Mafias Sweetheart

Part 1 - Taken-

The music boomed through the speakers as i danced the routine, every move i did was perfect, making me stand out amongst the rest of the group. I wore my number pinned on my chest, along with the rest of the girls as we performed, all in hope to get this audition.

There was probably around forty of us stood on the stage but i could see that each judge had their eyes on me, filling me with the confidence that i was the best dancer here.

I had been dancing practically my whole life, starting when i was just an infant but stopping after my parents died. I hadn't danced for around two years when a few months ago i was deep in debt, not being able to pay my rent let alone afford food, so i knew i had to start dancing again. Quitting the three jobs i was balancing and putting my all into it.

I had booked around six gigs since i started, one in a ballet show, a few teacher classes and some private parties. The audition i was in now was for a touring contract with a famous singer, it paid well and would completely remove all my financial issues and allow me to travel. I had to get it, and by the looks of how well i was doing i wasn't worried at all.

The idea of me becoming a stripper had crossed my mind more than once, i had the skill but i had never really liked the idea of prancing around in front of dirty old men to make a living, besides I hadn't even been with a man before.

'Cut!' the women's voice rang as the music stopped, my chest breathing heavily as i waited for the next instruction.

'Number 28, 2, 9 and 33...' She spoke out clearly.

I held my breath, my number was two and had been called, yet I didn't know if that meant i was being cut or hired.

This was always the worst part of the process.

'You are all hired, the rest of you can leave' She clapped, pointing to the door harshly.

I smiled, any hint of stress and anticipation left my body as i watched the other thirty five girls leave, just myself and three other talented dancers left onstage.

'We are leaving tommorow morning at six am, you all must be here' The women said, her tone less rude towards us.

'Oh and girls, congratulations' She added, smiling slightly whilst we thanked her and picked up our belongings.

I grabbed my bag from the corner of the room, throwing on a pair of shorts and a hoodie as i had been in only a tiny leotard and had to walk back to my flat which was about an hour way.

I put a pair of headphones in and connected my music, leaving out the door as i waved to the rest of the girls.

I didn't live in the nicest part of New York, my flat was down a dodgy aisle in Brooklyn where a handful of drug dealers and criminals liked to hang out. I was used to the comments about my body and my beauty, men constantly trying to hit on me and take me home.

It was getting pretty late in the afternoon and as it was October time the sun was setting much earlier now, the tall New York skyline was blurring together as the clouds grew grey, everyone in a rush to get home as soon as possible.

I blocked out the busy sounds of the city and turned my music up, turning down a quiet street to take a shortcut home, knowing that i had to rest before my busy day tomorrow.

I saw the shine of two bright headlights infront of me, my body being cast as a shadow on the cement before me. I didn't think anything of it at first until the car kept following me, driving behind me slowly and creepily as i picked up the pace.

My heart rate rose as i cursed under my breath, feeling danger coming onto me.

I counted down from three silently, making a break for it and sprinting round a corner, the loud revving sound of an engine confirming my worry about being followed.

I kept running, taking the earphones out so i could listen out for the car.

I was about two minutes away from my flat, and at this pace i would be there much quicker as long the car didn't catch up with me.

'You sweet baby wanna come home with me?' An old mans voice called out, grabbing me by the shoulders as his eyes roamed by body.

'Ew' I grimaced, forcefully kicking my knee into his groin making him buckle over in pain, quickly running past him and round one more corner until i saw the familiar old door that lead to my apartment.

The car swung up on the pavement, parking as three men all dressed in black with scarfs covering most of their faces got out the car, seconds away from dragging me.

My heart raced as i ducked under the larger mans hold, jumping up and grabbing onto the fire escape railings and pulling my body up, kicking one of them in the face as they tried to pull me down.

I didn't take a second to look below and instead kept climbing up to the third floor where my apartment was. I was completely out of breath and fuelled by fear, my hands shaking as i forcefully pushed the window up, swinging my leg over and running in.

Thank god i had some upper body strength from years of dance

I slammed the window down, shutting my curtains and leaving my room completely dark. I raced over to the door and pushed my bedside table in front of it, my heart beating so loud i could almost hear it.

Once the room was quiet and i was safe i put my bag on the bed, running a hand through my hair as i calmed down.

'Too slow' A thick Russian accent came from the corner of the room.

My eyes shot up as i saw the dark figure, walking towards me with a white handkerchief in his hand.

I backed up, stumbling away from the masked man, suddenly feeling myself hit a solid build behind me. I gasped as a pair of hands grabbed my shoulders, chuckling darkly.

The man holding the handkerchief shoved it to my face, a strong chemical smell attached to it. I struggled in the men's hold, trying my hardest to scream.

'Shhh priyatnaya veshch (sweet thing) go to sleep' The deep voice said as my eyes closed, my brain switching off as i stopped resisting and gave in to the darkness.