The dog was kept in a separate kennel from the rest. This kennel was smaller than the main one which housed, in Aidan's words, his guard dogs.

However, it was cleaner and appeared to be well taken care of.

"I called him Ben," Aidan stated, clicking his fingers. "He's a little shy, so be patient."

Another three clicks later and the dog appeared, strolling out of his kennel and wagging his tail, eager to meet Tammy.

Ben was a German Shepherd: black and tan with floppy ears.

"He's the runt," Aidan continued the one-sided conversation." Probably why your mother liked him so much."

His eyes reverted to Tammy, and he sniggered, sharing a joke with himself.

"I'm not a runt," she shot back, still not paying attention to the dog.

Aidan laughed. "Debatable."

~

Now she was back inside, Tammy wished she had at least stroked Ben.

A sadness swept over her, as realization set in. "You were the last person to see my parents alive."

Aidan ignored the comment, instead focusing on buttering a slice of bread. "Here, you need to eat."

"No, thanks," she mumbled, turning her face away.

"It wasn't a question."

Tammy met his eyes in a frail attempt at standing her ground. "I'm not hungry."

He sighed before taking the bread away from her. "Fine, it'll be kept for tomorrow."

Aidan and Tammy didn't speak after that. As much as she appreciated the peace, Tammy couldn't help but wonder if he was tiring of her.

She'd seen it on the television many times; after the victim has been played with, the kidnapper gets bored. They toss them aside like they are nothing.

Aidan hadn't hurt her in the way she had expected, and he didn't exactly look like a serial killer. Sure, his hair was a mess the majority of the time, and he desperately needed a shave, but Tammy didn't see him as a criminal.

"Why did you bring me here?" she questioned him. "You know enough about me to realize I don't have any money."

Her question fell on deaf ears, and Aidan continued to prance around the kitchen, as if he hadn't heard her.

Growing frustrated, Tammy tried again. "Or do you want something else?"

Still, nothing.

"Aidan," she called his name, and he flinched. "Please answer me."

Tammy had hoped that hearing his name would force a reply out of him, but no such luck.

"You haven't even stopped me from leaving," she said, begging him to take notice.

Aidan paused, stopping all movement. "That's because you haven't tried."

A voice in her head screamed at her to go for it, to see what would happen if she attempted to run.

But did Tammy really want to test him, all for a moment of adrenaline? He'd already proven his speed, and what he was capable of.

Aidan frowned, as if reading her mind. "I hope you're not thinking about leaving," he spoke, as if she was merely a visitor.

"I can see you're bored, Tammy. I am too, but I'm in no mood for games," he paused. "If you want to challenge me, go right ahead. But it would be in your best interest to not."

A quick glance towards her hand was enough to quiet Tammy.

"Oh, and you need to shower. You're starting to smell, and you have an apology to make this afternoon."

Tammy folded her arms. "What do you mean, apology?"