This story is by R. L. Black. Once you read this, you’ll want to read more of her work.

Fifteen steps stand between Katy and freedom. Fifteen shaky boards from her basement prison to the half-open door at the top. Will today be the day?

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Fifteen steps stood between Katy and freedom. Fifteen shaky boards from her basement prison to the half-open door at the top. She knew how many because she had paced up and down them thousands of times over the last five years. She knew every crack, all the weak spots that creaked when her bare feet landed on them.

She took a deep breath and her first step toward freedom.

Fifteen.

Katy hesitated. The basement had been her home for so long. In an odd way, a sadness enveloped her that felt almost like homesickness.

Two more timid steps.

She swallowed and choked back her tears. Maybe she should stay. Maybe she wasn’t strong enough to face the world. She wondered if everyone out there had gone on without her. How much had changed? Would she be able to adjust?

Twelve.

Her palms were sweaty, and her heartbeat thumped in her ears. She thought of the Master now. Strange that she would miss him.

He had taken care of her, hadn’t he? Brought her food and pretty dresses to wear. Gave her a gift each year at Christmas. He’d even dragged a fold-out sofa down there so she wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor. Katy felt guilty, like an unfaithful spouse. But he wasn’t her husband.

Ten, nine, eight.

She almost turned around. Fear gripped her chest, and she wanted more than anything to run back down the stairs. Katy looked at the door.

It was a miracle that it was ajar. In five years, he had never made that mistake. He’d always made sure to lock it before he left for whatever it was he did all day.

Only seven steps left.

Every morning he’d brought her breakfast, kissed her, and told her goodbye. Katy could still hear the sound of the locks every time he left. The sound of captivity. She hurried up the next four steps.

Today he had been in a hurry. He’d only brought her toast to eat, said he was running late, and rushed out. He didn’t even shut the door all the way, let alone lock it. The door had creaked slowly till it stood halfway open, calling to her. Terrified that he’d remember and come back, she’d waited hours.

Three.

Her skin tingled. Was it a trick? A test? Was he waiting there at the top of the stairs? Katy stood still and listened for any noise. Nothing. She sniffed the air, smelled cheap cologne and sweat. In her panic, she slipped and banged her chin on one of the steps. Oh, God, she prayed. Please help me. She got back on her feet, reminded herself that the place always smelled like him, even when he wasn’t there.

Two.

She was so close now. She thought about her husband, and her little girl. Oh, how she missed them. Did they miss her? Would they still want her?

One.

Trembling, Katy took another deep breath and pushed the door all the way open.

She froze. He stood there, leaning against the wall. Her heart sank. “I thought I could trust you,” he said in a deep voice that sounded almost like a growl.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I was only going to shut the door, I swear.”

“You’re lying,” he screamed. He shoved her hard, and she fell down the steps, all fifteen of them. At the bottom, Katy banged her head on the cold concrete floor.

Freedom.

© R. L. Black

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R. L. Black is EIC of UnbrokenJournal and UnlostJournal, and her own writing has been published in journals across the web. When she isn’t editing or writing, she watches her DVD collection of LOST.

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