Taken

"He had brought me food a few hours later..."

I had been sitting in the basement for a couple hours. My arms had rope burns from all the struggling, my butt was numb from sitting on the hard, concrete floor for so long. It was freezing. I had somehow managed to kick my dress off and I was currently using it as a cushion to keep my butt from getting any more sore. Let's just say I regretted that action rather quickly. I had goosebumps all over my skin, and my teeth started chattering. I hated it here. I wanted out. But I knew fighting Seth was futile. Doomed to fail. He's just too big and strong, and I'm a twig compared to him.

I heard the door open again and looked up as Seth turned the light bulb on, illuminating the room with light and warmth. As he slowly walked down the stairs I blushed heavily, REALLY starting to regret now taking my dress off. Great. Just add fuel to the fire. He's gonna see me nude. Fan-fucking-tastic. Seth stood at the bottom of the stairs with a grin on his face, taking in my body in it's entirety. He stared for a while before slowly placing the tray of food he had in his hands on the floor in front of me. Vegetable soup and grilled cheese. My favorite meal ever since I was a little girl. After all these years he still remembered. How? I just briefly mentioned it while we were talking in the library at lunch...

Seth sat down in front of me and started to spoon feed me the soup. Of course I ate it, being grateful that he allows me to eat, unlike those people that you see on the news. However, I was confused as to why. Why was he treating me so well? Isn't he supposed to bound and gag me? Starve me? Whip and hit me until I beg for mercy?

"Don't kidnappers usually torture the people they've taken? You know... tie up their hands and feet, put duct tape over their mouths, starve and beat them?" I asked between spoonfuls of soup.

"I didn't kidnap you." Seth said as he shoved another few spoonfuls of soup in my mouth. I bit my lip.

"So I'm allowed to leave?" I exclaimed, honestly sounding way too eager to get out of here. And that just upset him more. He slammed the spoon in to the empty bowl, starting to pick apart the sandwiches.

"No! You're not allowed to leave... I'm not gonna lose you a second time. You're staying here. And if you try to escape, oh you'll regret it little miss. Am I understood?" Beyond scared and a little taken back, I gave a nervous nod and Seth continued to feed me, this time looking away from me. I fought the urge to ask any more questions and kept my mouth shut, despite the fact that I really wanted to ask more. I just didn't want to risk any injury or worse. Keep yourself calm. Don't ask anymore.

Once Seth was finished feeding me I couldn't help but ask. As he stood up I glanced at the television nervously, wondering if I should even bother asking about it. What if he got mad? What if he hit me? But if I don't ask I'll never know.

"Um... Seth?" I asked, he turned to me and I flinched a little, nervously. "D-does the television work?" I asked. He groaned and dug his hands in his jean pockets before walking over to the television and turned it on. The picture was a little blurry, but I could hear just fine. Sounded like the news was on. Good. I needed to get more information on it.

Seth walked over to me and he leaned down untying me from the post. Did he really trust me to stay here? Oh boy, his mistake.

"I'm going to go make myself some dinner and go to sleep. " He pointed over to a tiny room with a wooden door. "Bathroom." Then he pointed at the small blow up mattress with a fuzzy, red blanket. "Bed. I'm only tying you up when I go out of the house. I trust you will not try to escape while I sleep. And don't you dare even try it. You know the consequences. Am I understood?" He asked. I swallowed and nodded.

"Good. Enjoy your limited freedom. Don't you take it for granted, or you'll be tied up again." Seth turned around and slowly walked up the stairs. I watched as he shut the light out, and slammed the door shut. I must have heard at least six locks click. He really was intent on keeping me here...

I turned to the television, walking over and getting on my knees. They must broadcast something on my disappearance by this point. How long has it been? At least 24 hours by now, right? I needed some sort of contact with the outside world. At least so I knew that people were out there looking for me. They had to be....

"...A local teenager has recently gone missing. 17 year old Ruby Tiana Waters was last seen on the corner of 1st and Main some time last night.. Ruby is 5'5, 110 pounds and has auburn hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a short, red dress and black heels. If anyone has any more information on the case they are encouraged to call the local police and crime stoppers. Her parents came together to make a heartfelt plea for their daughter..." There was a voice...A voice I hadn't heard since Christmas. It was my mother. But she sounded so different. Her voice was rough, she sounded so distraught. Had she started smoking again? Probably, the stress would be way too much for her.

"Ruby was a good girl.." I heard my mother say, tears in my eyes and a lump developing in my throat. "She never did anything to hurt anybody. She doesn't deserve any of this!" My dad's voice cut in, and that's when I started to cry.

"Any parent-any father who has a daughter would understand the pain I'm in right now. Ruby was my only child, my little girl, and I'd do anything to get her back. Please call somebody if you know about what happened to our baby... or at the very least help us search. Scope out the area's, bring out your dogs. There's a meeting at 114 Main Street in Aparment 6D for anyone who would like to join our search team tomorrow evening...." I reached out and shut off the television. I just couldn't take it anymore. The sound of my parents voices, full of agony, was just too much. I curled up in a ball on the floor, sobbing. This wasn't fair...