Landon and Ashley were high school sweethearts. They dated from the tenth grade, until their senior year in college. They shared new experiences, learned from each other, traveled together, and eventually moved in together. Landon thought he was lucky to have found the love of his life so early. But towards the end, Ashley developed a habit of throwing things and hitting him when she got angry. Their arguments were loud and scary, and after a number of neighbors began calling the police, Landon and Ashley experienced another first together: a night in jail.
When Ashley threatened to kill him, Landon knew it was time to go. When he told her he was leaving and she threatened to hurt herself, he knew he had waited too late. Not knowing what else to do, he agreed to stay with her while she got some help. He felt trapped, but he wouldn’t have been able to forgive himself if he walked out on her and she actually hurt herself.
After a few months of counseling, Ashley seemed to be doing better. She was on track to graduate, and concentrating more on herself than on Landon. She even surprised him and calmly brought up the status of their relationship over dinner one night.
“I know you’re only here because you’re worried about me,” Ashley said.
“I care about you– ”
“It’s okay, Landon. I know you care about me, but I also know you don’t want to be with me. I get it.”
Landon nodded slightly.
“Look, we graduate in a few weeks. Let’s just get through that then we’ll move out of here and go our separate ways,” Ashley said.
“I think that’s a good idea. But I do want us to be friends.”
“Sure thing.”
Everything went well over the next few weeks. After graduation, Landon and Ashley celebrated together then started preparing to move out. Once everything was packed and ready to go, Ashley asked Landon to spend one last night with her instead of going to his new place. Things had been going so well that he didn’t think much of it. They shared a bottle of wine, and talked most of the night. It was like old times.
Landon woke up the next morning with a terrible headache and aching wrists. He tried to reach up and rub his temples, but couldn’t move his arms upward. He shifted around enough on the air mattress until his arms were exposed and saw that his wrists were zip tied together. Before he could say anything, Ashley walked into the room holding a glass of water.
“Good morning, sleepy head. Let me help you sit up and drink this,” she said as she walked over to him.
“Ashley, what the hell are you doing! Untie me!”
“Don’t be rude. Here, drink some water. I know your head must be pounding.”
Landon let her hold the glass to his lips for a few seconds before he spoke again, “Ashley, what are you doing?”
“I’ve been thinking about how good things have been lately. We haven’t been fighting. We’ve been having good conversations…”
“We haven’t been fighting because it’s over. There isn’t anything left to fight about. We’re moving out.”
“We’re not moving out. Last night confirmed it.”
Landon took a deep breath before he replied. “Ashley, I’m leaving. We agreed. If you thought I wanted this, you wouldn’t have tied my hands together to keep me from leaving.”
“You do want to stay. You just need some time to get used to the idea.”
“Take these off me!” Landon screamed, no longer able to keep his composure.
Anger washed over Ashley’s face, but she didn’t respond. After a few seconds, she was smiling again. Landon stared down at the floor as he thought about an escape plan. If he could get out the door, he could run to one of his neighbors for help. “Would you mind getting me some more water?” he asked, trying to get her out of the room for a minute.
“Of course,” Ashley replied. “I’ll get you some food for when you wake up too.”
“When I wake up?” Landon asked, confused. He lifted his head just as Ashley jammed a needle into his neck. Landon heard Ashley repeating, “you just need some time,” as he lost consciousness.
The End.
Written By: S.M. Grady
© 2019 S.M. Grady
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