The Unfortunate Ride

Chapter 21

16/08/2017. David Rossi's House, Virginia. 02:58 hours.

Spencer tossed and turned relentlessly, much to his leg's chagrin. He could not shift the image of Cat Adams' face from the forefront of his mind, no matter how hard he tried. He mumbled incoherently. His entire being tensed as he fell deeper into the nightmare. So deep, he did not notice the shadow stalking into the room and dropping two white pills into the glass of water on the bedside table which fizzed as soon a they came into contact with the liquid.

"Good night, Spencer. I'll be seeing you again. Real soon."

16/08/2017. David Rossi's House, Virginia. 09:35 hours.

Spencer felt nauseated by the scent of cooking bacon wafting up the stairs. He had barely awoken and dressed himself when the smell assaulted his senses. His mouth felt drier than a desert. Spencer reached for his glass of water and guzzled it like a dying man. He was too thirsty to notice the slightly bitter taste. Setting the empty glass down, Spencer eased himself up onto his feet. His muscles felt as though he had done ten rounds with a boxer. With wobbly steps, Spencer made his way towards the door. The landing before him swayed and spun. Spencer grasped his forehead with one hand and used the door frame for support with the other. Everything was blurring before his eyes. As he had done on previous days, he lowered himself to the floor and slid down the stairs. The stench heightened, making Spencer's stomach turn. His strength was quickly waning and he was unable to get himself up from the floor. A shadow loomed over him. Spencer squinted up at the figure, desperately trying to make out their features.

"Dave?" asked Spencer warily. The figure chuckled.

"Of course not, Dr Reid." Spencer frowned and opened his mouth to respond but it was as though the front lobe of his brain had stopped functioning. Only choked noises sounded from Spencer's throat, "Shh. Don't fight it." A hand smoothed his hair out of his eyes as his eyes fluttered shut.

Spencer jerked awake as though ten thousand volts had shot through his system. His drug-addled mind struggled to find the present tense. His neck was aching and his left shoulder throbbed steadily. He let out a muffled grunt as another jolt of electricity was sent coursing through his entire nervous system. His heart pounded against his ribs. The familiar keen he heard when he came to from the train crash had returned. He groaned. He made an effort to move his arm to massage away the pain from his still-healing shoulder. His arm refused to move. Somewhat confused by the lack of response from his limb, Spencer peered questioningly down at his arms. They were wrenched behind his back and bound tightly with several layers of thick, black tape.

He appeared to be laid on a wooden floor. He looked around and realised that he was lying on the lounge floor on his side. His knees and ankles were bound and his knees were tucked into his chest where more tape held his upper arms flush to his torso. He felt a pair of prongs push against his ribs, followed by the buzzing sound of a tazer coming to life. Spencer let out a scream at the fire that raged through every nerve and synapse. His scream was muffled by layers of tape across his mouth and wrapped around his head. He snapped his head sideways to see the masked figure crouched beside him with an electronic tablet between their hands. The tazer was positioned at the figure's feet.

"I was beginning to think I'd gave you too much, Dr Reid." Spencer grunted angrily in response and tried to throw his body forward. The figure chuckled again, "Nice try, doctor. You best get comfortable as a friend has a message for you." The tablet powered to life, revealing a familiar, psychopathic face. Spencer fought with his remaining strength against his bonds at the sight of Cat Adams. She giggled maniacally.

"Hi, Spencie! This is nice. I get to talk and you have to listen. I have to say, Spencie, I really thought you'd have blown those pretty brains out by now. I mean, that guilt has to be brutal to live with. I must say, bound and gagged is a good look on you." Spencer let out a muffled yell, ignoring the protest from his shoulder and leg, "Still got a terrible temper, I see. I couldn't let you win again, Spencie. This needs to end. Since my little train crash didn't work, and since you didn't kill yourself as planned, I had to find one final way to hurt you before they stick a needle in my vein." Spencer's face distorted into a menacing snarl, "Ooh, so angry! It's kinda hot!" Cat bit her bottom lip seductively at the sight of the bound man, "Was good to see you again, Spencie. Will I see you again next week?" Spencer growled in response. The screen on the tablet went black. The stranger came to their feet and tucked the tablet into their coat. Spencer watched as the intruder swiftly moved over to the fireplace and retrieved the wrought iron tool used for stoking the coals. The figure stopped at Spencer's head, the bar resting against their shoulder.