Captivated

300-word story: A young woman adapts to her new home.

My dad is a huge DIY enthusiast who's never read a book in his life. Disappointed with my lack of odd-job skills, he once said that if everyone in the world were like me, we'd have billions of books but nowhere to store them. I replied that if everyone in the world were like him, we'd have billions of bookcases but nothing to occupy them. Needless to say, we don't really get along.

It's now two years since I last saw my parents. I was always a good daughter, keeping my room tidy, getting on fine at college and not once staying out late. But still dad would moan about my inability to help with handyman tasks, whereas mum wished I was more sociable. Eventually I signed up for a night class in woodwork to shut them both up, but I didn't even make it to the community centre, never mind learn how to build a spice rack.

I was taking a shortcut down an alleyway, when suddenly a meaty palm covered my mouth and dragged me towards a van. The rest is fuzzy and I've been in this windowless, soundproofed room ever since. It really isn't so bad though. My captor brings me three meals a day and he's a pretty decent cook. There's a toilet and sink, a comfy bed and all the books I ask for. It's like staying in a hotel with exceptional room service.

I don't know why I'm here. He didn't demand a ransom and aside from the initial kidnapping he's never laid a finger on me. Perhaps he's just a like-minded soul, someone who wants a little company but only when it suits. I can definitely relate to that, and if I'm totally honest, I sincerely hope he never gets tired of me.

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Copyright © 2021 Rich Sutherland
​Image: Dorran

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