I close the door. We are alone in this room again. It's been two days since I last saw you, Megan. Have you missed me? I missed you.
The room has a musty smell and I realise you haven't touched the meal I prepared for you before I left last time.
Your eyes are red-rimmed and swollen and when they meet mine I can see you've been crying. My heart goes out to you. You have missed me! You mumble incoherently, prompting me to be by your side in a nanosecond. I stroke your hair; it feels tangled beneath my fingers. I kiss your forehead, once, tenderly.
"You really must take better care of yourself while I'm away, Megan. I just came back to check on you but I have to go again."
I turn to leave and you start to cry. Your violet eyes are wide, pleading with me not to go away and leave you on your own again. I kiss your forehead once more.
"Don't worry," I assure you. "I'll be back."
You cry even harder but this time I don't look back.
I close the door softly on you and your pitiful tears.
As I lock my front door, a bearded man thrusts a piece of paper in my hand. It's a picture of you, Megan. You are smiling at me sweetly from the Missing Persons poster. But you aren't missing are you Megan? I know exactly where you are. You are locked in my basement, bound, gagged and crying for my return and your release.
Don't worry, I'll be back to see you in a few days.
Maybe.