fines

Michealson.

Penelope's Pov:

       September 18, 2020.
           5: 58 am.

I was violently thrown into the bed of a truck...at least, that's what I think it was. I honestly had no idea where I was, or what I was in (except a bag), I just knew that it hurt when I crashed down against hard metal, and that breathing was becoming harder and harder for me. I couldn't help but wonder how Addison was doing.

I had heard--and felt--the engine of whichever of the many black vehicles previously parked in our driveway start about 4 minutes ago. Luckily, I had put my cell phone in my pocket of my pajama pants before we were taken...and I could only hope that Addy did the same. I got the idea to text her and see how she was doing-- but...then I remembered...my hands (and probably hers too) were currently tied together above my head, reaching towards the top of the sack.

Crap.

I don't understand why they took us, and maybe I never will...but right now I don't really care much to hear their reasoning...I just know that this--what they're doing to us-- is morally wrong.

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Gwendolyn's Pov:

September 18, 2020.
10:14 am.

All day, I couldn't help but wonder where Penny and Addy were...

They never showed up to first period...and we just started 3rd, a free period. They still aren't here. I mean..yeah, I skip school sometimes...everyone does...but we always text each other and say "hey I'm not coming", or something like that. It's just weird that neither of them are answering anyone's texts.

I was broken out of my thoughts by a certain boy poking at my pencil in my hand.

"Winston, leave me alone. I'm trying to study, can't you see that?", I said more harshly than I intended to.

"Geez, Gwendolyn...I just wanted to ask you a question", Winston spoke, now taking my pencil completely.

"Okay? Then what is it?", I questioned.

"Are you worried...about Adds and Pen?"

"Yeah...a little, I guess...but I'm sure they're just skipping and going to the mall...why?"

"Because, you know I live down the street from them...I drove by their house this morning on the way to the gym an--"

I unintentionally cut him off with laughter, making him question me.

"You? Winston...you? at the gym?!", I was basically crying out with laughter.

"Yes. I work out believe it or not. Anyways...there was this one car sitting right across the street..black SUV, tinted windows...looked a little suspicious...", he trailed off.

"Are you sure it's not just their across-the-street neighbor's ca--"

And now he interrupted me.

"I'm positive. Ms. Palmer's car is a beat-up, white Buick Century....not a big, black, shiny Buick Escalade."

"Maybe it's just her son or something like that..." Okay, now I was starting to get a little worried...

"Nah...not very likely...I mean, she hasn't had a visitor in like, 60 years", he said.

"Winston...the woman is only 65...how wou--"

I wish he'd stop interrupting.

"Just an idea.."

Then he walked away.

R.J. Michaelson's Pov:

September 18. 2020.
11:21 am.

I don't care what the reasoning was, Philip Allen should have paid his fine. But, since he didn't....I had no choice, but to take the two things most important to him away:

Addison Blakely Allen and Penelope Rose Allen.

And now that I've got them, I'm going to get at least five times as much money out of Philip than he owes me.

Sorry. But now, you have a ransom fee, too, mate. You don't just borrow money from R.J. Michelson, and not pay it back when you are told to.

The receiver in my office went off and I pressed the speaking button so I could communicate with my men on the first floor, below me. "Mr. Michaelson...the girls are drugged into deep sleep, and in the sacks you chose...we have them...do you want us to put them in their cells now, or in a room until they wake up?"

"Ahh...put the girls in a separate room...when they awake...we will talk to them about why they are here..."

......