Spookychild’s writings

Victor noticed Zoe’s facial expressions changing from confusion to panic. Victor followed her gaze and found himself staring at a smiling image of Zoe, seemingly younger, onscreen. Victor grabbed the remote and hit the button to boost the volume. 

“According to the Alameda County Police Department, Martin was last seen leaving a house on the 5700 block of West Creek Road. Officials state that Martin suffers from schizophrenia and doesn’t have her medication. She may be paranoid and will tell an incredibly detailed story. If you have any information about her whereabouts, please get in touch with the Alameda sheriff’s office at —” Victor muted the sound. He didn’t believe the news, or relatively confident he didn’t. But when it came down to it, Victor was not assured. He glanced at Zoe.

Zoe had begun to cry. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Quite sure Victor would want to call the police, Zoe didn’t know what to say to convince him. That wasn’t what had happened, but could she speak long enough to explain? If not, Victor would have no option but to believe what the authorities had stated. She didn’t want to even look at him and was trembling.

Zoe could feel Victor’s eyes examining her. Finally, she turned toward him but gazed at his lap. She didn’t dare meet his eyes, terrified of what emotions might be in them.

 ”I am sorry.” She sobbed. ”If you want me to leave tell me,”  Zoe gasped. ”If you want to call the police, I won’t run.”  Then, she turned from him and buried her face into the arm of the couch.

Zoe’s crying caused pain in the center of Victor’s chest. He felt sick. Then when she turned around and apologized, he felt upset. How dare he question whether Zoe had told the complete truth. Finally, when she explained he could call the authorities, Victor became convinced Zoe was in more trouble than he had originally assumed.  

Victor sighed, turned off the tv, and moved closer. He observed Zoe’s shoulders shaking before eventually reaching out to brush one.

Zoe cried her heart out as there was no way to escape now. Victor shouldn’t believe or help her now. He had no reason not to call the department. Without an explanation from her, it was the only choice remaining.

She jumped as he touched her, clutching a hand to her chest. Looking up at him in panic, Zoe was wide-eyed and panting.

Available now: The Doctor and the Lawyer: Escape from hell https://a.co/d/eYEQnm1