Kingdom of isolation - you can't hide

Fifty Six ~ Aurora

Aurora

When I regain consciousness, the first thing I register is the pounding sensation in my head that's akin to a jackhammer. My neck creaks in protest from the odd position I've now found myself in. Bleak as it is painful, disorientation in the dark is a bitch. It's cold, like a window's been left open on the coldest night. Bleary eyes try adjusting to the limited light coming through what appears to be an outline of a door far away, eerie voices on the other side getting louder.

The sound of water dripping nearby, paired with the acrid smell of mould, my vision clears enough to confirm that it's either a warehouse or someone's disgusting basement. Either way, it's bad because I'm alone with my hands tied to what I'm assuming is a freezing cold radiator. My clothes are still intact, thankfully, but the situation is no better.

I don't understand what happened. One moment I was arguing with Ryder, and—

"N-Niko?"

My throat hurts, voice a broken whisper as I tug at my bindings in the dark with what strength I have left. My body is heavy from whatever I was drugged with, every sound echoing in the empty space. This is a nightmare. This isn't happening. I barely manage to pull my knees against my chest, reality sinking in when I hear no response.

"Niko..are you there? Ryder? I'm sorry.." for being an idiot and getting us all into trouble.

I can't see a damn thing and it's driving me insane. I feel helpless, trapped in this unknown location with no knowledge of the time. My elbows sting from when Matteo pushed me onto the concrete. I knew something was wrong with him, my gut was screaming at me and I didn't listen. Desperation claws inside me and I'm pulling against the metal bindings, uncaring of how much noise the frantic movements make. I can't sit doing nothing. As expected, nothing comes out of it, I'm still tied. I screwed up big time.

It's quiet for a moment, my shallow breathing the only sound until the door slams open. I shield my eyes from the onslaught of bright lights, letting them adjust naturally.

"You're dead, Matteo!" I growl, frantically tugging at my tied hands. Only, it's not Matteo the traitor. Instead, a stranger stands tall, face covered with a mask.

"You're not Matteo." He doesn't have the borderline scrawny build of that weasel, this is definitely someone else. Someone much stronger and capable of harming me. The masked man walks closer while I'm preoccupied with my thoughts, crouching down in front of me. I cower away instinctively, keeping a watchful eye on him as I do.

"Sorry about the mess," The stranger's voice is low, slightly muffled by the fabric, but I detect an accent—Irish, if I'm thinking clearly. "It's rather impromptu, isn't it?"

There's something rather odd with this man, he's trying to appear non threatening, keeping both of his hands in front of him as he continues. "I couldn't get a reservation for that fancy hotel your kind frequents."

"Do I know you?" I demand. He tilts his head to the side, as if contemplating on what to say. I take a moment to study the stranger hiding behind a ski mask. Dark brown hair, thick eyebrows and grey eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and mischief, the micro expression appears so familiar that I start wondering if I do know him.

"Depends. You didn't invite me to your wedding. I was deeply offended by that."

"I don't even know you." My voice quivers, unease and uncertainty swirling in my gut the longer I sit here trapped with no knowledge of my whereabouts.

"You keep offending me, why is that?"

I tug my hands, exasperated by his mocking tone. He takes notice of it, moving closer before I can tell him to shove it.