Beintehaan (Completed)

45. Still alive.

A loud bang startled Anika. She blinked sitting up, her back muscles aching from being cramped into the back of a small truck for so long.

She looked around and suddenly it all came thundering back to her. Them following the vehicle...the motel... Shoaib and his men, Shivaay. Her breath cut off at her last thought.

The truck jerked to a stop and she fell forward. Her bound legs and hands made it difficult to hold herself up.

A door slammed shut and second later the back door where she had been sitting opened. One of Shoaib's men glared at her, she sat up, straightening herself up "astayqiz!"( get out!) He growled.

She blinked at him, unsure of what he meant. He scowled and reaching in, he dragged her out by her arm. Anika hissed in pain. He bent down and yanked the rope on her feet so she could walk.

He shoved her and her bare feet skewered the gravel nosily as she stumbled forward. Before she could lift her head, a cloth was roughly pulled over her eyes. She staggered and rough hands steadied her, pushing her into a walk again.

She let out a shaky breath, feeling her lungs tighten. The gravel around her crunched indicating more foot steps. They walked for a while and suddenly she felt warm. They must be somewhere inside, she noted.

She felt a hand pull her to a stop before her blind fold was ripped. She blinked furiously, her eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness.

It looked like a huge isolated factory. All around her, men stood their faces alert and solemn, staring up ahead. They strangely reminded her of soldiers.

She heard murmurs and a second later a door to her right banged open. The men stiffened and Shoaib walked in followed by a dark shadow

" well hello there!" the shadow rasped. Shoaib stopped and the shadow came into light. Anika held her breath as she seized up the huge man before her.

A 200 pound man, packed with muscle towered before her. He had a grim face which was twisted into a poor attempt of a smile. Beady cold eyes stared down at her, and a scar ran from the corner of his eyes all the way across his left cheek, messing up his entire face.

She shuddered inwardly, her gut twisting in alarm. " untie her" he murmured and her bounds were cut free immediately.

She rubbed her sore wrists, keeping away eye contact as long as she could. " am sorry for my boy's poor lack of hospitality" he chuckled patting Shoaib's back.

" we've never really had any guests over. Am Yusif By the way "

His way of polite talk sent her nerves into more of a frenzy than they already were, but she held her ground. She was not going to show them how scared she was.

"We've never really had an incident like this before" he smiled again, clasping his huge hands together. "we deal with our business quietly, not wanting much attention..but..this time..." he trailed.

He peeped behind Anika frowning " I thought there were two of you"

"Oh I took care of her husband Bahia" Shoaib drawled scratching his beard

" took care of him?"

" he pissed me off...so I uhh..I think I killed him" he waved his hand dismissively.

" You what-?"

Anika snorted surprising herself. A loud snort, which had everyone's head snapping to her.

" kill him?" She asked, her voice cutting like ice.

Shoaib's smirk fell off, " what makes you think you killed him?" she asked again.