Affection | N.H

Chapter 8

("You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.")

My eyes slowly flutter open. That small movement sends pain through my whole body. As I attempt to move my hands, I fail. From the pain, I assume my wrists are tied tightly with thick ropes that are tearing into my skin, causing deadly pain. I attempt to move my legs but fail once more. I carefully shift to feel them tied too. My flats are no longer on my feet either. I finally pluck up the courage to look around the darkness. My eyes very slowly adjust to the dark and I feel tears pricking at my eyes. I don't know where I am as my vision blacked out after I felt my arms twist at my back by two pairs of strong hands. I feel warm moisture run down my cheeks as I feel more helpless than ever. Why couldn't I wait for that douche to drop me off at the dorms? Why did I have to be so stubborn and get out of the house at such a late hour?

I have College tomorrow but Ms Munn and Mr Lindsay's lectures seem to hold dim importance right now. All I can think of right now is ways that I can use to get the hell out of here. Who knows what these monsters' intentions are? I wish I had seen their cursed faces so that if, by any chance, I escape from this dark room, I could report them to the police. If these people are not stopped, they will not hesitate to continue ruining lives.

Unable to stay still anymore, I kick at my legs and try to scream but my sound blocks. That's when I realise, my mouth is tied with a cloth. I bite on the inside of my cheek, hoping to release a bit of my frustration and panic but it doesn't work. Instead, I am awarded with more pain. My whole body aches with an unknown pain already. But because of the dark, I can't examine myself.

Whispers start getting closer to me. I quickly shut my eyes and allow my ears to hear to it's fullest.

"Yes, Niall is on his way. He will be so happy to see that we have done what he asked us to do." A deep and unpleasant voice slurs. I can tell they're still drunk. My breathing stops. Niall? He was behind all of this? How could he do this to me? I trusted him a little and he is taking advantage of that trust? Why am I even surprised? Deep inside I knew that I was going to get squished under his foot. He is like one of those typical College kids who try their best to ruin a freshman's first few days at College.

I keep my eyes shut and try to listen to their conversation very, very carefully. "Yeah man, I hope we get paid this time." A different voice slurs. I hear two bottles clink together and laughter fills the room.

This time? What does Niall do actually? He said he writes songs but I doubt he does. He is a bloody liar.

I have to shift my body into some different position. If I don't, I will do some major damage to my body that is already badly injured. But if move, I will probably get shot by the two alcoholics. My breathing stops once more when I hear another voice join the room.

"Did you bring him?" As soon as the words float out in the room, I am confirmed that it is Niall's voice. This is his accent and he is here. I am pretty sure I am not a guy. I am a her, not a him.

"Yes boss, she is here, probably almost dead in pain." The disgusting deep voice laugh laugh together. I never thought two people could sound so feral.

"Dying? What the fuck? I didn't ask you to kill him you fucking idiot! And get out before I punch your grins off your faces. He is a guy not a fucking girl." Niall yells.

"I didn't mean it literally, chill man and that is a gaaal." One of the voice laughs. He is too high on alcohol. I can barely put his words into sense.

"Here is your money. Don't even dare to contact me. You know what happens once you step out this basement. I don't know you two and neither do you know me. And keep your fucking mouth shut because if, if you take one step wrong, you will be bloody dead. You hear me? dead." Niall's beautiful accent says the disgusting words.

I lay there still on the ground and listen to the conversation between Niall and his hired kidnapers. The amount of questions I have for Niall is suffocating me.

I hear a door shut really loud and footsteps come near me. The footsteps are coming from behind me. It is Niall. I can smell his colonge. I try my best not to make any movements that will aware him of my consciousness. To my surprise, he gently taps on my shoulder. Why gently tap when you've caused me so much pain, so many injuries already? "Wake up." his touch doesn't match his tone. His tone is harsh and rough and filled with hatred. "Fucking wake up! I don't have any time to waste!" his loud voice makes me jump and sit up at once. I squirm and try my hardest to get rid of all the ropes but fail of course.

"Wait, are you.." his voice trails off as I hear a switch click and brightness swallows the dark room.

"Tarisha.." his mouth is parted as he stares at me blankly. He quickly sets my hands and feet free from the ropes and takes off the white cloth that was blocking my mouth.

I look down at my wrists which are bleeding very bad. I have scratches over my arms and bare legs. I regret wearing this dress. My eyes land on the cardigan I was wearing. It is laying there on the ground a few feet away from me, torn and mudded. I look back at Niall before me and find him looking down at my wrists. I quickly turn them down to hide my additional and older scars and cuts.

"I don't kn-" Niall starts to speak but I put my hand up in the air to silence him.

Ignoring the attacking pain in my body, I speak. "Do you really think there is anything left for me to hear?" I can feel the tears pricking at my eyesonce more. But for once, just for once, I need to stay strong.

"I really didn't mean this. It is all a big misunderstanding-"

"Misunderstanding? You pay people to bring me in here," I gesture around the dirty basement, "and then you tell them to fuck off and not contact you ever again. What am I supposed to believe from that? You say there is a misunderstanding here?" I try to stand up but my legs deny my attempt.

"They weren't fucking supposed to kidnap you!" he shouts and his arms fly out in the air.

"Do you really think shouting at me is the best choice right now?!" My eyes squeeze shut as I shout back at him. I open my eyes slowly and witness his features softening. He kneels down properly on both of his knees and looks down at me as I scoot awaay from him. He is a dangerous man, he is not safe.

"Listen, I didn't mean to hurt you-"

"But you did Niall." My tears are threatning to spill out any minute.

Niall eyes my injuries before speaking up. "Let's get you in a hospital." He reaches out to my shoulder.

"Don't touch me please. I can help myself up." I say shoving his hand away from my shoulder. He stands up on his feet with his jaw clenched and his eyes burning on fire. He looks so angry, as if he is going to hurt me. I am prooved wrong when he slides his hands in his pockets and patiently waits for me to stand up. I put my hands on the ground and try to push myself up but I fall back on the ground with a thud.

"Why are you so fucking stubborn, just let me help you. You are making the situation worse!" his voice is filled with..concern?

"I am making situations worse? I wasn't the individual who hired freaking murderers to cause myself injuries!" I shout. My tears are spilling out of my eyes now. I am proud to hold them back for so long. I wince in pain as I feel a hand slide underneath my legs. Another hand slides across my back as I am lifted off the ground. "What are you doing! Leave me!" I kick and push against Niall's chest but he is way too strong and stubborn than me.

"Okay, here is the thing. I give you two options. Either lay here and die in pain or let me take to a damn hospital where some fucking doctor can cure you." He holds me as I look up at his face from his strong arms. Niall raises his eye brows and gives me the what now? look.

I put my arm around his neck and rest my head against his chest before closing my eyes. He starts walking while carrying me in his arms.

"Good choice." is all I heard before passing out, in his arms.