Woodbridge Recollection : The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter 3: Abduction.

  Poppies...poppies... the very word seemed to be embedded within my brain – no doubt in my nose and mouth too.

I breathed out deeply and moved my head, almost rolled it to one side. The sound of a light humming filled my ears and a vibration of movement surrounded me. A car. Apart from the humming of the apparent car engine, it was quiet.

I opened my eyes, finding that I could do it easily and without any kind of heaviness within my lids. I lifted my head up and then leaned forward, only to be stopped by a thick strap across my chest. A seat belt?

I touched the seat belt and then sat back. As I rubbed my eyes with my thumb and index finger, I noticed someone else's breathing.

"What is happening?" I muttered.

"We are driving."

I moved away, shifting in my seat when I heard his deep Scottish voice. I hadn't even expected anyone to answer, let alone Zacarias.

It was dark and cold within the car. The day had surpassed the sunset and the sky was pitch black. The night was somewhat empty. No other cars were on the street; driving or otherwise passing this one.

I looked around, panic filling the empty pit in my stomach. Zacarias remained quiet and collected, sitting still behind the wheel while driving one-hundred-and-sixty kilometres per hour along the highway.

What the hell? What was going on and why was I here? Where was this bastard taking me? He abducted me! A million different thoughts filled me.

"What on earth are you doing?" I finally demanded.

"I am taking ye' te' Woodbridge," he answered, his voice low and ominous.

I opened my mouth to speak, but words failed to present themselves. Instead, what came out was an odd hum of confusion that I forever hoped I would never hear again.

I looked around, breathing out forcefully. I couldn't tell where we were or where we might be heading. The streets usually looked familiar, even during the night, but I had no recollection of this one at all.

"No," I finally forced myself to say. "No! You are not taking me anywhere! What kind of psychopath are you?"

"I probably should have used chloroform on ye'," he said, his voice still clam. "It might have lasted longer."

He did not just say that? Who the hell was this guy?

"Stop the car," I said.

"I'll no' stopping the car on the highway, Zelena," he said.

"Stop the car!" I repeated. I didn't care if this was the highway, I wanted out!

"I will stop the car when we stop for the night," he assured me, keeping his eyes fixed on the road.

"What?" I asked. "Where are we anyway?"

He ignored my question.

"We'll stop any minute, now," he said. "There's a motel not far from here."

"A motel?" I sighed. "What kind of kidnapping is this anyway?"

I saw a soft smile touch the corner of his lips with the help of the highway lamps. Zacarias ignored my question for several moments.

"I wouldna' call it a kidnapping," he eventually said.

I turned my head and glared at him.

"What would you call it?" I then demanded.

"A bounty hunt," he admitted.

I sighed.