Chapter 49: NOW - The Safe Room

A few hours pass. I’m starting to feel like the ventilation system is failing. The air feels heavy and I have a headache behind my eyes, like my sinuses are irritated. I’m thinking again about how to trip the electricity and whether that might open the safe room door. There has to be a wire; something I can damage to do it. The thick air is making me feel spaced out, like I can’t connect thoughts together. Then heavy footsteps plod downstairs and my body stiffens.

Peter pulls the chair closer to the door and sits. “What are you doing in there?”

He’s dressed now, in that same checked shirt and jeans. He seems to have grown bored with Emily and come to torment me instead. He crosses one leg over the other, seemingly relaxed. I thought he’d be sweating by now, but he’s enjoying himself again.

I move closer to the door. “Missing my daughter.”

“You can see her on the monitor, can’t you? Emily is playing dolls with her. We’re taking good care of her, Amber, just like I said we would.”

I glance across and watch as Emily moves Sophie’s Barbie around while Sophie sits there staring at her, not moving, not saying a word. Her hair is unwashed. Her clothes aren’t buttoned right. I bite my tongue. There’s so much vitriol I want to spew at this man.

I clear my throat and make my voice soft, almost tender. “Peter, do you think you could let me out a little while so I could see Sophie? It’s cruel keeping a mother and daughter apart and I know you’re not cruel.” I’m about to tell him about the ventilation and how the air is getting harder to breathe, but I decide to pick one angle and stick to it. I doubt he’d even feel pity for me anyway.

“Stop trying to trick me, Amber.”

“I’m not. I promise. This isn’t about any kind of escape; I just want to hold my baby in my arms.”

He’s silent.

I try again. “Peter, I haven’t heard Sophie laugh for days. She’s been so quiet and still every time I’ve seen her through the cameras. She’s upset because she doesn’t know I’m safe. Once she knows that I’m safe, she might warm up to you a little.”

I glance over at the screen and watch as he picks something from between his teeth. “Oh, you think so, do you?”

“Yes.” I bite my lip. “I just need her to know I’m alive. “Bring her here to the door so she can talk to me. Please, Peter. If you did that, I would owe you. I’d be so grateful.” I rub my eyes, knowing it’s what he wants to hear but not what I want to say. “I’d do anything for you. Sir.”

A smug smile spreads across his lips. So I do still have an effect on him. I might be a disappointment, but his obsession with me hasn’t disappeared completely. He still enjoys the feeling of having complete control over me.

“You really are a desperate bitch, aren’t you?”

I close my eyes, letting the words wash over me.

He chuckles. “Well, it is a woman’s duty to be a mother.”

His voice, those words, are like nails on a chalkboard. I hate him with every iota of my body, but I nod my head earnestly even though he can’t see me. “I agree. I’m a very good mother. I love her so much.” I keep watching the camera feed, trying to analyse what I can see of his expression. “I know that means something to you. I know, deep down, you genuinely care about family.”

“I’ll think on it.” His chair scrapes back as he stands. Then he walks silently out of the cellar.

“When, Peter?” I call after him.

“You’ll see.”

The room feels brighter suddenly, and a dizziness washes over me. Is he going to bring me my daughter?