I am surrounded by darkness and the air around me is heavy making it hard to breathe. There is a faint smell of blood but I can't be sure if it belongs to me or the the guy lying on the floor next to me. I'm not sure how I got here or even the reason for my being here. I am cold and there is a dampness in the room that puts chills down my spine. I don't know how much time had passed but it seemed to have been weeks since I first arrived in this place. It is so quiet that I feel like I am losing my mind. The only sounds are the drip from the leak in the ceiling and the occasional rat scurrying about. I haven't heard a sound from the man laying next to me for a while now, and I'm beginning to think that he may be dead. Now that I think about it he is probably better off dead. Maybe I will follow suit and drop dead next. Just as that thought crossed my mind a sharp pain struck me in my temples. I guess that was my brains way of telling me to put such thoughts to rest.

*Creak* A metal door opened and for the first time a beam of light poured into the dark enclosure. My eyes stung from the brightness. My heart began to race in anticipation for what might happen next. I squint my eyes and look around me. Now that there was light I could clearly see that the man beside me was indeed lifeless. I started to wonder why I couldn't smell the stench of the dead body. Was it because the smell of ammonia was masking its odor? Or maybe the amount of time I had spent in this place had dulled my senses. Either way I was glad I couldn't smell the roting flesh beside me. Without a word a tall figure holding a tray started toward me and blocked the light that was blinding me in the process. I couldn't make out the face of the figure in front of me but I assumed they were male because of the way they carried themselves. He sat down the tray next to me and grab hold of the arm of the body next to me. He left as quickly as he had arrived with a body in tow as he walked away. I could hear a thud every time the man climbed the next step as the body in his hand hit the steps behind him. I wasn't particularly close to the guy that was being dragged off but I couldn't help but feel angry as I witnessed the careless way his corpse was being handled. I wondered if the man had any family that would care about the way he was being treated or if this man was like me and all alone. When I finally snapped out of my thoughts, he had already reached the top the stairs. He closed the door behind him and I was once again left in the dark. I could hear the sound of the dead bolt click as he twisted it. It was then that I realized that the next time that door is locked it very well may be my body that is being dragged out.

I shook my head and tried to think happy thoughts. I failed to think of anything that could remotely be considered positive. I was relieved to find that the tray the man left behind had food on it. To my surprise the it was filled with some of the finest delicacies. I thought it very strange that such fancy dishes would be served in a room such as this one. Maybe this crazy man was feeding me well to fatten me up for the slaughter house like cattle. At the time I really didn't care what his purpose was for giving me such a fine meal was because my stomach was very grateful for this rare treat. After finishing my food I decided to try to make my way to the wall so that I could lean on it. I crawled around on all fours as I try to navigate towards the nearest wall. My hand landed in something slime. I wasn't sure what this substance was, but I was sure that whatever it was had to be discussing. I tried not to think about all the possibilities of yucky things that could be on my hand as I tried to wipe it off on the floor. *sigh* Finally a wall! I can now rest more comfortably. I say my prayers to the God above. At times I wonder if he is truely there or a fable made up by our ancestors. Despite these unsure thoughts I have no choice but to believe he is really there because without him I would truely be alone in this worthless life of mine. I close my eyes as I think about how nice it would be to have someone beside me to comfort me. I sing myself a lullaby and drift off to sleep half way through he song.

I awake from a deep sleep unsure If it is actually morning. I guess it really doesn't matter what time of day it is considering the fact I won't be going anywhere any time soon. Even so, I can't help but wonder if my sleep schedule has been consistent with the usual day and night time hours. Compared to my old life I find that it is rather peaceful in this dark quiet place. To others this place may seem like hell but to me it is a safe haven. I rarely see my abductor and even though the treatment isn't favorable, at least I am not in pain. For as long as I can remember I have always lived my life in anguish and torcher. As I sit there in the dark corner I am reminded of a moment in my childhood. It was a day like many other days where father would come home drunk while mother would be on the coach passed out drooling. Father would often drink as a way to relieve his frustrations and as a result he would go into a drunken rage. He was always complaining how useless my mother had become and how he wished she would be like the way she was when they first met. I took after my mother in looks so father often mistook me for her in his drunken state. He would chase after me shouting how much he loved me. On occasion he would catch me and try try do unspeakable things to me. I was so scared that I began hiding in the closet when it came time for him to arrive home. I spent many years hiding from that man and I had become accustome to dark enclosures and found comfort there. I wondered if this was the reason I found comfort in this dark gloomy room.

*Creak* To my sprise once again the metal door opened. In the past few days I had seen my abductor more than I had seen him the entire time I had been held captive. I was curious as to what he was up to, but I dare not ask. This time the man appeared with a bucket in his right hand and a bottle in the other. He instructed me to remove my clothing. It was the first time I had heard him speak. He had a deep raspy voice that sent shivers down my spine. I did as the man had instructed and removed my clothes. He dumped a bucket of water on me. *eek* It's so cold! He throws a bottle of soap to me along with a rag. "Wash." I once again follow his instructions and begin lathering myself up with soap. He turns and walks back up the stairs and returns moments later with another bucket of water. He again dumps the water on me and it was just as cold as the first bucket. I was grateful for the bath but I couldn't help but wonder what his purpose was for allowing me the chance to clean up. After all I had been here for what seemed like weeks already without a bath. Without allowing me the time to get dressed he grabbed me by the hand and lead me up the stairs. My heart was racing and my head was pounding as I feared my time had come. I no longer felt safe as I was forced to leave the dark and quiet room that brought me comfort.

He brought me into an empty room that only had a bed and a wardrobe. The windows were covered with boards and the door had been removed from its hinges. There was a chain attached to the end of the bed with a set of handcuff at the end. He lead me to the bed and cuffed my ankle to the chain. My head had finally stopped pounding but my heart was still racing. It was the first time I got a clear view of this man's face and it made me feel butterflies in my stomach. He had a chiseled jaw line and stubbled beard. His eyes were narrow and dark, so dark that it felt I was looking into the abyss. He had what looked to be burn scars on his neck which explains his raspy voice. His body seemed just as magnificent. Everything about him screamed out to me and demanded my attention. Is it ok for me to find this man attractive? What is wrong with my brain I'm not supposed to find my abductor hot. I swear this isolation has seriously began to mess with my head. Maybe I have developed stockholm syndrome? Nah, that can't be. I have just recently gotten to clearly see the man's face. But why do I feel that I have met this man before, do we know one another. Before I had the chance to ask these questions that had been flooding my mind he left the room. After a while he come back with an oversized white shirt. I had already lost my nerve and dared not to open my mouth let alone ask any of my previous questions. I was happy to have something to cover myself with but the looseness of the shirt still left me feeling *****. I wasn't sure what to really think about my current situation but at least I now had a bed to lay on. I decided not to think to much about this man's strange actions because I knew I would never be able to understand what it is that he is thinking. For now I will just sit back and observe and wait for my chance to escape this place. And maybe just maybe I will find out the answers to my questions while I wait.

It has been three days since my sudden room change. The lights are still always left off, but during the day a little bit of light peaks through the cracks in the boards over the windows. I am glad that I am now able to know the difference between night and day. But of course knowing the time of day only makes the days seem longer. The only thing I have to look forward to in this place is meal times. I am beginning to feel more and more like a caged animal. My abductor hasn't spoken to me since the first day I was moved into this room. If I had to make a guess, the reason may be that he is embarrassed about his voice. Whatever his reason is I'm glad he hasn't asked me to do anything. Anyway I think it is around lunchtime now so my abductor should be here any minute. Maybe I will say something today just to test the waters. It has been way to boring lately so I might as well try to make conversation. I'm not really sure what I should say. Maybe I should ask how his day was? Nah, that dumb defiantly not something you ask the man holding you captive. Hmm, maybe I can ask his name? Yeah I think I will do that. *Creak* This time it was not the sound of a metal door opening, but the sound of the wooden boards giving way as the man's footsteps came closer. I had gotten used to this sound, if fact I sometimes even hear it in my sleep. He enters the room carrying a tray of food just like he has for the past few days now. I think to myself that today is the day that I will muster up the courage to talk to this man. I open my mouth but the words just won't come out. "Speak." I am still frozen in place as he repeats himself. "Speak!" Umm, yes I sorry I was just wondering if you could tell me your name please. ......... There was a silence that filled the room for what seemed like hours. He finally broke the silence and said,"call me Raga." In response to him I tell him my name is Harmony. He looks at me and walks away without saying another word.

I am now lost in thought. After that long period of silence I didn't expected him to give me an answer and yet he did. Not only am I confused about his odd behavior I am now trying to figure out where I have hear the name Raga before. It has a strange familiar feeling to it but I just can't seem to remember its significance. My mind

begins to think of random memories as I am trying to pick through my brain. Now another horrific moment of my past surfaces in my mind. It was about the time when I was 16 years old and decided I wanted to move away from home. I told my mother about my decision and she could care less. With my mind made up I had set out on my own and tried to make money with my love for singing. This turned out to be a pipe dream because as soon as my father noticed my absence he came looking for me. Like alway of course he was drunk and when he did find me he came with a bottle in his hand. He was so furious at the time that he busted the bottle over my head. I passed out after that and when I woke up I was already back in that wretched house that I had just managed to leave. That was the first time I had tried to escape but it was definitely not the last. The light that came through the cracks in the board over the window was no longer shining in. It was now night and I decided to put my thoughts to rest. I say my prays and once again sing myself to sleep. Just as I'm about to fall asleep a final thought came to mind. Raga I finially remember its meaning. It means melody. I think of how ironic it is that his name means melody and my name is Harmony. Is there some kind of deeper meaning behind this or is it merely a coincidence? Maybe this is a clue to finding out who this man is and what his purpose is. Nah, I'm sure it's just some kind out dumb luck. It has to be. After all this is reality not some jacked up fantasy story plot. Forget it let's just sleep now, I will think more about this in the morning.