RAIN DANCE

Four

What was the first thing I thought of when I regained consciousness? I’m not sure. I’m fairly shallow but I hide it well by carefully sieving through my thoughts before I act or speak. So, honestly, the first thing I thought of was something self-conscious and definitely shallow.
My eyes weren’t open. They felt heavy, like they had weights holding them shut. After a few weak attempts to open them, I just decided to keep them shut. I knew I was abducted. The last place I remembered being in was a loud, earthquake-inducing party and now, even with my eyes closed, I knew I was in a vacant large space so deserted you could hear a pin drop from a mile away.
I tried to remember how I could have been drugged but I came out blank. I stopped trying to figure that out when I realized that that piece of my past wasn’t going to change the fact that I was here. My eyes shot open when, as clear as a bell, I got what should have been my first thought but as I said, I’m not so sure what my first thought actually was.
What do I look like? I thought. Not that I wanted to fix my make-up or anything. I was scared out of my mind that I could have looked tempting or seductive. I looked at my top, which was fine, no skin was showing but I pulled it as far as down as I could anyway. I scurried to sit up-right and I folded my legs to my chest so that I looked like a small ball. I didn’t worry about my hair; I knew I’d be a mess. And that was a good thing. I shuddered at the thought that my unconscious body could have given my abductors crude ideas. My main mission, from that second, was to make sure I was as unattractive to my ‘hosts’ as I could be.
So far I had established quite a number of things without much contemplation. I was alone in the small room but there were people outside. I had noticed things, such as I was on a very shaky bed. I hoped my movements hadn’t alerted them that I was awake. I needed to come up with a plan first before they came in. The bedding was horrible; I thought about the long, skin-scrapping bath I would take as soon as I got home. I wasn’t shackled, otherwise I wouldn’t have moved much. But the room was so clean and empty I might as well have been put in chains. There were no windows. The light source was a florescent tube in the middle ceiling. The light made the white walls a bit too white and my eyes stung more because of it.
So I had to have a plan. But I had to know what their plan was to come up with an effective one. Were they planning to torture me for information? That would be a waste, I knew much less than they did. Were they holding me as ransom? That, I feared, would work. Aidan would cave. That got me smiling but I frowned almost immediately. I didn’t want him too. I didn’t want him to give in because of me. It made me feel like a liability.
Those were their two options as far as I could tell. So, what would I do? If I was going to be tortured, I liked that idea best, I knew I wouldn’t concede because I had nothing to give up. Even if I did know a wealth of the information they needed, I would never tell them anything. Yes, I was a young girl who’d never known a great deal of pain but I like to think I could have withstood it.
If they held me as ransom…it would be in Aidan’s hands. I had to find a way to give Aidan an edge.
Before I could think further, I heard the door being unlocked. I folded my legs tighter to me and froze. A masked man came in and looked at me. He stood frozen at the door. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting me to be awake. I didn’t have to see his face to comprehend his surprise. Our eyes met and I stopped breathing just out of fear but I didn’t look away. After a while he turned to leave.
“Wait.” I said boldly. He stopped but didn’t turn to face me. “What time is it?”
He was frozen for a while and I thought he wasn’t going to tell me. Finally, he spoke but he didn’t turn around to face me.
“Five-thirty.” He growled. Was it morning or evening? I didn’t want to push my luck by asking.
“You can drop the attitude,” I found myself saying in a mocking whisper as he closed the door, “I’m shaking in my boots already.”
I watched the door close behind him and then I heard it being locked. I took a long breath out and got up. I had to know how many men there were. The hard question was how. Then it came to me but for it to work I had to wait a little bit longer before I implicated it.
I wasn’t going to try to escape. I didn’t exactly own an inborn compass. Chances were I would probably get lost and end up back in that room five times even without being chased. My sense of direction was terrible. I just needed to play it cool and give Aidan the advantage he needed to get me out without crippling him too bad.
I waited for what felt like forever. I had no way of telling what time it was or how long I’d waited. I could have watched the sun if I had the choice but, conveniently, I was stuck in a windowless room. So, I had to go with instinct. I paced the width of the room and when it was about time for me to make my move I went and stood by the door. I tried to listen to the voices on the other side of the door. I just needed a rough estimate of how many they were.
Their voices were muffled. This was no ordinary door. I just had to hope my plan would work. I stood back and said a silent prayer. With one sure hand, I started banging on the door. Not too violently but my knocks had to sound urgent. I didn’t stop for long between each knock.
Because of the thickness of the door and my insistent knocking, I couldn’t hear the approaching footsteps. I stopped when the door was being unlocked. I stepped aside and frowned as hard as I could. A masked man came in. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes; what did these goons think I’d do with their identities? My boyfriend was a thief, who was I going to report them to without implicating the guy I love?
“Can I use the bathroom? I really have to go.” I whined. I tried to sound as innocent as I could.
He didn’t say a word as he just pointed at the little bucket I’d ignored in the corner.
“You got to be kidding.” I exclaimed. “Look, you can tie me up and watch me pee. I won’t even close the door.” I wanted to die as the words came out. Hopefully, they wouldn’t hold me to my words.
He shrugged and began to close the door. Before I knew what I was doing, I had my hand stopping the door.
“Please.” I begged. “I just need to go. I promise. No funny business.”
It took him a while to soften up but he had to tie me up. I had no problem with that, as long as they didn’t blindfold me. I wanted to count them. He shoved me unnecessarily and I walked out with my face holding its frown.
I had counted one; the guy who was escorting me. I expected a long passage but I realized that we were in a warehouse. I was in the only small room the place had. The rest of the place was a huge vacant space. There were two other guys right next to the room I was being held in. They were playing cards; how clichéd.
“Where the hell are you taking her?” one of the other guys asked.
“She wants to take a leak.” My escort answered sternly. “We’ll be right back.”
I was expecting a crappy bathroom but he took me outside. I had no idea where I was. I wasn’t expecting to, anyhow. This was a huge bonus to my plan. I looked around as carefully as I could; trying to concentrate on major sites. At least I finally knew it was early morning. There wasn’t much to see, just more warehouses. The one next to where I was being held was number thirteen.
Before I was expecting it, he stopped. I looked at him, questioningly. He started untying me without as much as a warning.
“Do your business,” he said as he turned around to give me his back. My jaw dropped.
“Here?” I asked in disbelief.
“The bucket sounding more attractive, Princess?” he scoffed without turning.
This, without a doubt, made my top most uncomfortable moments. I shook my head as I worked my zip and slid down my jeans. I was just about done when I heard the unmistakable sound of a train. I looked around trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. Even when I pinpointed the direction of the train track, it didn’t help much. I had to figure out where I was.
“Done.” I said begrudgingly as I fastened my button. He turned around slowly, took my hands and tied me up again. We walked back with me slowing our pace as much as could. This time I worked extra hard to figure out where I was but nothing rang any bells. I just had to pray that the information I’d gathered was enough.
“Can I have a drink of water?” I asked when I was back in the room I was being held in.
He walked out without even looking back at me. I thought his silence meant ‘No’ but a few minutes he returned with a bottle of water. I sat down reluctantly on the bed.
“I have to call my mum.” I said softly. He looked at me and I could tell he thought I was crazy.
“My mum will have a fit if I don’t call her. She’ll call the actual police.” His eyes tightened as he took in my words. I wasn’t doing this for them. I had to think of Aidan. He’d be in trouble too if the police got involved. The masked goon turned to leave.
“At least think about it.” I shouted after him. “Just my mother. Better now than when she’s freaking out.”
When he had closed and locked the door, I went to the bucket to wash my hands with some of the water I had gotten to drink. I sat on the corner of the bed and started gathering all I had learnt from my trip to the bathroom. I didn’t know the exact location. But I knew how many they were. I was in a warehouse close to a train track. If Andrew was truly behind this, Aidan would have a rough idea of where I was if he knew the warehouse number and the proximity to the train track. I hoped.
I hadn’t even made sense of the information when another masked man came in. He had a phone. I almost sighed in relief. So far, so good I just hoped that I had put the bug Aidan had given me correctly and that he was listening. They’d have contacted him by now, right? The biggest concern was that he wasn’t panicking so much that he wasn’t listening.
The masked man handed me the phone. I was just about to dial my home number when he spoke.
“One minute.” He said grimly. I nodded.
One minute was all I needed to leave a message on the answering machine. Mum and dad would probably be at church or at least on their way to church by now. I dialed the number eagerly and listened as it rang. It was the second ring when, to my surprise, the phone was answered. I was taken by surprise.
“Hello?” Mum’s anxious voice said.
“Mum?” I said nervously. I had a few seconds to compose myself and sound natural.
“Chris!” she sounded relieved. That aided the story about my mum freaking out. “Lizzy told us you ditched her at a party. We were worried.”
Before I could say another word the phone was yanked from my trembling hands. I thought he was going to hang up but, instead, he put it on speaker.
“Chris? Are you still there?” Mum’s panicked voice asked.
“Yeah,” I swallowed hard and looked into the serious eyes of my host. “I’m fine. I just got ambushed by three good friends. We’re sight-seeing warehouses.” I innocently shrugged at him when he looked at me with suspicion. “You know the tracks around here are amazing.”
“Doesn’t sound like you,” Mum pointed out warily.
“Well, you know, just trying something new. It’s an assignment they have to do.” I rolled my eyes at my words. “I’m just coming along for the adventure.”
She didn’t say a word, probably analyzing my words.
“I gotta go; my battery’s about to die.” I lied when I realized the masked man was getting annoyed.
“Okay, when will you be back?” she asked.
“By tomorrow.” I said softly. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Mum,” I said quickly. “Keep my lucky number thirteen.” 
I knew that made no sense but I had to mention it somehow. And before she could say a word, I hung up. The masked man looked at me and shook his head. I had given Aidan all the information. His job was to find it in my cryptic phone call. I had told him the number of men with me, roughly where I was and the warehouse number. Let that be enough I prayed as the door was being locked once again.
It had been hours, possibly, since my capturers had come to check on me. I wouldn’t have noticed this because of my nerves but my tummy had started rumbling. I was too scared to ask for food, so I sat down and closed my eyes. The bed was getting more disgusting with each minute so I sat on the cold floor. I wasn’t looking for comfort and I wasn’t planning on staying there for long but did these monkeys seriously think I was a plant sustained by water?
My tummy had resorted to complaining, occasionally grumbling, then it went quiet but the pain was still there. Ultimately, it gave up and stopped complaining. I just sat there feeling grouchier than ever. It’s true; a hungry man is an angry man. I was okay but all hell would break loose if I opened my mouth. After a while I decided to sleep. Nothing I was doing then was changing anything.
I was trying desperately to contact the Sandman so that he could put me to sleep. I had even reconsidered the whole comfort idea. If I didn’t sleep soon I was going to go nuts! It was in those critical minutes when I heard the commotion outside. The room was nearly sound proof so the muffled sound could have been a party for all I knew. But there were two gun shots.
I covered my ears as my heartbeat pounded hard in my head. I couldn’t breathe from fear. I didn’t know what was happening and I was sure I didn’t want to know. If the commotion meant Aidan had come, how was I sure the gun shots didn’t mean two bullets through his chest? Time stood still. The room seemed to get smaller. No real scenario played in my head. I just felt as though my mind was scrambled. It was nerve-racking. I wouldn’t wish that moment on my worst enemy. Sitting there, rocking back and forth subconsciously, I realized just how frail life is. My eyes were closed so tight it was starting to hurt but I dared not open them.
Over the drumming of my heart I heard the door open. I didn’t open my eyes. Yes, I’m that big a chicken. It was only when I heard his voice that I found the new meaning of safe. I listen to his tone so that I could tell of he was hurt. I had to prepare myself if something had happened to him.
“Chris,” he said softly. I knew it was Aidan but I didn’t open my eyes. My body was numb.
His hand grazed my shoulder and I found myself shrugging away.
“It’s okay. You’re safe.” He whispered. Slowly, I opened my eyes. The pain I was feeling was painted on his face. Looking at him I realized that I had been crying because my vision was blurred.
“Did they hurt you?” he asked gently, his words were like a soft caress. I shook my head.
“Did you get my message?” I asked still not moving. I wiped the tears from my eyes so that I could look into his eyes.
“Yes, thank you.” He said a small smile attempting to spread on his face. The same smile had when he told me that he was proud of me for hiding in the hardware store before I was mugged. “Can you move?”
“Give me a second.” I answered as I tested my muscles.
It took me a while to pull myself together. He tried to touch me again, this time I let him. After wiping the tears from my face, he pulled me into his arms. For the first time since the previous night, I truly felt like everything was going to be okay.
“Can we leave now?” I asked after minutes of silence. He stood up at a snail’s pace. I understood just how fragile I was looking from the way he held me.
We were at the door when he stopped and turned to look at me with hesitant eyes.
“Is something wrong?” I asked confused. “Are they still out there?”
“I need you to do me a small favor.” He said as he pulled me deeper into his arms. He didn’t wait for an answer before he continued. “Close your eyes.”
I didn’t want to know what he was trying to protect me from so I did as he asked. With my eyes closed, he led me out a bit too quickly.     
He had a car parked away from the warehouses. He held my hand tightly as he led me to it. It was when I was in the car that fully comprehended just how tired I was. I slumped on the seat only to remember that I probably looked like a mess. I groaned and looked out the window as we drove away. Aidan threw a worried glance at me but said nothing. We were out of town, whatever town that was, heading home.
“Can we get something to eat?” I asked. My voice cracked with each word.
“Sure.” He answered. I could see him looking at me from the corner of my eye. He had this intense worry in his eyes like he was scared that I’d fall apart and jump out of the moving car. Despite his unnerving glances, I struggled to keep my eyes open. I was tired so I let my eye lids drop and the quiet, rhythmic purring of the engine helped me drift to sleep.

I woke up in my bed at the apartment. The curtains were closed and the silence was deafening. I turned over expecting to spread myself all over the bed but before I was able to turn over completely, my hand landed on another warm body. I caught my breath and turned a bit more slowly. Two hands slid around me and helped me to turn. He was smiling when my eyes adjusted to see his face in the semi dark room, the flood-light outside my window brought a little light into my room.
“What time is it?” I asked in a whisper.
“Just after seven.” Aidan answered. Just after seven at night? I looked away from his face and started playing with the buttons on his shirt. I was taking in his amazing scent.
“Can you tell me what happened?” I asked shyly.
“I took care of everything.” He answered softly. His head was resting on mine. I could feel his warm breath dancing on the skin on my shoulder.
“Ty?” I wanted to phrase a proper question but I had too many questions about him.
“Lizzy broke up with him.” Aidan answered and I could tell he was smiling.
“Did she find out?” I asked another incomplete question. He shook his head before I finished speaking.
“She caught him making out with another girl.” He explained “She was a mess when I came to look for you. It had little to do with Ty and more to do with the fact that she couldn’t find you.” I wanted to get up and call her but he stopped me. “I already told her you were safe.”
“And Andrew?” I asked after my heart had settled. But the question of Andrew got it galloping again.
“Do you trust me?” he asked solemnly.
“With my life.” I answered in a heartbeat.
“Then don’t worry about him.” His words came out more like an order.
“Are you sure?” I whispered.
“You don’t have to go through that again.” He assured me. I couldn’t help feeling comforted. It was then I realized that I wasn’t hungry anymore.
“Did I eat?” I asked as I searched my cloudy memory. I was sure most of the memories I had were dreams.
“Yes, in the car.” He said. I could hear the laughter in his voice. “I got you some take-out but you were sleeping. You came round for a few minutes and ate. I had to carry you to bed.”
“Ha,” I scoffed. I couldn’t remember eating. I had been worn out for sure.
“Do you want to eat now?” he asked.
“Yes.” I murmured, still absent minded as I tried to remember eating. He climbed out of bed and pulled me to him. I was standing so close to him. I wanted to kiss him and never let go but, first;
“I need to take a bath.” I said a bit embarrassed. It took all my strength to say those words. I was so scared to blink; worried he’d be gone when I opened my eyes. I was being silly. If Aidan had to leave it would be for a good reason. And if he wanted to leave, he’d have done so while I was asleep.
“Okay.” He said. The smile on his face was so mesmerizing. “Take your time. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
“Thank you for today.” He shook his head at my words.
“I’m sorry.” He said holding my hands. “I’ve put you through so much.”
“You can make it up to me.” I said with a smile. “Starting with getting me desert from Chrisadam.”
“Whatever you want.” He replied kissing my forehead and stepping away from me. I reluctantly let him go.
“I love you.”
“Always?” he asked.
“Always.” I confirmed.
And then I turned to go to the bathroom. I paused at the door and turned to find him watching me. I smiled and waved weakly. There was so little I wouldn’t give, or go through, to have moments like those forever...