Running his hands through his hair until it stood on end, Jason paced back and forth in the small room. He was alternately muttering to himself and screaming at her.
There was nothing Tasha could do except sit and hope he would calm down. Maybe then she could reason with him. She was worried for her little sister. How badly had he hurt her? Was she okay?
Jason stopped pacing the room, crossed his arms over his chest, and stood staring at her. Tasha shuddered at the intensity of his look. “You, you are the cause of all of this. Did you think that you can run from me? There is no way I am going to let you go, ever. Now I have to decide what to do.”
Tasha sat there, her lip bleeding, her face swelling from where he had hit it, and she wondered if she was going to get out of this. Praying for Tim or someone to find her, she watched as Jason paced and muttered. It was as if he had forgotten she was there.
Finally he sat on the bed and put his elbows on his knees, head in his hands. “I really loved you. We could have made it work. Why did you have to make me do this? Now I don’t know…I don’t know what to do.” He was almost crying.
Tasha could have felt sorry for him if not for the way he had treated her and the way he was acting. Taking a deep breath, she blew it out slowly. “Jason, just let me go, and we can forget any of this ever happened. I won’t tell anybody. Please, Jason. You don’t have to do this.”
“What do you know? When they find out about the others, it’s all over anyway. They’ll fry me. My father won’t help anymore. Do you know, he actually called me a sick bastard and said he never wanted to see me again? How am I supposed to react when he says something like that? He closed all my accounts, took away everything. He said I wasn’t his son anymore. Told me I needed help. Oh God, what am I going to do? You’re the only woman I ever loved.” He sat on the side of the bed with his head in his hands, crying.
Now was her best chance to get away, while he was vulnerable. She had been working her hands frantically and had loosened the rope somewhat. If she could just get one hand out, then she would be good.
“Jason, when did you last eat?” she asked, coming up with an idea.
“Eat? Who cares about eating?” He looked at her incredulously.
“You know you always think better on a full stomach, so go get us something to eat. I’m hungry. Didn’t I see a diner across the way?”
“You’re hungry…I should feed you. That’s what a man who takes care of his woman would do, right?” he asked, sitting straighter on the bed.
“Yes, Jason, I’m hungry. You need to feed me.” Tasha talked to him the same way she would a small child.
“But you might get away,” he said petulantly.
“Jason, you tied me to the chair. How would I get away?” She tried moving her arms a small amount to show him she was fastened securely.
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
Is he stupid? she thought. Let me wrench your arms around your back and slap you in the face and ask if it hurts.
Trying not to roll her eyes with exasperation, she said, “Not too bad.”
“You’re bleeding. Let me wipe that off.” Jason seemed more distracted now. Maybe she was getting to him.
He went into the bathroom and came back with a wet cloth. Gently he wiped her face and lip, cleaning the dried blood. He wiped ineffectively at her shirt, saying, “I don’t think I can get this,” and muttering to himself.
When he had cleaned her face, he threw the cloth down and sat back on the bed. “What was I going to do? There was something I needed to do,” he muttered.
“Jason, I’m really hungry and thirsty. Can you get me something to eat and drink?” she subtly reminded him. If she could just get him out of the room, then she could get loose and hide.
“Oh, that’s right. You wanted something to eat. I’m supposed to take care of you.” He stood up and grabbed his coat. “I’m going to get you something to eat. I’ll be right back, baby. I love you so much.” He leaned down and kissed her.
It was all Tasha could do to keep from gagging. Ugh. Trying to paste a smile on her face, she looked up at him.
“You stay here, and I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Jason told her as he walked out the door.
Waiting a few minutes to make sure he was gone, Tasha freed her hands and stood up. She was a little dizzy but couldn’t give in to it. Looking at the phone in the room, she wondered if she should call Tim or just run.
Hoping Jason would be gone long enough for her to make a call and leave, she gra
bbed the phone and dialed Tim’s number. He answered on the first ring, and she immediately said, “Help. Jason’s got me.”
Tim’s frantic “ Where are you?” caused her to look for some clue as to where she was. Opening the nightstand drawer, she found an envelope with the motel name and address. She gave this information to Tim.
“Baby, listen to me. Go find someplace to hide. Go to the office and tell them what has happened. They will help you. I’m on my way. I love you,” Tim told her as he hung up the phone.