I walked through the front door, humming as I did so. I couldn’t tell you what song, some random crap from the radio most probably. Work had been good that day, I’d finalised a project early, that always felt good.
I walked through the house, smiling as I heard the children play in the living room. I’d never wanted kids, but sometimes life doesn’t quite go as you planned. I reached the kitchen. Strangely, I could hear sobs. I rushed in, finding my wife curled up in the corner looking and sounding distressed.
“Sweetie, whats wrong?” I asked softly, crouching down next to her and placing my hand on her arm. I tried not show my concern, but this wasn’t the first time I’d found her like this though it had been several years.
“They’re screaming. They won’t stop. Why won’t stop?” She shouted, her eyes wide as she looked at me, tears streaming down her face.
“Oh hunny. Come here.” I whispered holding out my arms, a stark contrast to her shouts. I didnt want the children hearing her, but I knew I had to tread gently. Chastising her would not solve any of the issues as I saw it.
She leaned into me and I wrapped her in my arms. I whispered about how much I loved her, how she was safe, how I’ll always be right here for her when she gets scared.
I lost track of time, I just held her close as she muttered about screaming. I like to think I was a source of comfort for her in that moment. The children came in and got snacks, they just have sensed something was wrong as they were silent and only glanced curiously at us. I smiled to reassure them.
She fell asleep in my arms. Not exactly my idea of a good time but hey, she needed me. I lifted her easily, and carried her up to our bed. She barely stirred.
I went through the evening routine with the children. I fed them, got them showered and away to bed. After they went to sleep, I went into my den. Starting up my computer, I noted down what had happened. I would need to be sure I could give the doctor all the information I needed to. I sighed, it had been a long time since we has dealt with anything like this. She wasn’t even on meds any more.
I hoped that would be the end of it. Work was going to start getting busy. We had some big projects due to start, and I knew overtime would be the standard for a little while. I really just could not deal with this on top. But that evening I returned to find her in the driveway, staring at the house. I called her name, she didn’t respond. It took 2 hours to get her to cox her inside and when she did, she wouldn’t talk. She was twitchy and on edge, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for something or maybe even someone. I again made sure to note everything on my computer. If she didnt get better by the end of the week, I’d call her old docter.
The next day I was thankful that everything seemed good, well aside from her refusal to talk. The poor woman really did need a break from her mind I think. The human brain can be truly evil when it wants to be.
She had an early night. I logged the refusal to talk but that she seemed OK otherwise. Once I’d done that, I checked in on the children and her. All sound asleep. Perfect I thought to myself.
I headed down into the basement, locking the door before I descended the stairs. It was so good to be able to have my safe space down here. Somewhere I could go, work out and let go of all the frustration of life.
I looked around the room. A tattered sofa, shelves filled with random junk that had accumulated over the years. I shook my head. Bloody kids and bloody family life.
Never mind that though, it didn’t interest me any more than thinking about how much I hated it. What I had really came down here for was what had my attention. I walked through the room, smiling as I did so. Life was good, I thought to myself. We all have secrets right? Well I guess this is mine.
I moved foward, into the other room. My safe space. I closed the door behind me, knowing that from the other side it wasn’t visible.
“Hunny, I’m here. Did you miss me?” I laughed as I spoke. Of course she did. She was here, all alone. Probably scared, I didn’t ask because I didn’t really care.
The girl behind the iron bars started to tremble. She was tied up, and had a gag to prevent her from making noise. Her eyes widened, almost like my wife’s had a few nights before. I smiled. “Want to play a game? See if you can earn some food and water.” She nodded. She knew she had to answer and only 1 answer would be right.
I opened the door, allowing it to close behind me as I entered the room. I looked into her eyes as I walked towards her. I could sense the fear, and all I can describe it as is the perfect amount of excitement to get me ready for what was gonna happen.
I whispered into her ear “Your mission for this is to say her name again. Scream it for me. I want you to ask to be let out of this room. You got that?” She nodded as I spoke.
I’ll save you the details of what came next. All that you really need to know is I got a new recording. This was going to perfect.
Worked dragged the next day. I watched the secruity cameras inside the house all day, its almost a shame they don’t record sounds. But that was by design I won’t lie.
When I got home the house was deadly quiet, none of the usual normal family noises. I called my wife’s and my kids names one by one as I ran through the house, knowing I looked every inch the concerned father. I’d seen where she had taken the kids, of course I had. But I needed the recording of my searching, just in case. Always cover your tracks. Always make sure they know you as the concerned father.
There was only 1 room left in the house to check, of course I had saved until last – most people would. The basement. I opened the door to the stairs down and thankfully the light was on. I slowly made my way down, not wanting to spook her.
The kids came into view as I inched down, there she was. My wife. She stood with a knife in her hand. “Sweety” I said softly, and her head snapped to look at me. “Let’s put the knife down, the kids look terrified.”
“No, we need to find the room. We need to get in there, it’s the only way to keep them safe.” Well, at least she can talk again.
“Sweety, there’s no room down here, it’s only the same old basement. No one could have put a room in without us knowing.”
I watched as the knife lowered, her face frowning as she seemed to think it through. I took my chance, and reached out to take the knife. She didn’t even resist.
“Quick kids come on, run up stairs, call Grandma.” I urged them and they did so, tears running down their faces. “Sit down, let me hold you.” I threw the knife up onto the top level of the shelves to our right. We both sat on the floor and I pulled her towards me, stroking her hair and comforting her. “I need to ring the Doctor sweety, you need some help.” I whispered to her and I felt her nodding.
I rang the doctor, his receptionist let me know he was in an appointment and he’d ring me right back. I could wait.
My mother text me 5 minutes ago to say she had the kids and she’d have them as long as needed. The doctor rang back, I explained everything that had happened. Well, everything that he needed to know anyway. She’s going to be sectioned and taken to get help, the police and the doctors are on their way.
I had to resist the urge to smile. This had worked out so much better than I had thought it would. I didnt expect her to go this insane in just a few days. I was more glad than ever that the secruity camera footage is all in network and gets auto deleted after 24 hours unless I manually save it. I could show them all the footage they needed to see.
My mother has the kids, the wife will be gone for however long they see fit. It’s just me, my safe space and the girls that call it home.
submitted by /u/NewIndependence
[link] [comments]