CHAPTER TEN
Shawna gasped in horror as the cabin door swung open. She’d been alone for hours in this secluded room, with only a wooden stool and a few thick blankets inside. The adjoining door led to a tiny outhouse, with a toilet and basin, but there was no window or door there. Just a tiny ventilation gap in the log wall. She knew it was in the middle of nowhere, because she’d screamed and called for help until she had no voice left.
She had battered her fists against the thick wooden door, but there was no means of escape.
Now, there he was, the man who’d chased her down. The man she knew was going to kill her. She jumped to her feet, cringing back against the wall, ready for his attack.
But he was strangely calm as he opened the door, stepping quickly in before locking it again.
“It’s okay. It’s all okay, don’t be scared,” he soothed her in the same gentle voice that she remembered, as she stared in shock. “I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.”
He held out a hand that was shaking slightly.
In it, she saw a candy bar.
“Would you like it, perhaps? Or a drink of water? Did you see that there’s a bathroom and toilet to the side of this room? The water there is clean and drinkable. There’s no hot water, I’m afraid, but I put soap there for you if you need it. But perhaps you prefer bottled water?”
Anxiously, he produced a water bottle from the bag he was carrying. It was icy cold; she could see condensation on the sides.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said again.
He sounded so anxious, so upset. But he was holding her prisoner. He was a stalker and a kidnapper. And he was going to kill her, she thought with a renewed sense of panic.
“Let me go,” she entreated him. “Please, let me out of here.”
“I can’t do that.”
She gasped.”You can’t? Why not? What are you going to do with me?”
She could see his shoulders hunch at her question.He took a deep breath.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I want to keep you safe. You might not believe me, and I can see you are very frightened, but you need to trust me. Just now, we’ll have a little talk and then you’ll understand more.”
He stared at her, and she saw a weird, fake warmth in his eyes.
“Please, have some water. I don’t want you to be thirsty.” He unscrewed the cap and offered the bottle.
She took a small sip, as if from a poisoned chalice. She was so thirsty, and her throat was like sandpaper from screaming.
“Please don’t hurt me,” she breathed.
“I won’t hurt you,” he promised.
She took a few more sips. She’d almost forgotten that she was so dehydrated. She was also very hungry. Her stomach rumbled loudly, despite her fright.
He gave her the candy bar.
“Please eat. I know it’s been a long time since you had food. I don’t want you to be hungry, or uncomfortable in any way. Later on, I can bring you some hot chocolate. It’s made with real chocolate. Sweet and good.”
She felt confused by how he was babbling on. Why was he saying these things? Frowning, she took the candy bar, but didn’t unwrap it. Perhaps she’d eat it later. More importantly than food, she needed a way out of this place. It felt as if the water she’d just drunk had replenished the energy and resolve she needed.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
She felt hope. Maybe, just maybe, this man wouldn’t kill her. Maybe she could get out.
“I need you to do something for me, please,” he then said.
Frightened again, Shawna stared at him.