Computerized

Chapter Twenty Seven: Darkness

Matthew

The cold metal dug into my raw skin and the dark cloth tied around my mouth was soaked with my saliva. I wasn't completely sure where I was or how long I'd been here but I had guessed over a week.

Two metal chains hung from the ceiling, clunking together whenever I moved. The chains were attached to handcuffs that had been tightened firmly around my wrists. Chains were wrapped around my ankles too.

Sitting alone in the silent, pitch black, freezing room, I couldn't help but think back to that day. The day I was taken away from my family. They probably thought I left willingly and weren't even looking for me. That's the way it seemed, and I'd probably think the same thing in their situation.

But the people dressed in black took everything away from me.

My torn old tennis shoes scuffed the concrete as I continued down the sidewalk. Ty's house wasn't far from a burger restaurant I liked and his pantry was pretty empty. The sun was just about to set, casting an orange hue across the city.

I pulled the straps of my backpack up higher onto my back. The air seemed thick and the atmosphere was different. I heard shuffling of feet behind me but chose to ignore it. It was just the wind rustling the leaves.

As I passed an alleyway a noise caught my attention, but not in time. Someone dove out of the alley, grabbing my forearm and yanking me into the darkness. I cried out. They had grabbed my broken arm. There was a blur of black in front of me and something pinched my neck before everything faded away.

I woke up in this cement room with nothing but cold dark walls, no light, and chains securing me to the wall and ceiling. Once in a while someone dressed completely in black would bring a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of water. I figured I was given food once every other day, maybe once a day.

The person in black would always undo my chains for twenty minutes and let me use the bathroom and eat. Then he wood chain me up again and leave without a word. The room was always pitch black but when the person came in they'd bring a flash light.

I assumed it was a man who came in the room. He was tall and wide, but in a body guard-muscular way. I was growing more and more disorientated every minute I was held captive. Most my time was spent in silent thought, awaiting the next time I'd get food and water.

The sharp sound of a creaking door caught my attention. My gaze flickered around the room until I found the small beam of light shining from the flash light. I would have asked questions or screamed but I had done that before and I had never gotten any response. My words were muffled anyways.

The person inched closer, as if I was going to snap the chains and attack him. I quickly realized that the person wasn't in a black ski mask this time and he wasn't the usual man who came in. Instead a mop of fiery red hair glinted in the light from the flash light. I couldn't see his face though, it was to dark. I could barely see the outline of his body.

He reached out with his hand and gripped the cloth around my mouth, pulling it down to my neck. He then went around and unchained me. I had never tried to escape because I didn't know if the person would have weapons, but looking at this guy I realized I could easily take him.

When I was released I realized how weak I was getting. I stagger before catching my self on one of the concrete walls. The boy snickered and shoved me to the ground. I realized I needed to wait and see what he was here for before trying to escape.

"Who are you? What do you want? If you want money forget it, my parents wouldn't pay a penny for me," I rasped. My throat was so raw it ached and my voice could barely be heard.

"My name doesn't matter. And, it's not me who wants something."

His vague answer irritated me. That didn't help me figure out anything. "Who does then?" I snapped.

"You don't need to know. It doesn't concern you," the stranger answered.

I scoffed. This guy was unbelievable. "It doesn't concern me? I think I am the main one who should be concerned."

The boy chuckled. "Well your sister is a little concerned too," he said.

I tensed at the mention of my sister. Was she hurt? Did he have her too? "You stay away from my sisters or I'll—"

"You will what? What are you going to do for them when you're chained up and helpless?" he interrupted me.

Something inside me snapped. I lunged at him, throwing my fist into his eye. The boy groaned and stumbled but regained himself with a few seconds. I reeled back my good arm again and launched a fist into his stomach but he caught my arm and sunk a syringe into the tissue. A milk colored liquid was injected in me.

The effects of the drug were almost immediate. I felt my mind become foggy and my limbs become numb. I collapsed on the ground, the cold cement pressing against my cheek. I felt wait on my back and realized the boy had his foot there, holding me down.

I tried to talk but couldn't. The thoughts wouldn't form and words wouldn't flow. My eyelids felt heavier and heavier every second and soon I couldn't keep them open any longer. Before I passed out I heard the boy whisper something. It was muffled and my mind was foggy, but I knew what I heard.

"I'm so sorry."