Fate

The room is unfamiliar. I don't know how I got here.

The last thing I remember was being attacked by my ghosts.

My Mother is gone, and everything reminds me of her. I thought playing the songs that were lullabies would give me peace. When that didn't work, I went to the loudest place I could think of. I probably should have alerted my bodyguard, but what haunts me didn't give me the chance to pause.

As all the stars seemed to align in the wrong ways, Jo found me. 

As I pull back, he has the nerve to insinuate going home with him.

I thought I left him in the past when I caught him cheating on me with Mira. He was dead to me. I never did revisit his grave. I didn't answer calls or give him and us a full funeral.

I never drink, but when a fan offered me one. I thought, what the heck? It was free. I promised my father I wouldn't drink again. I would be careful. I wouldn't end up like him.

Sure, I felt alone. Sure, everyone I loved was out living. Miles away with cheering crowds singing and dancing back to them.

My family wasn't here to wallow, so my curiosity sparked.

The last time I drank at 18 it was bitter. Cocktails tasted good though. I drank another Blueberry and Basil Cocktail. I ordered two more with fancy fruit names, but I wanted to stop. I thought I would be responsible, but Jo winked at me again.

I found my way stumbling out of a club and knew that I was never supposed to do this. I then saw my third ghost. I was never supposed to see Victor. He was supposed to be in prison. He put on that charming smile like we were strangers and he wanted to impress me. The darkness in his eyes told me different. His eyes told me he had nothing to lose.

I tried to scream as he laced his fingers with mine. He tried to cover up everything as if it was normal.

I could barely breathe. The face in my nightmares was here. The face in the news and the one I had to stare at during the trial was right in front of me. He whispered compliments and stated how much he missed me. He said my name and repeated it like a mantra. A prayer he said before he slept in prison. Before darkness in the ally covered us up, I saw a fist make my attacker stumble. My arm was ripped away from Victor.

I didn't recognize the voice that was whispering to me. He said I was safe.

Before my mind gave in to the darkness, I saw my attacker fall to the floor. I almost wish it was me that caused it. Again, I heard the stranger whisper my safety. What made me scared was it ended with my name?

"Maddison you are awake!

"Where am I?"

"Oh, you shouldn't need to worry about that right now. You need to rest and relax."

"Who are you?

"I'm your savior and biggest fan."

What the heck?

"You're safe here; who knows what your attacker could've done to you. I promise you are safe."

I hope you are feeling better. I've made your favorite breakfast. In an interview, you said waffles were your favorite. I also made fruit salad and extra French toast just in case that has changed."

"If you would like to eat alone, I will bring you breakfast in bed. I want to take care of you. You can rest easy here."

I'm not sure what to do. His calm tone terrifies me.

"I'll take the breakfast in bed. Waffles are still my favorite."

"Wonderful! I'll be back in a moment.""

This can't be some random coincidence.

He knows my name and my favorite breakfast. Which is based on an interview I did when I was 18. I'm not hand-cuffed to a bed frame, which means he's smart, overly confident, or dumb. I'm able to see out the barred windows. I notice a yard, garden, and a forest. The walls look like I'm in a cabin which makes sense. What troubles me most, is my clothes that I couldn't find are hanging in the closet. Dresses I wore from photo shoots, and ones I got to keep from music videos are prominent.

No more questions need to be asked if this was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

I'm stuck here for the foreseeable future. I see a stack of notebooks with boxes of my favorite pens and pencil brands. The notebooks are in my favorite colors. I see guitar stands missing guitars and a tambourine similar to mine.

"Sweetheart, I hope your room is to your liking. I haven't been able to retrieve your guitars yet." 

"How long have you been planning this?"

"I will admit to you, at first, it was a fantasy; I wanted to be around what you loved. I pictured you writing in the notebooks you favored. I gave outfits you wore on stage to past girlfriends as presents. They were never you though. It wasn't the same."

Why did I even ask?

"I was not even following you yesterday! You see Maddison? Do you understand?"

"I don't understand."

"It is fate. I saved you. You should be grateful. I won't completely isolate you if that is what you worry about. I have a sweet sister. She's my twin. She is a writer as well."

"I'm glad you saved me from Victor"

This next part is a risk.

"I don't want to be here."

"You will though. I know you will."

"I promise, I won't say anything. I don't know where I am or your full name. You can let me go, and nothing will happen to you."

"I will not let you go, I finally have the woman I love. We will take things slow. I'll let you adjust to your new life. I will make you happy."

I'm not sure what I can do. Maybe I can convince his sister to help me. She wouldn't be near me if this man thought I could though. 

"If you need to go back to sleep you can. I will go out soon. I need to do a supply run. I have your key, so I can retrieve your acoustic guitars. I know you love the guitar your parents gave you. Can you think of anything you want?"

My freedom from this place.

"My fuzzy pajamas and my keyboard."

"Look who's being good already. I love you Madison. One day, you will love me too."

He cups my face and smiles. I freeze as he kisses my forehead and then my cheek.

"You are so beautiful and you are all mine."

It's possible my fate was always going to be a dark one.