Master Of None.

CH. 2 Go Back To Sleep

9:12AM, July 24th, Wednesday 

Gripping my knifes tight, ready to pounce at any given moment. I furtively stepped out of my room, now in the back hall leading to the dining room. 

Absorbing my surroundings like a sponge, I notice the table is overturned. The cup I had given Detective Vince; smashed on the floor, a puddle of coffee to accompany it.

My things now broken and littered across the house, from the kitchen all the way to the living room. 

I secure the area and make sure no one is lurking around. I loved sneaking around like a spy, it's even better when I had a real reason too. The house feels eerily empty, though. I began questioning my playful approach. Maybe I need to be taking this serious for a second, but this was so much fun. The thrill of anticipation was climbing up my spine like a chill I can't shake. 

Everything was placed so specifically, I knew any "clue" left behind would just lead me to a diversion. Definitely left a plethora of evidence to distract me for at least 10 minutes give or take. 

Paying close attention to the way the things were strung out. Its not like someone was fighting something off but not quite like they were digging for anything, either. 

I crossed my arms a little and, with one hand holding my throwing knife backwards, began tapping my chin. I looked around the room like that for a minute. It definitely looked set up, like someone had just tossed the table and some paperwork, then hid. 

I feed into the game, though. Looking around and call out for the "Detective" a few times. 

I hoped playing dumb would draw him back out just enough to stick him a few times with my blades. I'm not trying to kill the guy, maybe just make him bleed a little. 

Its not a party till someone bleeds. 

I think it's appropriate punishment. I mean, I just met the guy and he dips after destroying my stuff. What an odd way to get ghosted. 

I at least wanted to get a chance to rub his nose in this mess.

The front door was slightly cracked, letting a sliver of daylight slip through. It was clear to me that he had went this way after whatever had taken place in my dining room. 

How rude, not even so much as a note. Least he could do after destroying my home is announce his departure. 

I'm eager to release my wrath, one way or another. Actually, I'm looking forward to it.

Now irritated, hangry and tired; I make my way towards the front door. Stepping onto the porch, the sun hit me and I could feel the day start to get warmer. I look around my front yard, scanning from side to side. Half expecting some kind of chaotic altercation to be going on; people sprawled out in a brawl. But it was blissfully silent, save for the few birds chirping in the distance. No one was in the front yard or the house as far as I could see. This was getting confusing and I could feel the frustration bubbling up inside. This game isn't fun anymore.

His car was still there, so where is he? I walk down the steps and towards the black Escalade sitting out front. Clean and probably the nicest thing within a 10 mile radius. Not that there's much around here, anyways. I live at least a mile from my nearest neighbor. So that rules out him walking anywhere. Especially in a suit.

Not only was now I extremely disappointed; but this was creeping me out. I'm starting to wonder if this guy is even a detective. How easy is it to get a fake badge? He had to be up to something if he wasn't just drugged out enough to take off on foot. 

Actually, that's not too far fetched for this town. I could totally see it. But I didn't believe it, something was definitely up. Of course I was going to pry and find out. 

I start to walk back to the porch from the driveway when I notice the front door was shut. When I walked out I had left it open in case he decided to jump out at me. I was sure of it. I've never been so sure about something in my life.

Now itching for confrontation more than ever, I stomp up the steps making my presence known. I could care less if an intruder hears me or if Detective Vince was a bad guy. SOMEONE is fixing my house, I work too damn hard.

I throw the door open, rage radiating off me as I walk down the hall. 

I begin to shout out "Hey, fucker! Who do you think yo-" when I was cut short. 

A bag went over my head and my knifes pried out of my hands. 

I could hear shuffle of multiple feet around me.  When did he get friends? My vision now blocked by a burlap sack. All I can see is the light shining through making my vision nothing but a brownish-yellow haze.

"Let me go!" I grunt "Once this bags off my head y'all are SO dead." 

Damn it's hard to talk in this thing. But I keep resisting, panting in the process. 

Threatening them doesnt get me anywhere either and I'm starting to tire myself out.

There are hands all over me, keeping me from breaking loose and kicking the absolute daylights out of any of them. I may not "win" but I was still going down with a fight. I'm kind of a sore loser. I do what I can to insure that's never a problem, though.

They were holding my legs and arms, now carrying me back towards the door. Whoever was holding my arms felt like they were gripping tight enough to break me. I'd honestly believe them capable of snapping the bone just grabbing me like that. The adrenaline kicking in makes my limbs feel damn near numb, thankfully. 

None of them said a word from the moment they grabbed me, a silent execution. Impressive, honestly. But I'd break them eventually. That's the fun of it. Annoying the big scary kidnappers or at least making their job harder. My Aunt Marina trained me, it's almost second nature to be a pain in the ass.

I knew it had to be at least 4 guys, counting their hands. One had my arms, the other my torso keeping me from twisting. The last two were at my legs. Just because they have me overpowered currently doesn't mean I can't eventually get some leverage. I'll catch their guards down and they'll regret even breathing near me. 

They start to drag me towards the front door so I struggle harder. Not wasting a single thought  on what I hit trying to get loose. I begin thrashing aggressively once we hit the porch. I keep at it until I finally get my left foot free and kick the closest thing I can. It felt like I had made contact with someones ribs but i cant be sure. 

"f**k" they wheezed out as they secured my leg again. 

Hah. 

The voice was feminine and sounded so small. This might be easier than I thought, if only I knew where they were trying to take me. 

I've heard that voice before too, but I can't remember where. 

My brain is too scattered to fully register everything going on around me until I'm positive they've now dragged me to the Escalade sitting in my driveway. 

I try to dead weight myself, "Who put you up to this" I said tonelessly. I wanted them to know they don't scare me. I don't even care where they take me, I just want to know who I'm going after when I get free.

I heard a few snickers but got no response. Then they put zip ties on my ankles and wrists, making sure I can't break from their grip again. I'd totally annoy them by trying to hop away but at this point I was starving. So i sat still letting them move me around like a rag doll. I'd rather save the energy for later, when I'm bugging them to stop for breakfast. 

They owe me one, right? Right.

I'm thinking pancakes.

I can hear the car doors on all sides open and shut, the dash dinging like the keys are in. It definitely sounded like there where more people than just the ones who were holding me down. Did they really need this many people kidnapping one girl? Im not that strong, even if I pack a punch. Or kick...

Granted I knew a thing or two about defending myself, I'm currently failing that. Clearly.

I try to stay optimistic, though. This isn't the first time I've dealt with an attack. But it is a first for being kidnapped. Scratch that off my bucket list? Oof. 

They throw me into the backseat and the engine starts up silently. I barely noticed the car turn on as I was getting situated. 

One of the mystery guys sat in the back and I could hear the rest pooling in behind after. When the rocking of everyone shifting stops, all the doors slammed shut and we are off. 

Backing away from my drive way, away from my home. Then forward to god knows where.

I'm getting annoyed at wearing this bag too, depending on my other senses is tiring. If I can convince them to let me see I bet I can memorize the way or at least where we're going. I wonder if they'd fall for it? Its not like I can tell anyone my location right now, it would only help me find my way back home.

I start to huff and sigh. Hoping one of them would say something or ask "what".

They didn't.

When a few more minutes roll by I decide to just speak up. "Well you succeeded your mission already. How about removing the f*****g bag?" So much for convincing them. Why do I lack a filter? Its a curse.

"No. Now be quiet before we just tie you to the roof." One of the men had shot back from the front seat. His voice sounded venomous; ruining, what I assume was, an attempt at a joke. 

I take mental note. He's going to be the first to get an ass beating once I'm not zip tied with a bag over my head. 

No one else spoke for a while and it felt like we had been on the road for hours. I had drifted off laying against the window but woke up ever so often when we hit a bump. After yawning and wiggling around trying to get comfortable, I think of ways to hurt venom dudes feelings. I breathe in and go to open my mouth but I feel a quick jab to my side. It sent a jolt through me and I let out a little yelp. 

There goes that idea, I was getting so bored. 

Is it weird I'm still craving pancakes? I haven't eaten all day and I'm honestly going to take a bite out of one of them if they don't get me something soon. "Is there food where we are going?" I asked in a whiney voice. 

Instead of an answer all I get is more snickering, do they not know how to talk ? "That was a serious question" I wish they could see the irritation on my face, maybe that's why they kept the bag on.

The next voice came from the guy beside me

"You've just been kidnapped and THATS your main concern?" It was Vince, the audacity of picking the seat next to me. AND POKING ME. I was half tempted to kick him but my ankles were still bound. "honestly, you're something else. We could be getting ready to kill you or sell you as a slave. You're lucky you don't have so much as a scratch on you." 

He wasn't wrong, I was very vulnerable right now. But my stomach was stronger than my fear, what can I say? Priorities.

I scoffed. "I'd be more likely to believe that if you already didn't prove yourself to be a liar." He didn't have to pretend to be nice only to kidnap me, "Plus you clearly didn't want to hurt me, you didn't bother knocking me out. You were even careful not to, even when I fought back. You just restrained me. Its clear you need me and you need me intact." I might be oblivious sometimes but I'm not stupid.

The venomous voice upfront laughed. "You'd think that, darlin. I assure you, the cleanup crew that's reorganizing your house currently is thankful we decided to take you to an easier location to clean. They'll be erasing any evidence of our presence" 

Clean up crew? Fat chance. If they're any good at their job they'd know they didn't need a clean up crew for me. No one visits anymore. I might get lucky if they notice I haven't stopped by or bugged them but that not likely at all. It was more than obvious he was just trying to scare me so I fall back in my seat with a huff. At least the seats were comfy. 

I began fidgeting with the zip ties when I feel Vince lean into me. Getting so close to my ear I can hear his slow breathing. "Go back to sleep." His voice a half whisper but still husky. He pulls away almost as fast as he leaned in and I was left with the absence of warmth in his wake. It felt as if he lingered for a second, but maybe that was my imagination drifting. It did that a lot.

I listen to his words, though. I lay my head against the window, my eyes beginning to get heavy. I was falling asleep, but not because he told me to. Because my body is telling me to. 

I don't know if it's the lack of sleep recently or the bag over my head restricting my flow of oxygen but I fell asleep within second of closing my eyes.

I let the darkness seep in.