Falling for My Kidnapper

"I have to run in here to get some milk. Do you need anything?" My mother asks, picking up her purse. I look up from my phone to look at her. She has her long blonde hair tied in a messy bun, her green eyes are not rimmed with black eyeliner like usual, and her pale skin is not coated in pounds of make-up. She's wearing sweats and a tee. She's been like this since the divorce. It's refreshing and depressing at the same time.

"No, thanks. I'm okay," I answer with a soft smile. "I'll sit in the car."

"Okay. Don't let anyone get you," Mom teases before stepping out of the car and closing the door. I look back down at my phone, cursing when I notice my 2% battery. The car charger is still in my car, and we decided to take Mom's Camaro today.

The door opens as I begin typing a message to my best friend, Maisy.

"That was quick, Mom," I say, tapping the send button as Mom closes her door. I groan when the spinning circle appears on my screen, signaling my phone is dying. Before I can even tell my mom that, though, our car slams backwards and speeds out of the lot. "Geez, Mom!" I exclaim, finally looking at my mother. Or, where I thought my mother was. In her place is a man in a black mask bulled over his head with three holes- two for his eyes and one large one for his mouth and nose. "Who are you?" I scream, reaching for the door handle before realizing I would surely die at the speed we are going.

"Shut up," a deep voice demands and one of his gloved hands disappears from the steering wheel. I watch in horror as he retrieves a gun from the waistband of his black, straigh jeans. He pulls the hammer back and points it to my temple. What the hell?

"What do you want?" I cry, trying not to let him sense my fear. What if I never see my mom and dad again? What is he doing? Who is he? Why did he choose this car to take? Why did my mother leave her keys in the ignition? I could've just rolled a window down! She didn't have to leave the air conditioner on! Why didn't I charge my phone?

"I said shut up!" He exclaims, pressing the gun harder into my head. I clench my eyes shut as he speeds down the highway. What if I get car sick? What if be crashes?

"Could you at least slow down so I don't throw up, please?" I ask, feeling my stomach churn. I check the speedometer and my eyes bulge out of their sockets. I have never seen a car reach 100 mph. I didn't even know it was possible! My stomach ties into knots and I lean forward, taking deep breaths.

"Out of all the things you could be scared about, you choose to ask me to slow down?" The masked guy asks in a slightly amused tone. I feel the car slow down to a nice seventy-five mph before gradually slowing to a stop. "Puke, now. But, by God if you run I won't hesitate in shooting your legs." I open the car door and lean over, spewing my insides over the dirt road we're now on. After a coughing fit, I sigh.

"Do you have a tissue?" I ask him, hoping to stall him. He sighs, fumbling inside of his hoodie pockets. While his attention is on that, I make a run for the woods.

"Damnit." I hear him cursing as I use my track skills to push my legs farther through the briers and limbs of the woods. Now I know why I was always last in track races.

A gun shot fills my ears and I squeal but keep running. I have no idea where I am going. No idea where I am or what I'm doing. I need to get away. I don't know what he wants with me. He can have the car. I don't care. But I have to get away.

"Ivory May Adams, stop it or I will shoot you!" The kidnapper shouts. How does he know my name? Another fun shot fires and I feel half a piece of my red hair fall to the ground. "I don't want to bring you to him dead, but so be it." I duck as another shot fires. I crawl behind a tree and hide behind a long row of green grass that's above my knees when standing. What does he want? Who's this 'him' he's taking me to? Why is he taking me there? Did I do something?

I control my breathing as I tuck my head under my arms, hoping he won't see my fiery red hair.

Of course a girl like me has no luck in the world.

"I told you-" I feel the gun press against the back of my head. "-not to run." A large, strong hand grasps my shoulder and yanks me to my feet. The guy with the black mask and black hoodie stares back at me with fierce, electric blue eyes. Dare I say beautiful eyes? Is that wrong?

"S-sorry. But, um..." I look away so I can manage to speak clearly. His eyes leave me breathless, literally. I take a deep, calming breath. "Can you blame me though, really? I just got kidnapped by a stranger who won't let me talk. We're in my mom's car, so that's weird. On top of that, my kidnapper has the most fucking gorgeous eyes I've ever seen and I'm expected to just obey and sit still without talking? I mean, do you know who you're talking to? I have detention every week from chatting up my best friends in class. I get trouble on an hourly bases because I have ADHD and you want me to just be immobile an obedient when I have no answers and you're speeding down dirt roads? I think not." I take another breath and look up at him. There's a glint in his eye. Humor. I'm humoring him. His mouth I quirked up in the corner. His mouth. God. Focus.

"I have fucking gorgeous eyes?" My kidnapper asks. I roll my own eyes. This guy has to be young, judging by his body, skin, and attitude.

"Out of all that shit I just said, that's what you pick out?" I inquire. I'm not exactly the ideal kidnappee, am I?

"You've got quite the mouth on you, don't you?"

"I've been told I cuss like a sailor," I answer. "It's not something I'm proud of not ashamed of, so..." I trail off, noticing his eyes again. Geez. Get away with those things.

"I don't mind," he smirks. "But we have a place to be, Ivory."

"How do you know my name?" I ask as he drags me to the car with his gun placed at my head.

"I didn't come for your mom's Camaro, Ivory. I know you."