TW: Partner Violence. Stay safe and proceed with caution.
I sit up against the cold steel door with my head buried into my knees. The white fluorescent light from the halls seeps in through its gaps. I shiver, my body is cold and I am tired. I am hungry. My side aches. But my resolve is unwavering. And so, my silent protest continues for another day. How long this will last is the question.
An object rolls in, immediately capturing my attention. "What is that?" I take a closer look. It's...an apple? A small red apple rolls across my floor to the other side of the room. I sigh and get up to open my door. It's Art. It's ALWAYS Art. Can't he just leave me alone for one minute?
I patiently wait for him to waltz in here but he doesn't. Suspicious. All of a sudden, I am caught off guard by a figure grabbing my face and shoving me against the opposite wall. I struggle and look up.
"Hey you.", the man says with a teasing smile. His grip on my face is firm.
"Art...", I say, almost spitting out the words. I am clearly not amused. "Let me go!" I try to fight him off of me but I am weak from two days of hunger and sleep deprivation, and he is much much stronger.
He laughs. "Let you go? But I love seeing your beautiful face everyday, love. It's just so...irresistible." He laughs again as he leans in closer. That laugh, I hate that laugh. It makes me so uneasy. It's like I want to trust everything he says but I don't at the same time. He's doing it again. After 5 years, I know him too well.
I continue to struggle as I watch the master at his craft. His expression shifts to something lacking any discernible emotion. He grips my face tighter and pushes up against me. His nails dig into my skin. "What's wrong, beautiful? You look so scared? Are you afraid of me?"
He asks these questions as I squirm. His emotionless eyes burn holes in my soul. I try to fight him off but he just won't budge. "Artemis!" I begin kicking.
"Why aren't you eating?" His voice comes out stern and cold. It sends shivers down my spine. "You are making Hayley and I very sad. Do you enjoy making us sad, Autumn?" His head tilts but his gaze is unwavering. Hayley I understand but I doubt Art has any capacity for "sadness." He's just saying this to get under my skin. But I won't budge. I won't.
"Let me go!" I fight him off again. This time he releases his grip and sighs. He turns away and starts walking around my cell. I fold my arms as I stare at him.
He laughs before speaking up. "Autumn, Autumn, Autumn...." There it is again, that switch. That's what scares me the most about him. "What are we gonna do with you, girlie?" He turns to me and smiles. I doubt Art has any capacity for "happiness" as well.
He moves closer and closer before locking me in his embrace. He may feel warm on the outside but he's truly unfeeling on the inside. But this very second was different. I further leaned into his body. I was craving his touch. Why? Maybe my better judgment is skewed from the lack of sleep and nutrition. Maybe I'm already dead. I place my head on his shoulder and rest for a second. I stare blankly at the cell door.
I hear a little laugh as the door creaks open and Hayley steps inside. "Mummy's all better now." She giggles and joins in on the family embrace. I place my hand on her head and gently stroke her hair. All three of us stand in the middle of the room locked in a tight hug.
"Huh..." I say with a slight scoff. My gaze remains fixed on that cell door. "All better now..."