Chapter 4

After my exchange with Jeff, I was left with no choice but to eat my provided meals. I was threatened to be put on an I.V. with nutrients if I continued to refuse my meals. As the days passed I began to regain my weight steadily, now I can walk without E.J. 's assistance.

"You have been gaining your weight back nicely. We should be able to start traveling back to the manor in a few days," E.J. comments sounding proud of himself.

It's true, with my weight gain, I have also regained my strength. I don't respond to his comment and just continue to look down at my hands. The door slams open announcing Jeff's arrival as seems to be the standard the last few days, checking on me far more frequently. From what E.J. told me, Jeff is staying in another safe house not far from this one. I don't bother to look in his direction.

"She'll be able to start the journey back soon. Now that you're here I'll be heading back first. I'll report to Slender that she has finally recovered properly," E.J. announces rather blandly.

My attention shoots up to look at E.J. He stands up from the chair he's been practically glued to the past week or two. I jolt up to sit on my knees, my ankle restrictions long removed.

"W-wait! You're leaving first?" I question, trying in vain to hide the fear in my voice.

In the corner of my eye, I see Jeff's permanent smile widen. Me and him alone? After I ran from him? After I tried to end my own life? I can't let that happen. I move to jump out of the bed but Jeff rushes over and slams me back onto the bed before I can set a single foot on the floor. He uses a single hand to hold me in place.

"Don't be too rough with her Jeff, she needs her strength for the trip back," E.J. says with a slightly annoyed sigh. "I'll see you when you get back." With that, he leaves and we hear the front door open and slam shut.

After the front door shuts Jeff's smile turns dark and sinister. I grab his hand and try to push it away from me.

"Jeff let me-" he cuts me off.

"Let you what, Kora?" He questions furiously. "Let you go? Let you get up? What then Kora? You're gonna travel back with E.J.? I didn't realize you were his destiny now. When did you two become so close?" He asks, just on the edge of accusing me of something.

I narrow my eyes at him. I knew he was insane, but now I think he's lost it completely. What has my absence turned him into? I didn't think it was possible for him to spiral any further. My anger boiling in my veins as I clutch my shirt tightly.

"What are you implying exactly?" I hiss back at him.

He slams my back against the wooden headboard causing me to flinch in pain briefly.

"You know exactly what I'm implying Kora," He seethes, his anger palpable. "Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

"I'm not a fucking mind reader, Jeff," I spit out through clenched teeth.

He leans into my ear, his hand finding its way to my throat. "Did. You. Fuck. Him?" He asks, slowly and deliberately.

My immediate reaction is to scoff in disbelief. Of course, I already knew what he was hinting at, but to hear it spoken out loud just makes it feel even more preposterous.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I throw back at him in utter disbelief. "You think I slept with E.J.?" I question incredulously. "You really have fucking lost your goddamned mind. Where would I find the time to sleep with any guy, no less E.J.?" I ask pointedly.

He laughs, his dark laugh vibrating through my chest. He tightens his grip around my throat. Slowly squeezing the oxygen from my body. I grab at his hand and try, in vain, to pry it from its target. Gasping for air, the edges of my vision begin going black. Jeff releases his grip and I double over, coughing and sputtering. He pushes me back again and climbs on top of me, coming to rest on my legs. His weight holding me in place, unable to move, unable to escape. He grabs my head and turns it to one side, then the other, inspecting my neck. After seeming satisfied with his findings he lets out a small laugh.

"Of course, you wouldn't. You could never betray me like that," he asserts confidently. "You are mine, and soon you won't be able to forget that," He adds menacingly.

I would ask him what he meant by that, but I know I'll never get an answer. Just what is he planning to do to me? He falls to the other side of the bed and wraps his large, strong arms around my waist. He pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me tighter, making escape impossible. I let out a sigh.

"You're really going to go to sleep after saying something like that?" I mutter more to myself than to him.

"Do you want me to make good on my promise now?" He threatens, burying his face into my side.

I let out an annoyed sigh. He's so childish sometimes. I think to myself, of course not daring to anger the wolf next to me any further.

"Of course not, just go to sleep," I mumble out turning on my side.

He pulls me closer and buries his face into my hair, his breathing gradually slowing as he falls to sleep. The only time he's ever showed me anything other than anger or jealousy was when he's tired like this. I close my eyes, resigning myself to this fate. As I fall asleep, I begin to dream about my life before Jeff ruined it. About how I came into this life in the first place for the first time in 3 years.