I opened my eyes, feeling horrible nausea. My stomach churned, and I felt sick. I put my hand to my forehead and massaged my head, hoping it would ease the pain even slightly. Unfortunately, it only worsened when I tried to sit up and realized I was lying on a mattress in some abandoned building.
It was dark, gloomy, and scary. I was alone, not fully understanding what had happened. The last thing I remembered was talking to Felix.
What had happened next? Why was I here?
My knees buckled beneath me as I shakily made my way toward a door I spotted nearby. To my surprise, it was locked with padlocked chains.
What was going on?
With panicked eyes, I looked around the room. Besides the mattress, I noticed a staircase leading to the roof.
Gripping the railing tightly, my head still spinning, I slowly climbed the stairs. When I looked down, a strange chill ran through my body.
I knew deep down something was wrong, but I didn't want to admit it to myself.
When I stepped out onto the roof, dawn was already breaking. The cool morning air brushed against my face, blowing my long black hair away.
Then I saw him. He stood by the edge, staring into the distance. The love of my life — the man I loved so much — stood there silently.
Although he meant everything to me, at that moment, I was terrified of him. He was capable of anything. He could trap me just to keep me from leaving.
"Felix," I whispered hoarsely. He turned to me, his face expressionless, his gaze blank.
"Why are you doing this? Why did you bring me here?" I asked.
"Because you want to get away from me. That's the only way," he replied.
I took a cautious step closer but kept my distance. My head throbbed mercilessly, and I felt awful.
"This is how you make me start being afraid of you."
His eyes suddenly filled with fear. He broke from his stance and approached me, gripping my shoulders.
"You don't have to be afraid of me, Selena. You know I would never hurt you."
"Then why are you doing this? You're causing me so much pain. I'm terrified, Felix."
He pulled me into his arms and squeezed me tightly, as if afraid I'd slip away if he let go.
"I'm the one who's scared you'll leave me. The thought of being taken from you terrifies me. I can't imagine life without you."
Tears welled up in my eyes. I closed them, fighting back sobs.
"You're still aware enough to know what's happening. You realize you're doing wrong. You're lost."
"No, Selena. I know exactly what I'm doing. I won't let you out of my embrace," he said, tightening his grip. "You're everything to me. All I have is you. My family never loved me. My mother treated me like trash because I didn't meet her expectations. Now she wants to get rid of me and is trying to use you to do it. She's a monster. She's the one who broke me. You can't let her take me — or I'll never see you again. You have to believe me, Selena."
My heart ached at his words. I realized there was some truth in what he said. His troubled behavior stemmed from the pain at home. His mother was a terrifying woman who took everything out on him, making him a threat to me and others.
"I'm trapped, Felix. I don't want your mother to take you away from me, but I also know you need help."
"She wants to separate us at all costs…"
"Locking me up here won't fix anything. It will only make things worse. Eventually, they will find us, and that will give your mother a reason to have you committed."
He stepped away and looked at me with pained eyes.
"Is that what she told you? That she'll lock me up?"
"She won't if you come to your senses in time," I reassured him.
Felix walked toward the edge of the roof, resting his hands on the concrete, staring ahead.
"I know what you're trying to do. You want to get rid of me too. I'm a burden, just like I was to my parents."
"No, Felix. I'm just trying to help you. I want the best for you. I love you more than anything. I don't want to see you become someone you're not."
"I'm not a bad person!" he shouted, turning to me and pressing a trembling finger to his chest. "I'm not!" He broke down in tears.
"I know you're not. That's why I'm trying to help you. If I thought otherwise, I wouldn't be fighting for you."
"So what should I do?"
"You're an adult now. Go to a psychiatrist willingly and talk about your problems. Then your mother won't be able to control or lock you up. I can go with you if you want. I want to help you."
He looked at me, eyes full of pain. I didn't know what he was thinking or how he would respond, but I spoke from my heart.
I wanted the best for him.
*
I sat on the mattress and watched Felix. Right now, he looked like a lost puppy who didn't know what to do. He buried his head between his knees and stayed in that position for a long time, silent. Since we had come down from the roof, he hadn't spoken to me at all. He seemed to be trying to put everything together in his head.
I hoped he was aware enough to take my words to heart.
It was morning. I guessed my parents were out of their minds. The phone vibrating incessantly in Felix's pocket only proved my point.
I watched him carefully as he took it in his hand and glanced at the display.
"What should I do, Selena? I'm afraid to leave this place because I don't know what awaits me outside," he said.
"Let me at least call my parents so they don't cause a scandal. If they report me missing, things could get ugly. We don't want problems, do we?"
He looked into my eyes uncertainly and handed me the phone. I took a deep breath, wondering what to say to get out of this situation. I had a chance to confess the truth to my parents, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Besides, I wasn't in a position to betray my boyfriend. I wanted to give him a chance, especially since something seemed to be getting through to him.
I knew I was doing the wrong thing, but I really wanted to help him if there was still hope. Besides, I loved him and believed he would make the right decision.
"Mom…" I began when she answered the call. "Everything's fine. I just snuck out with my friends last night, and we went a little crazy. I know it's not like me, but it's practically the end of school and summer break, so we wanted to celebrate. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, and I worried you a lot. When I get home, I'll accept any punishment."
I felt Felix's intense gaze on me. He was filled with pain.
"Are you crazy, Selena? Dad and I were losing our minds, afraid something happened to you! This is irresponsible!" she shouted.
"I know, and I'm truly sorry. I promise I'll come home soon. Everything is fine, don't worry."
"You've let us down," she added before hanging up.
"Your parents love you very much. It's nice that they care so much about you," Felix said sadly, looking at the phone I had set down on the mattress. "They never cared about me. I was controlled all the time. I had no freedom. I was — and still am — like a dog on a leash they won't let go of, and that's why I've become aggressive."
My heart broke seeing him burst into tears unexpectedly. He had a problem — a serious one. He needed treatment as soon as possible.
I crawled over to him on my knees and embraced him. He laid his head on my shoulder, crying like a child.
At that moment, this was the real Felix — the boy I loved.
"I will never leave you, but please trust me and do what I ask. I will never let your mother take you anywhere. You just have to listen to me, and we'll get through this together. I will take care of you."
"Do you promise never to leave me? Your absence unleashes a madness in me I can't control. I don't want to be like that. I just want to always be by your side. I can't lose you."
"You won't lose me. I promise everything will be fine."
As he looked into my eyes, I wiped tears from his cheeks. I smiled slightly, seeing his gentle, angelic side.
"I know you have to go home, but I'm afraid to open the door and leave this place."
"You won't leave here alone. We will leave together, and I won't let go of your hand."
Felix opened the padlock and untied the chains, then I grabbed his hand. He looked at me, and I nodded to encourage him. He opened the door, and as we stepped outside, a bright light hit us.
I felt the nineteen-year-old squeeze my hand tighter, and only then did I notice a black car waiting nearby. An elegant woman emerged from it and pulled her sunglasses off her nose.
"I knew it would come to this…" she said coldly. "Take him away," she ordered two powerful men who obediently moved toward us. I stood in front of Felix, trying to protect him with my body.
"You're the one who brought him to this state, so you have no right to lock him up in any clinic. I won't allow it!"
"Mother, are you really following me everywhere? Did you put a tracking app on my phone?" Felix said in a pained voice. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because I need to control you. You're a danger to the world, especially with her by your side," she replied, nodding at me. "Are you afraid of this petite girl? Now, take my son to the car!" she shouted at the men.
They pushed me back, causing me to fall to the ground. With terrified eyes, I watched as Felix was forced into the car and locked inside. I ran up to the window and pressed my hands against it, helpless.
It broke my heart to see the fear and vulnerability in his eyes. I was scared this might be the last time I saw him. I knew he felt the same.
"Felix…"
"You're his ticking bomb, so you should be separated. You know this well, yet you still stick with him. You disobeyed me," the woman said to me.
I turned to face her, my look furious.
"No, you're the ticking bomb," I said boldly. "I will find him and take him away from you. I won't let him suffer anymore."
Her mocking smile told me she didn't see me as a threat.
"Good luck, kid," she said as she headed back to the car. She sat next to Felix and grabbed his hand, but he didn't look away from me. His terrified eyes told me I had to help him.
"I will find you and rescue you. I promise. Wait for me, Felix," I whispered before the car drove away.
The scariest part was that I thought he had completely given up.