Held For Ransom

t w o

Where am I? What's going on?

I wake up somewhere dark. Pitch black. I can't even see my hand in front of my face.

What if I'm just blind? I can not be blind, who will watch out for Jessica?

I feel panic rise in my chest and sit up. I smash my forehead on the top of whatever I'm confined in.

"Ow!" I whimper, propped up on my elbows as tall as I can be.

Great. Perfect. I'm trapped in a small space, kidnapped, probably going to be sold to a goat farmer for cheese.

I feel my breathing speed up.

If I want to get out I need to calm down.

The interior feels like fabric and I can hear the rumble of an engine. The smooth motion as it moves. I let my eyes adjust in the darkness and I can see where there's a small crack letting some light in.

I'm in a trunk obviously. I try to calm my breathing, but my claustrophobia is pressing like a weight on my chest. I feel my hands along the sides, feeling out the groves. I'm alone in here, with nothing to break me out.

How did this happen?

In my head I curse Jessica for begging me to come out and again for going off on her own.

My dress is probably unrecognizable. I hope Jessica takes good care of my car and my wedges.

I try to collect my scattered thoughts. I need to get out. Focus.

I struggle to put my knees to my chest in the small area and push, trying to lift it open.

I grunt, kicking and scraping at it. Tears of frustration leak out of the corners of my eyes. I feel frantic and scared, my pulse racing. The rocking of the vehicle slows and I feel us turn a corner. The vehicle stops suddenly and I hit my head again and fall flat on my back.

Jerk. I could drive better wearing my heels than this-

My thoughts are cut off by the sound of someone popping the trunk. It lifts an inch. I take advantage of the moment and push it open as far as it can go. I'm blinded by the light, and I literally fall out.

I grunt as my back hits the asphalt and I roll onto my knees. I crawl blindly, squinting to make out my surroundings.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" The man who kissed me shouts. I hear him running towards me and I stumble onto my feet. Unfortunately he's so much faster and scoops me up.

"Get your filthy hands off me before I rip out your throat with my teeth and grind your face into the-" he cuts off my rant by placing his hand over my mouth. I go to bite him but he moves his hand, swinging me over his shoulder in one swift movement. I pound on his back and kick.

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME! LET GO OF ME!" I scream. I hear him laughing under me.

"No one can hear you out here princess. Welcome to the middle no where."

I shiver at the menacing tinge to his voice. Awkwardly, I struggle to keep my dress from lifting instead, giving up on calling for help and taking in the scene.

He wasn't lying when he said middle of no where. The black car we arrived in sits alone here in the small clearing. It's surrounded by forest on everyside and a long winding dirt road is the only entrance or exit.

"Don't bother trying to cover yourself now, you've basically flashed me already. The damage is done." His voice sounds bored and slightly disgusted and I feel myself flush. I ignore him.