Elizabeth

*Sandra*

"It's cold up here Dad" I laughed as we walked up the stairs to the cabin. He smiled back at me, his age was showing more since his diagnosis. "I have to take my girl somewhere out of Ohio before I leave this earth" Unlocking the door and walking inside. It was warmer inside but we needed to start the fire. I told Dad to sit down as I loaded the fireplace. I used a long match and lit the paper watching it ignite the wood. It started to warm up quickly in the living room. I found a flannel blanket and wrapped my dad tightly. "Daddys are supposed to take care of their babies, Sand, Not the other way around." I rolled my eyes. "Well you have spent so much time taking care of me Dad I figure it's my turn." He put up a fist and shook it at me overdramatizing being an old man, I laughed at him. He always made me laugh. We sat there and stared at the fire in silence. "Elizabeth, I need to talk to you." I looked at him knowing this was serious it was the only time he ever used my actual name. "I want you to sell the gym to your cousin, the money will help with your schooling cost. I know you want to come here to New York to go to school. I know that's your dream. I want you to do that when I am gone. Live your dream baby girl." I saw the tears forming in his eyes. "Daddy You aren't going anywhere, You are going to beat this, you are the strongest fighter I know." He smiled at me patting my head. "Yes baby, after I turn 99, I hope you can wait that long." We both laughed. The cabin was nice, it was small with a few rooms. It was on a small piece of land my uncle bought to hunt and fish on. We hadn't come up here since he passed, now I know why. He was telling me goodbye. I looked over and he had drifted off to sleep. I made sure his covers were tight so he was warm and went and sat in front of the fire. It was so warm. "Wake Up Sandra!" No, this isn't right he slept the rest of the night. "SANDRA WAKE UP!"

When I opened my eyes Ryan was looking over me. "I thought you were going to die on me." He said, more disgusted than concerned. He leaned in and kissed my lips. I closed my eyes trying not to react. "Good morning my beautiful wife." He smiled at me. I did not miss that smile. I didn't respond. I didn't want to move, I knew it would be excruciating. I tried to move my arm and realized he no longer had me tied. I tried to sit up, and he didn't stop me. He probably knows I'm too weak to do anything. I looked around remembering the room and finding he had brought me inside. "How did you find my cabin Ry?" I asked realizing my voice was almost gone. "Drink this." He reached me a water bottle. I opened it sucking down almost the whole bottle. I didn't even think about the fact that he might poison me with it, I was just dying of thirst. I looked up at him, he didn't look like the Ryan I knew. Not even the monster. He was thinning. His face was red and he had black all around his eyes. He stood up noticing me looking him over and started telling me he knew about my cabin for years. I think my staring made him uncomfortable. He told me he had searched my name the night I told him about it in college. "Why didn't you ever ask me about it?" He looked confused like he didn't know the answer himself. I don't think he ever thought about it. I think he thought he would have me there forever. He still wasn't speaking. "Can I use the restroom?" I asked softly. He shook his head yes and grabbed my arm to help me up, walking seemed almost impossible. Every muscle in my body ached. When I got to the bathroom I tried to shut the door and he stopped it with his hand. "Not with the door shut." He smiled. I walked over doing what I needed to do while he watched through the door. The sick bastard was enjoying the control it gave him. I got up to wash my hands and looked in the mirror. My face was more blue and swollen than it was ivory anymore. There was dried blood in my hair, but it looked like he had cleaned my face while I was out. When I turned and walked out, he told me to go put on something and come to the table. I went back to the room and sat on the bed. I tried to stop the tears from falling but they were relentless. I slowly pulled the silk pajama pants over my legs. I put the matching top on and fought with the buttons. Everything hurt so much that I wanted to scream. I wouldn't do it though. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

When I finally made it to the table he helped me sit in the chair. "Listen, Sandy, I am sorry about earlier, I had to show you that you were wrong to abandon me. To let that brotherhood prick inside of you. I wanted to remind you that you belong to me." he touched my face and I forced myself not to move away. How could he say he was sorry, he wasn't, but this was how I survive. I make him believe I am submitting. He ran his hand to the back of my head and grabbed a fistful of hair pulling my head back hard. "Tell me who you belong to?" he said through his teeth. "Im yours Ryan, Im sorry." The words made my heart sink to my stomach. I wanted Joseph, I wanted to feel his strong arms around me, He couldn't be dead. "That's right my beautiful Sandy, Your mine." He kissed me, sticking his tongue in my mouth. I tried not to pull away. He stood up walked to the counter and came back with a sandwich. He turned grabbed another water bottle and sat it beside the plate. "Eat up baby, Your gonna need your energy tonight." He winked at me and left the kitchen. If I could just get a knife, or find his gun. I could kill him and find my way back to Joseph, to my home, to the brotherhood. I took a bite of my sandwich, he was right, I had to stay strong. I had to be strong enough to get away from him. If I had to let him touch me, I would have to endure it. If I had to let him inside me, I could take it. I would fight until I could find my way back. I was going back to my paradise. I ate as much as I could of the sandwich and drank more water before going back into the bedroom where he was. He looked up at me from his seat on the bed and patted the spot beside him. When I sat down he showed me two small pills and told me to take them. "They will take the pain away baby." He said as he tried to reach the pills to me. I shook my head not wanting to be sedated by anything. He shoved them in my mouth and made me take a drink of water. "Why must you be so difficult." He said before he laid on the bed and told me to lie down beside him. He reached his hand wrapping it around my waist and pulling me towards him. He ran his hand up my shirt and I closed my eyes.

He gripped my breast and squeezed moaning into my ear, "I missed you, Sandy." His voice made my skin crawl. He ran his thumb over my nipple. "See Sandy, your body knows who it belongs to." I could hear the smile on his lips as the words came out. I felt as if I might get sick. "I know Ry, I know it does." I lied to him with my eyes still closed tightly. I could feel him pushing his length against me making fear run up and down my spine. I couldn't do it, I couldn't allow him inside of me. I would have to fight. "That medicine you gave me is making me very sleepy my husband, could I take a quick nap so I am well rested for you." It was getting harder to keep my voice steady. I heard him let out a deep sigh before laying his head back down. "I guess, but not for too long." I thanked him and willed myself to go to sleep. He still had his hands on me. I had to distract myself so all I would allow myself to think of was his face. Joseph.