Invisible

Chapter 15 The Choice

Everything has been quiet for the last 6 hours, the light has completely left with the sunlight and we don't dare get up and turn on the light.

Around 11:30pm; thank goodness I decided to wear my mother's watch today, usually I never wear it to work but it was a Saturday and felt like I needed her with me; the guy unlocks the door and enters.

"You need to use the bathroom?" He asks, closing the door behind him.

Neither of us speak. "Come on, this is the only time I'm gonna ask."

Tori stands slowly. "Okay."

He gestures to her, I can her the gun bang against something.

Tori doesn't move though, she pulls me up. "We go together."

I see the gun in the artificial light flooding in from outside. My panic level notches up again. He remains in the shadow and all we can see is the gun. "Uh... fine, but move slowly. Keep you hands where I can see them."

It's only a 10 foot walk from the office to the bathroom and we aren't allowed to close the door or turn on the light but we stand guard for each other while we are inside, blocking the doorway.

My mind clings to sanity desperately. I think over everything I've ever read or heard about this kind of situation. I remember something that might be helpful.

"So... My name is Leah, and this is Tori." I tell him as he follows us back to the office. He still holds the gun but it's not zeroed in on me and I can't see it so I force myself to function.

Rule one, talk to your captor, become personal, not just a face or a victim.

Tori must not know this, she shoots me a look which I can't completely make out, with her face covered in shadow.

"What's your name?"

"Mitch."

"Oh, I had a dog named Mitch when I was little." This is a lie but now I have connected my name to his. I'm not just a victim, I'm a person. Someone who has a life and memories. They claim it makes it harder to pull the trigger.

He doesn't reply, he just pushes us back into the dark office and locks the door behind us.

"What did you do that for?" Tori snaps quietly.

I ignore her and feel my way back behind the desk. I fight back tears and try to breathe easy because my head has started to spin, I need to calm down.

"Okay... well then." She joins me on the floor. "You never did say who Jacob was."

Deep breath. Most likely I won't make it through this so who cares anymore. "My best friend."

"What happened?"

"Tumor... brain tumor... It was discovered soon after we got engaged 3 years ago. It was not treatable." I close my eyes and let my head bang against the desk wall.

"So he died? I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"Why are you sorry?" I snap a bit. "It's not your fault, don't apologize." I hate it when people do that.

"Hey, quiet in there!" Mitch's gruff voice cuts through the door. He must be leaning against it or something.

We both jump as we hear the phone by the cash register ring. There is a shuffling noise then footsteps.

A muffled conversation starts and it quickly grows heated. I grab my head with my hands and try to block it out.

"Talk to me!" I hiss at Tori.