Challenging a Cold Heart

Chapter 32: Hostages

Vincent's POV

I woke up with a pounding headache and realized that I was in what seemed to be a small cage meant for an animal. I was in a dark room where I couldn't see anything and as I struggled I started feeling breathless, causing my claustrophobia to kick in. I screamed in terror and someone opened the door with a bang, letting light filter into the room. I couldn't see the person but I could hear the click of heels as the person approached the cage and squat down to peer at me.

"Poor Vincent." She crooned and I recognized Ariel's voice.

"Ariel?" I asked her.

"What do you think you are doing? Luc will kill you for this." I said angrily as I banged my hand against the grill like steel of the small cage.

"Well..that would be a scary threat if he actually manages to survive what's coming for him." She said with a chuckle.

"Now quiet down like a good dog or I will have you gagged and beaten." She warned me as she stood up.

"Wait! Where am I?" I asked her, fearing she would leave me alone in darkness in a place where I could barely move.

"Why? Do you like it? Don't worry. You are here only until Luc gets caught. After that..you have a better fate awaiting you." She said vaguely as she walked away. I stared at her back as the door kicked closed and I was back again in inky darkness. I wondered where Luc was. I wondered how Ariel managed to capture me and keep me imprisoned when Luc had ordered a lock down on his house. Were we still inside the house? If not, how did I manage to get out? I wondered to myself.

I closed my eyes and focused on regulating my breathing. I tried to pretend I was sleeping and then suddenly I recalled my necklace pendant that glowed in the darkness. I touched it and it lit up. For some reason it made me feel like Luc was close to me. I didn't know how much time had passed when suddenly the door opened again and I quickly turned off the light.

A man came over to my cage. I recognized him as the same man who captured me. To my surprise, he opened the door and asked me to come out. I crawled out quickly and tried to run but he pulled me back by my torso and lifted me like I weighed nothing as he walked out with me struggling in his hold. He slammed me down on the ground and my breath rushed out of me in shock from the pain.

"Stop struggling. Now gag him and bind his hands and legs." Ariel ordered.

Two men came over to do her bidding. I looked at her looking spitefully at me.

"You know Vincent? I've learned something very interesting about you. Suffice it to say your family has amazing plans for you." She told me and I scowled at her.

"What nonsense are you uttering?" I asked her fumingly. She just clicked her tongue and backed away, asking the men to bring me with them. Both guys held onto one of my arms as they sort of dragged me in between them. They walked out of the door in the room that led to a parking area where a black van was parked. Ariel was already inside the van. I glared at her and the guards shoved me inside the van, before climbing in and closing the door. The vehicle started driving and I looked outside to see that it was almost sun set now. That would mean I must have been gone for about four hours now. Was Luc trying to find me? But then, he might not be trying to find me since nobody knows that I was in danger. I hope someone raises the alarm though.

I stared at Ariel in front of me. She was smiling smugly at me as if she knew something I didn't. I ignored it but then figured I might be able to dig something out of her if I engaged her in talk. I didn't think she would respond directly to a question. She seemed very cocky. If I tried behaving the same, I had a feeling she would be provoked to talk.