CHAPTER 7
960 Words
CHAPTER 7:
The Other One
Lucy’s body stiffened as Ray’s words echoed in her ears.
“You’re not the only one I’ve been waiting for.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Not the only one?
Did he mean Eleanor?
Was she still alive?
Or worse… was there someone else before Lucy?
She took a step back, her pulse hammering in her throat. “What do you mean?” she whispered.
Ray didn’t answer.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, silver key.
He twirled it between his fingers, his gaze never leaving hers.
“Do you want to know the truth, sweetheart?” he asked, voice smooth and deceptive. “I can show you.”
Lucy swallowed hard.
She had two options: Refuse and risk angering him—or follow him and uncover whatever twisted game he was playing.
Slowly, she nodded.
Ray’s smirk deepened.
“Good girl.”
Then, he turned and walked toward the far side of the room, stopping at a door Lucy hadn’t noticed before.
A door that had always been locked.
Until now.
The Forgotten Room
Ray slid the key into the lock, turning it with a deliberate click.
The door groaned open.
A stale, musty scent seeped into the air, and Lucy’s stomach twisted with unease.
She hesitated on the threshold.
Then, with a dark chuckle, Ray pushed her inside.
Lucy stumbled, catching herself just as the door shut behind them.
The room was dim, the only light coming from a single, flickering bulb.
And then she saw it.
A bed.
Not just any bed a hospital bed.
Straps dangled from the sides, worn from use.
Beside it stood a rusted IV stand, its tubing coiled like a dead snake.
The air smelled of something sterile and something rotten.
Lucy’s throat closed.
“What is this?” she whispered.
Ray stepped beside her, hands tucked in his pockets, looking at the scene with disturbing nostalgia.
“This,” he said, voice filled with false warmth, “is where Eleanor spent her last days.”
Lucy’s breath hitched.
He turned to her, his gaze dark.
“She tried to leave me too.”
A Past That Won’t Stay Buried
Lucy felt a cold sweat break across her skin.
The walls of the room were covered in scribbled words
Some were names. Some were pleas.
One phrase was repeated over and over:
“I AM NOT HER.”
Lucy shuddered.
Had Eleanor written this?
Or… had someone else?
Her fingers brushed over the words, her breath shaky. “You did this to her,” she said, barely recognizing her voice. “You locked her in here.”
Ray tilted his head.
“I saved her.”
Lucy’s stomach twisted. “Saved her?”
Ray’s expression darkened.
“She was ungrateful. She thought she could escape me.” His jaw tensed, and for the first time, his voice wavered.
“But love doesn’t work that way.”
Lucy backed up.
She had seen control. She had seen obsession.
But this?
This was a delusion.
Ray let out a long breath as if shaking off old memories.
Then, suddenly—he smiled.
“But you’re different, sweetheart.”
Lucy’s blood ran cold.
“You understand now, don’t you?” Ray murmured, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You belong to me.”
Lucy’s fingers curled into fists.
No.
She wouldn’t let this be her fate.
She had to get out.
And she had to do it tonight.
The Escape Plan
Back in the bedroom, Lucy sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, her mind racing.
Ray had left her alone—for now.
But she knew it wouldn’t last.
She had seen what happened to Eleanor.
And she refused to be next.
Her eyes flicked toward the balcony.
If she could just get down without making a sound
A soft knock at the door made her freeze.
Her heart jumped into her throat.
Then
A whisper.
“Lucy.”
She shot up.
That wasn’t Ray’s voice.
It was a woman.
Carefully, she crept toward the door and pressed her ear against it. “Who’s there?” she whispered.
Silence.
Then
“Eleanor tried to run too.”
Lucy’s breath hitched.
She yanked open the door
But the hallway was empty.
A chill ran down her spine.
Someone had been there.
And they had just given her a warning.
Run.
Nowhere is Safe
Lucy barely slept that night.
Her mind kept replaying the whisper at the door.
Eleanor tried to run too.
Did that mean Eleanor had escaped?
Or had she… failed?
The thought sent ice through Lucy’s veins.
Morning came, and with it, Ray’s new demand.
“We’re leaving the estate for a while,” he announced at breakfast, sipping his coffee with a satisfied smirk.
Lucy’s stomach dropped. “Leaving?”
Ray nodded.
“We’re going on a trip.”
Something about his tone made her blood run cold.
“Where?” she asked, barely masking her fear.
Ray leaned in, his blue eyes gleaming.
“You’ll see soon enough.”
Lucy forced herself to stay calm.
She had planned to escape tonight.
But if Ray was taking her somewhere else…
Would she even get another chance?
Then, his smirk widened.
“Oh, and sweetheart?”
Lucy’s fingers curled around her fork. “What?”
Ray chuckled.
“I took the liberty of packing something for you.”
He placed a small box on the table.
Lucy hesitated—then slowly opened it.
Inside, folded with delicate care, was the wedding veil from the hidden room.
Her heart stopped.
Ray’s voice was soft but full of warning.
“You’ll want to look your best.”
- Writer
