Eternal Bride Chapter Three, Part One

Charlie

Being alone here is like playing house with an enemy. If you’re not watching your every move, someone is. There is no safe place. Benjamin may appear to be on our side, my side, but he only does things to benefit himself. I wonder what benefit he’ll be getting from this.

Hours go by with me pacing the floor after Maxwell leaves. Sitting down feels like defeat or compliance and I’m far from complying. What was Maxwell thinking? What were either of them thinking?

I debate about sending meaningless texts to Maxwell, but what use would that be. He won’t be coming back. It gets darker and before I know it starts to gradually get lighter. The rising sun brings an ache to my bones, a restlessness that only Maxwell can get rid of.

A knock lightly taps at the door snapping me out of my fog. “Charlie.” Benjamin calls from out in the hall.

I stay silent for a second, but I reluctantly let him in in the end, because where else would I be besides trapped in the room he picked for me.

“I wo