Erica After a few minutes of tense silence a door opened somewhere, I curled my fingers into fists as I sat there and closed my eyes when footsteps neared. They paused. Silverware clinked and several thumps sounded as things were put down on the table. “Leave.” I heard the arsehole say. Footsteps faded away and then his voice dropped, no longer frosty as he said, “Open your eyes, Erica.” I did. The room was empty except him and me. Ephraim was no longer sitting in front of me and there was no plate setting for him either. But I refused to look at my kidnapper as I stared ahead at Ephraim’s empty seat. I heard Antonio as he ordered, “Look at me.” But I wasn’t listening, I was lost inside my head, even the box of anger was tightly shut. Right now, at that moment I was nothing but empty.