Four days. Four fucking days had gone by. I was at the end of my leash. I could hardly feel my wrists any more, the binding growing tighter with every passing day. My time was here, now. I was done.

I had lost enough of myself faking and pretending for him. I let him kiss me, I let him feed me, clothe me, dress me like a doll, I even let him bed me and I had pretended that I liked it, liked him. I acted that I wanted it. I couldn't stomach another minute of it. His hands had started to sting like daggers, treating me more harshly every time. I had bruises and scrapings covering my entire body. He was marking me, hoping to leave scars that I would never forget. I could never forget. He had me right where he wanted me, or so he thought.

I hid in the corner under the stairs, the broken glass shard in my hands. The white cloth was the only thing protecting my own hands from being cut. I had considered cutting my own bindings with it first, but I couldn't risk it. If the blade was too dull or broke, I'd be left with nothing. I had no back up plan. The darkness was a blessing. Hiding me from what I had become. I was frightful, fearful, and desperate. I was going to get out of here. Seth would be coming down to check on me at any moment, and I was ready. I wanted him dead, gone forever. I hated him more than I now hated his father. I had seen way too much of this basement, I'd been here too long. No one deserves to be in this position, much less twice. I was finished.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I heard the green jail door click open. The most beautiful noise, it was as kind to my ears as a school bell releasing children for recess. My break was now, my time here. I bit into one of the smaller paperback books, trying to muffle any sounds I could possibly make, slowing my breathing to a dangerous level, willing my heart to pause. I heard Braden's heavy footsteps descend the stairs. "Kara, dear?" His voice as sing songy as a morning bird. Mocking me with his joy. The bastard. "Kara?" he asked again, to an empty room, or so he thought. "Kara this isn't funny." His voice grew deeper, angrier. I bit down harder on the book as I tried to contain my tears. He's never say my name again.

Seth's fist slammed on the table, making me jump. "I swear to god, Kara, this time you're dead!" I squeezed my eyes shut as I heard wood splintering. He must have flipped it into the wall, the cement too much for the wood. I saw him turn the corner, one of the table's legs in his hand. It was sharp and would certainly kill me within a few blows. He wanted me alive, but not as much as he wanted me punished, no doubt he'd beat me inches from death, just to prove he could. If he really wanted to he could, and today he just might. I clung on tighter to my mirror shard, wondering why I didn't think of that.

He came closer to where I was hiding, not able to see my shadow among the darkness, the books hiding my real identity. I smiled to myself. He had the bigger weapon, but I had the element of surprise. I got on my toes, ready to pounce. His eyes were big, nervous to have me out of his control. He was the weak one, my prey. My smile widened. I had all the power.

I waited. Waited for his feet to be closer, knowing I could get to him without giving him the chance to bring the table leg down on my head. It was time. I leapt out of the corner and shoved the mirror into his chest as deep as it would go, then I jumped back, observing. The new predator. He looked at me in shock, dropping the wooden leg. My own legs refused my command to run, staying stuck to the ground. I was as paralyzed as he was, both in shock and fear. I had done it. I can finally escape.

Seth finally looked at the mirror sticking out of his chest then back at me. He smiled, letting loose a laugh as he pulled it from himself with a groan, blood dripping to the concrete. He let it fall to the floor, shattering. He looked back at me, his face changing again. I had surprised him, but now it was time for the chase. It was time to run. Without looking back I bounded up the stairs, legs weak from lack of exercise for weeks, the steps larger than I had imagined. I flung open the door and made my way down his darkened hall, towards freedom.

When I made it to the front door and threw it open, My eyes took a second to adjust to the light as I doubled back into the false safety of the dark house. I thought I saw someone running towards me. I stopped for a second, shocked at what my eyes were truly showing me. Liam. He was here! He saw me too and smiled. I started to run towards him, but something had forced its way into my mouth and pulled me back. Seth. He had used the wrapping from around the mirror to gag me and control me like the reigns on a horse. Even more horrifying, he was holding a gun and it was pointing directly at my head. Liam.

"So close, and yet so far my butterfly," he whispered in my ear. I blinked the tears away, I had seen freedom. I had hesitated. I had failed. "Lucky for me, you brought your boyfriend right to us. Easier for me to get rid of him." I gasped and struggled in his grasp, more concerned for Liam's safety than my own. I tried to kick my leg back at him or step on his foot or something, but he had me forced in front of him, pushing up against my back like the cement wall. I couldn't move. I thrashed as hard as I could, but I was weak, far too weak to take him on myself.

He dragged me back to the front door and opened it, revealing Liam who had gotten closer, still at his running pace, desperate to see me again. All he saw was me. He didn't see the man behind me. I tried to warn him to run, tears falling freely from my face, but he was too focused on coming to me, on saving me. Seth raised the gun next to my head and fired. I tried to scream, but Seth was faster, covering my mouth with his other hand. He let off three more shots before I saw Liam hit the ground. I struggled against my captor, but he had me by the gag, yanking on my hair as he dragged me to the white Audi car that was sitting on the street.

Braden tossed me into the passenger seat after securing my gag and reenforcing the rope to my thigh, making it impossible to use my hands. I couldn't take my eyes off of Liam who was laying in the street, blood beginning to seep through his clothing. Tears started to flow from my eyes. He couldn't be dead. My vision blurred as I tried to see through the water.

Just as Seth was finishing tying the knots, we heard sirens. I perked up. Liam had brought back up. "Shit!" Braden cursed. He hopped into the front seat and started the car. He sped off, narrowly avoiding Liam, who had managed to roll out of the way. I let loose a breath. Liam was alive. Injured and possibly dying, but alive. He sat up, looking at me through the rear view window as we drove away. I raised my hands to the glass, hoping he knew how much I loved him. The car door was locked and there was nothing I could do to get it open. I was unable to do anything, forced into waiting yet again.