Lovers in California: Held For Ransom

• 9 •

Wednesday 3:30pm

I rushed back home after getting some milk. As I was pulling up to our driveway, I noticed a white van parked across the street, but more nearer our other neighbour, so I didn't think much of it.

I let myself in, hung my blazer up and made my way to the kitchen. However, as soon as I got in the kitchen and saw what I saw, I stopped.

A man was sat at my dining table, casually reading a newspaper. It was like he was at home and I just walked into his house. He was wearing black pants, a black shirt and big black boots.

"Well well well, you must be Nathan" he said while putting the newspaper aside.

I knew exactly who he was. I just ignored him though and went over to the fridge to put the milk away.

He stood up and made his way over to me. He extended his hand out for me to shake it, "nice to meet ya, I'm Martin" he greeted.

I just looked at his hand then glared up at him, giving him one of my cold death stares. Fucking Martin.

"No? Ok" he replied and put his hand down.

"Let her go" I warned after a few seconds and continued to stare at him.

"Listen, you know what to d-"

"Yeah and it's not fucking happening, alright?!" I cut him off, raising my voice slightly. I was NOT letting this random psycho get 1 million dollars off of us.

"Well, I've got something that might change your mind."

"Which is?" I asked bluntly.

"Why don't you take a seat first?" He said, motioning to the seat he had just got out of.

That was it, this guy just pissed me off. He breathed and he pissed me off. I grabbed him by his collar and pushed him up against the wall before he knew what was happening. "Let her go, we haven't done shit to you!" I shouted in his face.

He just chuckled, "easy there, big guy," he said in some mocking tone, "I'm not here to cause any trouble."

I'd heard enough and decided to swing for him. I took a strike to his face with my fist. He was quick though and punched me back. We were fighting for about a minute until he suddenly pulled a knife out of his pocket and held it up, basically ending the fight.

"Alright alright" I said as I stepped back and held my hands up. I then wiped my face with my hand and noticed he had cut my lip. Fuck that guy.

"I think it's time you sat down" he said and smiled at me sarcastically.

I just rolled my eyes and sat down at the dining table. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone then set it on the table, leaning it up against the flower vase we have on there. I noticed he had opened up a video and what I could see was Isabelle. She was all chained up, gagged and looked so helpless.

I suddenly got very angry but then part of me just wanted to go and hug her, she looked so petrified.

"Fuck this" I muttered and began to stand up. He just forcefully shoved me back into my seat by my shoulder, grabbed my hair and put the knife up against my throat. "Do you really have to do this?" I sighed.

"Yes, you will watch the whole damn video, and again if I want to play it again, ok?"

Again, I just sighed but didn't say anything. Martin reached over, temporarily taking the knife away from my throat, pressed play and the video started.

I was being forced to watch my girlfriend basically being tortured and humiliated by this psycho who now had a knife up against my throat. This whole situation was messed up.