Capture-Bonding

Chapter 2

Throughout the night, Lauren would pop in and make sure Camila was still there. Although, she was unsure as to why—there was no way she could get out of this windowless cell without magical powers... or the necessary skills and tools to pick a lock. It made her regret not choosing to at least gain some knowledge on how to protect herself so that she could be ready for situations like this. How could she have been so naïve to assume nothing bad would ever happen to her? There's always a first time for everything.

Sleep mostly evaded Camila, until she'd cried so much she couldn't bear to keep her eyes open any longer. They were heavy and burned too much to resist. She was somewhat thankful, because at least she could try to escape reality.

It seemed like she was only asleep for minutes before the young girl awakes to the sound of a television blaring. She hears serious tones-of-voice and assumed it was the news. Camila does her best to shake the clouding sleep from her head so that she can attempt to make out what was being said.

"Next, we received word this afternoon that a nineteen-year-old University of Miami student, Camila Cabello, went missing late last night," a monotone female voice informed.

Camila shot up in bed, panicked.

"Her family suspected she left home in the night for a walk, like she often does, but were alarmed to wake up this morning to find she was still gone."

Camila heard a loud creak, followed by loud footsteps.

"If you have seen this girl, or can provide any information please call the number—"

"You fucking idiots! Are you fucking deaf? If I can hear this from my room, it's too goddamn loud, got it?" Lauren yelled, causing Camila to fight a smirk at her condescending tone.

The kidnapper really had no problem telling those huge men off and it honestly impressed Camila. When she heard more footsteps and a door shut, she assumed Lauren had gone back in her room.

Alone with her thoughts once again, Camila's mind wanders to the news broadcast. Why would her family contact the media? Surely, if the media found out who her kidnappers were, they would confess about her parents' double lives—specifically, her father's. And there's no way it could've been her capturers who alerted the media because that'd be the stupidest thing she'd ever heard. Although, from the way Lauren speaks to the men, they've got to be dumb as rocks, but still... they can't be that dumb to put themselves on the line like that. To say Camila's stumped would be an understatement.

In attempt to get her mind off things, Camila lays back down and lets her mind wander to Lauren this time. A small smile subconsciously forms on her lips. As twisted as it sounds, the more Camila thinks about it, the more she realizes she's, like, crazily attracted to Lauren. Camila may have said she's cute before, but Lauren is downright gorgeous; however, it's not just her kidnapper's looks that appeal to her, Lauren's actions do as well—how she's so in command and doesn't think twice about cussing out guys who are probably twice her size, how she brought Camila pajamas, and made sure she was the only one who had access to Camila's room. In a way, these things comforted Camila. She felt safer with Lauren around, as odd as it sounds.

A rumble in Camila's stomach disrupted her thoughts. She realizes she hasn't eaten since dinner, hours before she was dragged from the streets. Her stomach rumbles again at the thought of her mother's Cuban dish that night.

God, she's so hungry. And she's pretty sure it's late-morning, or maybe even mid-afternoon?

She briefly wondered if Lauren could make banana pancakes. Camila smiles and shakes her head. Probably not, but it would be an interesting scenario to revisit in her head later.