relationship in his life.