Page 25 of Pushed Through The Dark
Opening my eyes, the teal blue tiles and glass trim, and the dirty water circling my feet, reminded me that every memory I had was very very real. All of it.
Scrubbing myself, I washed my hair and stripped my skin clean. Wrapping myself in a towel, I used the small first aid kit and dressed my wound. Drying off and getting dressed, I paced the small room, wondering if I was still alone.
It's fine, I blocked the door. No one got inside.
My hand was on the handle as I was about to exit, but I paused again. There was something about this whole thing that was off. I couldn't figure it out, but it was unsettling.
I was waiting for all of it to implode. For the moment where playtime ended, and the reality of my new world finally showed its ugly face. Koa was wearing a mask, and I was just anticipating the moment he peeled it off.
Letting out a slow breath, I slowly pulled door the open and peeked into the room. The bench was still snugly tucked in place, the silence of the room all most too much for me to tolerate.
I don't like this.
Every nerve was in this constant mode of anticipation. Sharp, on edge, a hot spark ready to be lit. All my muscles were tense, tight, ready to fight if I had to.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I debated what to do. He told me to come down when I was ready, but I couldn't bring myself to leave the little bit of safety I felt there. Those walls created a haven for me.
Swinging my legs back and forth, I squeezed the edge of the mattress as my mind ran with a million thoughts.
I can't stay here all day.
Gathering some courage, I pulled the bench away from the door and opened it up. The faint sound of music floated up from downstairs, and the scent of food wafted into the room.
Quietly, I stepped barefoot into the hall, and tiptoed down the stairs, following the sound of the music. I could make out the strum of violins, the deep base of a cello, and a symphony of other instruments. I was being as silent as possible, doing my best to keep my presence unknown.
Standing outside the kitchen door, I was hidden by the wall as the music blared from speakers in the room, and the sounds of cooking sizzled and popped between low notes. Pressing my hand against the wall, I just listened, not moving an inch.
"You don't have to hide, come in and sit."
He knows I'm here. How does he know?
Taking a step around the corner, Koa looked over at me briefly, and then back to the pan on the stove. "The clothes seem to fit alright, that's good. Much better than that ratty, dirty dress he put you in."
He was holding a wooden spoon, stirring something that smelled incredible. My stomach grumbled loudly, so I covered my belly with my hands.
"Go on, you can sit wherever you want." He nodded behind to himself, keeping his eyes on the pan.
With tender slow steps, I climbed into one of the stools and rested my hands in my lap. The kitchen had just as much dazzle as the rest of the house.
There were black onyx counter-tops with speckles of gold that curved around the room and create the island in the center. White cabinets and a white marble floor brightened the rest of the space. Shiny copper pans dangled from a rack above the island, with stainless steel appliances.
"I need you to eat, and then we have to go."
"Go?"I asked, squeezing my hands between my thighs. "Go where?"
"A meeting."
"You don't need me—"
"Uh," he said, turning around with two plates and pushing one to me. "I'm not leaving you here alone, that's not fucking happening. You'll come, you'll sit quietly, and then we'll leave. Understood?" Koa's eyes flicked to mine, stern, bold, and making me nervous.
Keeping my hands between my legs, I diverted my eyes to the plate. "I'm a big girl you know. You don't need me there."
"I said you're going. Period. Now eat your fucking food." He shoveled a fork full into his mouth, never once taking his eyes off of me.
The hair on my arms stood up, bristling with how intense his stare was. I could feel his eyes, literally feel them on me like a finger tracing my skin.
Lifting my fork, I poked around the food. There were vegetables, and what looked like chicken. Taking a small bite, I'm blown away by his cooking again.
