Unlike Any Other

Chapter 7 - Safe

I opened my mouth to scream but only bubbles emerged from it as water filled in. The Watcher grinned down at me, his outline becoming more and more blurry from my underwater view. I propped myself up in order to get my head above water but was greeted with another push, keeping me under.

The Watcher smiled just a bit wider, then held a finger to his lips. My surroundings began to darken and the pressure slowly came off my head. Once I had realized I could, I lunged out of the water and quickly took in several breaths.

After a coughing fit, I turned to see where The Watcher was but instead, not another sign of life was near. Tears fell down my face as I hugged my knees to my chest. No sound escaped me as I sobbed. The water I had been lying in slowly cooled around me but I did not move.

Shaking, I eventually lifted myself out of the tub and stood. Water dripped down and off me and I grabbed a rag to dry myself. I slipped back into my room and silently dressed. I put on a casual long sleeved dress, a stained pink with floral designs running down it.

A small groan emerged from my bed as I sat atop it. He's not gone. The thought swirled around my mind. I shivered and hesitantly turned to my dresser. I rummaged through the top drawer and pulled out a notebook and pencil.

In my sloppy handwriting that I had yet to correct, I scribbled out all that had happened to me since yesterday at the park. Afterwards, I wrote all that I knew about The Watcher, then I closed the book and hid it back in its drawer.

I ran my hands through my hair and then continued after grabbing my brush. Quietly, I returned downstairs to see Mother sitting at the table holding a teacup up to her mouth as the steam from it fogged around her face. Anna sat beside her, about to fall of the chair as she swung her legs back and forth aggressively.

"Momma, can we go to the market, please? I want to buy a new dress." She asked, burying her head in her arms on the table.

"Anna get your elbows off the table it's improper. You have several dresses you do not need another." Mother snapped. I took a seat across from her at the table. "You're being unusually quiet Cynthia. What happened to your cheek, child?" Mother asked, glaring daggers at me.

I brought my hand up to it and felt the bump that traced the scar down to my chin. I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't. Suddenly with a slam of the front door, my father entered the room. I flinched at the sight of him but he offered a smile.

"William, look at what has become of your daughter! She came home this morning with an oversized dress, messy hair, a scar on her cheek, and chains clamped to her fours!" Mother exclaimed. Father looked at me and his smile faded.

"What happened to you?" He asked in his gruff voice. I shivered, It's time. I took a breath, and I explained everything that had happened since yesterday. Horror spread over Mother and Father's faces; they had made Anna leave the room.

"You are not to leave this house until that man is apprehended." Father declared.

"But—"

"No, we are going straight to the police and then you will remain in your room."

I stood abruptly and my chair fell over. Father stared me down. "To your room, now." He demanded. I glared in return and took a step towards the front door. "Cynthia, now!" Father yelled.

"I'm not going to just sit at home while there are other women out there being killed!" I shouted in protest. My father stomped over and faced me. I stared up at him and he gripped my arm. I screamed and he threw me to the ground.

"That is enough Cynthia! Room! Now! I will bring the police here first thing tomorrow and you are to remain in your room until then." Father screamed. My lip quivered and tears threatened to fall again. Father grabbed my arm again and dragged my to the base of the stairs, Mother only watched, her face remained emotionless. As I was dropped again, Mother stood.

"William, that is enough. Cynthia, please, just go to your room." She said, her eyes down to the floor. Father let me go and I scrambled to my feet. Slowly, Father turned and started over to where Mother stood.

He stopped only an inch from her then slapped her across her face, leaving a burning red mark. "Know your place," He grunted. Before he could turn to face me again, I rushed to my room and sat in its far corner. I heard a slight breeze and I turned.

My window was now open.