Natalie Farewell

Darkness

Chapter 4 ~~ Darkness

Opening her eyes from the darkness, Natalie saw darkness. As soon as she woke up she could feel the cold concrete floor beneath her sending chills throughout her body. She brought her hands up to wipe her tears, but failed to do so as her hands were tied back. A tight knot with thick rope behind her. Natalie tried to scream, but only a moan blurted out of her mouth. Duct tape was tight from cheek to cheek. She could feel blood seeping out around her ankles, where even more thick rope was holding her feet together. She could feel her clothing was still her boring, maroon jersey from school and her long black skirt that just came past her knees.

Bending her knees, Natalie used her feet to shuffle backwards until she hit the wall hard. Another cold concrete surface. She pushed up on the wall until she was standing and her feet were still tied together. Natalie hopped along the wall feel with her shoulder as she went, looking for some kind of exit.

Natalie had always been clever. Ever since kindergarten she was considered the 'gifted' one. But lately in high school, everything had jumped to a whole other level and her grades began to drop, leaving her average. Natalie was still bright and could figure out what to do in any situation. Even this one.

Natalie was still hopping along the wall hoping for at least a corner. Soon she bumped into yet another cold, concrete wall. Turning to her right, she repeated this, still looking for an exit. Natalie bumped into another wall and then another, still finding no exit. There must have been an exit in the ceiling.

Sweat had built up beneath her clothes and through her hair. She could feel her wrists grazing against the rough rope.

Natalie slipped down the side of the wall to sit down, breathing heavily.

'Somebody did this to me,' she thought to herself. 'They wouldn't want me to get out. But... who was it?' Henry. Suddenly Natalie realised what could have happened. Maybe Henry was taken by somebody and this somebody had decided to take her too.

'But... why?' All these questions filled her head, making her feel extremely dizzy. Literally dizzy. After a moment or two, Natalie slumped down to the concrete floor. Unconsciousness had swallowed her up once again.