Long Way Down

Part 2

No one knew what to do.

I wasn't important to any of these people besides my dad so I doubted anyone would come to my rescue. It was my own fault for getting into this situation but I wasn't going to give in without a fight. If it was a silly piece of jewellery I would have just handed it over, my life over money. Since this wasn't just any piece of jewellery from my box, I couldn't walk away without some attempt at saving it.

"My, my," the man purred. "Aren't you pretty. Do you belong to one of these men? You're a tad young though, aren't you? Or are sugar daddy's your thing?" Behind his mask, he winked. "Don't worry, once these old agers are gone you'll have all their money."

Uncertain where this was going, I stayed quiet. His mood had done a one-eighty and was leaving everyone in a state of confusion. Who knew when he would flip back to his harsh demeanour, it could be as easy as brushing a light switch. Would he harm me because I didn't want to hand over my jewellery to him?

"Why don't you just hand over that silly piece of jewellery and we can all leave here with our limbs in tact?"

The thought of them deciding I didn't need an arm or leg was enough to send sick rising from my stomach. I really didn't want them to hurt me but I was in too far now to just let them walk all over us. I was now setting an example that, even though we may have body guards, we still knew how to fight - allow the shaking men in the corner weren't helping me prove my point.

"I think I'll keep hold of it," I told him, my voice coming out more confident than I actually felt. Oh god, what if they took me seriously and cut off my arms and legs? "You have enough, why don't you just leave us be?"

"Feisty," he commented, cocking his head to the side. "I like you the most. You have guts to stand up to the men that are controlling who lives or dies here tonight." My breathing was becoming shallow the more he spoke, was I going to faint? Oh god, if I fainted I would be an open target for them!

Although he did sound like he was warming up to me... "Even though I do like you," he continued, "I'm affraid I can't let you set an example."

As his hand moved to his pocket, sirens filled the air and sent all the men scrambling towards their boss. Surely they had a plan of escape?

'Now is not the time to wonder if they can get away or not,' I thought, wanting to smack myyself. My eyes darted to the door and almost fell down when I noticed Henry staanding there, his phone against his ear. He was going to be killed. I couldn't let them see him. As the man went to turn away, I grabbed his arm and dug my nails into his skin the best I could through his jacket. I watched as his back stiffened and he turned twards me.

"Give the belongings back!"

"Aspen," my dad cried, trying to run forward but one of the men stepped forward and pulled out his gun. "Get away from her!"

"If you didnn't notice, or were too stupid to, she's the one who grabbed me and wanted my attention." The man looked down at me and quickly switched us around so he was holding tightly onto my arm and I was left stumped. "Looks like you want to come with us, dolls." In one swift movement, he lifted his other hand and snatched the necklacce from around my neck, the chain snapping as he tugged on it roughly. "This is to keep you moving."

With an obvious smirk, the man lifted his gun again but instead of threatening to shoot, he used the end to hit the side of my head, knocking me out cold.

***

It was hard to keep my eyes closed when my body was being jerker around wildly. My eyes unstuck - the feeling of goopy mascara was enough to make my eyes water - to see a man staring down at me. A scream ripped through my throat but couldn't reach past my lips - they had taped around my mouth? I tried to sit up but rope cut into my wrists. Where was I?