Finding Peace

The Kidnapper

CHAPTER 17

Thoughts spun like a wheel in her head.

'What's happening? Where am I? Who is this? Why can't I budge? Is anyone looking for me? What did I do? What if I don't get out and I never see my family again!? Dad, mom all of them!'

She began to softly cry.

When she gathered her thoughts, she tried to think out where she was.

"okay." She said in a whisper. "Think. I can't move anything so I must be tied to something. A table? My wrists ache so someone held me down for a while. And my head hurts like I've been hit with bat. So i was knocked cold. Cool, I've been kidnapped." She stated rather blandly and sarcastically.

She tried to wiggle free of her chains but nothing worked. After catching her breath, she tried again then stopped at the sound of low grunting.

"Who's there?" she called out unsure.

"Oh, Just little old me." a man stated. His voice was young and a little raspy. It sent chills up Arita's spine. She struggled but couldn't see who it was.

Then he came into view.

He was tall and lanky with long wispy black hair that made his piercing blue eyes light up, in search for destruction.

His hands were behind his back and he stood tall, holding a small mischievous smirk on his lips.

"Let me go!" She screeched. Pulling against her restrictions.

"Oh calm down, I'm not going to hurt you. That's so.. Centuries ago me." he put on a playful smile.

"You act like this a joke!" she barked narrowing her eyes.

"I'll let you go. As soon as I state some rules." he held his head high.

"Fine." She croaked.

"Listen carefully. I know what you're after. You and your petty friends." he swam closer.

"How?" She asked.

"I have my ways. I am always watching. I've got eyes in the back of my head." he growled. Narrowing his shark eyes.

"You and you're friends are in search of the queen that took your mother. Correct?"

"Correct.." she dragged out.

"Well, I'm in search for her too. Ironic? No, not really. But anyway, here's what I want from you. I'm going to give you this necklace, and you're going to wear it." He held out a shiny gold chain with a white shell hanging from it.

"Thanks but no thanks." She stated.

"Oh I wasn't finished. You wear this, and I can track you. Follow you to the queen. Simple as that!"

"Why do you need the queen?"

"She owes me."

Arita huffed.

"And If I don't?" she tested.

"I'll kill your friends. One painful stake at a time." he growled, growing closer to her.

"A a-nd, how do I know you aren't bluffing?"

"Figure it out for yourself. But if I were you, I'd take the necklace and be a smart girl."

She hesitated.

"Fine. I'll.. Take it. Just let me go."

"Good girl." he threw on an ugly winning smile.

Arita was unchained and standing. She took the necklace from his scrawny fingers and swam towards the open passage.

"Remember Arita, be smart about what you do because I can pluck you're family and friends apart faster than you could reach the shore."