10/09/2025
BOUND OF FEAR EPISODE-5
That night, sleep refused me. Every sound of the mansion—the soft creaks of the floorboards, the distant hum of the lights, the occasional whisper of the wind kept me on edge. My heart wouldn’t stop racing.
I had never felt such fear, such vulnerability, yet also such fragile hope. Ebuka’s promise to protect me rang in my mind, and I clung to it like a lifeline in the darkness.
Morning came too quickly, and with it, the oppressive weight of the household. Dorcas and Mike were already awake, moving through the mansion with that cold, meticulous precision that left me feeling trapped.
The children, as usual, were loud, careless, and cruel. I had learned long ago that surviving this house was more than just doing chores it was reading the moods, predicting threats, and always staying one step ahead.
Breakfast was tense. Dorcas gave me sharp orders as I moved between plates and trays, her gaze occasionally flashing toward Ebuka.
I knew she was watching him too watching every interaction, analyzing every glance, every movement. I kept my head low, pretending nothing, but my hands trembled.
Ebuka, as always, remained a quiet presence. He moved calmly around the table, never letting his eyes betray him, yet I could feel his awareness like a gentle shield.
When no one was looking, he would slip small gestures of comfort toward me a sip of water, a folded napkin, or sometimes a barely-there nod. Each act felt dangerous, yet comforting beyond words.
After breakfast, I retreated to the kitchen, the weight of the household pressing down on me like a physical force. I cleaned, scrubbed, and prepared for the next meal, moving mechanically, my mind racing with fear and strategies.
Suddenly, a soft rustle behind me made me freeze. Ebuka stepped into the kitchen, careful not to make a sound. He didn’t bring food this time, didn’t speak a word he simply placed a small handkerchief near me, folded neatly.
I looked at it, hesitation and fear warr
