Held For Ransom

f i v e

"Jessica, I just had the wildest dream. I got kidnapped and-" my sentence stops abruptly as I sit up and look around the dim room. "Aw crap, I'm still here."

My neck aches from the lumpy mattress and I massage it, reaching over to hit Landon. I reach further and further, leaning until my fingers reach the other edge.

Wow as if. Leaves me all by myself to-

My thoughts are cut short as I realize that I'm alone. Alone! I listen carefully for voices or footsteps or even snoring but there's only silence.

This is my chance!

I jump out of bed and creep cautiously to the door. Quietly, I peer into the seemingly empty living room.

"Hello? Anybody here?" I call. When there's no response I start to feel excited but also suspicious.

This seems so easy... almost too easy...

I fling open the door and run smack into Landon's back.

"What the-" Landon yelps as I crash into him. I find myself breaking into a small circle of Boss, Landon and an unfamiliar dark-haired beauty all conversing outside the door.

"- you never tell me where you are! I had to-"

"What are you doing out here?" Landon hisses, spinning around and steadying me. Just as I go to open my mouth I'm interrupted by the other girl.

"And who on earth is this?" She exclaims, focusing her full attention on me. Her arms fold across her chest and she looks me over with intense green eyes.

"This is no one," Landon replies hastily, turning back to face her while pushing me behind him and out of sight.

"Oh my god! Is this your girlfriend? She's your girlfriend isn't she?" She gasps.

"No!" Landon protests. A confused look passes over the girls face.

"Not just his girlfriend,"  Boss interrupts. Everyone turns to him confused and expectant. "They're... they're engaged!" Boss announces. My jaw drops and I know Landons is too.

"As if you got engaged and didn't even contact me!" She fumes, her hands going to her hips.

"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry. It was sort of all of a sudden, nobody really knows. Don't even have a ring or anything." Landon speaks through his teeth, glaring at Boss.

"Still. I'm hurt. I want to know everything right here, right now." She demands.

"Umm, well, we uh... can you excuse us for a second?" Landon stammers. In a swift motion he pulls both Boss and I through the door and slams it in her face.

"Engaged?? Seriously? You couldn't have come up with anything better?" Landon seethes. Boss puts his hands up defensively.

"You were gonna blow our cover! I was pressured and-"

"Who was that?" I ask and they both turn to me as if just noticing my presence.

"That she-devil," Landon enunciates, pointing to the door, "is my sister."

I feel so confused and muddled.

"So that's your sister and she thinks we're engaged?" I implore. Landon puts his face in his hands and groans out a weak yes.

"Why is she even here?" I ask confused. "Is she in on this too? You don't seem too thrilled to see her."

"I'm not at all. She doesn't know about this. About anything really. She's not supposed to be here." Landon confesses.

I think about this for a moment.

"What would she think if she found out the truth?" I ask innocently. Landon stares at me in disbelief, his eyes narrowing.

"You wouldn't."

"Why not?"

A knock sounds on the door impatiently.

"Oh there's your darling sister now! I wonder what she'd say..." I let my words linger a moment before reaching towards the door handle.

"Wait," Landon sighs. I pause and tilt my head.

"Yes?"

"I'll do anything, just don't tell her."

I ponder this for a moment.

"Let me go."

He rolls his eyes.

"Please, if I could I would. Something reasonable."

"That is reasonable!"

"I could just tie you up and say you left and keep you in the trunk, or you can play along. Up to you." Landon  growls. I look to Boss to see his opinion but he doesn't protest the idea.

"Well I-" I get cut off as the door swings open.

"Jesus, just lock me out why don't you?" His sister complains.

Tension fills the awkward silence as Boss and Landon wait on my reaction. But if you learn anything from being a rich kid it's how to keep a pleasant face for the public.

"So they tell me you're Landons lovely sister," I say, putting on my most dazzling smile.

She smiles back and reaches out a hand. "I'm Clarissa but you can call me Clare."

I take her hand firmly and shake it.

"I'm Haley. Obviously Landon hasn't been polite enough to introduce us before, but you know Landon," I joke.

She laughs, "Oh yes I do. Always busy doing god knows what and leaving me uninformed." She turns to Landon now.

"But somehow you always have time to drop off your dumb mutt." She continues, jabbing him in the chest.

He puts his hands up defensively. "Hey, hey, it's not my fault. When I'm on a roll I gotta go fast, no time for pointless conversations. And no need to bring Killer into this. You said you'd watch her!"

Clare rolls her eyes and crosses her arms across her chest. "Yeah I did until I realized she's as stupid and hostile as her owner."

Boss breaks out laughing and Landons face turns red.

"Anyways, I didn't come up to give you lectures. I miss you little bro. I didn't install that bug in your phone for nothing, let's all go out and catch up!" Landon and Boss are at a loss for words but I take the opportunity to step in.

"Yes, I think that'd be wonderful! Except that I've got nothing to wear," I sigh. Landon and Boss nod like bobbleheads.

"Very true. We lost our luggage travelling, Haley lost everything." Landon lies smoothly.

Clare looks genuinely upset by this. "Oh poor girl! We can't have you out in public in that after all."

I sigh dramatically.

"So I say, you borrow an outfit from me and then we all go hang out at the closest mall and restock your wardrobe! I'm sure Landon would have no problem paying for his beautiful fiancée," Clare smiles, blinking her eyelashes and clashing her hands together as she stares at her brother.

"Oh please, babe! Pretty please! This would be the perfect opportunity-" to get away "to get to know my future family and good for you to catch up!" I beg, copying Clare as I also bat my eyelashes.

Landon glares at me with a look of nothing short of hatred. "Sure. I think that's a great idea." He spits. Clare cheers and claps her hands and pulls Landon and I in for a group hug.

"Awh this is gonna be so fun!" She exclaims excitedly.

"So much fun!" I cheer with her.

And maybe I can get away...