High Hopes

Twenty Four - Guns

~~Alyssa's POV~~

I woke up to be tied to a chair and in the dress I just got. There's a man standing in front of me, talking to someone. I try to scream but soon realize my mouth is duct taped. The room is dark, not giving me much to go on about. 

The man moves, bringing his iPad with him and aiming it at me. I see my aunt, uncle, and Gabe staring back at me, shock and confusion evident on their faces. They all start crying, Gabe falling to the floor and muttering my name. I try to shimmy out of the rope he used to tie me but it's no use. I scream at the top of my lungs, the duct tape muffling the sound.

The man gives me a dirty look. "Are you going to scream anymore?"

I shake my head no, desperately wanting to be able to speak. He rips the duct tape off, making me wince at the sudden pain. "Who are you?" I mutter.

"Someone your uncle owes money to." The man points at the iPad, still showing them panicking.

"Why did you take me?" I shiver from the sudden coldness.

"You mean a lot to them. It just means I'll get what I want." The man states the obvious.

"What if you don't?" I ask the question ringing through my mind.

"Then they don't get what they want." He takes out a knife and puts hi finger on the tip. "You have 24 hours. Here's your countdown." The man turns to the iPad and presses a button, showing a virtual timer on the screen.

"What are you going to do to me?" I push further. I may be passing my boundaries, but I want answers.

"If he doesn't give me the money, you will find out." The man bluntly looks at me.

"You sick son of a bitch." I hear Gabe from the video chat.

"Gabe. Shut up." I snap at him, still pissed from earlier. I could possibly die and it'd be his fault. I hope he feels guilty.

"Is this your brother?" The man questions me.

"No." I raise my chin at him, already starting to disobey him.

"Oh you better leave that attitude." He smirks and shakes his head.

"Or what?" I taunt.

You're stupid, Alyssa. 

He runs the knife along my arm, making me bleed. I close my eyes tight. "Next it'll be me to that wrist."

I look down at my cast and shake my head. I don't want any more pain.

"Then shut the fuck up!" He slaps me across the face hard. My aunt gasps and turns around.

"Shut that off. You're hurting them more than me." I glare at him and move around in my seat.

"That's exactly why I am leaving it on." He puts the knife down on the desk in front of him and what the iPad is sitting on. "Now something to spark them a little more."

I furrow my brows at his remark until his fist comes crashing to my face.

~~Gabe's POV~~

Her body becomes lifeless right when he punches her.

"Shouldn't we call the police?" I offer to the couple, angry and confused.

"Go tell Matilda." Mrs. Woods nods and I storm off. 

This cannot be happening. It's all my fault. The way she snapped at me on through the video made me feel even more guilty. I walk up to the maid cleaning the counter with a distressed face.