Shadow of the Mind

Chapter 6: When the Cat is away; the mouse will play

Emily began to wake up very slowly. Eyes are still really heavy and head pounding. mmm she muffled. This is going be a bad hang over. She thought to herself. Trying to pull her arms down she realizes there was cold steel around her wrist above her head, to the bedposts. Quickly waking up, pulling at her wrist trying to pull herself free. Where was she? How did she get here. Why was her dressed been ripped open? She screamed in panic in her mind. The fear was sinking into her body. Knowing that she was captive. Tears began to fall down her face. Looking around the room she could barely see anything. The dripping of water could be heard across the room. The smell of mildew in the air made her want to sneeze. Trying to figure out where she was, she noticed that her panties were at the end of the bed., ripped by what she could see. Feeling disgusted, that she could have been possibly taken advantage of, or even raped. She tried to pull her knees up to her chest but was unable to. Her ankles hurt as she could feel something tied around them. She tried to scream, but the gag in her mouth muffled the sound. Shaking back and forth hoping to have the ropes somehow come lose around her ankles. But with every tug they felt they were getting tighter. Looking around the room, she could make out someone sitting in a chair. head hung over. But what was the smell. it was cologne. she knew that smell, it was Brains. she had bought him for last Christmas. Trying to be more positive. Thinking that somehow, he could save her. She tried to muffle Brains name but the gag just became more moist in her mouth with every attempt.

Panic surged through Emily as she struggled against the restraints, her heart racing. The cold steel around her wrists felt like a cruel reminder of her helplessness. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the mildew-laden air only made her feel more nauseous.

"Brian!" she tried to muffle out again, but the sound was barely a whisper, by the gag. The realization that she was in a confined space, possibly a basement or an abandoned room, sent chills down her spine. She squinted, trying to make out more details in the dim light. The sound of a passing train, gave her some hope that she was in the city. But Vegas doesn't have Subways. Which means that couldn't be Brian in the chair. Who was he? The figure in the chair remained still, motionless and the smell of his cologne was both comforting and terrifying.

As she shifted her body, the ropes around her ankles dug into her skin, and she winced in pain. She needed to think clearly. How did she end up here? The last thing she remembered was being at a poker room, laughing and playing cards with friends, and then... nothing. A wave of nausea washed over her as fragmented memories of the night began to surface—faces, laughter, and then a sudden darkness.

Desperation clawed at her throat. She had to get free. Emily focused on the figure in the chair, believing it was Brian and not someone else. Trying to calm her fears and goosebumps running down her legs "Brian!" she tried again; her voice strained. She could see the outline of his body, but he didn't respond.

With renewed determination, she began to shake her wrists against the cold steel, hoping to loosen the cuffs. The sound of metal clinking echoed in the silence, and she felt a flicker of hope. If she could just get free, she could find a way out of this nightmare.

Suddenly, the figure stirred. Jolting in the chair. Emily's heart raced as she watched him lift his head. It was Brian, but his expression was blank, almost vacant. "Brian!" she called out again, her voice more urgent this time, still muffled by her gag. She thought how did Brian get here? Or better yet how are they trapped in this same room?

He blinked slowly, as if trying to shake off a fog. "Emily?" he finally said, his voice muffled by the gag in his mouth. Relief washed over her, but it was quickly overshadowed by fear.

Emily's heart sank. They were both trapped. Watching him squirm in the chair, she felt it was going be impossible to escape now.

Brian shook his head, trying to remove the gag from his mouth but it was to far in. Was unable to. Every time he pulled his hands, he felt something tighten around his neck. Taking deep breaths, he tried to look around the room, but moving his head, caused sharp pain on his throat. Another deep breath he could barely see, Emily tied to the bed. Her tegs and wrist tied to the bed post. Dressed ripped, revealing her body to the room. Hearing her muffle cries for help, made him angry knowing he was unable to come to her side. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. They were both at the mercy of whoever had brought them here. He tried to remember the last things before waking up here. Was going to meet someone at the bar? Maybe if he could reach in his pocket he could get to his phone? Moving his hands, he felt more pressure around his neck to almost wanting to black out. Finally sitting back in the chair was able to breath deep breaths.