Labyrinth: A Jeremiah Valeska Story *COMPLETED*

Chapter 48: The Key

I woke the next morning left once again in the loneliness of empty sheets. The previous night seemed like both a dream and a nightmare. My husband had comforted me, but he was also the source of my sorrow. I was stuck in a time of terrible confusion, yearning for a new perspective and I knew the only way to get it was to leave. I had seen something in him the night before, glimpses of my soft Jeremiah visible in the way he held me and the hurt in his eyes at the realization of how deeply he affected me. It gave me hope that perhaps, with time, I could coax my Jeremiah out of this cold and calculated shell of a man that he had become. My eyes scanned the floor for his blazer only to find that it had disappeared along with all other evidence that Jeremiah had been in here last night. Perhaps it was a dream? I got dressed, brushing out my unruly hair before venturing downstairs. Jeremiah left breakfast for me in the fridge with a note that read: "I'll be back tonight. -J". I released a breath, taking out the plate and reheating the food. I forced myself to eat, knowing I would need the strength to run when I was given the chance. I decided that I wasn't leaving because I didn't love him anymore, in fact it was quite the opposite. I loved him so much it was beginning to cloud my judgement, and I needed space to gain clarity on where I stood with everything. As you can imagine, there are not many things to do when your trapped in a house so I busied myself with cleaning. I decided to reorganize the kitchen and just as I opened the top cabinet, I spotted something. I moved the various food boxes and cans out of the way, revealing a cell phone. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest at this discovery. I could contact the outside world. I could get help. I looked around myself cautiously, understanding that Jeremiah wasn't going to return until later that night but I couldn't help my paranoia that this was a test. I searched my mind for who to call until I finally figured it out. Casandra. I dialed her number quickly, my pulse thumping as I waited for her to answer. Please pick up. Please pick up. "Hello?" I heard a female voice on the other end answer and I sighed in relief. "Is this Casandra?"I said quickly, still unsure if this was a trick. "Um Yes... And who is this?" She sassed and I knew I had the right girl. "It's Lilly!" I sighed in relief. "Lilly? Oh my God! Are you okay??? Jeremiah-" She began but I didn't have time for her to tell me what I already knew. "I know... He is holding me captive at some new house and I need your help. I need you to find me." I explained, my body on edge at the fear of being discovered. "Do you know what your husband did to my dad?" She asked and I felt my stomach drop. "He didn't-..." I stared but then she cut in. "Jeremiah bombed my father's office yesterday morning... Killing him instantly." She explained and I could hear the emotion in her voice through the phone. I took a deep breath, rethinking my approach. "Casandra... I can't begin to image what you must be feeling right now. I am so sorry for what Jeremiah did to your father, I assure you I had no idea. He kidnapped me, I want nothing to do with his plans. He's changed, and I need your help." I begged her, hoping that she could see past her father's death and understand that I was in true danger. "I know some people who could help me trace your call. When should I come?" She asked and I hadn't truly thought of this part. I needed to give myself enough time to get the key from Jeremiah and then distract him while I got out of the maze. "Midnight. No later and no earlier." I said. "You've got it. I'll be there." She confirmed and I felt relief flood me and I suddenly felt bad for any bad thought I ever had about her. "Thank you Casandra." I whispered into the phone. "Stay safe. I'll see you tonight." She assured me before hanging up. I placed the phone exactly where I had found it and made sure that nothing looked out of place so that Jeremiah would not suspect anything. In the kitchen I also found a flashlight that I decided would aid me in getting out of the maze, as it would be pitch black tonight. I hid it along with a spare pair of clothes in a small backpack that I hid underneath the couch cushions upstairs. I hadn't needed shoes since I was trapped inside but I wanted to be ready so I laced up the pair of converse I had worn when Jeremiah brought me there. I also braided my hair to the side, ensuring that there would be nothing in the way of my escape. I finished cleaning around the house, searching for anything else that could be useful for tonight. I had just reached the bathroom when I heard the front door open. I went to greet him, knowing that I would have to be in his good graces to keep him from discovering my plan. "Hello..." I said, eyeing him as he removed his coat and hung it on the coat rack. "Good evening Lilly..." Jeremiah responded, turning to look at me. I watched him place the key to the front door in his blazer, just as he had done the night before and I knew that it was now or never. "I'm sorry about last night." I said as I approached him. "As am I... I didn't mean to push you to do anything you weren't comfortable with." He looked at me seriously. "Maybe sometimes I need a little push." I said, letting the words fall of my tung as I entered his space, lifting one hand to his jaw. I was surprised to find that he leaned into my touch, even now. His eyes burned through me before I leaned up and pressed my lips gently to his. He kissed me back but with a restrained nature, and I found it interesting that he was being careful with me now after how aggressive he had been the night before. I pulled back to look into his eyes. "I just want to take things slow..." I admitted and I saw a small smile form on the corner of his mouth. "Okay..." He agreed and I gave him a big smile. "Here, lets make you more comfortable. I'm sure you've had a long day." I said, helping him take off the blazer. I hoped that my lingering touch would be enough to keep his mind of my intentions. I hung the blazer up with his coat and decided I would return to it later. It was 10:30pm, and I still had time to kill before enacting my plan. "Are you hungry?" I asked and he nodded. I prepared dinner for us both as Jeremiah and I began talking like we used to. It was the natural, flirtatious talk between a husband and wife that I had missed it so much. We sat and talked for what felt like forever, just electrified by one another in conversation. I didn't ask what crimes he had committed that day, and I decided that I didn't want to know. I had to remind myself, this man killed Casandra's father. I couldn't determine if it was better to live blissfully unaware or brutally enlightened when it came to Jeremiah. Once dinner was over, he helped me clean the dishes and then we went upstairs. I didn't leave him for a second, knowing that he could hide the key in my absence. When he asked why I wasn't changing into my pajamas, I told him that I was going to take a shower. I knew I had to stay true to the lie and I went into the bathroom and came up with the perfect distraction. "Jeremiah?" I asked and he turned to give me his full attention as he was changing out of his clothes. "I think I'm ready to try again... Will you shower with me?" I asked him, pretending to be shy about it. "What happened to taking it slow?" He asked, approaching me carefully but his eyes revealed the lust he was trying to mask. I looked up at him before he experimentally kissed me. I wrapped my arms around him, moving my kisses to his neck before I reached his ear. "Please Jeremiah." I whispered, knowing his weaknesses. He growled before he pushed me up against the wall and I stopped him before he got too worked up. "You go start the shower and get in. I need some time to get ready..." I explained and he was too far gone to argue. "Don't be too long, I've been starving without you." Jeremiah claimed before he entered the bathroom. He started the shower, stripped down to his skin and then stepped inside. This was my chance. I carefully closed the bathroom door, trapping the handle with a chair so that he could not open the door. I then went into full on escape mode, I grabbed the backpack from underneath the couch cushions before quietly and quickly going down the stairs. I searched the blazer frantically, finding the key and then fumbling to open the front door. "Lilly?" I heard Jeremiah call from the shower. Fear swelled in my chest as I heard him try the knob before banging on the bathroom door. "Lilly!" He yelled as I finally managed to open the front door. I looked out at the maze in front of me, getting out my flashlight as I illuminated the path before me. I heard the sound of splitting wood and I knew that Jeremiah must have kicked down the bathroom door. He would be coming after me. I willed my legs to run as fast as they could into the maze. I was in his domain now.

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Hey guys! I'm back from my vacation! Here's the next update hope you guys like it! Will Lilly make it out of the maze? How do you think Jeremiah will react? Tune in the next couple of days to find out!😁
-m