Hopelessly Strong

**Chapter 5**

The next day was slow. Trying to stay busy was my priority. When all the paperwork had been filled out, and all the patients had been checked on, I rounded my way to the nurse's station to chat for a while before heading home.

Even though the hospital was quiet that day, it still felt electric and energetic. The air was heavy with anticipation. It felt like something was coming. That foreboding feeling nearly crushed me. Something was off, and I knew it.

I was nervous about my meeting with Tyler that night. What could he want? Why was he back in my life after so long? 

How do I feel about him now?

I reminded myself that I was a different person, and that I would not run back to him. Sure, he was charming. I'd be lying if I said he wasn't, but I would not fall victim to his charm this time. I was never cut out to play the role of the victim anyway.

 As I left the hospital, I was still in deep thought as I unlocked my car in the parking garage.  The walls I had built over the past few years were suddenly becoming weakened. 

I should have been more aware of my surroundings, instead of dwelling on my past.

As I was about to slide into the driver's seat, I felt a strong hand cover my mouth and pull me close by my waist. 

My heart jumped to my throat and my body was pulsating with the beat of it. Who was this? I couldn't see the culprit, but I could tell it was a man. What did he want? Was he going to hurt me?

Before I could turn to see this mystery man, I felt the soft cloth cover my face. Inhaling deeply, I was unconscious before I exhaled. 

I woke up and it was dark.... and I nearly forgot the events of the afternoon. When I realized I wasn't in my room or my apartment, I began to scan my surroundings for any clues. All I could tell was I was in a dingy motel that no doubt was being rented hourly. A shiver ran through me as I wondered what this man wanted from me, and how I would prevent him from getting it.

The room was still dark as I heard the sound of a keycard being swiped. My stomach turned and I was holding my breath. He kept the lights off as he crept into the cheap room. I could only make out his silhouette against the open door. He wasn't too tall, nor was he too short. He was medium build, medium height, with no distinguishing characteristics as I stared at his dark form. Damn, I would never be able to pick him out of a line-up. 

I suddenly became nauseous as I inhaled a new scent. Yuck, french fries. This guy must have gotten hungry and thought he would just grease me up. I won't lie, there are times when french fries are the only thing I want. However, when I am tied up on a germ infested bed by a man who knocked me out in a parking garage, it is the last thing I want in my stomach.

"Who are you?" 

No answer.

"Answer me!!" I pleaded.

Nothing.

"They'll come looking for me you know. You can't get away with this."

At that, the dark figure threw a bag of greasy fries in my lap and untied one arm. I ate them cautiously, but quickly.

He led me to the restroom, the dark black restroom, where I was able to clean up.

Once I was clean and refreshed, he tied me up again, and left.

This time it seemed like hours. I couldn't tell, because there was no telling time in a clock-less dark room. It could have been 5 minutes, it could have been 5 days. 

I remembered the meeting that I was to have with Tyler, and I hoped that when I didn't show he would look for me and someone would rescue me soon. He could have thought I ditched him, but if he knew me at all, he would know that I never back down. I hope he remembers that about me. Please, I hope to God that he gets suspicious.

And then there's Evan. Where was he today? When he shows up to work and I'm not there, will he think I am avoiding him? Or will he be worried and alert the authorities? 

What was I thinking? Evan was too busy boinking the nurses from ward 3 to care where idiotic stubborn proud little old Leanne was for one freaking day. I'm doomed. 

My mind wandered away from the current moment and I began to think of my family. I couldn't bear the thought of never seeing my nieces again, or my brothers, or my parents. The thought of their heartache gave made my eyes swell and I let a few tears drain down my cheeks.

I have to get out of this. If not for me, for them.