“You’re sure about this right?”
“You’re asking now?”
“Just making sure.”
“Yeah, I’m as sure as I’m going to be. This isn’t exactly safe you know.”
“I know, that’s why I was asking.”
“Andy do you trust me?”
“Not entirely.”
“Then why did you agree to help?”
There was an uncomfortable pause. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“Fine by me, let’s go get her.”
Oliver and Andy turned the corner, walking up the nearly deserted street. A few people were coming toward them, but they were stumbling slightly, clearly out for a night of fun. There was a tense silence as the two neared their destination.
The building across the street looked menacing as it rose high into the night sky. Clouds and moonlight danced across the dark windows. Oliver took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves.
It’ll be fine, he told himself. We can do this. We have leverage. We can do this.
“Last chance to go back,” Oliver said trying to sound joking, but it wasn’t convincing.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I said I would do this with you. I’m not going back now.”
“Alright,” Oliver took another deep breath. “Here we go.”
They crossed the street.
_________________
My knees were tucked before me. I had my hands clasped around them and was hugging tight. My thoughts had, mercifully, died down to a dull rumble. I continued to focus on small things, mundane things. I had lost count how many different ways I had counted to one hundred.
The man who had been watching me when I’d woken up was still there. He hadn’t left once. A few people had come in to tell him something in a hushed voice so I couldn’t overhear, but other than that not much had happened. I’d been given a sandwich a while ago, but I hadn’t eaten it. A mixture of fear of something happening to me if I did and overall nerves kept me from touching it.
I rested my chin on my knees and rocked back and forth slightly, starring at the sandwich and paper plate before me. I wondered for the umpteenth time if anyone knew I was missing and if so when they were going to find me. I wasn’t sure how long I had been here, but I was starting to wonder if anyone was coming at all. The paper plate became blurry and I slowly raised a hand to wipe away the tear. I wasn’t going to cry, not now. I was going to hold it together. I wondered how many times I had told myself this. How many times had I gone around this circle of thoughts?
I needed to think of something else, anything else. Where was Oliver? What was he- no I couldn’t think about him. If I did I would be led right back into that nasty circle. I decided to count, backward from one hundred…again.
One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety eight…
…three, two, one
The door burst open and a woman rushed in.
“I need you to come outside,” she said to the man who was my companion.
“Why? I was told to stay here.”
“Yeah,” the woman said slowly, glancing at me. “The plan has changed.”
The man, who had his arms crossed gave me a look that warned me not to move an inch. “Fine.” He followed the woman out, slamming the door behind him. I heard the click of the lock.
I was alone. I was alone for the first time since I’d woken up. I slowly unfurled myself, unsure of my new situation. Rising to my feet I tried to hear what was being said on the other side of the door. However, try as I might, I couldn’t make it out.
I stood, silently watching the door until it finally opened and three people walked in. The two who had recently left the room and a man I hadn’t seen before, not that I’d seen many people.
“You’re to come with us,” said the new man. He was tall and thin, with a thick head of hair and a face that I doubted had ever smiled.
“Why? Where are you taking me?” I sounded stronger than I felt, if only a little.
“You’ll see.” The man turned to my jailer, “tie her hands.”
The man, my jailer, came toward me and I backed away quickly. I wasn’t sure why, there wasn’t any where to go, and I promptly hit the wall behind me. The man grabbed my arm and yanked me around, roughly shoving me into the wall. My arms were tugged behind my back and my wrists bound. I felt a firm grip on my upper arm and was forced to turn around again.
The woman opened the door and all four of us passed through.
I was so excited to see today’s entry!
I’m glad! I hope you enjoy it