Contents
Chapter 43
Overview
Eleanor disarms the power dynamic completely by ordering Casey to retrieve duct tape, then binding Casey to a kitchen chair at gunpoint. Casey recalls a drawing of her own mutilation and fears it will come true. Eleanor insists the attack is “not personal,” then leaves, escalating imminent danger.
Summary
In the dead of night, Eleanor orders Casey to retrieve duct tape from the pantry. Terrified, Casey complies, haunted by a drawing she found that depicts herself bound and mutilated. Eleanor, small but armed with Casey’s Glock, directs Casey to sit and place her hands behind her back.
Casey briefly weighs rushing Eleanor while the gun is in play but fears being shot or accidentally shooting Eleanor. Eleanor binds Casey’s wrists, ankles to the chair legs, and chest, leaving Casey immobilized. She does not gag Casey, knowing no one nearby will hear.
As candles burn low, Casey fixates on the drawing of her ear sliced off and her eye gouged, recognizing her helplessness. When Casey pleads for a reason, Eleanor tersely insists, “It’s nothing personal,” rebuffing any explanation.
With Casey fully restrained and the power dynamic cemented, Eleanor lowers the gun, verifies Casey cannot escape, and announces she will be back. Casey fears Eleanor is going to retrieve her knife, leaving the threat of the depicted mutilation imminent.
Who Appears
- CaseyNarrator; forced to fetch duct tape, then bound tightly to a chair at gunpoint, terrified by a drawing of her mutilation.
- EleanorArmed and controlling; binds Casey with duct tape, claims it’s not personal, and leaves, likely to get her knife.