He rolls his eyes but ties everything back a little looser. “Better?”
“Yes, thanks.”
The idea that I’m thanking him for tying me up makes me sick, but until I see a way to escape, I need to stay on his good side.
“Wait, you drove all the way from New York. Did you sleep?” If he hasn’t, he might sleep deep tonight. It might be my only chance to escape.
“I pulled over at a rest stop and slept for a bit. But I’ve got these.” He pulls a bottle of pills from his pocket. “I don’t need too much sleep.”
“What are those?”
John never took drugs. Or at least not that I ever knew about.
“Just something to help me get through the next few days. Then it will be smooth sailing.”
As he leaves, he turns off the light and closes the door. At least he didn’t give me any more of that damn drug. My eyes fixate on the lamp he left in the room. If I could get loose, I might be able to unscrew the top half and use it as aweapon.
I pull on the ties, but my body grows heavy. It’s like I’ve been drugged again. Then I remember the water before I fall asleep.
A loud thud wakens me. It’s bright outside and in the room, and it takes a moment to fully open my eyes. There’s the thud again.
“John! Open the damn door!” someone yells. “John, I swear I will break down your door!”
“I’m coming!” John yells.
The door opens and slams shut. “What is so important?” John asks.
“You’re getting married in a few days! We’re here to take you to the bachelor party,” a third man says.
A bachelor party in the middle of a weekday? John has a flexible schedule with his parents, but I recall his friends working regular hours.
Something creaks, and I can imagine John sitting in the rocking chair.
“No, I’m not having one of those.”
“Yes, you are, and we won’t take no for an answer. The guys and I got off work early. We’ve been planning this. Let’s go.”
Planning? John must have told them before he left for New York. But John doesn’t respond to his friend.
“Seriously, let’s go!” a third guy says.
“Fine. I’ll meet you outside. I need to take care of something first.”
The door to the bedroom opens, and he walks into the room. “Hey, sleepyhead. You should eat.” He carries a trayover and sets it on the table next to the bed. Then he unties my right hand and helps me sit up.
I glance at the tray. A bottle of water. What appears to be applesauce in a bowl. And a protein bar.
“I’m afraid I need to go out for a bit, so I wanted to get you fed first.” He grabs the applesauce.
Odds that he drugged the apple sauce are high. “Protein bar first, please.”
He nods, sets down what he’s holding, and grabs the bar. After unwrapping it, he hands it to me. I scarf it down, not realizing how hungry I am until now.
“Ready for the applesauce?”
I shake my head. “Water and I’ll be fine.”
He stares for a minute before he nods. He hands me the already-opened bottle and stands, going straight to the lamp. While his back is turned, I pour some of the water out under the pillow.
