My Syndicate Beta

Episode 2

*Karen's POV*

My heart was pounding as I looked at my phone. It was 11 pm and I had just received a call from an unfamiliar number. I felt a wave of fear wash over me as I considered what to do. Should I answer? I had no idea who it could be, and I was scared.

My hands were trembling as I slowly reached for the phone. I hesitated for a moment before finally pressing the answer button.

"Hello?" I said, my voice shaking.

There was a brief pause before a voice spoke.

"Karen?"

I felt my heart racing. Who was this?

"Yes," I said nervously. "Who is this?"

The voice on the other end chuckled.

"It's me, Karen," he said. "It's your brother."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I had been so scared, but it was just my brother. I smiled, relieved.

"Oh, thank goodness," I said. "You scared me half to death. What are you calling so late?"

He laughed.

"I just wanted to check in and say hi," he said. "I know it's late, but I thought it would be nice to talk."

I smiled. I was so glad he had called.

"I'm glad you did," I said. "It's nice to hear from you."

We talked for a few more minutes before he said goodnight. I hung up the phone, feeling relieved and happy. I was so glad it had been my brother at the other end of the line.

There was no need to panic.

I snuggled my pillow and patted my back to put myself to sleep. It was a habit I learned as a successful single woman. There was nobody to pat my back, so I did it myself.

I stayed in that position for a while and couldn't sleep. I could feel my annoying thoughts creeping in, so I got up to put my earphones on.

As the soft music from my headphones filled my ears, I felt my eyelids become heavy. The music was like a lullaby, slowly lulling me to sleep. I felt my body relax and my breathing slow down. The music was so powerful.

My eyes closed and I drifted off into a light sleep. I felt weightless and peaceful, as if I were floating away. I didn't want to leave, but I couldn't stay either. The music played on, and I felt myself fading away. I let go of all the stress and worries of the day, and just let myself be carried away by the beautiful melody.

Finally, I surrendered to the music. I let myself sink into the depths of sleep, and the music became part of me. I was at peace, and I knew I would be alright. I lingered on the music for a while, before I finally drifted off into a deep and dreamless sleep.

****

*The next day at work*

(Karen's office)

I was in my office, answering calls and emails when my secretary came in with my coffee and a visitor. I had no idea who the visitor was, but I assumed he was from a partner company.

He greeted me with a smile and introduced himself as John. He explained that he was in town to discuss some business matters with me.

I welcomed him and asked my secretary to bring us some refreshments. We started to talk about our companies and the deals that we could potentially make.

John seemed knowledgeable and friendly. We discussed the details of the deal and agreed to move forward with it.

We spent the next hour discussing the finer points of the deal and the potential benefits for both companies. By the end of our conversation, I felt confident that we had come to a mutually beneficial agreement.

Before John took his leave, he suggested we have some dinner. I nodded and handed him my number and I returned to my desk to finish up my work. I had a lot to do, but I felt good about the progress we had made.

*Later that day*

I was feeling my anticipation grow as I waited for John to come to pick me up. I had spent the day getting ready for our date, and I had never felt so excited about going out with someone. This was going to be my first date this year. I had my last date three years ago.

Dates and relationships aren't really my thing.

My heart was pounding as I heard a car pull up outside my house. I walked out and saw John waiting at the door, looking handsome and dapper in his suit. He opened the door for me and I could feel my cheeks flush as I stepped inside.

The car ride was a dream. John kept showering me with compliments on my dress and makeup. I felt my heart flutter as he reached over to take my hands in his and planted gentle kisses on my fingers. I felt my whole body melt as his lips touched my skin.

We arrived at the restaurant and were seated at a cozy corner table. We talked and laughed for hours. I felt more connected to him than I had ever felt to anyone before. I knew that this was the start of something special.

Well, what I knew or what I thought I knew was wrong because things weren't the way I thought they were. The wine tasted amazing but something else was going on.

I had a feeling that John was trying too hard to get me drunk, but I decided to still play along. He poured me a glass of wine and kept refilling it, even though I had barely taken a sip. I knew he was trying to get me to drink more, but I just smiled and accepted the offer.

We kept talking and eventually, the bottle ran out. I was feeling a bit light-headed, but John seemed to be sober. He offered to take me home, and I accepted.

As we drove away, I noticed that John had taken the wrong turn. I was a bit confused but I decided to keep quiet. We soon arrived at his house. I was a bit taken aback, but I said nothing. He walked me to the door and asked me to come in.

I was a bit uncomfortable but I still decided to follow him in. I knew what he wanted, but I also knew that I had no choice but to play along. I kept myself composed and followed him inside.

Immediately we got in, something fishy went down.

I can’t believe I fell for it. I should have known better than to trust John. He had seemed so nice and inviting, and I thought he was a good friend and maybe a potential lover, but I was wrong. Now, I realized he had a much more sinister plan in mind.

As I stepped inside his house after he invited me in, I thought he just wanted to catch up and hang out. But he had been acting strangely from the moment I arrived.

He went into his room and stayed there for a long while. I was a little bothered after spending close to an hour waiting for him. I could not argue or get upset or react because I felt he was busy on a business call or something. Besides, he kept me entertained with his TV on and my favorite show was playing.

I had waited for a long while when I decided to call his cell phone. I picked up my cell phone and called his number. What shocked me was that his phone was right in front of me. It rang out right on the table before me. I became scared.

What was John doing inside his room? Was something happening there that I did not know about? Was he with someone?

So many thoughts crossed my mind and I tried to wade them off but at some point, I got up to find out what was going on.

I knocked on the door. No one answered.

I knocked again, and yet no one answered. That was when I decided to open the door and check what was going on inside.

Immediately, I gently pushed the door and it opened up a little. I felt something hit my head. I fell straight to the ground, my hand on my head. I was whimpering in pain.

My head was in pain but I knew I had to get out of there. I held my head in my hand and tried to stand on my feet. When I surveyed my environment, I saw John with a shoe rack in his hand. He was trying to hit me again. I got confused.

"John," I called out to him. "John, what's going on? Why are you doing this?" I asked as I tried to stand on my feet. He hit me again and it brought me to my knees.

I watched as his mouth moved, " Look, I'm so sorry but I was paid to kidnap you and I have to get you to them" and then he hit me again.

There was a trick I learned. My parents called it 'playing dead'. It was simply for one to play dead when someone had attacked them. You would need to play dead and wait till they are disarmed, then attack them and run.

That's what I did. I fell to the ground and acted like I had passed out. John tried to move my body with his feet but I lay still.

When I saw him from the corner of my eyes squatting to check on me, I immediately kicked him in the balls and ran out of his room.

It took John a second or two to recover but I soon saw him right behind me.

"John, what are you doing? What have I ever done to you?!!" I was trying to invoke his emotions but I soon discovered that doesn't work on men like John. Instead of slowing down, John took a bottle from the table in his hallway and tried to throw it at me. I had dodged it, thank goodness.

I made my way to his bathroom area and was soon entering the bathroom when John started to pull at my clothes and I realized I had to start to struggle. I tried to fight back, but he was too strong. I was desperate and I started to scream for help again. I was hoping someone would hear me, but it seemed like no one was coming to save me.

He pushed the door open and dragged me off to the bedroom. That bastard slapped me, saying I was giving him a hard time while he tried to kidnap me. I sat there, too shocked to scream anymore. I just prayed in my heart. I prayed to God for a miracle.

I watched with my very own eyes as he took a bag and was about to put it over my head. John was almost close to me when he paused. He turned to his side and grabbed a duck tape. He wanted to tie me up first so that I could barely move or escape, then he would cover my eyes and face and take me to whoever had hired him to kidnap me.

.. And to think I was imagining myself in a relationship with this man. I slap myself whenever I think of it.

As he drew the duct tape, I begged for mercy.

"Listen, John. Whatever they paid you, I will pay you double. I am a successful business woman. I can give you whatever you please. Please do not kidnap me. Please let me go" I begged, trying to convince John why he should let me go.

John shook his head. He had finished duck-taping me and was about to duck-tape my mouth when he said, "these people are with my daughter. I have to save her. I hope you understand. I am so sorry" and with that, he brought his hands closer to my mouth.

I immediately bit into his fingers. It caused him pain. He bent over a little and I used my head to bash him in the stomach. That sent him straight to the ground. At that moment, I felt accomplished and I promised myself that if I ever got out of there alive and well, I would take self-defense classes.

After he fell to the ground, I quickly bit into the duct tape and cut it with my teeth. I freed myself and soon, I was out of the chair.

I ran out of his room and into the living room. I was at the door and soon leaving when I touched the doorknob and discovered he had locked it. I cursed under my breath. Today was just not my lucky day.

I could scarcely believe this was happening to me, but I knew I had to take action. I had been cornered by John, and he was coming closer and closer with a determination in his eyes that I knew all too well. I was certain that he was about to r**e me.

My heart was pounding as I looked around desperately for something I could use to defend myself. I spotted a lamp on the floor and grabbed it, my hands shaking. I knew I only had one chance to get this right.

Just as John was about to grab me, I swung the lamp at his head with all my strength. I had timed it perfectly, and he went down like a sack of potatoes.

I didn't wait to find out if he was okay. I ran to the door, thankful that he had forgotten to lock it. I didn't look back as I raced away, but I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I had just escaped a terrifying situation, and I will never forget that feeling of relief.

I ran for my life.

I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I ran from John's house. I had just hit him with a lamp while he was trying to r**e me. I kept running, my feet pounding the pavement without shoes. I didn't think I could ever outrun him, but I had to try.

The night was dark, and the streetlights cast an eerie glow on the streets. I could hear him behind me, getting closer and closer. I felt my heart pounding in my chest and my breathing becoming more and more labored. I was so scared.

I kept running, pushing myself faster and faster, but it seemed like no matter how far I ran, he was still right behind me. I wanted to scream, but I had no breath left. I was so close to giving up, but I knew I had to keep going.

Suddenly, I felt a hand grab my arm. I screamed, but it was too late. John had caught up with me. He grabbed me and spun me around, his face twisted with rage. I felt tears streaming down my face as I looked into his eyes.

He snarled at me, and I knew that I had to act fast. I slammed my foot into his shin and pushed him away from me. He stumbled back and I took my chance. I ran as fast as I could, not looking back until I was sure I was safe.

Finally, I escaped. I was safe. I had managed to escape from John and his attempted r**e. I was relieved and exhausted so I sat on the floor to rest.

****

I sat there resting. I was exhausted and completely out of breath after running for my life. I had been running for hours, my heart pounding in my chest, my feet aching from the hard pavement. I stumbled and fell to the ground, my body completely spent from the effort.

That's when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up, expecting to see an enemy, but instead, I saw a familiar face. It was my Mr. Macho. He extended a bottle of water to me and I gratefully accepted.

"Thank you," I said, taking a long swig of the cool liquid.

He said he knew me. I knew him too but I had to act like I had no idea who he was or what he meant.

I asked him what and where.

He smiled and offered his hand to help me up. I grabbed it and he pulled me to my feet.

"Come on, I will take you to a place where you can rest. You seem like you have just escaped death" he said.

He was right but I didn't want to show it.

I had to act cool.

Cool to my crush.

I nodded and followed him, feeling a little shy that I was barefooted and nearly naked when I met my crush for the first time.

Well. I heard from a women's rally that a man who liked you would look away from appearances and look into your heart.

As I was walking down the street with Mr. Macho, I could feel a strange presence nearby. I looked around and saw a figure standing in the shadows. It was John. He was holding a knife and was slowly walking towards me. I was terrified and I instinctively put my hand on Mr. Macho’s arm. He seemed to know what was going on and acted quickly. He stepped in front of me and tackled John to the ground. He fought with John for what seemed like an eternity, but he eventually emerged victorious.

I was in awe of Mr. Macho’s strength and courage. He had defended me without a second thought and I couldn’t help but admire his courage. I also couldn’t help but admire his round and perfectly shaped butt as he fought with John. It was a sight to behold and I’ll never forget it. After the fight was over, Mr. Macho helped me up and we walked away from the scene. I was so grateful for his help and I knew I could always count on him.

We stood there. I was admiring him and he was trying to dust the dirt off himself when something suddenly happened.

I hadn't seen it coming but John stood up from the ground, grabbed the knife, and stabbed Mr. Macho with it.