I was sold

Closing the filing cabinet with my knee I swivelled my computer chair to face the window. ''It's Raining, Again'' I murmur. Using my hand to prop up my chin, I watch the drops of water dance down the glass Payne, trickle and merge into each other. My focus moves to my computer screen, the black monitor showing my slumped reflection. Curling my fingers behind my ear I tuck away a strand of loose hair. Although my reflection is not entirely clear on the black glass screen, I can still see the tiredness in my face, the bags under my eyes. That overworked frazzled-Friday look.. Except it's only Tuesday. ''Oh, when does it ever not rain?'' said sue from behind her computer monitor. ''I’m pooped. Been so busy this morning...'' she said sarcastically. ''Those three emails and two phone calls really took It out of me..'' she huffed, unwrapping a mint and plonking it into her mouth. I Glance over at the slanted clock on the wall.. ''6:15pm.. Still a good two hours to go I say drowsily.. ''if we're lucky, we might get another phone call and hopefully, it won’t be a wrong number this time''. Sue got up from her chair abruptly and took her coat from the rack, “Pfft, if YOU'RE lucky’’ She said grabbing her bag from under her desk and heading towards the door. ''Ill see you later anyway Mia, I’m finished for the day and HR owes me a couple of hours from last week, Ill see you tomorrow though…have fun'' She announced as the heavy office door began to close behind her.. ''Okay, I’m working till late but Ill see you tom-'' The door cut me off as it slid closed into the frame. Looking again out of the window, I notice the moon move from behind a cloud, the light casting an eerie glow over the buildings and empty streets. I sigh out loud. I grab the blind string and lower it down over the window. Twisting my torso, I reach for my blazer jacket hanging on the back of my chair and finger the pocket for my mobile phone. Switching it on, the manufacturer's logo appears on the screen, followed by a high-pitched chime. It buzzes in my hand and an envelope icon appears in the top right corner. Opening the message, the words 'Bank notice: Account overdrawn ple..' fills the small screen. 'Great' i mutter, rolling my eyes and slamming my phone down on the desk. Siddenly the phone on the desk bursts into a high-pitched ring. the chime echoes though the large office, making me jump and jolt up straight. I clear my throat and putting the phone to my ear, taking a deep breath. “Parsons security, Mia speaking.” I say into the headset. but i get no reply... “Hello...This is Mia?...’’ I wait. A raspy sighing sound comes from the other side. Not loud enough to confirm if its a person or just feedback from the line.. “Is anyone there?’’ I ask, hearing the confidence leave my own voice. The raspy noise continues. Suddenly i hear a loud crackle come from the phone, followed by a scraping sound as though the person on the other side is rubbing their phone down a brick wall.. a juddered wailing echoes in the background in between the scrapes. Im about to put the phone down and then the rasp comes back. it gets louder and turnes into a harsh panting breathing sound... “Real funny Sue. Were meant to leave the line clear for REAL customers.. I'm hanging up now” I say, realising its probably sue just screwing around. I clunk the phone back into its holder, and poise my hand above the handset in wait, my eyes ready to roll again. Moments later, the phone rattles again. I pushed the receiver against my ear “What do you want Sue?” A voice cuts me off. “Spooky Mia, and a bit rude.. How did you know it was me...'' Sue said, chuckling. ''Anyway I got to the bottom of the stairs and I remembered I left my car keys on my desk, could you bring them down for me? I’m in the carpark..” I sigh dramatically down the phone “But what if the phone rings again and I’m not here to answer it?’’ I asked sarcastically ‘’Oh come on, no one’s going to call, besides, you can come to look at my new shiny car..” I smirk. “Of course.. you probably forgot them on purpose so you could show off!” I tease. Her new car, its all shes been banging on about all day. “is the lift still playing up?” I ask. “Well, I didn’t take the stairs for the good of my health. And I really did forget my keys by accident...so..Hurry up. Oh and its cold so bring your coat.” said sue grinning down the phone. I groan as i stand up and stretch out my legs, grabbing my blazer from the chair, I feed one arm into it, then the other before pulling it over and buttoning it at the front. A shiver runs over me. Being sat down for so long by the radiator has made me drowzy. I Walk around to the other side of the double desk and pick up Sue’s keys from behind her keyboard. I inspect the small golden swan pendant hanging from them, and I'm instantly reminded of the mini-vacation we spent together in Hawaii 9 months ago. Sue had won the holiday as a prize for being the 27th caller on the “late-night” radio show they both listened to at the office. They had both called the number at the same time, but Sue was the lucky caller. Despite sue's her boyfriend being first in line for the second ticket, Sue knew if I had been the lucky caller, with no partner, I would have brought Sue along, and Sue didn’t want to be ‘That friend who ditched me for some guy’ so she asked me to come along as soon as she knew she had won. We declared the trip 'The office girls getaway' and spent 2 weeks in the sun together. The swan was now tarnished and scratched from the rest of the keys on the chain, and a few of the diamantes from the wings were missing, but it was still a beautiful reminder of their time together. I twiddle the neck of the swan between my fingers as I approach the top of the stairs and descended down them from the 5th floor to the underground carpark. “Suzie… I hope your car has heating, it IS freezing down here..” I say, my small voice echoing into the darkness. In the dim light reflected by the white walls i see my warm breath condense the air. My sensible work shoes clack against the stone floor, I feel the cold radiate through my shoe soles and thin tights. I bunch up my toes, folding my arms closed as I feel my body temperature start to drop “Over here” a voice calls from the darkness. Sue emerges holding her handbag in one hand, and her office shoes in the other, her formal dress suit and burgundy blouse looks strange paired with her bright blue trainers. “You look ridiculous,” I say throwing the keys at Sue, the weighty bunch twirling through the air. Her lip curles up at one side as she reaches out to catch them. “well I can't drive in my office heels. Come on, let me show you my new baby” she says insistantly into the shadows. The 1980 Corvette convertible stands lonely in the car park. Its open top and cream leather seats glow against its deep cherry red coat which looks almost brown under the dim lighting. “It's so ugly.” I say, laughing. “Oh, shut up. it is not, you just don’t have any style.” Sue sneers. Grabbing the sleek chrome handle, she opens the driver side door, leaning forwards she opens the glovebox and Takes out a pair of sunglasses, she flicks them open with her right hand and slides them onto her face. “Wow, you look so cool,” I said sarcastically, “Who said that?” Sue blurts out moving her head left and right comically, outstretching her hands and waving them around. “Okay, i guess it is a bit night-timey for sunglasses, but you get the idea.” Says sue, climbing into the driver seat and closing the door. Sue slides the keys into the ignition, and she turns them with a click, Immedietly the engine jumps to life, rumbling. Warm air begins to flow out of the exhaust pipe creating a soft cloud to stream from behind the boot. The headlights come on and illuminate the white wall of the car park. leaning over to the passenger side door, Sue pulls the handle and the latch opens, pushing with her fingertips, the door swings open a few inches “Wanna go for a quick ride?” she says, peering over her sunglasses and wiggling her eyebrows. I sigh “You know I would, but I can’t. I gotta get back to the office.” i whine glumly. “Oh come on we won’t be long. And besides, there’s no one else here, who would even know?’’ Sue bargains, rubbing the leather passenger side seat with her palm. I look away and shuffle my feet folding my arms tightly against my chest. “I would know...and if someone calls- I don't want to get into trouble'' Sue rolls her eyes, '' If someone calls and you don’t answer the phone, just say you were taking a piss.” ...“I’m sorry, I can’t.”I say bluntly. – “But I promise, tomorrow night when we finish, ill let you drive me home?... How’s that.” ...“Fine” says sue puffing out her lower lip, taking her sunglasses off she throws them back into the glove box. She fastens her seatbelt, and adjusts her wing mirror. Walking towards her car I push the passenger side door closed with a click and back away sheepishly from the car again “Until tomorrow goody-two-shoes-Mia.” Sue teases, putting the car into gear and reversing slowly before turning right and pulling away from the parking space. "and stop calling the office phone!" I shout as she turns towards the barrier. "I didn't!" said sue, leaving through the port door. I waved her off as she exits the underground space, driving up a ramp leaving me alone in the dark, with a suspicious look on my face. I turn to head back towards the stairs, but something in the corner of my eye catches my attention, I see my partial reflection in the small small security office window. Walking to the booth i peek inside, Its dark, and the window is filthy with dust and grime. 'Where the hell is the guard? Surely there's meant to be someone here all the time' i ponder. Walking closer I approached the lift on my left side, Trying my luck I push the button. The light comes on for several seconds and then turns off again. I push the button again, but after a few seconds, the illumination dies. “Great,” I say out loud, my complaint echoing softly through the large dark space. Standing in the dark, the sudden feeling of loneliness becoming more apparent, I curse under my breath, turning my back to the lift i lean against the doors, placing my hand on my forehead. Im in such a bad mood and I just want to go home. I know these next few hours are going to drag and now sues gone, I'm not going to have anyone to talk to. I suddenly feel movement at my back. a vibration of cogs and a clank of a metal as lift settles at the bottom floor behind me. ‘Guess it does work. Must just be slow. 'I think to myself, smiling at my fortune of not having to walk back up 5 flights of stairs, leaning against the side of the lift i push myself up on one arm, waiting for the doors to part. The lift doors slide open and a tall well-built man in a dark suit stands between them. “Get her” He snapped. Before I can take my hand off the wall a bag slides down over my head from behind and the opening tightens around my neck. Sucking in air to scream, a strange chemical smell fills my nostrils. It makes blood rush to my head and immediately disorientates me, I feel my wrists being wrenched behind my back and a knee shoves into the back of my legs causing me to buckle, I fall to the floor twisting and flailing my shoulders, everything in slow motion as I feel my head daze. My eyes roll back into my head and I fall into unconsciousness.