Kidnapped: Welcome 'home'

Chapter 5: Constrained

At some point during the ride, the two men who kidnapped me must have released some sort of gas into the back of the van that made me lose consciousness. When I woke up, there was silence all around me. My eyelids felt very heavy and I tried to rub them, but I couldn't move my hands... or my feet. I wasn't lying down like I was earlier and my hands and feet weren't tied together anymore: I was tied to... a chair?!

My entire forearms were detained to armrests on either side of the chair at my elbows and wrists. My ankles were tied to the chair's legs. The gag from earlier, unfortunately, remained. I tried pulling free but soon realised that whoever had tied me to the chair had tied me tightly. I decided to sit quietly for a while: it was no use trying to break free. Instead, I tried to adjust my eyesight to the lighting of my surroundings.

It was dark but it felt cool and airy which probably meant that it was a large space. I assumed that the ceiling, or the sky, or whatever it is above me, was so very high up. If the area was large and airy, either the space was huge, or I was the only occupant of this space... Where could I possibly be?

I thought back to my family who were shopping the last time I saw them: How long did it take for them to notice I was missing? What was their reaction? Did they start running all over the place calling for me? I then thought of how much pain they would be in and wondered how far they'd go to spread awareness of me going missing and who they'd ask for help. It was painful to think of them so I turned my thoughts to my friends.

They were probably living their lives, oblivious to what's happened to me. I thought about how annoyed they'd become because I wouldn't respond to their messages and then wondered how they would find out that I was missing. Would my family tell them from my phone? Or would my sister tell their siblings at school who would then pass the message on? How would they react? Will they pass the message on to everyone else? Would they also search for me?

School then somehow interrupted my thoughts. Ugh. I silently prayed that they wouldn't host an assembly to announce to the entire school about my disappearance and 'remember' me. That would be so embarrassing.

What seemed like an eternity must have passed before I heard voices. My head snapped up and I become alert.

"She's in here, sir" said the familiar voice of Kidnapper 2.

"Is she alive and well?" asked another. This voice was new: it was deep and serious but had a hint of worry.

"I... I think s-so" stuttered Kidnapper 2.

"What do you mean you think so?" bellowed the mysterious voice.

"She was unconscious throughout the majority of the journey and hasn't made a single sound in there." responded Kidnapper 1.

"It's... something we've never expected." added Kidnapper 2.

A pair of wide doors were opened and a bright light was switched on above my head. I flinched at the sudden brightness.Three dark figures stepped in and slowly made their way towards me.

Don't be polite. They have just kidnapped you and against your will. Give them an attitude. But not too much before things get out of hand.

My eyes gradually adjusted to the bright light and I glared at the men approaching me.

"You both did a good job" said the mysterious voice. Its owner stepped into the light, revealing Mr Businessman. I should have known.

"So it's the right girl?" chirped Kidnapper 2, his eyes brightening up.

"Yes. The right girl." he replied as if he was getting bored of them. Slowly, he walked around the chair I was on, making me feel uncomfortable. Despite the discomfort, I kept my cool and my head held high.

They will not get to me.

"Remove the gag" Mr Businessman ordered. Kidnapper 2 obliged.

After much fumbling and muttering under his breath, Kidnapper 2 finally removed the gag off me and I sucked in a large breath, grateful to finally breathe properly again. Mr Businessman had his eyes on me the whole time so I returned his glare. This made both Kidnapper 1 and 2 start to get agitated after a while, looking back and forth between the two of us.

If I could win a staring competition with him on the tube, then I could do it again.

"You're a tough one, you know," he finally said, crossing his arms and shifting his weight onto one foot. I didn't respond. Once he realised that I wasn't going to respond, he continued, "We were expecting you to be screaming, threatening us and trying to get out."

I didn't respond because I didn't have to. No one told me to speak and I didn't want to just yet.

"Yes, that's what kidnapped people usually do." Kidnapper 2 pointed out.

"QUIET!" yelled Mr Businessman and Kidnapper 1 in unison.

I slightly chuckled (seriously Kidnapper 2 was annoying), resulting in all three of them to turn towards me with a hopeful sort of look on their faces. They looked like they were willing a baby to repeat the first words its ever said seconds ago. I leaned back and raised an eyebrow, smirking. I was shocked at how at ease I was.

"Ok. But... why don't you act like when people usually get kidnapped? " Mr Businessman asked cautiously as if his tone determined whether I answered or not. I still didn't respond. Why should I?

Kidnapper 1 and 2 were getting agitated. Mr. Businessman was getting annoyed. I was getting scared by their impatience and nervousness. So I spoke up.

"Like when people usually get kidnapped" I repeated, rolling my eyes and emphasising 'usually'. "Language. The term 'usual' does not necessarily mean every single time someone gets kidnapped they will act that way. Besides, I'm not that stupid. If I scream, you will just silence me and I'll lose my voice and/or my energy. If I threaten you, I won't be able to perform that threat because I am trapped here and, for all I know, you could pull out a weapon and threaten me back or harm me. As for the most obvious one that all other acts depend on: I am constrained. I have no means of freeing myself because I am handcuffed to this chair so wiggling about would be pointless and would make me lose my energy."

After I finished my explanation, Kidnapper 1 and 2 stared at me stunned and Mr Businessman's mouth slowly curled into a smile. I said too much. I mentally facepalmed myself for telling them that much.

"What a clever girl." Mr Businessman said and I huffed in annoyance, "So... what's your name?"

"Not telling" I replied in a bored tone.

"Why not?" he responded, his smile fading instantly.

"Because"

"Because of what?"

"Because"

"Why?"

"Just because"

"Just because of what?"

"'Coz"

"Why wouldn't you tell me?"

"Stranger danger"

"Oh come on. We're not strangers."

"Yes, you are"

He asked me a few more questions, but I refused to answer them. I would either keep silent, or reply like I did when he asked for my name. After accepting that I won't give him any information, he gave up and walked out with the other two following him, closing the doors behind them and leaving me in the dark again. I heaved a sigh but it did not make me feel better.

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