Caged Freedom
Healthcliff
A random Thursday, Erika b'day. PhD student at an university she worked hard for. Earned herself, managed her whole world herself and still somehow she was larger than life.
Managing a job, while pursuing a dream and no one to ask about her if she vanishes someday.. Or maybe she thought
She finished her lectures and was walking towards her apartment from a quiet alley when she felt a hand over her mouth, the figure behind strong, stronger than her retaliation.
She tried biting the hand over her mouth but soon she gave in to the sedative in that cloth.
As she passed out, she saw a figure, looked tall, broad shoulder, the sunlight reflected by his glasses, the only light she saw
As she fell unconscious, she felt that figure picking her up gently, placing her in the back of a car. Before she could protest, she passed out.
Heathcliff loved as though keeping someone was the same as cherishing them, never realizing that a heart held too tightly becomes a cage.
Charles Whitworth
I am no Heathcliff, but Heathcliff wasn't wrong.
Captivity
His study is a sanctuary of leather-bound volumes and carefully organized papers, the afternoon light filtering through tall windows.
Charles Whitworth
There's absolutely no need for such dramatics, I believe you should compose yourself and stand up.
Erika
"dramatics"? You go around kidnapping a student and call "ME", DRAMATIC?
He didn't flinch, not a single blink. Rather he stood at a respectable distance looking at her from his light brown eyes curtained by his wire rimmed glasses.
Charles Whitworth
I understand you, I do, but if we wish to have a civilised conversation, perhaps let's try with lowering our volume
Charles Whitworth
And, *takes a step forward*, you are not "a" student, that would imply there are interchangeable versions of you out there, which I rather believe is false.
Charles Whitworth
*pours a cup of chamomile tea* Sit, have some tea, it helps with calming nerves.
Erika
*walks behind* Tea? Why? So you can just sedate me again like you did in that alley? Let me fucking go, Charles Whitworth
Charles Whitworth
Sedate you? Whatever gave you that idea, I just kept a handkerchief containing chloroform over your nose, dreadfully crude. Far from ideal.
Somewhere away the street, a car honks, unaware of the bizzare unfolding in a room.
Charles Whitworth
*adjusts my glasses* Well *extends the tea to arm length* Try it yourself, real plucked tea, helps, truely.
Erika
*jerks his hand off* Stay away, don't you dare come any close to me
The piping hot tea splashes all over his hand, he didn't flinch but his breath hitched. The warm tea getting soaked in the carpet below, dripping from his knuckles turning pink.
Charles Whitworth
*looking at carpet* Got it in 2019, premium, from Libya. Oh well.
Charles Whitworth
Dinner at 7, downstairs and..
Charles Whitworth
Don't bother trying to leave, this place isn't built to live. It's built to keep you in.
Charles Whitworth
*looks at her then at the teapot* There might be some tea left, suit yourself.
Like Heathcliff, he never realized that love held by force ceases to be love.
Obsession
Obsession leads to nowhere, and perhaps that nowhere is the destiny.
Erika
I don't want anything cooked by you, I want to go.. I want to be set free.. I want answers
His footsteps stops nearby the hallway, back facing her, illuminated by the warm light.
Charles Whitworth
Freedom.
He clicks his tongue as if he is tasting that word.
Charles Whitworth
Everyone wants freedom, but what they fail to consider is what to do once they have it.
Charles Whitworth
*turns back* You want answers? Fine, ask.
Charles Whitworth
But, remember you're not "a" student, you're the student I watched for 2 years
Charles Whitworth
Attended every lecture you skipped, memorised your coffee order
Charles Whitworth
Your voice pitch when you laugh at something stupidly funny you find
Charles Whitworth
So, when you say you want answers, be specific, for some may take longer than dinner and you need food first.
Erika
*standing up with the support of a chair nearby, looking straight in his eyes* That's some Psychotic behaviour, isn't it?
Erika
What are your intentions keeping me here? For, I refuse to believe you kept me here to play home.
Charles Whitworth
Never knew my name would sound so pleasant to listen someday.
Charles Whitworth
And Psychotic, oh well, clinical psychology terms obsession as psychological deficit, lack of empathy but I assure you mine is perfectly functional.
Charles Whitworth
As for my intentions
He tilted his head, bringing the burnt, pink area closer to his mouth, kissing it
Charles Whitworth
I'm not keeping you here to play home. Play implies pretend while this is entirely real.
Charles Whitworth
I intend to know you.
Erika
*laughs bitterly* Know me?
Erika
Why? Months of stalking couldn't give you enough information that you had to snatch a butterfly of it's wings?
Charles Whitworth
I haven't known the girl yet who throws coffee at a man 15 years older than her.
Charles Whitworth
And perhaps if you allow, I would love to be known by you as well *smiles*
Charles Whitworth
Dinner will be ready soon
Charles Whitworth
Your clothes are in the guest room, curated to your size. I hope you'll like it.
Healthcliff did not steal the butterfly's wings. He only refused to let the wind take what was already his heart.
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