Natalie Farewell

Pain and Light

Chapter 6~~ Pain and Light

This time, when waking up, Nat wasn't in the dark. In fact, she was tied to a creaky wooden chair and a wooden desk was in front of her. A bright light was shone in her face and as soon as she came to her senses, she realised it was a lamp sitting on the surface of the desk. Since she was almost blinded by the light, this was all she could see, a desk and a lamp. Everything behind and beside that, was black and unseeable. Rope was tightly twisted around her hands and feet, grazing her skin. Another was around her waist, disabling her from moving. New tape was covering her mouth, tearing at her sore lips and she could see her hair, stiff with dried blood as it fell over her eyes.
Trying to pull her hands apart, Natalie felt the rope cut into her skin. A yelp escaped from underneath the tape on her face.
"Sshh," said an unfamiliar voice coming from behind her. Nat could now hear footsteps making their way around her. She could hear a chair, most likely the other side of the desk, get pulled backward and sat on. She could also hear her heart pounding through her chest.
"No need to scream. I'm here now and everything is going to be fine," said the voice, now understandably male, "as long as you are obedient."
Natalie felt cold sweat building up at the roots of her hair. She swallowed.
"You are probably wondering why I have you here, who I am, where you are and if this will be over. All you need to do is follow my instructions. I am not going to tell you who I am. Firstly, I need you to talk."
She could now faintly see his face. His skin was dark and oddly wrinkled. The man stood up. She now realised that this was not a black man, but somebody wearing a balaclava. Of course; he would need to hide his looks and identity, Nat thought to herself. He reached over, placing one gloved hand on the table, and roughly ripped the tape off her mouth. A sound of pain was grunted. Her lips felt as if they were burning and she felt blood trickled over her chin and down her neck.

"Why am I here? Why me?" Nat said firmly.
"I am not going to tell you anything. You just need to do as I say," said the man, repeating what he had said before.
"What happens if I don't?"
"I know the people that you love. Your mum. Lily and Charlie. Red. Henry."
A silence fell upon them. Blood was rushing through Nat's veins and she could feel her head pulse.
"What do I need to do?" Natalie said in a small bewildered voice.
"Good girl. This is going to sound strange, but do you know the necklace your mum wears every single day?" He asked. Nat hesitated for a moment.
"I guess so." She said, "do you mean the green stone heart locket? That necklace means a lot to her..."
"Yes that's the one." He interrupted. The man spoke as though he knew her very well and, in a way, a kind manner spoke through his voice. "Take this phone," he placed a phone on the table. It was an old flip-phone that reminded Nat of her first ever one.
"I need you to retrieve that necklace and text me when you are done."
"No," she replied bravely, "that necklace is too special to my mother. I'm not going to do it."
"Oh, is that so?" the man leaned forward, his sleeved elbows visible on the table. Natalie swallowed and she could feel the sweat oozing down her forehead. Footsteps became clearer behind her as somebody approached. A hand rested on her shoulder and as she turned to see who it was, a sharp slap sent pain through her cheek.
"Why do you need the locket? What have you got anything to do with my family?" she said bitterly whilst spitting the blood from her mouth onto the table in front of her.
"There is one thing I will tell you. Revenge."