Torment Read online

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  D

  riving along Daniel glanced towards Bridget and smiled. “I’m so glad you decided to come along. You’re going to love it. You’ll have space to wander around. Space to think and you needn’t worry about a thing. I have enough food to feed an army,” he said with a laugh.

  Bridget smiled but remained silent. She felt safe near Daniel, and soon they’d be at his cabin. Her mobile phone was turned off. No one knew where she was going. A weekend with delightful company, peace and complete rest will work wonders. However, she couldn’t help but think about what Zack had said the other night. She worried that Samuel Easton and Arthur Fuller might suspect she had a hand in their recent turn of events. Surely they wouldn’t think of her, she hadn’t been around for years. Why would she even cross their minds? Samuel’s grass attack could have been carried out by anyone. As for Arthur, it was only a matter of time before his sleeping around caught up with him. Liars and cheats were always exposed.

  The car slowed as Daniel announced their arrival at his property. Turning onto a concealed and darkened dirt track he placed the car into park. Bridget scanned her surrounds as he jumped from the car with great enthusiasm and opened a locked wrought-iron gate, locking it behind them once they were through. He was right; the place was secluded. At the almost hidden driveway, a large red and white sign clearly stated: Private Property – No Trespassing.

  Bridget coughed nervously and cast her eyes up the long and narrow rocky road ahead. Her mouth was dry; a drink from her water bottle did little to alleviate her anxiety. Where was he taking her? She knew she had feelings and desires for him she longed to explore, but did she really know the man she had been talking to for years? His property was far more secluded than she’d imagined. He could be a madman. He could do anything to her and no one would hear her screams. No one would know where she was. He could murder her and dump her body. Her remains would never be found. Maybe she should have told someone where she was going.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she studied his face. He didn’t look like a madman, but then again what did a madman look like? He was muscular, and could easily overpower her. Was this a rocky road to disaster?

  As they drove the track, there was no sight of any dwellings. She couldn’t recall seeing another house for miles. They were surrounded by trees and mountainous terrain. Maybe this wasn’t the first time he’d lured an unsuspecting victim to their death. How would she ever find her way back to civilisation if she needed to escape? She closed her eyes and tried to dispel her fears as ridiculous. With a deep breath, she opened her eyes and attempted to focus on the beauty of her surrounds. She knew all too well how fear had the power to constrict and control.

  Thousands of giant pine trees lay before them, underneath them lie a soft and beautiful carpet of pine needles. Winding down her window she inhaled the fresh cool air. The smell of damp earth combined with strong coniferous scents, filled her lungs and relaxed her mind. She listened to the ruffling of the pine needles as the branches swayed in the breeze. The trees reached up high and blocked out most of the sunlight. Their limbs spread up and over the car like huge arms that created a welcoming tunnel. She smiled and reassured herself all would be fine.

  Easing over bumps and trenches, it took a good ten minutes to reach Daniel’s cabin. Bridget sat in the passenger seat, one hand clinging to the door as Daniel reassured her of her safety.

  “An untrained person may have a problem coming up here, if you don’t know where to go you could easily roll your car but I’ve driven this track many times. Could do it with my eyes closed and still arrive safely. That’s what I love about it out here. While we’re close to the city, the hills and valleys, the steep terrain and running streams, the endless trees and dense bushland give us a sense of seclusion. Some of the properties that border my far boundary are even more secluded and those people are a little odd.” He paused and chuckled looking towards Bridget. “I think living off the grid has warped them slightly, but they tend to keep to themselves. I know you’re going to love this place as much as I do,” he said.

  Unpacking the car took minutes. Opening the front door to the cabin, Bridget’s senses were again sent into overdrive. This time a mix of a musty odour, stale cigarettes and dust danced up her nostrils. She sneezed. Daniel dropped his bags to the floor and hit the roof.

  “Fuck! I am fucking sick of bastards thinking they can be disrespectful and just get away with things,” he snapped.

  Bridget stood dumbfounded; her eyes and mouth wide open. “What? Who?” she asked.

  He shook his head; eyes narrowed, his nostrils flared. His jaw clenched and his hands balled into fists. She’d never seen him angry.

  “Guys who think they can get away with anything.”

  “Who are you talking about?” she said. “What’s wrong?”

  “The cabin smells like a fucken ashtray. I told them they couldn’t smoke inside. They asked me specifically. I told them no,” he began to pace. He strode to the stone fireplace and picked up a glass filled with dirty water and cigarette butts that rested precariously on the mantle. “Well they won’t be getting their deposit back.” He groaned as he passed a gouge in the oak paneling of the wall. He examined scuffmarks on the oak floorboards and spotted a cigarette burn on the couch. “And they’d better not think about coming back. Bastards. I can’t stand people who think they have the right to disrespect others,” he snarled.

  “It’s okay,” Bridget said, trying to calm him. “We’ll open the doors and windows. We can air it out. Daniel, don’t worry, it will be okay.”

  Daniel nodded, then gave her a smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap, they just make me so mad. I rent it out to make a bit of money but I always insist there’s no smoking inside. Some people don’t like to walk into a place smelling like a dirty old ashtray. I have rules for a reason. Sorry.”

  Bridget stood silent as Daniel walked into the kitchen, tipped the water out of the glass and threw the butts into the bin then placed the empty glass in the sink. Her eyes scanned the room. The focal point of the downstairs lounge was a large stone fireplace set in the centre of the back wall. To the left was a small kitchen. The interior and furnishings were slightly outdated and basic, yet comfortable. It had a welcoming feel, relaxing. Daniel returned to her side, smiled then picked up his bags and showed Bridget up the stairs to a bedroom at the end of the hallway. It would be hers for the night. His bedroom was closer to the top of the stairs, and there was a bathroom separating the two rooms. Her bedroom was simply decorated. A wooden queen sized bed sat opposite the door with matching bedside tables. A quilt in warm berry tones complimented the rich timber and created an effortlessly romantic look. A large framed wall quote hung over the bed, “Do what you love every day.” In the corner, between the bedroom window and an antique dressing table was a Charles of London chair, which provided a cosy vintage meets rustic styling. Bridget unpacked her bags and returned downstairs.

  They opened the windows to air the place. Daniel made them a snack of dips, mixed cheeses, fresh fruits and crackers. Relaxing on the front porch they enjoyed the afternoon sun. Wind whispered through the trees as cockatoos swooped down and collected the bread they had tossed out for them.

  They took a stroll down to the stream and over a rocky outcrop that ended where the pine trees commenced. By the time they returned to the cabin most of the cigarette odour had gone, and Bridget could feel every muscle in her legs.

  As they sipped on white wine, warm sunlight danced on Bridget’s face as she watched Daniel prepare a barbecue. He insisted he was there to take care of her every need, that it was her time to relax and enjoy. It was so peaceful and so she strolled around the clearing near the cabin picking flowers along her way. She returned with a bright bunch of yellow daffodils.

  “I love it here,” she said, unable to stop a smile. “I’m so glad I came. Are you getting a pool put in around the back?”

  Daniel sm
iled when she handed him the flowers and laughed at her question. “No, nothing as exciting as a pool. Just a new water tank. I’m afraid my old tank was on its last legs so I’m going for a new model. It’s completely underground so I can utilise all that space too. It seems so wasted around there. I may even put a back porch on the place, which I think will be nice with the morning sun. But I do have a pool at my place in the city,” he said and took a sip of his wine. “Maybe you’d like to come over for a dip one day.”

  Bridget smiled. “A dip would be nice,” she said. A skinny dip would be even better.

  A cool breeze delivered a darkening night sky as they ate dinner. They retreated inside for an enjoyable evening of soft music and idle talk. The fresh air was soothing. An afternoon of exploring, eating and talking had been exhausting and so they hugged and said their good nights.

  Bridget sank into the soft mattress, and snuggled beneath the warm blankets. Her room was slightly cool, so she pulled the covers up and wrapped them firmly beneath her chin. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the night. There were no cars or traffic and no streetlights, just the gentle rustle of the breeze within the trees and total blackness. She was asleep in minutes.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “N

  o! No! Nooo!”

  Blood curdling screams ripped through the cabin. Daniel sprung up in his bed. Everything was pitch black. Another scream tore through the night. He lunged for his bedside light and knocked it to the floor. Fumbling around he found the switch.

  “Get off me! Stop! Nooo!”

  Glass shattered.

  Daniel leaped from his bed, and dashed towards the bedroom at the end of the hall. Someone was in the cabin. Someone was attacking Bridget. Adrenalin kicked in. Another scream shattered through the cabin.

  “Help meeee! He’s going to kill me! Help!”

  Daniel burst through the door and hurtled towards the bed. His foot caught on something and he crashed to the floor, sliding along the polished floorboards. His head slammed into the end of the wooden bed frame. Dazed, he jumped to his feet, fists raised for the onslaught of her attacker. Bridget thrashed around on the bed. Daniel’s eyes darted about, as he tried to work out what was what. The only light snuck in from the hallway. His heart raced. The bedroom window was open. Where was her attacker?

  “Nooo!” Bridget screamed. The kicking and thrashing continued. The attacker was on the bed. The blankets distorted everything. Daniel hesitated.

  The blankets fell to the floor. “He’s going to kill me!” Bridget punched wildly into the air. She was fighting an invisible attacker. One who assaulted when she was most vulnerable. When no escape was possible. No wonder she feared sleeping. It was when she slept he struck.

  Daniel grabbed her arms then threw his legs around hers “It’s okay. You’re okay, Bridget. It’s Daniel. I’m here. He can’t hurt you anymore. Shhh. I’ll protect you. Bridget it’s me. It’s Daniel. Listen to my voice. You have nothing to fear,” he said gently.

  Her thrashing slowly calmed as he continued to talk to her.

  “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

  He hugged her tightly. Her breath was ragged against his neck. Her body tense. Her panic stricken eyes finally met his. Daniel clung to her. His heart raced. Her heart raced.

  So many clients had described their nightmares, but nothing could have prepared him for this. Bridget had appeared wild. Clawing for freedom. How had she not hurt herself? He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Her breathing settled. Daniel closed his eyes. Bridget released a loud sigh then began to sob. The rise and fall of her chest made him open his eyes, but as he held her tight, her sobbing increased.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered.

  Bridget stared at him, eyes wide with confusion.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “You were having a nightmare.”

  “What are you doing in my bed?”

  “I came to help you. You were having a nightmare. You screamed. Something smashed. I thought you were being attacked,” he said. “I did nothing wrong. I didn’t take advantage of you,” he said defensively. “I came to help. I only wanted to help.”

  Bridget burst into tears. “Why didn’t I meet you years ago?”

  “You did. It’s me – Daniel,” he replied, unsure if she was awake or talking in her sleep.

  “I know who you are,” she snapped, “I don’t mean like that. I’m talking about wasted time. Why did we have to meet when my life was shit? I’ve wasted years. I can’t escape their clutches. Those bastards stole my life,” she hissed.

  “They can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let them. I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

  Bridget freed herself from his hold and clambered from the bed to turn on the light. Daniel stayed on the bed. He wanted to go to her side, but didn’t want to crowd her. Bridget shivered; walked to the window and closed it ensuring it was locked. While the night air was cool, there was no breeze, only a dark stillness. She began pacing. Daniel sat still. Her nightmares concerned him, and he wished he could do more to ease her pain. For now he would listen. She began to flick her fingers, as her frustration increased – it was a tell he’d picked up on in the therapy sessions. She clasped her hands together then placed them upon her head. Tears began to well in her eyes.

  “You don’t understand. Something terrible happened and I couldn’t change it. I dealt with it, but I couldn’t fix it. I didn’t stop it. I couldn’t stop it. I just wish I could go back in time so I could stop it from happening.” She shook her head. “My guilt follows me. It overshadows all I do. I’m so confused. I’ve lost so much time. The trauma, my heartache, all the pain and for what? I hate them so much. I shut down. I shut off. I can’t even recall large chunks of my life.” She looked at him then. “I know you’ve explained it was my brain’s way of helping me cope. But I just can’t stop thinking about what they did. They’re heartless, thieving bastards, all of them.” She clenched her hands, and her dark eyes darkened further with her fury. “They make me sick. I know I’m far better than what I was. But will I ever feel better? What will it take?” She let out a shaky breath and dropped her head. “I’m ashamed by how I feel. The way I think about revenge sometimes scares me. Would my pain end if they were dead? I don’t know… I just don’t know. I never…” She shook her head again. “I believe I’m a good person. But if I saw them on fire, I wouldn’t even be bothered to spit on the flames. If I heard they were dead I’d cheer. Does that make me a bad person?”

  The frustration in Bridget’s words, and the pain on her face, made him choose his words carefully as she looked to him for answers. Her eyes were dull and teary. Her brow furrowed; lips quivered.

  “Of course you’re not a bad person, Bridget,” he said gently. “You care. It’s what they did that makes you feel this way. You have nothing to be guilty or ashamed of. They’ll get what they deserve. All of them will pay for their wrongdoings, it’s called Karma. You must trust me.”

  Daniel climbed off the bed maintaining eye contact with Bridget. There was a red mark on the side of her face where she must have struck herself in her panic. He placed his hands gently around her waist and slowly pulled her towards him. She gave him a half smile as they faced each other. Daniel stepped closer then gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. He smiled, his hands clasped behind her back. He gazed into her eyes, winked, then brushed his lips across hers. She returned the kiss.

  Bridget hesitated then leaned back to gaze into his eyes. He felt her anxiety as well as his own. He could feel the warmth of her breath, and he wondered if she felt as nervous as he did. He gave her a small smile.

  The scent of her sweet perfume filled him. He wanted to feel the softness of her lips again, the warmth of her body against his. Bridget’s shoulders raised as she took a deep breath. He could tell she was having doubts. A step forward, and her body was against his. He could wa
it no longer. He sank into the sensuousness of her lips, his hands moving gently over her body and pulling her closer. He kissed down her neck, soft moans escaping him.

  “I want you…” he whispered. “But not like this. I never want you to think I’ve taken advantage of you. You need sleep. We need to talk about where things are going between us. You know I have feelings for you. But tonight we should sleep.” He kissed her neck again. “I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep. We don’t need to rush.”

  Bridget nodded. “I want you too, but I’m exhausted. I just wish I could sleep,” she sighed.

  He stepped back and looked into her eyes. Smiled. Kissed her again. “You need to get some rest. Why don’t you climb back into bed and I’ll get something that will help you sleep.”

  With a nod she climbed into bed while he went downstairs. When he returned, she was sitting up in bed, waiting.

  He handed her the glass and the pill. “What is it?” she asked.

  “A Mogadon, it will help you sleep,” he said with a smile.

  Taking a sip of water she popped the pill in her mouth and swallowed. She handed him the glass and scooted down into the bed.

  Daniel walked over and stared out of the window. All was dark. All was quiet. They were alone. He placed the glass onto the bedside table and climbed onto the other side of the bed.

  “I’ll stay here with you,” he said. “I’ll keep you safe, Bridget.” Leaning over he gently kissed her cheek as he wrapped his arm around her, listening to her breathe. Before he knew it, her breathing changed to the steady cadence of sleep. Daniel smiled at her light snoring. She wouldn’t wake. The tablet would keep her sleeping well beyond sunrise.

  Curling up he absorbed her warmth. Their closeness only added to his emotional struggle, swallowing became difficult. Sleep, how could he sleep when all he thought about was Bridget? Tightness and a slight ache enveloped his shoulders. Bridget was forbidden. Staring into the darkness, he thought about the tender kiss they had shared, and the softness of her skin. I love her. I always have but I can’t have her. Blinking away tears, he closed his eyes. How can something be so wrong when it feels so right?