Blurred Lines.

Red is Red.

I fell asleep at some point during the ride. The helmet wearing guy was right. It was a long way to wherever it was we were going. I felt a stab of annoyance that we were going to be driving for a long time and that no one would tell me our destination. 

When I woke up, our SUV was parked in the parking lot of a luxury hotel. The driver, who I still didn't know, was sitting smoking a cigarette watching the hotel front. I guess he must have sensed that I was awake, because without glancing back at me, he spoke. 

"Want a smoke?" Before, I would have declined. Smoking is bad, it'll kill you. That's what all the anti-tobacco ads say. But this is something new. I have a second chance to be everything and do everything that I would have never done. 

"Sure." He grabbed his pack and tossed it back to me. The lighter was tucked tightly inside. I had a flash of a memory. Someone I went to school with carried this same brand, tucked in the same way. I felt a pain, but pushed it away. I had no time to dwell on the past. 

"So, Agatha." He tried to make small talk, but I could tell it was just as painful for him as it was for me. But he made an effort and I appreciated that. 

"Aggy." I corrected him. "Everyone used to call me Aggy." I looked down at my shaking hands. The emotion that I was finally set free was all too real and I felt like I might break down and start crying at any given second. 

"Well, Aggy, I'm Jethro. No lie, the name has been in my family for decades as you can imagine. But everyone calls me Jett. So, I guess there's that." He took a final drag off of his cigarette and turned around to face me. 

"I figured that you probably have a lot to talk about, being down in that hole and all." I thought I sensed something of a southern accent. 

"I don't know if there's anything to talk about really."  I answered him. He didn't question me any harder. I took a small drag off of that cigarette and immediately decided it wasn't me. 

The passenger side door opened and an unmasked guy was standing on the outside. 

"I leave you alone with her for ten minutes and you already have her smoking?" He said glancing back at me and then to Jett in the front seat. 

"In my defense, she's not really a smoker. She just wanted to try it." He chuckled at me. 

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but I closed it. Okay, so he called me out on my bluff. 

"And I decided it's not for me." I said going to flick the thing out the window. Jett shook his head, but he didn't say anything further. 

"Come on. I got us a room." He said as he motioned for me to follow him. I hesitated. What was I expected to do in here? Were they going to tie me to the bed or make me do things with them? The thought terrified me. 

Red opened my door and walked close to me. I heard the driver side door shut. My heart was pounding in my chest. This is the part in the story that the man finally reveals what his plans are and threatens to kill my entire family if I don't do what he wants. 

But instead, he holds out a hotel key. His eyes were a lot softer than they were when I seen him last night. And now that I'm getting a fair look at his face, he has this strange mixture of being young, but being wise beyond his years. 

"I got you your own room. I had asked the front desk to have someone bring you some clothes up. I also made sure that you have all the essentials in your room." He's holding the key between his two fingers. 

I reach out and take it slowly. My eyes down cast. I wanted to cry again. 

"Don't worry about being alone. Your room conjoins ours and if you want to sleep in the same room with us, I don't mind sharing a bed with Jett." He said with such sincerity that I couldn't even get a thank you out. Hot tears had streamed down my face instead. 

He backs away from me and helps me out of the car. The hotel stretches up for five floors, at least. The front doors were revolving and glass and a door man was standing outside with a company suit on. His gloved hands were folded in front of him and his face was stone. 

Jett had already walked ahead of us. I noticed they each had a bag thrown over their shoulder. I longed for a nice change of clothes. Something that didn't belong to a man and wasn't two sizes too big for me. 

Red walks me to the elevator. We pass several people who turn to stare at me. I wondered if I looked as bad as I felt. Every eye was on me as I entered into the hotel elevator. I nearly fainted when the doors closed and I was finally out of everyone's prying eye. 

Red caught my eye, his face was back to his default cold gaze. I had noticed that he slipped back into this persona when he had to face business. 

Once the doors opened, we were faced with a door that had a key lock on it. Jett used his key to open the door. There was a beautifully written P just above the frame that I noticed when I walked in. 

"We're in the freaking penthouse?" I blurted before thinking what I was saying through. Red didn't say anything, just nodded in response. 

"I'll show you to your room." He said half amused that I was so shocked. We walked through the kitchen and passed a dining room area. There was a small hallway and two doors side by side. Both required an extra key to get into the room. 

I swiped my key and the light turned green. I looked up at Red and he nodded once, giving me permission. 

So, I twisted the knob and walked into the room. The lights were on motion detectors and they snapped on as soon as I opened the door. The room was decorated in a cream and gray. If this had been styled any different I would have thought that the colors would class, but this was a perfect mix. 

There was another door to the right, that also require key access. The room smelled of lavender and lilac. It was calming. Red stood with his hands folded in front of him. There was a huge smile covering his face. He was pretty proud of himself. 

"The door beside your bed directly connects you to us. You only have to use your key to get in. It's very important for you to keep this key on you. This is where we'll be staying for a few months." My body tensed. A few months? My birthday wouldn't be spent at home with my family.  I would be locked inside another tower. 

I'm going to bring you some of my clothes and let you sleep in those tonight. Toby down stairs will have your clothing and other items brought up to you in the next hour." I couldn't even say anything, once again. My voice was caught in my emotion. 

"You didn't have to do this for me. I would have been happy with just one outfit and some shampoo." I let the tears run down my face again. 

"There's also a garden tub if you'd like to soak." He nods at me and turns to leave out of my door. 

"Also, dinner will be served in a few hours. I think it would do you good to eat something." He left after that. I agreed. It would do me some good to eat. 

If I were going to be locked up here for a few months, I might as well enjoy it. Besides, this arrangement was better than my last. 

Now, about that bath.