Every Breath She Takes [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

Chapter 1: Kidnapped

It was dark when I walked out of my bookshop, the leaden clouds heavy with the threat of snow. I made sure that all the windows were closed, and then locked the door before starting the short walk to my small apartment. I passed the coffee shop where I had once worked, before I had saved enough money to start my own business. The bookshop was the joy of my life. The smell of the books every morning, and the happiness on a customer’s face when they found a book that they had been searching for warmed my heart every time.

Usually, I enjoyed the walk home. Today, however, something was nagging at me, a feeling of dread. I glanced over my shoulder as I passed the darkened park, and began to hurry, thankful that it was only a few blocks to my home. Soft white flakes began to drift downwards, limiting my visibility, but I wasn’t worried. I could have made my way home blindfolded if I’d had to. Daydreaming about the warmth of my apartment, and the cup of hot chocolate I’d have when I got inside, I didn’t notice the figure following me until it was too late.

A hand shot out of the darkness, startling me, but before I could make a sound, a hard hand was clamped over my mouth. I struggled, trying to break free, but the person was too strong. I was dragged off the street and into the park, where I was bound, gagged and blindfolded before I even had a chance to see my kidnapper. Again, I was dragged somewhere, and felt myself being lifted into what I assumed was a car of some sort. A door slammed, and I heard the lock click, and then there was silence for a long moment.

The starting of an engine startled me, and I began to struggle again, trying to get free. However, all I succeeded in doing was exhausting myself, and I somehow sensed that I needed my strength. So I lay still, unable to understand what was happening, and why. There was nothing to be gained from kidnapping me. My parents had died when I was young, and my grandparents were living in another country. Then, a chill went through me as I realised that they may be exactly the reasons I’d been kidnapped – because I wouldn’t be missed. Terrified now, I curled up as best I could, waiting with dread for the long trip to be over.

I think I fell asleep, for the next thing I knew, the door was opened with a bang. I was pulled out of the car, and forced to walk. After what seemed like hours, I stumbled up a couple of stairs, and stopped. Again, I heard a lock click, but this time it was the sound of a door being unlocked, and realised that I was pushed into a house. I was pushed forward roughly, and almost tripped. Then, I was dragged through the house, and into what I assumed was a room. My wrists were released, but before I could move, I heard the door closing, and I was locked in. Trembling, I pulled off my blindfold and gag, and found that I was in a room. A bedroom, to be exact.

There was a very plain bed, the bedframe simple and wooden, with a well-worn mattress on it, and a tiny window that I could barely see out of. Apart from that, and a bucket in a corner, the room was bare. I sank onto the bed, despairing. I had no idea what was going to happen to me, and I really didn’t want to find out. The door opened perhaps half an hour later, and I had my first look at my kidnapper. The reason I hadn’t stood a chance against him was clear. He was easily six feet tall, and I could see his muscles. His snapping dark eyes were hard, almost cruel, while his hair was a little on the long side. A scar ran from the end of his right eyebrow across his temple to his hairline, and I found myself wondering how it had happened. He was carrying something, but I couldn’t quite work out what it was, until he put it down on the bed. It was a shirt, a white men’s t-shirt, much too big for my petite frame. I looked at him, afraid but determined not to show it.

“Why am I here?” I demanded, ruthlessly squashing the fear so it couldn’t be heard in my voice. He just smiled slightly, and indicated the shirt.

“Put it on.”

I stared at him, hugging myself as I took a step back. “What?”

“Put it on, I said.”