Opening my eyes, I glanced around the room I found myself in. I was lying in a queen-sized bed. Sitting up, I heard someone yelling outside the room for something. Confusion swarmed inside my head... Where was I? Glancing down I saw I was still wearing the clothes that I had on, so that was okay. I looked around the unfamiliar room and noticed a door across from me. As I got up, I heard the yelling again and remembered that I had no idea where I was. With a deep breath, I stepped towards the door. I heard the door creak open slowly. I glanced over to find Jesse stepping into the room with a bottle of water in his hand. "Oh, I'm glad to see you awake," he said with a smile on his face. "You must be thirsty," Jesse continued, holding out the bottle of water to me.
"How did I get here?" I asked Jesse in confusion. "Where am I, Jesse?" I asked him, refusing to take the water from him.
"Calm down Makena, I won't hurt you. You're in my room. I just wanted to talk privately." He says, reaching out to touch me. I smack his hands away. He sighs and steps back. "I understand why you're scared, I just want to explain what happened." He says, his voice gentle. I look away, clenching my fists, not trusting myself to answer.
"Don't touch me!" I screamed out at him, not caring if anyone inside his home could hear me. I didn't want to be here, and I wondered what he did to even get me here in the first place. "Please Jesse, just let me go home!"
"I want to talk to you Makena, I want you to understand something here," he says softening his tone. I shook my head and backed away my heart racing. I had to get away from him.
I turned and ran, not looking back until I was stopped by an older lady standing in front of the door blocking my path. What the hell was she doing? She looked me in the eyes and said, "You don't have to be afraid. You are safe here." I was scared. I was scared and trembling. I didn't know what to do or how to get away from the situation. I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could.
"Makena stop!" he commanded. I stood frozen in fear. This was the first time someone had gotten to this extreme with me. I didn't know what was happening, but I was sure it wasn't right. I had to act fast, so I quickly ran away looking for another way out. I knew I had to remain calm and collected despite the fear that was coursing through my veins. Taking a deep breath, I gathered the courage to face what lies ahead. Not finding an exit, I slowly turned and faced him. He was standing there with anger coursing through his veins, breathless from chasing after me. He was furious and I knew I was in trouble. I stood my ground and faced him, ready to take whatever consequences were coming my way. He took a step forward and I braced myself, expecting the worst.
I knew I had no way out, so I stood there and faced my fate. He was about to speak, but I beat him to it. With a trembling voice, I said, "Please, don't hurt me."
He looked at me with a cold expression and said, "I'm not intending to hurt you... but you have no choice. You must do as I say." I knew I was powerless and that I had no choice but to obey. I felt a lump in my throat and my eyes started to well up. I nodded my head in agreement and turned away to hide my tears. "Makena, it's okay you don't have to cry," he reassured.He reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. I felt his warmth, and my tears stopped. He gave me a gentle smile and said, "It'll be alright, I promise."
"How can you say that? You kidnapped me... please, Jesse just let me go. Please." I turned and glared up at him, tears streaming down my face. I watched as he began to pull me closer to him wrapping his arm around my waist. He looked me in the eye and said, "I'm sorry, I can't do that. It's too late." He leaned in and kissed me gently on the forehead before releasing me. I stumbled backward, my heart racing, unsure of what would happen next. "Come on, let's get you back to the bedroom." I didn't move, I was too scared. Jesse sighed and reached out his hand to me. He said, "It's ok, I won't hurt you." I slowly took his hand and followed him to the bedroom.I lay on the bed and he tucked me in, brushing back my hair. He said, "I promise you, everything is going to be alright." Then he kissed me one last time and left.
I was so confused about what was happening. Why wasn't he allowing me to leave? Why was his mother so involved in helping him keep me here? I was sure I was in danger, but I couldn't move. I was too scared to do anything. I lay there, tears streaming down my face until I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning...
Opening my eyes, I felt weird as I was hugging the hardest pillow I have ever cuddled with. Glancing down I realized immediately that I was snuggling up to him and I immediately sit up and backed away. I was embarrassed and confused as I tried to process what had just happened. He stirred, and I quickly stood up and made a dash for the door finding it locked. I quickly unlocked it, but by then he was awake. I heard a hand slam on the door above my head and as I always do, I jerked back with a yelp. "Where do you think you are heading?" he hissed. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the room, his face a mask of rage. We stared at each other for a few seconds, the tension palpable in the air. He then released me, his expression softening.With a deep sigh, he said in a calm voice, "Explain to me why you feel the need to run."
My heart raced as I realized my attempt to escape had failed, and I stuttered as I attempted to answer his question, "I...I...I just need to find some space and clear my head."
"I'm sorry Makena, but that's not going to happen," he says glaring down at me. He tugs at my wrist pulling me into an embrace. I sense his hands wrapping around my waist again, keeping me close to him. I didn't know what to do. I stood there in silence and allowed him to hold me like that. I felt my body tense up and my heart racing. He was so close, I could feel his breath on my neck. I felt my cheeks flush and I couldn't find the words to respond. "Listen, I'm sorry but I can't just let you go. You are mine," he said as a matter of fact.
"But I'm not yours Jesse, I don't want to be here. Please, just let me go!" I begged him. He shook his head, a smirk forming on his lips. "I can't do that. You're exactly where you belong." He pulled me closer, his arms like a vice around my waist. I felt my heart sink as I realized I was truly trapped.
Suddenly, the door flew open and a group of police officers stormed in, guns drawn. "Let her go!" one of them shouted. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as Jesse released me and stepped away. I watched in shock as Jesse held up his hands in surrender, glaring over at me. I feel as I am wrapped in an officer's arms and led out of the room. He wraps a blanket around my shoulders as he guides me toward another officer. Glancing up, I saw that it was Officer Frank who had come to my rescue and I was forever grateful. I looked again at Jesse, who was now surrounded by officers. As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Officer Frank had been there to save me.
Officer Frank looked at me and gave me a reassuring smile. "It's okay, you are safe now," he said as he led me toward a police car. I nodded, still shaken by the experience. Officer Frank helped me into the car and I watched as Jesse was taken away. I wondered what was going to happen to Jesse. Officer Frank assured me that justice would be served and that Jesse would face the consequences of what he had done. He gave me a pat on the shoulder before walking away. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I watched the police car drive away.
Once I was home, I was engulfed in my mother's arms as she felt relief that no harm had come to me. I knew that Jesse would get what he deserved. I also felt a sense of responsibility, knowing that I had done the right thing by reporting him to the police. I prayed that he would be able to learn from his mistakes and change his ways.