Illusion

Chapter 12

Avery's POV

I'm suddenly aware of my limbs feeling extremely heavy. My head feels foggy and I can't hear properly, but it sounds like music is softly playing somewhere. I gradually peek my eyelids open to see the dull light of the afternoon sun flickering quickly through the trees.

The music becomes slightly louder and I can feel my brain begin to start up again. I shift slightly, feeling soft leather against my back and legs, a tough strap securing my body in place. My limp hand leaves my lap, roaming the unfamiliar surroundings until it hits a hard surface to my left.

I immediately shoot my eyes open and sit up straight. I'm in a car, on a highway. Next to... my head whips to the right, gazing into the profile of my kidnapper.

'About time baby.' Harry's mocking tone leaves his lips, the only other noise being the quiet music pouring through the speakers.

'Where am I? What's going on?' I frantically ask, looking around at the empty highway. 'What are you going to do to me?'

'Do to you?' Harry questions as if I'd offended him somehow. 'Oh honey, I'm not going to do anything to you. It's already done.'

My mind races, my eyes suddenly darting all over my body, my hands wrapping around my stomach in anxiety.

Harry's laugh rings through the compact sports car. It's deep and soulful, and at another time I might be able to appreciate how rare it is. But not right now. 'Don't worry, I haven't touched you. That's not what I was referring to.'

My mind spins, trying to comprehend what he means. Suddenly all the colour runs from my already pale face, making me sick to my stomach. My mind recalls what happened right before I fainted.

'Y-you're, you're...'

'Apart of Illusion? Yes. And now you are too.'

'No. I'm not. I can't be.' I frantically try to make sense of the situation.

'Oh yes you are.' Harry's sinister voice states truthfully. 'And if you want to stay alive, then you'll need to have someone with you at all times.'

'Stay alive? What do you mean stay alive? Why would someone be wanting to kill me? Is this because of what I saw, I promised I wouldn't tell! I haven't said anything!' My throat hurts from my rapid fire of words, my breath hitching as I try to get air into my lungs.

Harry stays silent for a second before glancing over at me, 'are you done?' He asks obnoxiously, carelessly pushing his black ray bans back up his nose. 'Yes. People are trying to kill you. That's why it's important that you're not alone.'

My head whips up, suddenly remembering the reason I'm in this car in the first place. Remembering what I saw. 'You're the one trying to kill me! I saw that mask on your table!'

Harry just locks his jaw, flexing the muscle in his neck. 'No sweetheart, I'm not. As much as I'd like to right now though.' He mutters the last part, almost to himself. 'That mask belongs to our third passenger.'

My blood runs cold. 'There's, um, someone else in this car with us?' Uneasiness takes over my body. 'The man who attacked me the other morning?'

His lips curl up into a small, almost proud smirk. 'Finally using your head I see.' Harry's mocking tone goes unnoticed as I suddenly feel extremely hot, knowing that my attacker is in the car with us. My breathing increases, my lungs moving up and down rapidly, despite the lack of oxygen they're receiving. My hands begin to shake and I hastily clasp them together, fumbling with my sweaty palms to distract myself.