"I thought you were going to sleep?" he finally says. He clears his throat and then sets down the skillet in his hand.
"You eat tacos?" I blurt out.
"Yes, don't you?" he laughs.
"Well yes, but I'm," I start to say but stop myself from finishing. 
"You're what?" he asks while narrowing his eyes at me.
"Nothing. I'm going to go to bed," I say.
"Okay," he responds. He sets his plate down at the table and stands behind the chair.
I walk over to the couch and lay down. 
There is a blanket draped over the cushion that I pull down and wrap around myself. I turn to my side and shut my eyes.
Maybe if I lay here quietly Pierson will let me stay here. 
I hear him sit down and begin eating, but I'm already dozing off by the time I hear him at the sink washing his plate.
I am awoken by Pierson's arms scooping me off the couch. I am still wrapped in the soft sherpa blanket and he is walking with me in his arms.
"Pierson," I yawn in protest.
"You're not sleeping on the couch Kaydence," he replies while walking up the stairs. 
Pierson's arms feel warm and safe, making my eyes start to shut again.
"Please, let me stay," I sleepily respond while leaning my head against his chest.
"We're already upstairs, just sleep love," he says while setting me onto his bed? He pulls the comforter over me. I sit up and look around. The lamp near the window is on. Pierson is pulling off his shirt and is now only in a pair of grey shorts.
He gets into bed next to me making me attempt to slide off of it.
He grabs my arm and pulls me closer to him.
"You're sleeping here Kaydence," he demands.
I start to shake my head and he moves to sit in front of me.
"Just sleep, you're exhausted," he says while lightly pushing me down. I lay down and roll onto my side facing away from him. He turns the lamp off and climbs under the covers.
My eyes start to adjust to the dark room and I can see the door. It is closed.
Pierson wraps his arm around me and pulls me into him. I try to wiggle out of his hold, but this makes him hold me tighter. 
The warmth of his body makes me drift back into sleep.
************
"Please let me out," I call to my dad. I've been in the box for too long. I'm sweaty and feel dehydrated. I'm starting to see stars and can't take a deep enough breath into my lungs.
I kick at the top again, but won't come loose.
"Think Kaydence. What's the escape plan," he urges.
I kick where my feet were instead of the top and it make a small hole. I kick it again and again until my feet are bleeding. I start to carefully slide out from the small hole I made. I look at the top of the box which is chained shut. 
"Okay it's the middle of the night you're in a basement. What are you looking for?" dad asks.
"A window," I whisper while looking around.
"If there's not a window?" he asks.
"A vent," I say while spotting one in the corner.
                                                            ************
I wake up sweaty and dizzy. 
"Shit," I mutter while stumbling out of bed. I go the door and pull it, but it doesn't open. I lean against it and slide down until I'm on the floor.
I try to take in deep breaths while I remember where I am. I'm at Pierson's. He locked the door and now I can't go get water.
"Kaydence?" I hear Pierson say while turning on the lamp.
"Can you open the door?" I ask while standing up and leaning against the wall. I have to shut my eyes because that did not help the light-headiness I am experiencing.
"What's wrong?" he asks while approaching me and feeling my forehead.
"I think you have a fever," he tells me while unlocking the door.
"No. I have anxiety. I just need water," I tell him while walking through the now open door. I have to grab onto the stair railing to steady myself for a moment. I make it downstairs and open the fridge. The cold air feels good, I grab a water bottle and sit on the floor. 
 Pierson enters the kitchen looking worried.
I drink the water and lean my head against the wall.
"It happens sometimes. I'm not sick," I tell him as he approaches me.
"How often?" he asks.
I think about it for a moment and then shrug.
"I don't really keep track," I vaguely reply while taking another sip of water and then holding it to my forehead.
"You can go back to bed. I didn't mean to wake you up," I tell him. 
"Come with me," he states while taking my hand.
"I can't stand up right now," I reply. I'm too light headed.
He picks me up in his arms and carries me back to his room. He sets me on the bed and then goes over to one of the closets. He pulls out a fan. He plugs it in and then puts it on the side of the bed I am on.
He turns it on and sits next to me so we are facing it. 
"Breathe," he tells me while moving the fan about 4 inches from my face. 
I take deep breaths and close my eyes. It's working.
I glance over at him. He's watching me intently.
"It's working," I say while giving him a small smile.
"We'll leave it on then," he smiles back while scooting back over his side.
He turns the lamp off and lays back down. Before the light goes off, I notice something. The door is not all the way closed.
_______________________________
Predictions? 
Much Love,
A.Lynn