Case #2491

Fuck," I heard a voice say. I heard a sound of fabric moving and the shortened breaths of a person about twenty feet away from me. I slowly opened my eyes and feared the worst.  "My thoughts exactly," I muttered as I scanned the room. Well, attempted to scan the room, seeing as the room was as dark when I had my eyes closed as when they were open. Realizing I was seated, I tried to stand, but to no avail, a heavy metal chair was attached to me, a rope binding me to it. Where was I?

"Ruby?" I heard the voice call out. "Um..." I said hesitantly, not knowing who I was revealing myself to. Just then, something in my brain clicked. The last thing I remember was chasing after an armed man while on my mission, when my best friend got in the way. I remember climbing in the back of a van, listening to a man who told me he knew where my missing friend was. I knew I had to find her. I also gathered that from the rope tied around my hands that I could easily break free, but I needed this to play out exactly like I planned. Well, sorta. I didn't exactly account for the whole 'best friend sidekick' thing, but you've got to expect the unexpected, I guess.

      A blinding light streamed into the room, accompanied by a shady outline of who I presumed to be our capture. His entrance silenced the both of us, I awaited him to speak. He simply just stared at us from the doorway, and made eye contact with me and allowing me to see a brief glimpse of one of my best friends to the right of me, until shutting the portal once again.

A realization washed over me, making me sick to my stomach. I'd dragged my best friend into my mess. "Oh my god. I am so sorry," I said without thinking. Shit. Stop talking idiot. You can't reveal yourself. I told myself. "Ruby what happened?" I heard her say, trying to hide the quivers in her voice. I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to restrain myself from answering her. We both sat in silence, her waiting for my answer, me waiting for whoever did this to reveal himself, as well as contemplating if and how to soothe my suffering friend.

To my surprise, the door opened once again, and shut subsequently, as we heard footsteps nearing where we sat. The footsteps seized, and all I heard were the labored breathes that came from my companion. A light hesitantly flickered on moments later, bringing the entire room to life. William. I thought as soon as my eyes adjusted to my surroundings. "Liv." He said smiling an evil smile. "What? No! Let us go! Who are you?" Grace screamed at him. Part of me admired her bravery for speaking to him like that, but the rest of me willed her to shut up so we both could have a fair chance of living.

"Well, darling, now that you asked, I've gathered you here today..." He raised his arms as if speaking to a large crowd of people and paused, no doubt for dramatic effect. He turned his head from one side to another smirking at his unamused audience. His comment amused none other than himself, however, and he laughed at his own joke. He then walked over to where I sat, and perched himself right ontop of me. "I- I don't know what you want from us," I stuttered, trying to pass myself off as scared as Grace was.

My body wanted to struggle, but my training told me not to. His hand cupped the side of my face. "Get off, prick." I hissed at him, just low enough that Grace wouldn't hear. "Beautiful girls, you two are," he said, a mockingly loving tone in his voice, ignoring my previous comment. Grace looked at me with wide eyes, too terrified to do anything. I tried my best to mimic her expression.

William pivoted on his right foot as he was making his way to the exit. "Oh, and I almost forgot," he said, walking over slowly to the terrified girl opposite of me. "There, there," he said, as she squirmed in her chair. "The scared ones are the best, aren't they?" he questioned, turning to me. I didn't dare break his gaze. He pulled a cloth out of his pocket and proceeded to put it over her mouth and nose. "Night night- Grace, was it?" he said. "And now for you," he said as he stalked over to me. He covered my nose and mouth as well. I knew better than to breathe in, and held my breath while slumping my head as if I'd fell into a drug induced slumber.  I knew he felt my glare on his back as he stalked right back out.