The key rattles in the door and I turn to face it as it opens. I’m completely surprised when I see a beautiful blonde woman walk in carrying a tray of food.
She looks at me uneasily but offers a little smile.
“Good morning,” she greets me. “I’m Candace.”
I’m so happy to see another person who isn’t Tristan that my first thoughts are maybe she can help me.
“Please help. I’ve been kidnapped. I was taken here against my will. I need to call someone,” I blurt, and the discomfort deepens in her face.
Her gaze darts to my hand cuffed to the window rail and I realize I’ve been foolish again.
Look at me. I’m wearing a sack, handcuffed to the wall, she just brought up food for me… because she was told to.
She’s with Tristan. She has to be working with him.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to make sure you eat something,” she answers.
I don’t say anything. I can’t. All I can do is shake my head. Not at my situation, at her.
“You work for him. Don’t you?” I ask.
“I do. Look—”
“Don’t,” I cut her off. “What are you going to tell me? What are you really going to tell me, Candace?” I emphasize the syllables of her name.
“I’m going to tell you to eat. That is all.”
“Shame on you,” I snap, and her eyes widen. “Shame on you. It’s people like you who stand by and watch others suffer. You’re a woman, just like me. A man drugged me and kidnapped me. He brought me here to this place. What happened to me is every woman’s nightmare and you’re standing there telling me to eat.”
I’m being incredibly rude, but I don’t care. I’m right. If I weren’t right, she wouldn’t look so ashamed of herself.
“I’m sorry to upset you,” she apologizes.
“Yeah? How about you just leave me alone.”
She presses her lips together, visibly humiliated, then comes closer to set the tray down near me. Quickly, she collects the tray from yesterday and heads out.
When the door clicks shut, I bring my free hand to my head and stare down at the food she brought. There’s a Spanish omelette, toast, and fried bacon. There’s a cup of hot chocolate too and a glass of water.
I don’t want any of it.
I return my gaze back out to the sea and get lost in the motion of the rolling waves as I try to figure out what to do.
* * *
When the door opens again hours later a man comes in.
I can tell straightaway he’s Tristan’s brother. They look remarkably similar and have the same eyes.
Seeing him makes me wonder how many people are here. I was under the impression it was just Tristan, until I saw Candace earlier.
Like her, he’s carrying a tray with food. Sandwiches for lunch.
“Not eating?” he asks.
“Please let me go,” I reply, but he just stares back at me.
“Will you tell me where you father is?” he asks.