The Unforgettable Scent of Winter

Could you perhaps describe the series of events that lead to your situation? 

It was the middle of the semester, I remember it being a cloudy day, it was quite cold as well, but not cold enough that you needed a coat. Now for most people this would be a bad start to their day but, it was perfect for me, as I’ve always loved these types of days.

As I walked to college I felt as if I was being watched but I did not pay much attention to it as I was more eager to experience life without worries. 

It was always my dream you know, getting into a university, having my own dorm, getting into class. I know it may seem as if I was a nerd but I dreamt of nothing more than this. 

Had I known what would happen, I would have tried to venture out more than I did at the time. I wished I had payed more attention to other things rather than just my classes...

Just like the usual Park Elouise, she wore her comfy brown jeans with her baggy sweater and of course tying it all together with her favorite sneakers and a tote bag to carry all her stuff. 

Everyone saw her as the perfect student, she had amazing academic grades and at the same time she had all the friends she could ever need. This was the happiest she has been, though it would not last long...

Class ended and Elouise decided to walk home. 

Walking home Elouise felt as if she was being watched, the same feeling she felt that morning. But rather than worrying she just continued to walk home.

It was dark out as Elouise was walking, no one was seen on the streets, it was as if it was a ghost town. Suddenly a man hit Elouise’s head with a rock.

Elouise woke up soon after in an unfamiliar place. From her perspective it looked like a typical guy’s room. Navy blue sheets matching with the navy blue curtains, a slim bookshelf to the side filled with all types of philosophical books. She noticed a desk with the persons’ belongings such as, his computer, a few of his photos and a few notes here and there. 

She then felt a piercing pain on her head. A guy approached her. Soon she’d learn that his name was Luca. Luca had told her that he saw her passed out on the street so he took her home. 

Oh thank you but I really should be heading home now, it’s getting pretty late...

No please I insist, stay over. I can’t exactly drive you home since my place is a few hours away from where you passed out. And I’m kind of tired.

So you mean to tell me, you couldn’t have just taken me to the nearest hospital? 

It was better this way, trust me Elouise.

I’m sorry, do I know you? How did you-

Oh I sort of went through your stuff, I mean I at least had to know who I was taking home right? 

Elouise knew that something was very wrong at this moment. For the first time in a while she felt scared but having no other option, she stayed over. 

The next day had come and Elouise thought it was time to head home, but when she awoke, she realized she was locked in the room, opening the curtains she saw that the windows were barricaded, she had no way out. 

As soon as she comprehend her situation immediate panic had taken over her emotions. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to get out of the house. 

Then Luca unlocked the door. 

Hey-

Why did you lock me in here? 

I got some pancakes for breakfast...

Were you the one who hit me on the head? 

What are you talking about? Are you crazy? 

After breakfast, Elouise had been locked in the room once again, when she asked why Luca would just say, it’s for the better. Elouise tried to use the computer but of course, Luca was smart enough to take it out once he realized what Elouise was doing. 

Day after day, trying to get answers, Elouise started to question why was she asking these questions, what was the reason for her questions. Her mind became very cloudy. 

Elouise did not know this at the time, but Luca would drug her food to make her confused. You see while Elouise’s dream was her college life, Luca’s was to be with Elouise. From the moment he set eye on her, he longed for her company as he never saw anyone like Elouise.

He fell in love when he saw her beautiful emerald eyes, long wavy red hair, tall slender body and needless to say, her beautiful smile. Her asian eyes would “disappear” whenever she smiled and this captivated Luca even more. 

 Months had now passed and Elouise had developed Stockholm syndrome. Because of all the drugs and all the time spend cooped up in a room, Elouise had now believed that Luca was the only one she could trust. 

And since Luca somewhat felt horrible for keeping Elouise cooped up all this time, one day he started to bring her with him to do some grocery shopping. 

Weeks had passed of them getting even closer, when eventually Elouise had an eye opening moment. 

Elouise did not feel very well one night so she did not eat anything. Luca being worried, did not think that Elouise would feel any different if she had not been drugged however, when Elouise woke up she realized that her mind had become less foggy. 

Now she wasn’t about to make the same mistake she did last time by asking Luca anything, so she played along until they went out to do some grocery shopping. 

While Luca was distracted, getting the items from the grocery list, Elouise bolted as fast as she can. She knew that if she had just shouted right then and there that Luca would claim she was mentally ill. She also knew that if she just asked a worker in the shop, Luca would have a chance to deny the accusations. 

So she ran as fast as she can, as she felt that this moment determines how her life would turn out. She ran so far out that she reached the next town. 

From there on out Elouise reported herself as a missing person, hoping that she could return to her family once again. 

Meanwhile Luca realized that Elouise had gone missing, he became frantic as he did not know whether or not Elouise realized what he had done. 

Returning to Elouise’s perspective, she had not found her real family however her case is now being investigated. 

Is there any peculiar thing that you remember that relates to your captor?

Oh I did find something uncanny, Luca’s scent was like as if you were smelling the fresh air of winter. Once he was in the area, I knew it was him because of his scent. 

And could you describe how Luca looked? 

Uhm from what I remember he had brown eyes, he’s a lot taller than I am, I’d say about  6 foot? He had brunette  hair, freckles, a prominent nose and he was kind of skinny. I’m sorry- do we really have to do this? My memory is all scrambled...

Oh I’m sorry Ms. Elouise, thank you for today, we’ll do our best to capture Luca.

It’s almost been a year since Elouise ran away from Luca. She’s been getting therapy from all the PTSD and anxiety she has due to the series of events that took place. 

As for Luca, he fled away to Italy, living a normal life as if nothing ever happened. There wasn’t enough evidence that traced back to Luca so the police never found out who was Elouise’s captor. 

For that reason Elouise still believes that ,somewhere out there, Luca could still be trying to look for her. 

Her PTSD is not easy to overcome, she’d have panic attacks when she saw someone who reminded her of Luca. 

For Luca this was nothing more than a mistake yet for Elouise this was a moment that had affected her life more than she thought it would...