Captive

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

Kurt heard the bedroom door open and he looked up expectantly, waiting for Erin to come into view. Finally she appeared around the corner and he smiled wide. Even though her hair was a little messy and her eyes a little puffy, she still looked as beautiful as ever, maybe even a little fresher. “Good morning.” “Good morning,” he replied gently, watching as she came toward him and took a seat across from him. She didn’t smile, but she was still waking up, so he didn’t blame her. “Would you like some cereal?” he asked, eager to get up and fetch it for her. When she confirmed she could eat something, he got up and moved to the cabinets, reaching up for a bowl and the box of Raisin Bran. It didn’t take him long to pour the cereal for her and put a little milk on it. He tucked everything neatly away before he grabbed a spoon from the drawer and carried the breakfast over to Erin. It was nice to see her eating, the healthy color of her skin coming back steadily. Before long she would be as good as new.

“How did you sleep?” he inquired, taking another bite of his own cereal. He knew she never slept all that well, but she was sleeping more soundly these days. Kurt had always been a light sleeper and remained so on the couch guarding the door. He often wondered what she dreamed of, but knew it probably consisted much of her daughter. Kurt himself didn’t dream. If he did, his sleep was filled with nightmares. He would remember being trapped in closets, pounding at the door while Mother ordered him to say his prayers until he could be forgiven. Sometimes the memory of blows that made his ears ring or left bruises that lasted for weeks would ache through his body again. Other times he remembered Mother’s hand finding its way to a place that made him feel filthy, her fingers tickling before they closed around him, squeezing until he screamed. “Girls might make you feel good one day, but always remember it won’t last. In the end they will make you feel like this.”[/i] That’s what she would tell him. He hated remember those times, but sometimes they crept back unawares while he was sleeping. Lately he was afraid Mother would visit him again in his sleep, reminding him of the sin he was committing with Erin living with him.

Erin interrupted his thoughts by asking if she could use the shower and he gave her a kind smile. “I already took my shower this morning, so you’re more than welcome to use it.” A few minutes later she was walking away, her empty bowl left on the table. He took it to the sink and emptied the milk out before placing it in the dishwasher. When he looked out the window at the slowly brightening sky, he gave a calm smile. It looked like it would be a pretty spring day. Maybe he would pull back the curtains today…

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Would you like some cereal?” He was always so eager to get her anything she might need, and she was slowly getting used to it, though she would prefer to get her own breakfast. "Sure. Thank you." Her eyes followed him as he poured her a bowl of Raisin Bran and then splashed some milk on top. She had always liked yogurt and fruit for breakfast with granola, or in the winter hot oatmeal with berries and nuts, but the Raisin Bran would do. She wasn't interested in making demands, not yet, not until he asked or she felt more comfortable with it. “How did you sleep?”, placing the bowl before her and taking a seat at his own breakfast. She spooned some cereal onto her bowl and rolled her shoulders gently. "Alright. You?" He assured her he slept fine as well and she nodded. Erin ate silently, not having much to say to Kurt and noting the way he zoned out. He did that sometimes, get lost in thought. She wondered what he thought about, but didn't have the courage to ask. They were his private thoughts, and part of her didn't necessarily care what they were. He didn't probe into her mind, and she gave him the same courtesy.

She finished the cereal and left the bowl of milk behind, deciding she could really use a wash. He'd let her shower twice before, and her hair was starting to get itchy with grease, and she overall felt dirty. Something about being there, despite how clean it was, always left her feeling a little dirty. "Would you mind if I had a shower?" She asked, and it was clear she had interrupted his thoughts. “I already took my shower this morning, so you’re more than welcome to use it.” She wondered briefly if he wouldn't allow her to if he hadn't showered yet. Did he need to be first? Was it a man thing, or a captor thing? She gave a small smile and nodded with a quiet "Thank you." Before getting up and moving towards the bedroom that had been for her. Erin collected some of the clothes he'd given her, and then she got a towel from the closet before going to the bathroom. Before she got in or undresses she called for Kurt to untie her feet so she might undress and redress properly, something that wasn't possible with ropes secured to her ankles. He gave her what she asked and shut the door, allowing her privacy.

Erin stripped and got into the shower, letting the hot water wash over her. She scrubbed every part of her twice, her nails scraping over her scalp to clean every drop of greasy buildup. She wondered how many more showers she would take there. How could she possibly escape? Her mind raced for an answer, as it often did, and, as it often did, it hit a roadblock. She'd thought of everything, hadn't she? Or had she.. She had one thing she hadn't tried.. What if she offered to sleep with Kurt? The thought of being with him intimately made her feel physically ill, but wasn't his goal for them to be romantic with each other? Could she really give herself up for him? She reminded herself that it was for Molly, to try and get away to get back to her. What was a little sex if it meant possibly getting your freedom and family back? Slowly she devised a plan on how to get him in a vulnerable position, and then to use it to obtain her freedom. If he failed he might not ever trust her again, but if she succeeded.. In the end she knew she had no choice. She'd been there nearly a week, and if running into the hallway naked and screaming brought her back to Molly, she'd do it in a heartbeat.

Erin shut the water off and got out of the shower. She toweled off and got dressed in the clothes he'd given her. She combed her long, dark hair and brushed her teeth before exiting the bathroom, finding Kurt waiting patiently to retie her. As she stepped towards him on the couch she noted the curtains pushed aside. Erin paused a moment, staring at the window and reformulating her plan. All she needed to do was get to that window, open it, and scream like hell. That was it! She could do that.. But he might expect it. She needed to bribe him with her body first, distract him, and then go for it. Erin turned back to Kurt and moved to the couch, sitting beside him and lifting her legs to his lap so he could restrain her once more. Before he could get the ropes on though, she pulled her feet back and tucked them against her body. "Maybe.. maybe we could sit and be together a moment. Right here.." She said slowly, biting her lower lip as her heart began to race. "I haven't sat cross legged in ages, and I know that sounds odd, but I really miss it." She reached her hand out and touched his, her eyes pleading. "Would that be okay, Kurt?" Her legs slowly relaxed, folding in front of her as her hand clasped his a little tighter. "If we just sat together? I.. could read if you'd like. Or you could.. Gatsby's about to have that big party and I'm sort of excited to hear more.." She prayed he would take the bait, but who knew..

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

Kurt had forgotten that Erin needed his help with her ankle restraints in order to bathe, distracted by the nice day. When Erin called out, though, he suddenly remembered and scurried to her aid. He gently removed her confines and discarded the rope, smiling at her kindly. She had to know he only kept her bound out of love. Having freed her for this brief time, he moved from the room and closed the door behind him, giving her the necessary privacy. He moved out to the living room and looked ponderously at the windows. It was a beautiful day already and it would be a waste not to let some of the sunlight in. Erin might like it too and find it more refreshing. He liked the idea and moved to the windows, drawing back the curtains and tucking them into the hooks on the wall. Dull sunlight streamed in, giving the room a cool blue glow despite the warmth of the apartment. Just a little sliver of sunlight hit the wooden floor, but from the building’s position next to Erin’s building, there was never a lot of sunlight in his apartment. It was better that way, though. Kurt was never very fond of having tons of sunlight washing over him.

So Kurt waited for several minutes, sitting stiffly on the couch and reading more of The Count of Monte Cristo. He knew he wasn’t supposed to like Fernando, but he couldn’t help but sympathize with the man. He had only taken Mercedes from Edmund because he loved her so much. No, he didn’t agree with framing conspiracy on his best friend and consequently landing him in jail, but he could understand why he did it. That was why he took Erin, after all…and Kurt was even better because he hadn’t put anyone in jail because of it! Then again, he had taken her from her daughter, much like Fernando took Edmund from his son just growing in Mercedes’ belly when Edmund was imprisoned. It posed a sudden moral dilemma for Kurt. He hadn’t really thought of taking Erin away as being such a cruel thing until then. If he kept Erin there forever, her daughter would be forced to grow up with people who loved her far less than her own mother could…It made him inexplicably sad and for once he actually considered how he’d affected Erin’s daughter’s life forever. But…but he loved Erin too much to let her go now.

By the time he heard Erin approaching, he wasn’t reading anymore, but lost deep in troubling thought. When he finally tucked his bookmark into his book and looked at Erin, he saw she was looking out the window. He smiled to know his suspicions were right—she would be cheered by the open windows! Finally Erin looked back at him and made her way to the couch. She sat beside him and brought her legs up to his lap. It always made him a little uncomfortable to have her legs draped over him like that, finding it made him flush slightly. He reached for the rope lying beside him, ready to get this over with, but she suddenly took her legs off his lap and curled them up in front of her. His eyes searched hers, confused and wary, not wanting to have to force her back into her confines. “Maybe…maybe we could sit and be together a moment. Right here…” She bit her lower lip and he felt his heart racing gently as he watched her. She…she wanted to sit with him? “I haven’t sat cross legged in ages, and I know that sounds odd, but I really miss it.” A small, anxious smile cracked on his lips but faded almost instantly as she reached out and took his hand. He gulped as his pallid eyes focused on her big, dark ones. “Would that be okay, Kurt?” She relaxed more into her seated position and his eyes flitted to her movements then back to her pretty face. Her hand was squeezing his tighter… “If we just sat together? I…could read if you’d like. Or you could…Gatsby’s about to have that big party and I’m sort of excited to hear more.” Kurt cleared his throat and swallowed hard before nodding gently and forcing a smile to his mouth. “Of course we can do that. I’m glad you’re enjoying the book.” She just wanted to sit and read…and hold his hand…he could do that. His heart was hammering as he scooted forward a bit on the couch and grabbed The Great Gatsby off the table. He released her hand just long enough to remove the bookmark and crack open the thin book, his hand trembling slightly when it slipped back into hers. It was nice, but he felt so nervous. His palms were a little damp, but he tried to focus more on reading that on the thudding in his chest. He started the chapter, his soft voice filling the room rhythmically, but he stumbled a couple times when he remembered where his hand was. This is what couples did…and he wanted desperately to be a couple with Erin.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

It was torture waiting for him to make a decision and Erin held her breath, unsure how she would keep her cool if he refused her request. Fortunately, she didn't need to consider that. Kurt cleared his throat and nodded, smiling at her and making her push a smile instinctively on her own face. "Of course we can do that. I'm glad you're enjoying the book. she felt herself breathing easily, her smile more genuine knowing she might actually succeed in this attempt. She had more of an advantage this time with her wrists and ankles unbound, and she wasn't ill anymore. She was prepared for a fight now, and he wouldn't be expecting it, not after her next move.

Kurt got the book from the table and then leaned back, his hand sliding back into hers. It felt clammy and she had to fight the urge not to pull away. He was nervous, and she had to relax him somehow, get him excited.. he began to read, the only proof of his discomfort in the way he stumbled over his words, something he never did before. He wanted her to like him, to maybe even be a little forward with how much. He wanted more than she had been willing to give, but what if she squashed those fears? What if she told him she'd liked him the whole time? He wouldn't buy it.. not with the way she'd been acting. Erin didn't hear much of the book as Kurt read, her mind racing to come up with a story. She scooted a little closer and slid her head on his shoulder, watching the words on the page as he spoke them, but not one registered in her mind as she thought.

Finally Erin got her thoughts in order, now she needed the courage to take the next step. Her heart pounded gently and she swallowed hard as her hand moved from his, slowly placing it on the book and lowerng it gently into his lap. "You mean for us to be like Daisy and Gatsby, don't you?" It was a rhetorical question, and her head turned. Her chin resting on his shoulder as she gazed into his face, looking for a sign she might be right. He said nothing and didn't look at her, and she could feel how tense he was in his shoulders. The last thing she wanted was to frighten him, though. "I'm sorry I've been so awful to you, Kurt." She told him in the most sincere voice she could muster, her voice a little shy and soft. "You've been so kind to me.. giving me everything I need, spending time with me, taking care of me while I was sick.. you've shown me more kindness than most, and it's hard not to care for you in return." She reached for his hand again, her eyes intent on his face, though she avoided his eyes, as her fingers curled gently with his.

"I know you probably don't believe me, but.. well.. I felt guilty about the way I was starting to feel about you. You took me from Molly and at first I was so angry and scared and I missed her, but then I started to realize that you were right. Deep down I was glad to be rid of my responsibility, but I felt so awful about it, like I should fight to be with her when I was starting to want to be with just you. But I'm realizing that Molly will be fine without me. She doesn't need me, she has Cora and Cora will take care for her. Maybe you need me.." her voice grew softer, all but purring into his ear as her body nuzzled closer. She slid his hand onto her lap, pushing it to her thigh as her face drew closer, her breath hitting his neck. "I know now that you will care for me, you've already done such a good job of it. In a way I guess I'm lucky you found me. A man who takes such great care of his mother can be nothing less than the perfect spouse." It killed her to say these things, not meaning any of them, but she needed Kurt to believe it. To believe she wanted to be with him and no one else, not even her child. "I'll be better, Kurt.." She whispered gently, pushing her face closer, her breath tickling his ear as her fingers pressed his hand closer to the apex between her legs. "I promise I'll be better for you now." Her lips brushed over his jaw, depositing a gentle kiss. "And I'd like to prove it.." Erin pushed her body forward a little, pressing Kurt's hand between her legs as her lips kissed gently towards his ear. Her heart raced knowing what she might have to do to escape, but it would all be worth it when she could hold her baby once more.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

As Kurt read, Erin only got closer to him, and his heart thudded loudly in his chest. It was getting harder to read with every move she made to get closer to him, her hand nestled in his comfortably. When he felt the soft weight of her head on his shoulder, he gulped hard before forcing himself to continue reading aloud. It felt like ages that they sat that way, Kurt reading to Erin as she rested beside him, and each second he made himself relax more into the cozy position. This was what he’d always dreamed of, always wanted, but now that he had it, he was doubting reality. This couldn’t be happening, right? Erin cuddled up to him…adrenaline rushed through is veins and made his body feel warm, like he was flushing everywhere. It wasn’t really a bad feeling though…he just didn’t know if he’d ever get used to it. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been exposed to such affection. Had he really gained her love so soon? If he was asleep, he didn’t want to wake up.

Just as he was beginning to ease into Erin’s sudden familiarity, she lifted a hand and pushed the book down gently, drawing his eyes to hers. What was she doing? He found he couldn’t look at her when her face was so close. Swallowing hard again, he looked away quickly. “You mean for us to be like Daisy and Gatsby, don’t you?” His cheeks burned and he glanced over at her as she shifted and rested her delicate chin on his shoulder. Yes…in a way he wanted them to be like Daisy and Gatsby. Like Gatsby, he had admired Erin from afar until he finally seized the opportunity to truly make her his. Like Gatsby, Kurt had stolen her from her daughter, from her family. But he didn’t want to die in the end. He didn’t want Erin to leave him for her family in the end. His eyes resolutely stared forward, his palms sweating even more under her scrutinizing gaze. “I’m sorry I’ve been so awful to you, Kurt.” Again, he gave the woman a sidelong glance, still unable to maintain eye contact. He didn’t think she’d been awful… “You’ve been so kind to me…giving me everything I need, spending time with me, taking care of me while I was sick…you’ve shown me more kindness than most, and it’s hard not to care for you in return.” Now his heart was hammering, trapped in his throat as her words buzzed in his hot ears. She…she cared for him? Him? Could he really have just heard those words? Her hand gripped his more tightly and he felt dizzy. There was too much blood rushing to his head.

"I know you probably don't believe me, but…well…I felt guilty about the way I was starting to feel about you. You took me from Molly and at first I was so angry and scared and I missed her, but then I started to realize that you were right. Deep down I was glad to be rid of my responsibility, but I felt so awful about it, like I should fight to be with her when I was starting to want to be with just you. But I'm realizing that Molly will be fine without me. She doesn't need me, she has Cora and Cora will take care for her. Maybe you need me…" He did need her. Mother died and he’d felt so very alone. Erin was the only person he had left. Erin’s daughter had Cora and the policeman and even Cora’s daughter…she had so many people to care about her. All he had was Erin. Now he could be all he had too. The more she spoke, the closer she leaned into him, her words so soft and warm and humming in his ear. It felt like his heart was going to jump out of his teeth, an aching starting in his lap. She was sliding his hand into her lap and he felt queasy with the burning in his belly. He could feel her lips brushing so close to his neck. "I know now that you will care for me, you've already done such a good job of it. In a way I guess I'm lucky you found me. A man who takes such great care of his mother can be nothing less than the perfect spouse." Spouse…Erin could be his wife. Erin Steubenfeld…it had a nice ring to it. His mind was clouding and his eyes were blurring as he felt he was falling under a spell. “I’ll be better Kurt…” She was bringing his hand higher on her thigh and it was starting to feel warmer. He’d never been so close before… “I promise I’ll be better for you now.” She kissed his jaw and he stopped breathing, dizzy with need. “And I’d like to prove it…” Over and over her lips touched his jaw and neck, moving toward his ear. She was seducing him, like the serpent in the garden seduced Eve, whispering sweet assurances in his ear. His hand was suddenly rested between her thighs, the one place he’d never been able to touch. But Mother had touched him there…she said women would like it…and suddenly he felt the tight grip of Mother’s fist on him again.

Kurt jumped up, pushing Erin away from him in disgust as he went. When he looked back at her, his eyes were wild with disbelief and fury. “Mother was right!” he cried in dismay. “I thought that women couldn’t be seductresses, they couldn’t all be like that, but they are!” His eyes filled with tears and his hands gripped fistfuls of hair. “How could you do this to me, Erin? I love you! I love you and you just want to leave me! You’re only saying those things so I’ll let you leave! You just want to hurt me like Mother did!” Again he felt a phantom hand grip him tight and he screamed, tugging at his head and doubled over in a maddening mix of emotions. When his wail ended, he lurched forward and grabbed Erin’s face too hard, his eyes burning into hers. “I should have never brought you here, but I thought it would be different! I didn’t think you would be so unclean! All I wanted was for you to trust me, to love me! I made you sick so you would see how much I care for you, how much I would do for you! Did you know? Are you punishing me?” And suddenly he knew what was happening. Panting, he released her face and grabbed her hands, kneeling down in front of her. Tears glistened in his eyes as he stared up at Erin like a lost and terrified child. “Oh God…she’s punishing me. Mother is still punishing me…She’s angry I brought you here, that I was so weak…” With a sob, he pressed his face into Erin’s knees, his chest contracting painfully. He’d let her down. Even though Mother was dead, he was still letting her down. He had never been a good son and he had betrayed Mother again. He was still gripping Erin’s hands as he howled, a drop of saliva slipping down his lips stretched tight in agony. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry I did this! I should have listened to Mother, I should have let you stay with your family! I shouldn’t have brought you here! Please forgive me…” He was gasping for air, pain wracking his body and all he could do was pray his would be forgiven for his sin, for bringing a woman home and taking her away from her family.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

The last thing Erin expected was for Kurt to pull away. The man pushed her off and got up from the cuch, leaving her wide eyed and nervous. Was she so transparent? Could he know it was an act? No matter what she needed to pretend, she needed him to believe or she'd be tied up forever! He looked so angry, though.. could she really make him trust her words? "Mother was right!". Her heart raced in her chest, and her body prepared fo the fight, her adrenaline pumping fiercly. She could take him now.. she could! "I thought that women couldn't be seductresses, they couldn�t all be like that, but they are!" he was so upset, and all Erin could do was try and ease him by shaking her head back and forth, silently disagreeing with his accusation. "How could you do this to me, Erin? I love you! I love you and you just want to leave me! You're only saying those things so I'll let you leave! You just want to hurt me like Mother did!" She was still fiercly saking her head, reaching an arm out nervously. "No!" She insisted, but his screaming drowned her out. Fear gripped her, unsure what he would do. Would he hurt her?

Kurt lunged and Erin was too afraid to react, his hands gripping her face too hard and she cried out, damp eyes searching his. What was she supposed to do? How could she possibly rectify this situation? "I should have never brought you here, but I thought it would be different! I didn't think you would be so unclean!" His words hurt her and she frowned at him. The nerve! Unclean! "All I wanted was for you to trust me, to love me! I made you sick so you would see how much I care for you, how much I would do for you! Did you know? Are you punishing me?". Her breath came out in short angry puffs. He'd made her sick? She wantedto punch him, but she held back, knowing she had to play this God awful role or she'd never see her family again. "It's okay, Kurt.." she lied softly and his hands fell from her face and he took her hands, kneeling in front of her as though begging for forgiveness. She suddenly felt pity for this poor, confused monster. He genuinely just wanted to care for someone and be cared for in return.

"Oh God...she's punishing me. Mother is still punishing me...She's angry I brought you here, that I was so weak..." his confession mad her uneasy and sad. What had that woman done to this poor shell of a man? Kurt cried deply into her lap, his hands clasping hers tightly and all she could do was watch the pathetic show. She had to get out of here.. and she had to get this guy some serious help. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I did this! I should have listened to Mother, I should have let you stay with your family! I shouldn't have brought yoy here! Please forgive me..." He begged and Erin was thrust into a strange position. She had to help him, despite what he'd done, she was involved and if she ever wanted out, she would need to yelp him.

"You need to stop crying, Kurt." She said softly. "What's done is done, you can't go back and change that." She pulled a hand free and stroked his hair as she'd done to Molly so many times. "You can make ammends.. you could let me see my family, or you can keep me here. You're in charge, Kurt." She pushed his cheek up a little so he would look up at her. "I forgive you." She said softly, but firm enough so he knew she meant it. "And I trust you will do what's best for both of us. Whatever you decide, you won't lose me. I'll take care of you Kurt.. whatever decision you make next, I'll be in your life still." And she meant it. She also intended to leave, and soon. If his choice was to keep her, she would make sureto escape, and soon. One way or another, she was getting out.

[KURT STEUBENFELD]

If Erin had struck him in his weakness, Kurt wouldn’t have blamed her. He deserved to be struck for being such a selfish fool. Instead he heard her soft voice. “You need to stop crying, Kurt. What’s done is done, you can’t go back and change that.” Though she was speaking so softly, Kurt still expected her hand to slap him when she tugged one of her hands free from his grasp. Instead, she stroked his dark hair so gently that it brought more tears of shame to his eyes. Why would she be so kind to him? Mother surely would have hit him for his stupidity. “You can make amends…you could let me see my family, or you can keep me here. You’re in charge, Kurt.” Her hand encouraged him to look up at her beautiful face, his eyes hopeful. “I forgive you. And I trust you will do what’s best for both of us. Whatever you decide, you won’t lose me. I’ll take care of you, Kurt…whatever decision you make next, I’ll be in your life still.” His eyes were leaking tears again, tears that ran quickly down his pasty cheeks to curve under his jaw and onto her palm. She would still be in his life…no matter what he decided, he wouldn’t lose her. He couldn’t lose her…She could just being trying to get away from him, abandon him as everyone else had done. One look in her eyes convinced him otherwise. She was sincere in her promise and he couldn’t deny the allure of it.

Sobbing pathetically into her lap, his tears soaking her jeans, he knew what he had to do. He had to make things right. Taking her from her daughter wasn’t right, and neither was keeping her bound, or making her sick; none of what he had done for her was right. He told himself it was, that he was doing it so she would love him, but he hadn’t needed to. She was still going to see him if she were given a chance at freedom—he didn’t need to lock her in an ivory tower. Pushing his face from her lap, he looked up at her again, slowly moving away from her. “I’m so sorry for everything. I won’t insult you and tell you not to go to the police. You can tell that policeman what happened. I’ll be here waiting for him.” More tears slid down his cheeks, dripping from his long, hooked nose. He wiped them away with the sleeve of his button down shirt before, looking down at her hand still clasped in his. Hesitantly he leaned in, glancing up at her before he pressed his lips very gently into her soft skin. All week he had wanted to press a kiss into her hand, but he would never have the chance again after this moment. With that, he released her hands and pushed himself to his feet. He walked around the couch, keeping his back to her. His heart was hammering.

“You may go. I won’t keep you here any longer.” There was a minute of silence and he could hear the hesitation tense in the air. She wasn’t sure she was really allowed to leave; that much was obvious. He glanced over his bony shoulder, his eyes sad as he looked at her shocked, pale face. “I mean it. You can leave. The elevator is right outside the door and the stairs are to the left. Your building is right next to mine.” He flushed just barely before turning away, unable to watch her go. His chest ached and tears flooded his eyes, knowing he would never be able to touch her again. At least he’d had a week with her—a whole week of her by his side. That was enough for one lifetime.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Kurt cried for a long moment, but finally pulled his face from her lap, looking up at her with reddened, pale blue eyes. She almost felt bad for him, but not even she could console him completely for what he had done. "I'm ko sorry for everything. I wonKt insult you and tell you not to go to the police. You can tell that policeman what happened. I'll be here waiting for him." Her lips pursed, not wanted to tell Cal, but knowing she had no choice but to go to the police. She was no doubt a missing person by this point, but him letting her go would urely reflect positively on him. Perhaps she wouldn't mention the part where he made her sick, or maybe she would to better get him the help he needed.

Kurt pressed his lips into her hands, and she sat stll, not flinching at his genuine show of affection. She didn't doubt he cared for her, not for a moment. The man stood up and pulled away, waking to he back of the couch. Erin turned her head and stared at his back, unsure what to do. "You may go. I won't keep you here any longer." Erin wasn't sure if he was testin her or not. Her head turned towards the door and then back to Kurt. He glanced over his bony shoulder at her, his sad eyes meeting her cautious ones. "I mean it. You can leave. The elevator is right outside the door and the stairs are to the left. Your building is right next to mine." the news startled her and her eyes grew. They had been neighbors? The thought made a chill creep down her spine. She had been so painfully close to Molly the entire time.

Erin go up,feeling shaky, and went to Kurt. She stood in front of him before reacing out ad touching his arm gently. "Thank you." She said softly and turned to the door. She walked slowly, carefully, listening to see if he would lunge but he was true to his word. Once out of the apartment she darted to the stairwell, not wanting to wait for an elevator, and ran down as fast as she possibly could until she hit the first floor. She felt shaky as she walked outside, the sun blinding her. Sure enough, her complex was next door, and it was time to let the world know she had been found.

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