Who We Were

Chapter 3

T/W Violence

Mia hadn't slept. She dozed off and woke just as quickly. 

She had been counting the time like her dad taught her once but she'd lost count after just six hours. They were moving fast and from the change in temperature she knew they were going North. It was no longer hot, and though she was glad she wasn't in an oven anymore the cold scared her more. There was nothing more brutal than the cold. 

Across from her she watched as Ahad's head hung as he slept. He was still bleeding. A part of her wanted to scream at him for trying to save her and getting himself cut up in the process. The man was only touching her neck. 

She shuddered at the memory. But it was just his fingers on her neck. She was ready for worse, she knew worse was coming. She was a woman kidnapped by a group of the most barbaric terrorists there ever were. Ahad couldn't save her. She had to save herself. 

The man was sitting in his corner, watching something on his phone. Mia leaned back and watched. Maybe if she could get to the gun in the corner quickly enough she could shoot him in his fat bulging face and get them out of there. But there was no way she could move that fast with her wrists and ankles tied. 

It was obvious to her that they didn't see her as a threat, her restraints were made of cloth whereas Ahad's were made of metal. He was also tied to metal chair. She got the floor. 

sexist pigs

The van screeched to another halt and Mia tensed as she heard the cluster of voices outside, all speaking at once, saying different things, native language mixed with english, mixed with something she couldn't quite put her finger on. 

"Get up," the man yelled and Mia watched as Ahad jerked awake, a wild look in his eyes. The man got out two strips of black cloth and before she knew it he blindfolded Ahad led  him out of the van. 

They were splitting them up, Mia felt devastated. She didn't think they would do that. The man came back after five minutes, blindfolded her and roughly threw her out of the van too. 

It was freezing outside. Mia took in a deep breath, glad to be out of the little cabin with limited oxygen and perked her ears trying to hear something, anything that would give away where they were. 

"What did you do to the boy?" She heard a man shout. 

"He was being a smart ass," the man in question replied, "I taught him a lesson." 

"Boss man's not gonna be too happy about that," The voice shot back.

"We'll say he fell," The man sounded nervous. 

"Fell on a pile of knives," another voice added, "He'll believe you." 

"Let's go baby," Another voice whispered in Mia's ear and she jumped, a pair of hands coiled around her waist and led her up a couple of stairs. She nudged the man away, trying to get him off her back but he only pressed closer. "You're warm." 

"Get off of me," she shot back and was surprised when the man pushed her away, throwing her into a carpeted room. Her knees hit the rough carpet and she groaned in pain. 

"He's gonna make you wish you'd never gotten away from me." The man said sinisterly as he left and slammed the door shut behind him. 

"Mia?" Mia breathed out in relief when she heard Ahad's voice. 

"You're here," Mia swiveled her head around trying to decipher where his voice was coming from. 

"Where are you?" Ahad replied. 

"Here," she replied. 

"That's helpful." 

"Follow my voice," Mia said softly and felt a finger on her shoulder. She instinctively cowered away but relaxed when she smelled his faint cologne. 

"It's me," he said and sidled up next to her. 

"Where do you think we are?" she asked, knowing full well he wouldn't have a clue. 

"Could be Uropisaria," That's where their base is. 

"Uropisaria is not this cold in May," she replied quietly. 

"Right." 

"Do your legs hurt?" she asked, wincing, thinking about how he'd held his screams in when he was being cut up like that. 

"I'm fine," he replied. 

"What are we going to do?" she asked, the reality of what was happening really sinking in. 

"They obviously want something from my father," Ahad replied, "I think this is the part they make a video of us, ask for what they want, send it to the organization." 

"And then?" 

"And then my dad will agree to whatever their demands are and we'll go home," Ahad was trying to sound matter-of-fact but Mia knew better. 

"And if it's something the organization can't give them?" Mia whispered. 

"Then we see what happens." 

"I can't believe this is actually happening," Mia breathed out and because her back felt like it was going to break she couldn't help but lean back until she found his broad shoulders. He stiffened up for a minute and then leaned back into her. 

"We'll be okay," Ahad whispered. 

Mia didn't reply.

"Yes you will be!" A smooth, deep voice answered and Mia shot up, she felt Ahad get up from behind her. 

"Take their blindfolds off," The voice ordered and soon enough Mia felt her blindfolded drop down to her lap. She winced as the white light blinded her. Blinking to get her bearings she looked around to find she was in a large carpeted room. Three doors led the way out, and all three were heavily guarded. Right across from her was the only piece of furniture in the room- a grand wooden chair, occupied by a man who reeked of authority. 

"Welcome friends," he smiled, "I'm The Shark." 

The Shark. She knew that name, it was in every newspaper everyday. The Shark was the leader of this terrorist group that had wreaked havoc in half the world. For the first time since their kidnapping Mia let herself feel the fear gnawing at her stomach. 

"I take it you've heard of me," Mia watched as a man handed The Shark a small mug of steaming liquid. He took a slow sip, his gaze on Ahad who was still standing and glaring at the man. "Sit down." 

Ahad didn't sit. Mia looked up and willed him to sit. This boy really needed to learn how to pick his battles. When The Shark looked past Ahad and nodded to someone in the back, a man came up behind him and kicked him behind his legs, they folded instantly, making Ahad flop down on the carpet. 

"I'm sorry about your legs, some of my men tend to get carried away, I assure you he was punished for it." The Shark's eyes gleamed in delight, he spoke in a slow drawl, enunciating every word. "You were right about the video, we are going to make a video together and ask your dad for something very special." 

"Go to hell," Ahad bit out, earning a laugh from The Shark, Mia glared at Ahad, willing him to shut up. The Shark got up off his seat and walked over to Ahad, he crouched down in front of him. 

"I've been there," he took his hot mug and poured its contents onto one of the deeper gashes in Ahad's leg. 

And for the first time Mia heard his screams as they echoed through the room. 

Hey guys, 

this story is something that's been cooking in my head for a while now, I wanted to get it down. Hope you like it! Please comment, vote and let me know what you think. I'm sorry about all the violence. This story is essentially a love story and so please bear with me while we journey through the tough parts to get to the good bits.

Lots of love,

Vivian