"Trapped in Despair"

Ashley sat in the small, dingy room, her eyes fixed on the growing bump on her stomach as she absently rubbed her hands over it. It was a familiar gesture now, one she'd repeated countless times over the past few months. She was 25 weeks pregnant, and yet, she hadn't seen a doctor's face or received any medical attention. Gerald had taken care of that, providing her with a small, glimpse of a life growing inside her, but not allowing her to seek any professional help. As she rubbed her belly, Ashley couldn't help but wonder what her baby's gender was, or if it was healthy. The not knowing was almost as agonizing as the physical pain she'd endured. Her thoughts drifted back to the past few months, the endless days blending together in a haze of loneliness and despair. She'd lost count of the days, but she knew it was sometime in the spring, based on her internal calendar. The small room was everything she'd grown accustomed to – the dingy walls, the single, flickering light bulb, and the cot with its thin, worn-out mattress. The only additions were the small, rusty toilet in the corner and the meal tray that was delivered once a day. The food was bland and monotonous, a repetition of tasteless porridge, dry bread, and watery soup. Ashley had given up trying to keep track of the meals; they'd all started to blend together. Her gaze wandered to the small window high up on the wall, where a sliver of sunlight peeked through the grimy glass. It was her only connection to the outside world, a reminder of the freedom she'd lost. Ashley's eyes filled with tears as she thought about her family, her friends, and her life before Gerald. Where was she? Was anyone looking for her? The sound of footsteps echoed outside her room, and Ashley's heart sank. Gerald was coming. She quickly smoothed out her hair, not that it mattered, and attempted to compose herself. The door creaked open, and Gerald walked in, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Good morning, darling," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "How's my little baby doing?" He walked over to her, his eyes fixed on her belly. Ashley's instincts screamed at her to recoil, but she remained still, her hands still rubbing her bump. It was a small act of defiance, one she'd repeated many times before. Gerald's eyes glinted with amusement as he reached out to touch her stomach. "Ah, it's getting bigger," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "You're doing a wonderful job, Ashley. I'm so proud of you." Ashley bit back a retort, her anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. She knew better than to provoke Gerald; it only led to more pain and suffering. Instead, she forced a weak smile onto her face, one that said she was grateful and submissive. It was a mask she'd perfected over the months, one that kept her safe, for now.