Chapter One
I glared at my kidnapper. I have to admit, it wasn’t the first time I’d been captured. I always got away some how and never get to find out why. I also never remember how I escaped. I’d be lying to say it hasn’t kept me wondering. This time I was tied to a chair.
That wasn’t a first timer either.
My kidnapper had a mask on. They usually did, but some of the stupid ones take their masks off, leaving me to be able to describe to police officers. This one, though, was smart. He hadn’t taken it off yet. Doesn’t mean he wasn’t going to.
There were two small holes in the black mask, which was obviously home-made, obviously so he could see through. His eyes looked black from here. I was pretty sure this was a he. I’d heard his gruff, hard voice once before and they usually are men anyway.
“Would you mind telling me why I’m here?” I ask, perfectly polite though I know there isn’t a reason for that. After all, he kidnapped me. He hit me with what I think was an encyclopaedia.
“Stop talking.” He answered, no, growled, obviously trying to scare me.
I rolled my eyes, unafraid. I’d been through way more than this. “That’s the least you can do. What do you want? Money? Am I here for ransom? If so, then why’d you kidnap me? My family haven’t exactly been rich since…” I stopped talking. There was a lump in my throat.
“Since your dad died, right?” I could hear the smile in his voice. Tears stung my eyes.
“What, you’re a stalker too?” My voice wasn’t as brave as before. In fact, it was weak and quiet.
He was the one to roll his eyes – I could see slightly through them two small holes. “You’re Avery Hearts, right?” he said in that same, amused voice. “You’re sixteen years old; you have a twin brother called Addison and let’s not forget your mother, Chloe.”
This scared me. If he had of threatened me, personally, I wouldn’t have been scared. “Stop.” I whispered.
“I’m sorry?” he put a hand to where his ear probably was beneath that horrific mask.
“Stop!” I screamed. “Please! Just shut up!”
He laughed a horrible, bitter sound.
“Just shut the freaking hell up!” I went on, trying to break free. The chair moved but the ropes that tied my hands were tight. “You freaking bastard!”
That got to him. He moved towards me; I don’t know what to call it. It wasn’t walking. It seemed more… beastly. When he reached me he slapped me so hard that my head flew to one side. I felt my cheek going red. I closed my eyes and buried my head in my own shoulder. I didn’t want to look back. His black, black eyes had literally turned red when he had gotten angry. Tears stung my eyes.
He took my chin in his hand and forced my head back. I kept my eyes closed.
“Don’t worry,” he said softly, his voice beautiful when it was soft like that. “We’re not going to hurt you yet. At least not until we have Addison.”
Then anger flared inside me, like a fire that had just been lit. My eyes flew open. I felt the fire in them too. The last thing I saw was his black eyes wide, through them two small holes, almost as if with fright…
Then I blacked out.
❦
I woke up with my head down, still tied to the chair. I usually woke up at home, safe. Wondering what the hell had happened. But today, I was still there. My blonde curls covered my face. There was a sting on the side of my face.
I could hear a conversation from down the hall.
“The damn bitch attacked me.” I recognised that voice. It was the gruff voice of the man in the mask, only now it was high and loud.
Attacked? Who had I attacked? Unless he had kidnapped other bitches. No, that wasn’t likely. Only then did I register that the chair was over turned. I was lying on the ground.
“There was still no need to hurt her.”
That was a voice I hadn’t heard before. It was beautiful and soft. He wasn’t shouting, and there was a trace of amusement in his voice. And he was sticking up for me…
The mask-man’s voice came again, this time sinister. “When we have the other Hearts brat, there will be a need.”
His voice sent a shiver up my spine. I took a deep breath. I felt worn out. What had happened? I thought.
I heard a sigh and someone walking. “We need more food,” came the mask-man’s voice again. “You keep an eye on her.” Then I heard the front door open and slam again.
And then suddenly there was someone in front of me and I was sitting up again. He had long dark hair and soft brown eyes. His face was perfect and his complexion was tanned. He had a strong build. Our eyes met for an instant: His soft brown and mine hazel-gold. Then he looked away and walked behind me to untie the ropes. I rubbed my wristed where the ropes had been cutting into my skin.
“Thanks.” I muttered. “Why exactly did you do that?” I stood up. Before I could get a chance to ask anything else, He grabbed my shoulders.
“Listen to me. Get out of here. Jase will be back any second and if he finds you escaping he will punish you. Probably by killing someone you know.”
I stared at him. Jase? Was that the stranger in the mask? I was confused.
“But – why…?”
“Just go!” He thrust a set of keys in my hand. “Take the Volkswagen outside. Don’t go home – just keep driving.”
I nodded, shocked and ran for the door. I opened it and took one last look at his gorgeous face, then closed it behind me. Then I remembered what he said. ‘Don’t go home…’ Was he crazy? They wanted Addison too. And I couldn’t just leave. Soon everyone would be looking for me. I rolled my eyes though there was no one to see.
The car he had given me the keys for was fancy – deep blue and shiny. I raised my eyebrows and got in the drivers seat. Let’s hope no police spotted me. Mask-man had stolen my bag, with all my money and stuff – including my driver’s license.
I sighed and revved up the engine.
❦
I got home. I opened the door. It was empty, as usual. Mom had been getting home late since Dad died, working more to pay bills and Addison – well, who knew where he was. He had become a loner. Don’t get me wrong, he used to be really popular. He used to be the guy every girl wanted to be with.
His hair was dirty blonde, like me, with the same bright green eyes. But instead of my soft features and pimples, he had hard features and smooth, pale skin. He was strong, and used to be the captain of the football team.
But after Dad died, he quit football and died his hair black. He had started getting aggressive lately and had gotten into a lot of fights. He had turned into a complete menace.
I sighed and went upstairs. No one had probably missed me. I’d been gone for longer then two days before and no one had cared. Except Gabby. My only friend. I went into the bathroom. My face had a cut on it; a big ugly streak of red, where the blood had spilled and dried was running down my cheek.
I looked at my clock. It was nine o’ clock. Still early, but I was exhausted. I flopped onto my bed and fell asleep still in the clothes I’d worn that day.
