Fault Lines

Chapter 10 ~ Present

Chapter 10

April 30th - After

I never knew I was claustrophobic until I actually was forced into a tight box for a whole night. Harrison didn't do anything wicked to me like he usually does, but instead taunted me with something else.

He had took me down a dark hallway, the whole way my breaths fast and unsteady. Once we got into a well-lit room, he led me over to a small chamber in the corner. It looked kind of like a dog cage, but a little smaller and with no bars to look outside.

"In," Harrison growled, shoving open an unseen door I never noticed.

I shakily get down on my hands and knees, bidding myself to hold back tears. Once I've crawled in, I can barely maneuver myself around while Harrison shuts the door behind me- a disgusted look on his face.

"You deserve this, you filthy little scum."

My heart beats rapidly, and I struggle to keep my legs from shaking while I listen for Harrison's footsteps to fade. Once the door was closed and the lights turned off, I let out a shaky breath I didn't know I was holding in.

It seemed like the darkness was closing in all around me, and I squeezed my eyes shut. Something about the complete silence and the complete dark scared me, like I had gone deaf and blind all at the same time.

I tried to look down at my fingers, wiggling them slowly. I couldn't see anything. Tears threatened to be released, but I sucked it up. I wasn't crying, and I wasn't going to be afraid.

I counted to ten over and over for what seemed like hours. My joints and muscles started to ache after being in the same position, so I tried to maneuver around. Had the walls of the box closed in more?

I started to panic, and jerked violently around, my fingers finding the other wall. It was right in front of me. I sucked in dry air, only to cough and squeeze it back out. Black stars popped into my vision and I fought for a breath. I was going to die. There wasn't any air for me.

Think, Hazel. I told myself. I was just panicking.

Taking a deep breath, I finally managed to recover myself and relax my tense muscles.

I sat up enough until the stars in my eyes went away, and I sat myself in the very corner, making a protective ball around myself. Cold sweat tinged the back of my neck and my forehead. I rubbed it away with my worn shirt, and closed my eyes. I needed to sleep it away, if I could. Otherwise, I might go into a panic fit again.

Finally, my arms stopped shaking, and I was able to find sleep in the dark, empty room.

***

May 1st - After

I jerked awake when I heard a door being unlocked. My eyes settled on a dark figure standing at the opening of the box.

Harrison.

I squealed when he reached in and grabbed my leg, thrusting my forward. Fresh air filled my lungs, and me cramped muscles where able to stretch.

Harrison let me fall forward, and I struggled to get in my elbows. Before I could stand, I felt him kick my thigh from the back.

"Stupid, stupid girl!" He barked at me, his voice menacing.

I held in a sob as my leg cramped below me as I struggled to my feet again. His boot shoved into my back this time, pinning me hard against the floor. The toe of his boot crunched into my spine and I yelped, struggling not to cry.

Finally, the pressure released, and I gasped. Harrison's hands wrapped around the collar of my shirt and dragged me to the door. It choked me, and I struggled against it, kicking my legs anywhere and everywhere.