Super Heroes and Monsters

Content warning: kidnapping

A low vibration began in my chest as I pressed my lips together. With the sound of my blood pulsing in my ears, I did the only thing I could think of. I hummed. Quietly at first - so quietly I don’t think Malcom even heard me. But as I continued to hum the melody of the song that we had danced to on our wedding day, I forced myself to get louder.

As the sound emanated from my lips, I couldn’t help but flash back to that day. I’d worn a beautiful ball gown and stood at the front of the church, reciting my vows to the man I would love forever. In retrospect, it was a miracle that Malcom wasn’t struck down the moment he set foot in the large church. How had I gone from ecstatic bride to terrified captive in the span of two months? Better yet, how could I not have known about Malcom’s criminal ties and his proclivity for kidnapping?

I had been alone in the basement for weeks when a young boy was thrown down the stairs. He was wearing a Spider-Man mask, evidence that the real world was celebrating Halloween at that very moment. In the two days that followed, I learned the boy’s name was Tommy. He was six years old, and Malcom had grabbed him when he had answered the door while his mother was in the shower. He spent most of the first day crying, and although I tried to assure him everything was okay, he simply looked at me with a six year old’s skepticism.

It was two days later when Malcom came into the basement and pulled me toward the door. My only thought was that I would be leaving Tommy alone in this place. I didn’t think about what was going to happen to me - I knew I wouldn’t be around long enough to worry about it. But Tommy, Tommy was scared. I had hoped that our wedding song would bring back the humanity in Malcom that I once saw. The moment the sound hit his ears, he froze for a few moments, forcing me, whose arm he was still clutching, to do the same. Finally Malcom turned his head, slowly meeting my eyes. The small boy looked between our captor and I, his blonde hair falling into his eyes each time his head turned.

“Malcom,” I finally managed to get out. “Please don’t.”

My husband remained silent, but the lack of emotion on his face told me all I needed to know. My family hadn’t paid the ransom. Or maybe they had, but he had no intention of letting me go back to them. This was merely a business transaction to him, and at that moment I hated myself for once being in love with the monster in front of me.

I took one more look at Tommy. His brown eyes looked as scared as usual, but nothing to indicate he knew what was about to happen. I owed it to the boy to keep it that way.

“Let me say goodbye,” I pleaded, nodding toward Tommy. Malcom showed only the slightest bit of empathy when he gave a curt nod. I rushed to the boy, grabbing his Spider-Man mask on the way. “Listen Tommy,” I said, my voice shaky. I slipped the mask over his head. “Are you ready to play super hero?” I saw his eyes light up before I pulled the mask over both of them. “You know Spider-Man never takes off his mask, right?” I received a nod in response. “Okay, then no matter what you hear, you can’t take the mask off, ok? You have to stay exactly where you are and keep your mask on so you can be a super hero.” Another nod. “Promise me, Tommy. Promise me you’ll stay in this spot and won’t take the mask off.”

“I promise,” he nodded again, clearly eager to start this game. Suddenly Malcom was back at my side and guiding me to the door.

I took a few deep, steadying breaths as I walked, and I turned back to Tommy. I struggled to keep it together when he waved to me with a toothy grin. I wasn’t sure what was in store for him, but I prayed that he would be reunited with him family. I hoped that he would always picture me as the young woman who made him a super hero, and not in whatever size or shape they would find me in when the snow melted.