The Forgotten Queen

Hell Of a Ride

Heavy footsteps echoed behind, they were catching up. My knees buckled and I hit the ground with a thud. Turning on my back, I saw three men, one tall and slender standing in the middle with two short but muscular men stood beside him on each side. The headlight of the van only showed the outline of the men. "Who are you?!?" I screamed, my voice trembling with fear. All I got in response was a maniacal laugh and a sharp pain pierced through my neck. Black dots clouded my vision and my body went numb.

Slowly, my eyes fluttered open and the vision in front me was...well...worrying. I tried to move my hands but felt them behind my back and the rope burned my skin, the room was bare only one hanging light in the center, further down there was a door i assumed it had to be a basement. "Welcome back Claire, a raspy voice said behind me. I jumped, "Its okay hun, I know you, let's see if you know me," the sound of leather shoes hit the ground, sending chills up my spine. He stepped in front of me, while his face seemed familiar, I doubt I knew anyone like him. Looking careful at his features he somewhat reminded me of Mark. 'Could it be... no,' he chuckled and I just kept a straight face, I felt if I spoke I would scream. I had to remind calm, god knows what these guys would do to me.
"The names Croft, Will Croft," the words fell from his lips like blood oozing from someone's neck, it gave me goosebumps. Not only did the sound make my skin crawl but so did the words itself, he had confirmed my suspicion but that wasn't good for anyone.My stomach churned and I knew it wasn't the voice, it was plain terror. I needed to get out of here. Two men walked in and I assumed they were the men from the van. One of them was short and broad, his body proportions were peeving. His brown hair didn't compliment his red like eyes and menacing look. The other was tall and lean, somewhat like his leader but younger, his hair was pulled back into a 'man bun' and a defined jaw. These men looked like they could've lifted a truck with one hand, but I sensed that they lacked skill to use their strength. I'm not sure how I knew but I sensed it, the shorter one made a gesture towards me and the other man responding by nodding and walked toward me with duct tape in his hand. "Don't you dare touch me!" I threatened but the sound of duct tape tearing, said differently. I struggled by tossing my head side to side, but two hands held onto my hair and yanked my head back. Giving the taller man the advantage to tape my mouth.
First stripe
'I need to get out of here'
Second stripe
'Im gonna die like this.'
He let go of my hair and my head dropped from the strain on my neck, I tried to yell at them but it came out as a muffled cry. They laughed and began to speak, "Heres the deal, princess, the name's Sean," the tall one said,
"And I'm Ross,"
"I quote the boss, 'Do whatever it takes to get the information from her,"
'How the hell are these guys so stupid, so you expect me to talk through duct tape, mhhm sure' my face was etched with sarcasm.
"Uh... Sean, how we supposed to get the information from her if she's gagged?" Ross mumbled.
"Uh, right, go rip it off,"
Suddenly, I didn't feel intimidated by them, in fact, I pity their stupidity. Ross paced foward and yanked the tape of, my lips stung from the duct tape being ripped off but I kept calm and tried to subdue the pain. "So here's how it works," Sean said behind Ross, "We will ask you a few questions and you're forced to answer all,"
"And if I don't," my voice sounded strong and intimidating, but inside I was screaming
"Well, we have our ways of getting the information we need and want," it was quite worrying.
"Lets get started, first question what's that on your neck and leg?"
"Ever heard of ink on skin. No? It's a tattoo you dunce," I protected, these guys couldn't be up to any good. I can't tell them the truth. "I don't know anything," I looked down and saw feet walking towards me, I'd really done it this time. Suddenly I was looking to the side, and my face stung so badly, I bite my lip to stop myself from whinning. "Don't play dumb, because you're just going to make this worse for yourself," he growled, still I wasn't intimidated I knew what these guys were capable of, nothing. Only pawns in a master's plan, being cast aside after their job has been completed. "Alright, Miss Oaks. You don't speak that's fine, we will be back and your better be prepared to answer us, or else you're leaving anytime soon," they slammed the metal door behind them and I screamed at my loudest, I screamed till I felt my throat burn and my voice forced itself to screech. I cried and cried I didn't know what to do, I can't give them the information. So its either my life or this information that's etched itself onto me. 'Mark, I'm sorry, I should've done it. I should've kissed you, I'm sorry,' my mind flooded with thoughts of my last words to the world. 'Mom, dad, I miss you, but I will be there soon to join you and dad in heaven or in hell, I guess its up to fate now.' Memories flashed before me, and I swear I saw things that haven't happened yet.
No, I won't go like this, I can take the pain, its an illusion, forget it. You're gonna get out of this.
The determination set in as I thought about my mom before she went missing, she always told me giving up was never an option, so never use it, fight it. The door opened and I awaited my future torture.