There's a Light at the End of this Tunnel
There was only darkness. The blindfold was wrapped securely around her head, effectively blocking out all light and muffled any noise.
Beth had been kidnapped. Her captors had had an easy time getting her. Her ankle, while wrapped, had swollen up and she could only hop around clumsily. They had snuck up, and snatched her from behind while she had been waiting for Daryl.
She had tried to fight back, but all she did was wiggle the bookbag off her back, when she landed with a thud on the dirt ground. They muffled her screams with a damp rag.
After that, she blacked out.
When Beth came to, she was in a moving car. Her hands and feet were bound together, and though she tried desperately, she couldn't loosen the knots. She had to rely on the movement of the car to aid her.
The car suddenly turned right, and Beth made a mental note.
1..2..3..4..5..
Left turn…
Beth quietly counted while trying to wiggle free, in what she guessed was the trunk
"I'd rather be stuck in a trunk with a horde of walkers," Beth muttered to herself, her mind traveling back to that terrifying evening when Daryl and she were stuck in the trunk of a car.
Oh Daryl…
Beth pushed the thought of him away while she hoped and prayed that he would save her; the chance of that was slim. She was probably too far gone for him to track the car. He may be an amazing tracker, but you can only go so far before the trail goes cold.
Right..
1..2..3..
Left...
Beth noted that the car had begun to slow down. Beth's heart was pounding, and her dinner threatened to make a reappearance. The car came to a sudden halt, and Beth was lurched to the side, hitting her head. Knowing that it would leave a bump, she groaned.
Beth's breath hitched in her throat when she heard the muffled sound of voices. She stayed still and strained to hear what the voices were saying.
"..take her out. She's our…"
"...no she isn't. She's a pest that stole our food and…"
Beth could only make out bits and pieces, but she was sure that they were talking about her.
The voices got closer to the trunk and Beth stopped moving completely. Blinding light seeped past her blindfold as the trunk was opened, and Beth was exposed to the sunlight.
She felt large rough hands reach for her, and while wanting to get as far away as possible, she knew the chances of her escaping were very slim. After all, she was bound, her ankle was broken, twisted, and she couldn't see a damn thing.
She was picked up and roughly thrown over someone's shoulder. The body was obviously built, and reeked of cigarette smoke. She faked being unconscious, in hopes to hear some helpful information about who these people were. Though they had captured her, she wouldn't give up on hope. The apocalypse did crazy things to many good people.
She heard two other voices besides the one carrying her. They also sounded gruff, and Beth guessed they were both strong, able-bodied men. Her head rolled to the side, and she held her breath when one of the other men started talking.
"He ain't gonna be happy about getting only one," the voice to her left said, in a hushed whisper. "And she's so small. Not a lot to show for."
"Yeah, well she'll last for a while. Besides, we have others to tend to before her. Whatever he wants, he'll do," the voice carrying her replied. "He calls the shots."
"Whatever, I'm just sick of fetching shit for him like a damn dog while he gets to stay here and stay safe. It ain't fuckin fair."
Beth heard what sounded like a slap upside the head, and a groan of pain.
"Just shut the fuck up. I'm sure he can hear your voice."
The sound of creaking wood let Beth know they were on a porch. They traveled into a house, and the other voices grew farther away as they she descended down a staircase into a basement. Beth smelled something awful as they descended. It only grew stronger as Beth was forcefully put on ground. The man tied her hands over her head, and Beth started squirming. The realization that she was kidnapped and wouldn't be able to escape, finally dawning on her. The man chuckled quietly,and after securing the knot, undid her blindfold.
"Well, looks like the lil' missus has finally woken up."
He definitely looked intimidating. He had unkempt facial hair and rotten teeth. His breath was laced with smoke and something very...off..like he had eaten something weird. His brown eyes could have been kind, in another lifetime, but now they looked unstable. They were eyes of man who had lost himself in this new world.
"Where...where am I ?" Beth asked, not knowing what to say to this stranger.
The man gave a toothy grin, "You're safe lil' missus. Somewhere secure."
The confused look on Beth's face made the man chuckle.
"Don't you worry your little pretty head. We'll take care of you."
"We'll?" Though Beth knew there were others, she needed to get as much information as she could. Anything could be useful.
"There's five of us. All capable men. We'll supply food, shelter, protection..."
"I...why did you take me?" Beth knew she was treading on thin ice. He could snap at any moment. One could never assume in situations like these, granted Beth lacked the personal experience. He smiled softly. He really seemed quite sane for someone who had tied up a helpless girl in a basement.
"You were lil' lonesome. Just a helpless lil' miss. You're so thin I just knew you were by yourself, and I'm sure you wouldn't go without a fight. It was just precautions we had to take. I'm sure you have lots of questions."
It sounded like his little speech had been well rehearsed. Beth was going to take advantage of his kindness, though.
"Um..I wasn't alone. I mean, I was, but not like how you think. People will be looking for me." Beth thought it best to fib a little bit. Though Daryl probably contained the rage of several men.
"That's okay. They weren't taking very good care of you, obviously, if you were by yourself, surrounded by those damn eaters."
Beth bit her lower lip. He seemed to really believe that what he did was okay.
"Why am I tied up? It's really uncomfortable." Beth squirmed for show.
"Im sorry. I know it's not the best way to wake up, but we have to make sure you're not gonna try to do anything stupid. You seem like a nice enough girl. I'm sure you won't try anything silly, but, like I said, it's just a precaution."
A loud thump came from upstairs and the man glanced up, a look of annoyance crossing his face. He stood up and started towards the stairs.
"Wait...are you leaving?" Beth asked quietly. Maybe if she gained trust, she could get an advantage to escape.
The man faced her. "I have to check on something, I'll be back soon lil' missus."
Beth called out to him. "What's your name, if you don't mind? I like putting a name to a face "
The man's gaze pierced into her eyes, studying her intensely. Beth had to force herself to keep eye contact. She had to get him to lower his guard.
"The names Dan. May I ask yours?"
"...Maggie."
End chapter 1
AN: Hello! This is my very first story I have ever seriously written and published. I'm really not sure what direction I will take with this but if you stick with me I'm sure you will enjoy the ride. It is a romance story after all! Please try to write nice things to me. I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can. Thank you for starting this journey with me!