Handcuffed

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The past few days were strange for me. It might sound dumb but it was as if this were the first time I was coming home. Like I was readjusting to it all again. Probably because I wasn't planning to run away again and wasn't guarded all day and night by Luke. Those were huge changes. But it meant Clare had a better chance at getting back at me. I wasn't so much as worried about that though. She learned her lesson that night she tried to help me run. If she were to beat me, Luke would be more than a little suspicious next time.

It was the first time I ever felt... normal, I guess is the word. That is, while I was in the house and not communicating to the accusers of the outside world. So I was a little on edge when the time came where I couldn't avoid the outside world.

For the past couple days, Luke and Clare would wake up, go to work, and leave me home to do whatever. Luke knew I wouldn't run because he saw how much I wanted this opportunity he offered. Though strange, alone at home... it was quite relaxing. I think I understood what Luke meant by a fun summer because this was awesome. Just to laze around all day, taking a walk through the woods, watch TV and to stuff my face full of food. Nobody here to judge me, accuse me, or wave off what I was saying. Just me and the house all to myself. Some might call it boring after a while. And I call those people losers.

Today, however, was different. I was sitting on the couch, watching the news. Yes, I know; you are probably thinking, 'well, who watches the news?' It's depressing is what most of you would say. But to me, because it was so depressing, that made me feel better about my fucked-up life. It was nice to see I wasn't alone with the fucked-upness of the world. Besides that, I was also just addicted to TV. It's been a year without it and I can't describe how much I missed it. It really is amazing at how far we have come in the world.

I was taking full advantage of the stash of junk food I found in the kitchen; hey, if my body was made to not gain weight, let it be! Tossing a handful of m&m's in my mouth, I thrived in the taste. So damn good! As I ate, I continued watching the news.

After the reporter covered a story of some controversial couple that just became engaged and moved in together, I rolled my eyes. What the hell kind of news is that? The world is going to shit if they call that news. I'm not sure why me, the girl most known around town as missing and insane, wasn't on the news when I was just found! I knew I was big news after I left. So what are the headlines? Well certainly not anything to do with me but rather a popular local couple that just became engaged. Don't get me wrong; it's fine I'm not on the news. I don't want the attention. The point of it is that I figured I would be big news and it's insulting for some reason.

I shoved another handful of m&m's in my mouth when I heard the front door open. Looking up from the TV, I glanced to the door and watched as Luke walked in. Getting out from work, he looked relieved he was home. Walking into the air conditioned house, I heard him sigh before he met my eyes. I saw that beads of sweats were formed around his eyebrows and knew it had to be a pain in the ass to wear that dark uniform in summer - especially if he had been working outside.

"Hello," he said to me with a polite smile as he started to unbutton his shirt. He revealed a white muscle shirt under it that showed off his chiseled chest it hugged as well as exposed his strong arms.

"Why hello to you too," I said under my breath with a light tone, eyeing him up. Every time I saw him, he just becomes more attractive it seems.

In the past few days, I haven't seen him too much. He's been working. I finally found something bad about not getting away: my dumb feelings. Embarrassing, I know, but I kind of missed him. I didn't care if he believes me or not; he was still... I don't want to say a friend but what else is he to me? Daddy? I don't think so.