Stockholm Syndrome

I woke up back in the basement. I had this little pain in my chest when I thought it was a dream. I rip off the bandages on my wrists and look at my cuts. The cold air hit them, making goosebumps crawl up my arms. They were still bloody and they hurt like fuck.

I lay down and stare at the ceiling. What if people are wondering where I am? What if Toni's already had her funeral? Maybe no one even noticed I'm gone. I have no one to miss me anymore other than my uncle who lives in Orlando. He probably doesn't care.

I hear a door shut so I pretend I am asleep, one eye slightly open. I thought it was Luke, but it was someone else. He had circular glasses and messy curls. He sat in front of me and just stared. I didn't know who he was but I feel like I should ask or something.

"I'm so sorry, Chelsea. I didn't think you were this depressed. I should have put others before me. Now you're here, in so much pain. You could have died, y'know? Luke wouldn't give up, though. He's been through a lot in his life. He didn't want to lose you, too." The stranger said. He must be one of the masked men. He smiled slightly at my 'sleepy' face.

"He said you're a keeper. I think our little guy is growing up. Hopefully you'll adapt because I think you'd fit in here very well." I take the chance and open my eyes. He smiled wide at me.

"Morning, Chelsea. I am Ashton." I sit up and stretch.

"Are you here to save me?" I asked. His smile disappeared and he shook his head. I should have known. Ashton took my hand in his. I close my eyes like I was in pain. I was just scared.

"You're safe here, Chelsea. No one wants to hurt you. Calum is coming down here soon. You're okay. I promise." He kissed my hand, making me feel better. Who's Calum?

"I don't want to get hurt." I whispered, holding onto his hand tighter. For some reason, Ashton sent off this weird vibe that makes my brain to say, 'You're safe with this one. You're okay.'

"Don't think about it, princess. Happy thoughts." Ashton kissed my hand once more until standing up and leaving. I waited for a while for this Calum guy to come down. Day 4 of my hostage days. I could never get used to this. The rope around my ankle. The smelly basement. The hard floor I call bed. Never.

"Knock knock. Oh, wait. I don't have to knock. Duh." I hear a voice. I sit up straight, not even aware of my slouch. An Asian-looking guy came down. I remember that skin and that hair from The Night. Yeah, I named that night. So?

"Hello, Chelsea. Luke told me he decided. I like it. I would much prefer Cassidie but you can't have everything in life." I giggle at his goofiness. I'm actually smiling.

"Hi." I answer shyly. He sat in front of me with a smile. He looks really nice. But they all do so far but I'm still here. I erase my smile and look away.

"Are you okay? Is it my eyebrows? I know they're kinda bushy but..." He licked his fingers and wiped his eyebrows. I try to fight back a smile. He's making me being depressed hard.

"Hey..." he put his finger under my chin and lifted my head so I looked at him, "you gave us all a scare yesterday. Don't ever do that again." I nodded with a frown. His brown eyes widen.

"Cross your heart! You gotta promise on your soul!" I giggled and crossed my heart. He smiled and leaned back. Calum is okay.

"I seriously almost wet myself when I heard you scream. Michael gagged the entire time. It was terrifying watching a girl struggle for her life, y'know." Calum stares off into space. Ariana Tobias pops into my head. If Calum, Luke, and Ashton didn't like hurt people then how did she die?

"What're you thinking about, sweets?" He woke me from my thoughts. I look at him with a sad look. He looked away quick. He knew what.

"I didn't want to, you know. Grace was a scared little girl. Only a year younger than you. She wouldn't eat and she'd, like, slam her head on the wall. One day when Ashton came down to visit her, she jumped him and stabbed him in the leg.

"I was scared for her life more that Ashton's. We ended up cutting her a few times. Luke put the drugs in her oats and I had to finish it. When I wake up in the morning, I see her face. When I go to bed, she's still there. It's like a nightmare that never ends." He confessed. My stomach does a flip.

"Deep." Is all I said. He chuckled and looked at me. I half smile at him. Maybe I was safe here. I wonder if this Michael guy that he's talking about will come down. I wouldn't mind meeting him.

"You'll get used to us. I really want us to be friends." My mind was telling me that that would never happen. I will never, ever be friends with these people. Who would? If they kidnapped you, you'd wouldn't want to be their friend.

"No." I say and look away. When I glance at him, we looked really sad. I kinda felt bad because he looked like a puppy that was just kicked in my stomach. Calum stood up and walked upstairs. I already felt lonely.

I waited and waited for someone to come down. I was getting hungry and my mouth was really dry. What if they make me starve? maybe the whole suicidal thing was too much for them to handle...

I didn't want to be alone anymore. I didn't have any family left and I just lost my only friend. I'm all alone again. I've lost so much and if I make one more stupid move, I'll lose my life. Calum probably hates me and I kinda hurt Ashton's feelings with the whole 'Are You Here To Save Me' thing. Luke hasn't come down once with food.

Maybe this was it for me. I was going to be locked here for the rest of my life with these men, fearing for my life. It's one way or no way here. Be quiet and smile. But how can I pull off an act that doesn't eve have a script?

"You still down here?" I hear a unfamiliar voice. Well, duh! It's not like I can go anywhere. The guy with red hair comes down. He must be Michael. He smiled at me.

"Chelsea! Nice name, by the way. Suits you well." I wanted to thank him but it's not really my name. He looked at my ankle with furrowed eyebrows.

"That's not uncomfortable?" He asked. I nodded fast. He chuckled and untied it. I rub my red ankle in relief. Run. Stay. Run. Stay. Run. Stay. I'm not sure.

"Don't do anything wrong or I'll have to but this hell contraption back on." He threatened like he read my mind. I nodded and looked down at his shirt. Nirvana. Okay choice of clothing.

"I-I like your shirt..." I say shyly. His face lights up.

"Seriously?!" We talk for at least 2 hours about rock bands. No other subject. He'd be singing one of his favorite sings by the band we're talking about and play air guitar every now and then.

"You are so great, Arie- I mean Chelsea!" He said. I smiled and crossed my legs. He poked my dimples.

Maybe this wasn't TOO bad...

Notes

Merry Christmasssssss!

I tried to update this morning but I just got a new laptop so it's a lot better updating from here.

Love it so much

No at much as I love you guys.

Guess what?

My mom and dad said I had a talent in writing!!!!!!

Holy crap!!

Comment pretty please? Love hearing from you guys.

~Chelsea :) :) :) :)