Taken {Harry Styles}

two

I walked along the long dirt road that leads to town.  My feet crunched against the snowy ground as I hummed a playful tune my mother would always sing.

Speaking of my mother, I am still in complete and utter shock that she was raped.

“Fuckin' guards.” I mumbled under my breath.

The snow started to lessen, but it was still a pretty bad storm. It snows here all the time, but I can’t stand it. I absolutely hate the cold, but it is something I have become accustomed to.

 I gripped the money in my pocket to make sure it was still there and trudged along the road. Every now and then, a car would drive by. I would flinch out of fear, thinking a guard would be in one of those cars.

I quickly made it to town without anyone stopping me, thank God. I made my way to the market after minutes of sulking in the snow.

The bell hung on the door rang as I opened it. I walked inside, grabbed the things I needed, and went to pay.

“Mornin’ Connie, how are ya?” I greeted the middle aged shop owner that I have known for my entire life.

She looked up at me from behind the counter with glassy eyes. I immediately sensed something was wrong. I placed my hands on her shaking ones. "What happened?”

“They’re watching, they’re always watching,” she whispered as she backed away from me. I stared at her for what seemed like ages as I waited for her to say something.

All Connie could do was shake her head.

“Please tell me,” I pleaded. "Maybe I can help.”

Her eyes finally met mine and whispered, “Molly was taken this morning.”

Instantly, my hand was brought over my mouth out of disbelief. Molly? Of all people, it had to be her? Molly was not only Connie’s daughter, but one of the kindest and sweetest people I have ever met. We weren’t very close, but she would always go out of her way to say hi to me and catch up. I really admired her optimistic outlook on life. I mean, look at where we are living, it is a complete shithole. She would always assure everyone that things were going to get better.

“She was sweeping outside of the store and they... they took her,” she whimpered. “Where could she be now? I have no idea. Her life is ruined! If not over...” she cried.

As time went on, the tears streamed down her face. I honestly felt so bad for her. Molly was the only family she had. I am still in complete shock with today’s events to even show any emotion for what is going on.

“You know what? I am sorry to burden you with my problems,” she wiped her eyes.

“No, you are no burden to me. Please, if you need to talk I'm here,” I assured her as I placed my hands on hers.

“Thank you Lena,” she tried her best to smile. "Now, what are you purchasing?"

I quickly paid for my groceries and as I was about to leave, she stopped me.

“Be careful out there Lena, things are getting pretty bad.”

She shouldn’t even be saying that, she can get killed for that.

I nodded and thanked her.

“Watch out, you could be taken next. You’ll never know.” She reminded me.

As much as that scared me, it was the truth.

 I left the store clutching onto the bags of groceries as I walked as fast as possible without looking suspicious. I tried my best to get home quickly, but that didn’t happen. I wasn’t very far from the store; I could still see it. Connie was sitting outside of it smoking a cigarette.

As I was walking, I heard the crunching of gravel behind me.

Oh no.

I started to walk faster and faster without looking behind me.

“Halt!”

I stopped dead in my tracks and slowly turned around to see who told me to halt. My heart started to pound faster and faster as I was face to face with a group of guards in a green truck.

“All hail Dahmer,” I saluted in a shaky voice as I dropped my bags to put my hand over my heart.

I have had very few encounters with guards before, and let me tell you, it is terrifying. Saying one wrong thing could get you killed.

“What do you have there?” one of the men said as he eyed me up and down.

“G-groceries.”

“Give ‘em to me.”

I cautiously picked up the bags and handed it to them. They all opened it and devoured the food inside like dogs.

“So, what’s a pretty girl like you doing out here all alone?” another man asked.

“Just getting groceries, sir.” I am full on shaking at this point.

The driver of the vehicle stepped out of the car and slammed the door behind him. He encircled me and eyed me up and down. I close my eyes to try to calm myself down.

I opened my eyes and he motioned for another man to come out of the car. “It's her.”

No. This can’t be happening. Not now. Not today.

I brought my trembling hand and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

The man gripped my wrists and forcefully tied them up behind my back. This can’t be happening. What is my mother going to say? She is going to be worried sick! Oh, and Maisy, poor Maisy.

As I was being tied up, someone screamed, “No! Stop!”

I picked my head up to see Connie running in our direction. “Take me! Not her!” she yelled at the guards.

One of the men pulled out his gun and shot her in the chest, six times. “No!” I screamed as loud as I could and tried to pull away.

The man kneed me in the lower stomach and I toppled over in pain.

 “Disobey us, and that will happen to you too,” the man whispered in my ear. His hot breath smelled of alcohol and trickled down my neck, making me even more anxious.  I closed my eyes and bit my lip trying not to cry.

“Move, you worthless pig,” he pulled me into the car. Wow, one second he calls me pretty, and now a worthless pig.

 I don’t even have time to think when a cloth with a foreign scent was pulled over my nose. My breathing slowed, and I became increasingly tired. Second by second, I felt myself slipping away into darkness.

And then everything went black.