Chapter 6

Six months later:

Every morning I wake up, I stare through the skylight at the trees overhead. I watch them sway with the wind. The seasons have changed while I have been here. The leaves were plentiful and green. I have watched them change from green to brown, to completely gone. I think it is January now and the cold has crept in. The snow has been falling for quite some time. I am sure there is probably a foot. Even if someone knew where I was, I doubt they would be able to find me in this weather. Today is just a day, same as all the rest. 

I rolled out of bed, my belly is so big I feel like a turtle sometimes. Stranded on my back, rocking from side to side, trying to right myself. I make a mark on the wall for every day that passes. The only thing I can count on in this life, I am forced to live. Is that the sun will come up in the morning and will set at night. Two hundred and forty five days. That is how many days have passed since I have felt the sun on my face or took a breath of fresh air.  Two hundred and forty five days of living this nightmare. I have cried all the tears I can. There are no more left. All that is left is action. 

I looked to the other tally mark. Two days left. That is how many days till I would have to wait for my monthly visit from the only person I see anymore, my kidnapper. He visits me once a month since he put me here. He promised that I would be able to leave after this time. I also knew that was a lie. I was never getting out of this nightmare. At least not alive. Death, was that the only way out of this? I couldn’t give up yet though. No, I wouldn’t give up, because then he would win. He would have me out of his way and the sweet little life I house inside of me would be his to take. To destroy and make his own. Fighting was my only option. I was going to fight till my very last breath. My life is still my own and will not be taken away from me. 

Reading has become my pastime. With nothing else to do here, that is all I have. Amongst the classics there are also medical journals. I am not sure why they are in here or who they might have belonged to, once upon a time.  I assume they were for Scarlett. I have read all I can in preparation of my baby's arrival. I have a plan, and for the first time since I have been trapped in here, I have hope, real hope and nothing to lose. A woman with nothing to lose can be a scary thing. 

Two days later

I hear him pull up outside. The already cold air becomes even colder. The dread I feel inside is nothing compared to the dread around me. The door beeps and swings open. In walks the devil himself. 

“Oh, my sweet Cara, how are you this cold evening?” I try to never respond to him. I only grunt an answer or simply ignore him. “I see you are in a lovely mood today?” Carlos says sarcastically. “Well, I take it you are preparing for the baby’s pending arrival? I have brought you some items.”