Robert's body was sore. He barely wanted to wake up. Why was it so cold? He opened his eyes to nothing. The room was pitch black. There was something cold and metal wrapped around his wrists. He tried to scuttle forward but couldn't move very far.
"Help!" he shouted. "Someone help me!"
What was happening? He should've trusted his gut. Why? Why him?
"Please someone help me! Please! Help me!"
He was sure how long he screamed. He kept going til his voice got dry and coarse. He laid down on the floor. Is this how he died? Starving to death in a dark room.
As if someone heard his thoughts, he heard footsteps. It was a soft clatter like if someone was climbing down metal steps.
He heard the small click of a lock and a metallic whir. The lights flickered on and Eric stood at the entrance of a door.
Robert glanced around the mostly barren room. It was a sink and a cabinet in the corner and blood stained the floor. Yet, all he could focus on was Eric.
Eric walked over to him and sat in a squat position. He reached into his pocket and pulled out Robert's wallet. "So you're Robert T Mallory?" He showed his student ID. "You're what 20, 21 years old? Last semester for your A.A? Don't you talk?"
"Yes," he whispered.
Eric smiled and reached out for Robert's face. "You have a really cute face." He ran his finger through Robert's hair. "Don't worry, while your down here. We going to be friends. I'll take such good care of you," he said as he twirled a few strands.
"What are you going to do to me?" Robert asked. He choked on his own voice and began coughing.
"Someone was screaming." Eric rubbed Robert's throat. Alright let me go over a few ground rules.
"One, do not yell for help or beg me to spare you or whatever at least while I'm here. It's annoying. Two, do not try to attack me. Three, do not try to escape. Just so what I ask and we'll have a good time."
Why was Eric touching him so much? Robert couldn't stop it. Tears started escaping. Why him? Why him? Eric wiped them away as soon as they fell. "If I break a rule?" Robert whimpered.
"Well, of course there's a punishment. The worst it is, the worst the punishment. Just as it should be."
Eric's face was close. Robert could just head butt him like in the movies. Then what? His wrist were still chained. Eric had to have the key on him, but would he be able to hit him hard enough? Should he just do it?
"Did you not hear me?" He pulled Robert's hair and forced him back against the wall. "I asked you, if you agree?" He pulled a knife from his pocket and pressed against Robert's throat.
"Uh.. yes! Yes, I agree," Robert said.
"Alright, I'll call you Robbie then. I think it suits you. My cute little Robbie." He stroked the hair he just pulled. "I got to get going now, but I'll be back with dinner." He tapped Robert on the nose with the knife before springing to his feet and leaving.
Robert sat in disbelief. Luckily, the light was still on. He tried rolling around to see the chains behind him, but nothing. It was too short and tight. As he struggled, he fell over and saw a small tuft of hair on the ground.
It was blond but was matted together with blood. "Ahh!" He screamed as he backed away. He looked around and the signs of the past victims were all around him. Scratch marks on the wall, blood stains in the floor, and hair and nails tossed about.
He never thought he was the first, but all the markings around the room confirmed his fate. How many people sat in here and died? Is this really all that's going to be left of his life?
Robert Mallory, 21 years old. He had dreams, he gave them up for his family, no one appreciated him, and he died in some creepy man's basement.
What a eulogy. Imagine his parents the only ones showing, his own siblings being too busy to stop by. Closed casket cause they never found his body.
"Help! Help me!" He started wailing. "I don't want to die down here."
Footsteps returned coming down the step. He tried to compose himself but the sobs kept slipping out. The door unlocked and Eric came back with a small plastic container and a water bottle.
"When I came in, I heard you screaming for help. Why? I said I don't want to hurt you." He knelt in front of Robert. "Look I brought you some potatoes and chicken. Some water to keep you hydrated."
He popped open the lid and pulled out a plastic spoon. He scooped a bit of mash potatoes and chicken chunk. He held it up to Robert's lips waiting for him to open like a child.
"I know what your thinking but you need to eat. I promise this isn't as bad as it looks. You looked so helpless, I've decided I'm going to take care you. Now open wide or I'll do the airplane."
Begrudgingly, Robert opened his mouth. It felt like baby food but was cooked decently enough. It was still warm, he must've made it recently. Eric sat there and watched him eat the whole thing. He then lifted Robert's chin to help him drink water.
"Please let me go," Robert whispered. "I won't tell anyone about this. Please let me go."
"Wait... I just fed you and now you want to go. Huh? You just got here!" He threw what was left of the water bottle at Robert. "Why do you want to go? Why?!" Eric ran towards the cabinet and pulled out a crowbar. He dragged it over to Robert and lifted it over his head. "Answer me! Why do you want to go?"
"I-I miss...my family. Plus my dog. He's a pomsky. I usually take him on walks. I also have a cat. It's not mine but my neighbors. I leave food for him on the porch. There was this girl I wanted to do a study date with-"
"Oh..." He lowered the crowbar. He chuckled a bit. "You're worried about that? It'll be fine. I'm sure you're family will miss you too and take good care of your dog and cat. Plus, don't worrying about studying, what does anyone really do with an A.A anyhow?"
He threw the crowbar to the corner of the room and sat beside Robert.
"I'm sorry, I wet your clothes. I don't have any dry ones for you and I don't think we're the same size. I'll go shopping soon." He pushed Robert's hair back and smiled. "You'll like it here."
Eric stands up, picks up his stuff, and leaves.
This time he flicked off the lights leaving Robert in the dark. His lip began quivering and he fell into a laughing sob.