Risk

Prologue

I did not know what love was.

That was until I was locked up in a four walled, dark, and damp room. It  must have been weeks, maybe, months. I do not really know how much time has really passed. There were no windows. Only four stained walls and a door.  The door was the only way in, and my only way to escape. I breathe in, the stale air smelt of old smoke and urine. My hands have gone numb by now. They were bonded by a rope wrapped around my wrist and hung above me. My wrists have scabbed over now, the rough rope dug into my skin, until it stopped bleeding.

My body is trying to pump blood through my arms, but we all know how gravity works. The hours ticked by since I told him not to come look for me. There were a few things that I would risk and Cory was not one of them. I told him I did not need him to waste his time and his strength. I told him, I was not worth anything happening to him. I was just one girl in a long line of participants for him. I did not want him to do anything these guys wanted , just to set me free.

I moved my waist around, then my legs, and finally my toes. I wore the same clothes from the night I was taken from my room. My shorts are soiled now from sweat.  A bath seemed like a blessing now. I'm sure I have a rash in many places. I could feel it on my inner thighs, and on my waist line. These kidnappers do not usually let me loose. They are animals, but are we really different from the other species that inhabit this earth? No, but  I think we may be a little worse.

One of the guards sits asleep in a folding chair. His black beard hides hints of silver. He is snoring, a little too loudly, but it has become so normal that I just filter it out. My mind keeps racing on how I will get out of here. His body is still as he holds a dead cigarette in his right hand. I move my hands back and forth trying to loosen the bonds. They always readjust the rope, tightening it again. They are prepared, or paranoid. I hear footsteps approaching. I rub my hands back and forth, ripping the newly formed scabs open.

A desk sits in the corner, with a computer that sits to my left. I see my cell phone. It is flashing. What torture it is, to be so close to call for help, but not being able to get there. If I could only get to it, just maybe I might have a chance. They keep my phone charged, but off when they do not need it. This is how they are getting what they want. My kidnappers have all my contacts, my social media, everything. My heart breaks to think about what this is doing to my family, to Cory. No, Jasmine, snap out of it. Push Cory out of your head, push your family aside. Think about escaping.

My heart starts pumping.  I feel a wave of anxiousness and nausea roll over me. I dry heave instead of vomit. There has been nothing in my system for days. My mouth is try, I am dehydrated and way past the point of starving. My last meal seemed one fit for a king at this point. I daydreamed of the dinner I had that night. Instant noodles, perfect for a college student. I laugh and the guard sleeping stirs a little. I bite my lip, I need to keep quite and focus on how I am going to get out of here.

An echo of a door can be heard. I know that sound all to well. Marcus is on his way over here. The footsteps began to grow and my heart is pumping louder than before. I felt his presence before he was even through that door. The door swung open, catching the sleeping man off guard. He flew to his feet, hands up, ready to fight whoever was coming through the door. Even though it seemed like an amusing sight, my face held no expression. My mind was exhausted and smiling seemed like an energy filled task.

A dark haired figured walked through the door. His hair was messy. His black coat was soaked in water. It must be raining outside. Distant thunder can be heard from outside the building. From the sound of the thunder, there was a terrible storm rolling through this place. He tracked in mud with his beige combat boots. He smiled at me, and it took every ounce in me not to give him a death glare. I practiced keeping a cold stone face.

"Sleeping on the job again, Kenny?" The man held a look of annoyance on his face. Kenny let his fist drop to his side. "You know not to sneak up on me. I could have knocked you out, Travis." Travis, kept his face still, but the twitch in his eyebrow gave away his little patience he must have.  " I am paying you to keep an eye on Jasmine, not to sleep." He pushed Kenny aside and made his way into the small room.

 I watched as he walked past me, taking off his gloves. He was tanned despite the obvious weather forecast outside.He adjusted the webcam in front of me. I wonder what he had in store for me tonight. "I hope your boyfriend is ready for what tasks I have in store for him tonight." I rolled my head to look at him. This time giving him my death glare. "He is not my boyfriend. I already told him not to do anything you ask of him." My hands balled into fists above my head. From here, I can see his smirk cover his face.

"Jasmine, you know the rules. If he does not do what I ask of him, then you will die." Travis walked over to me and reached his hand out. He wiped a tear that had fallen from my eye.

My tears ran down my face, my heart was giving him up. In that moment, that is when I knew I loved Cory because I was willing to give my life up in order for him to walk away from all of this.