This is what happens when I have to study. Contains alcohol and a drugs.
Beta is trekkerpoet29 as usual, thanks!
.:.
The music was loud, the bass made her chest vibrate and she could barely hear herself think. It was exactly the way she liked it. Out of breath, brain empty.
"A vodka tonic please." She shouted to the bartender, leaning on her elbow to come close enough so the man would hear her. The guy didn't ask her for an ID. No one ever did. She got her drink and she turned to face the dance floor. People were moving everywhere she looked.
"You wanna dance?" a guy suddenly asked, making her way closer on her right side.
She only hesitated long enough to check him out. Dark eyes, black hair, tall - he would do. She downed the drink in her hand, placed the glass on the bar and followed the guy between the moving mass of people. She let the rhythm of the music take her over, feeling the alcohol moving with her blood. Her body moved with the rest of the bodies pressed close together in the small club.
"You wanna get out of here?" the guy asked after a few dances. She was pressed up against his chest, and they were both out of breath. She nodded and once again they were walking over the dance floor.
Outside the club they found a bench where they sat down. The guy pulled out a pack of cigarettes and held it out to her. She eyed the cigarettes; she wasn't really a big fan of them. Sure, she wouldn't say no if he didn't have anything else, but he didn't look like a guy with only tobacco cigarettes in his pocket.
"You don't have anything stronger?" She asked, smiling sweetly for him.
The guy pulled a joint from his pocket with a smile on his face. His teeth looked sharp and white, making his face look harsh but still handsome.
"That's more like it." She said, taking a deep drag as soon as he lit it. She held the smoke in her lungs, letting it burn, making her eyes water, before breathing out.
"Damn girl, that's hot." The guy said, moving closer. She took another deep drag and then the guy's lips were on hers. She returned the kiss, but lacked the passion she felt coming from him. She broke free, took another deep drag before getting up. She gave the joint back to the guy who now looked shocked.
"I need to get going." She said, leaving the guy behind.
It was only midnight, so she had no desire to go home yet. Her apartment was one of the most boring places she had ever been. She didn't spend any more time there than was absolutely necessary. So instead she steered the way toward a new club out on the pier. Even if her head felt light, she had no problem walking straight or hailing a taxi.
The pier club was much like every other club. She ordered a few drinks, took a pill from her purse and disappeared into the waves of people dancing. The music, the beat, the alcohol—it felt like heaven, or maybe it was hell. Everything was spinning, spinning, spinning.
.:.
The following morning Payson woke up in a strange bed next to a strange guy. He was sleeping next to her, snoring. Without waking him, she got up, pulled her dress on and took her shoes in one hand.
She was hung over, really badly. Walking out to catch a taxi, she noticed that the people around her were dressed for work. Fancy suits and nice skirts. It must be a weekday.
"Taxi!" she called, winching as she felt like her head would split open. Around her people watched her stumble a little as she stepped into the taxi. The judging eyes were nothing new and she gave them the finger before closing the door and giving the driver her address.
The apartment was light, so the first thing Payson did was pull down the blinds. Without getting into the shower, she took a few pills from a jar in the bathroom and headed to bed. Ignoring the ringing from her cellphone, she quickly fell into the darkness of sleep.
.:.
"Hi honey, it's mom. I just wanted to check up on you. How is work? Coming home soon? We'll talk later. Love you, bye." There was a mechanical beep. "Hi Pay, what's up? I'm in LA for a few days, call me." Even though the woman in the last message didn't leave her name, she recognized her old friend Kelly. It had been a year or so since they saw each other last. Kelly, the most broken of them, had continued for another cycle. Only for bars this time around, but she was probably going to the Olympics again. It was unbelievable that anyone would ever want to stay in the sport longer than necessary. Payson's hand found its way to her lower back on its own accord. Between the first and second lumbar vertebrae she felt the scar from the last surgery. She was just happy she got out alive and still able to walk.
Payson stood in the shower for an hour before finally gathering the energy to leave it. Watching herself in the mirror she wasn't very surprised by what she saw. Her blond hair was long, like she'd always had it. She was a bit thinner in her face than when she was still competing. Her body wasn't as strong and instead of gaining weight like most people quitting a sport, she had lost all of her muscle but had not gained any fat. So she was thin. She pulled her wet hair up in a bun and shook out two pills from the jar on the shelf. Her back was constantly bugging her these days.
.:.
After having slept the whole day away and then eating a quick dinner, Payson found herself at another club as the darkness set.
"Something strong please." She said to the bartender. "Anything." She added when all he did was to look at her. "Now please."
"Do you have an ID?" The man asked.
"Why would I need an ID?" Payson asked, leaning closer to the man. "I'm 21, can't you see it?" It was a lie. It was two years past gymnastics. She was still 20. The man didn't look convinced. "How old are you?" She asked, putting a smile on her lips. Maybe it looked forced, but probably not.
"No ID, no alcohol," the man said, turning to the next customer.
Payson felt anger rise in her. She kicked the bar, turned and left. It was LA; she didn't have to walk far to find another good club.
Her hands were almost shaking by the time she downed a drink. She ordered one more, emptying the first glass quickly before turning to study the dance floor.
"Payson?"
Payson almost jumped, hearing her name being called into her ear. She turned and saw Kelly standing there. Her old friend was dressed in an amazing black dress; her hair was short, to her shoulders, and lighter than Payson remembered it being.
"Hi." Payson said, recovering quickly and putting a smile on her lips. "Wow, long time no see!" She said. She turned to the bartender and pointed to her drink and made a sign for two. Kelly hugged her. "You look great." Payson said.
"You too." But Kelly sounded apprehensive. "Who are you here with?" She asked, looking around.
"Oh, I'm waiting for some friends." Payson said. It wasn't exactly a lie, she just didn't know those new friends yet. "They're not here yet." The bartender came with the drinks. Payson emptied the one she was holding and took the new ones. She held one out to Kelly who took it, eyed it suspiciously and didn't drink any of it. "How's training going?" Payson asked.
"Good... I'm here for sponsor work.. You remember."
Payson nodded. She remembered.
"You wanna get out of here?" Kelly asked. "We could go somewhere and talk?"
"Sure." Payson said. She finished her drink and followed Kelly. She had nowhere near enough alcohol in her body to talk gymnastics, so while she was walking behind Kelly she took a couple of pills out of her bag, swallowing them dry.
They got as far as a diner before Payson faked getting a phone call and said she had to leave.
"Next time we'll go out and eat together." Payson said, waving to her friend. "Good luck at the Olympics!"
"Payson? Payson!"
But she didn't turn around as she left the diner. It was only midnight, she still had time for a good night.
.:.
Everything was spinning as Payson once again turned to the bar. She had long ago lost count of the number of drinks or pills she had taken. What day was it? What time? Who was she? It didn't matter, nothing mattered anymore.
"Another one of these!" she said, holding up the glass she had just drained. She had also forgotten what she was drinking.
"Maybe you should slow down girl?" the bartender smiled.
"Maybe." Payson smiled. Her back was still annoying her, so she took one more pill from her purse. One pill couldn't hurt her. Across the bar she saw a few very nice looking guys. She smiled towards them and they all returned her smile.
"Payson?"
The heart in her chest stopped for a moment. Her breath hitched and for a moment, for a fraction of a second, she was transferred two years back in time and was about to apologize. But then she remembered where she was, and who she was.
"Sasha." she smiled and turned to face him. "Old friend! Take a seat!" she said.
"What are you doing?" he asked, not sitting down, and not letting her go with his eyes. He looked exactly like Payson remembered him. The blond hair, a five o'clock shade and the blue eyes. She could see that he was about to reach for her drink, but she was quicker and managed to drink it all before he took the glass from her.
"Wanna dance?" she asked, getting up.
He took a fast grip around her wrist and led her over the dance floor. For a moment Payson thought they would dance, but then she realized he was leading her out of the club. She tried to pull her hand out of his grip, but he was strong. And she was weak.
"Let me go, Sasha! I'll call rape!"
"Yeah? I would love to see you talk with a police officer like that!" he said.
She knew he meant her being both drunk and high. And of course he was right. He led her to his car and more or less pushed her into the backseat.
"Where are we going?" she asked as he sat down in the drivers' seat and closed the door.
"For a drive. Please don't throw up in my car."
She huffed, but didn't promise anything.
"So what's up Pay?" he asked.
She crossed her arms over her chest and closed her eyes. She would not communicate with her kidnapper. Sasha started the engine and soon they were driving down the streets of LA. She had no idea where they were going, she didn't even recognize which part of the city they were in. How had she gotten there in the first place? She couldn't remember.
The pills and the alcohol made her sleepy. Before she knew what had happened she was asleep.
.:. ..:..
Waking up with a pounding headache was never fun. Especially when the bed you wake up in isn't your own. Payson was about to force herself out of bed when she suddenly recognized the smell of the sheets. She was fully dressed, laying with a blanket over her on top of a made bed. She slowly sat up. He had placed a glass of water next to the bed. No pills though. She patted through her pockets. In the tight front pockets she found two unmarked pills. She wasn't completely sure wheat they were, but who cared anyway?
"Put those away!" Sasha suddenly said, coming into the room with fast steps. But Payson was faster, she quickly swallowed the pills and laid down again.
"If you're trying to get me sober you probably should take away my pills first," she said with a smirk and sat up on the bed.
"Breakfast is ready," he said, ignoring what Payson had just said.
"I'm not much for breakfast," Payson said. "I'll take a shower. Then I want you to drive me home!"
She got up from the bed and looked around. From the bedroom she came in to the kitchen, and from the kitchen to a small living room. There were no other doors. She walked back to the bedroom where Sasha was still standing in the spot she had left him. His smile was worrying.
"Where's the bathroom?" she asked, feeling the annoyance grow inside her. Her head was still pounding and all she wanted was to have a drink and go to sleep in her own bed.
"There's an outhouse that way," Sasha said, pointing behind her.
"An outhouse?" Payson didn't believe what she was hearing. "And a shower?"
"The lake is 10 feet away from the house."
Payson shook her head and walked into the kitchen. She found the coffee pot and poured herself a large cup of coffee. This was hell. She had died and gone to hell. "This is kidnapping," she said as Sasha poured himself a cup of coffee next to her. "I'll have you thrown in jail."
"Yeah, sure." Sasha said, sitting down at the table to eat his breakfast. Payson sighed. Looking out through the window trees and water were the only things she could see, except Sasha's car, which was parked on the dirt driveway.
"I've hidden the keys. I'll drive you home when you're clean and sober."
"Can I at least call my parents?" she just wanted to get to her purse, she must have had something stronger in it from last night.
"They already know you're here," Sasha said, sipping his coffee.
She wanted to hit something, or someone, preferably Sasha. What gave him the right to tell her how to live? She finished half the cup of coffee before heading toward the door.
"We're miles away from anything else, if you get lost in the forest you'll probably starve to death, or be eaten by a bear." he called after her.
She was walking barefoot, the grass was wet after what she guessed was rain during the night. She tried the car first. The doors were locked and she couldn't find the keys anywhere on the car. She then walked around the small cottage once, then twice. She assumed he was right. They were probably miles away from any next-door neighbor. She had no desire, whatsoever, to go inside, so instead she walked over to a small tree dock. She sat down on it and let her feet fall into the cool water.
"Stupid, stupid, British idiot," she cursed under her breath. She didn't need to sober up or become clean. She was no addict. She could stop whenever she wanted. How long would it take for Sasha to believe her? A few days? A week tops? She could do that and then get as far away from the stupid British former coach with a hero complex. But while she did it she would stay as far away from him as possible and she would not be pleasant to be around. She had no obligations to him.
"Payson, do you want breakfast?"
Her inside was rumbling around, but she was pretty sure it wasn't hunger she was feeling. She was nauseous and had a headache, food would not cure that. Instead of telling Sasha no, or even acknowledging that she had heard him, she ignored him, watching her feet slowly moving back and forth in the water. It was cold and smooth, almost hypnotizing.
"Do you wanna go for a run?" he asked, now closer to her.
How could he think she wanted to do anything with him? And go for a run? Was he crazy?
"I know that you're angry, I'll leave you alone for now." She heard him him walk back inside the small house. Had her parents talked to him? Asked him to straighten her out? Or was it Becca? Kelly? How had he known where to find her?
She looked out over the still water, the lake wasn't big, she could see the trees on the other side, but it was soothing, watching the insects make marks on the water.
.:.
"Pay, I've made dinner."
A gentle hand on her arm made her jump, sitting up with a bolt. The movement made a wave of pain wash through her body.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Sasha said. "I've made food, you should eat something."
Payson slowly rolled her shoulders and neck, she had fallen asleep on the dock, feet still in the water. She shivered slightly as she stood. Not that she was hungry, but she followed Sasha inside. Wordlessly he handed her a gray hoodie and held out a chair for her. With a sigh she sat down at the table.
"When did you learn to cook?" Payson asked, she still remembered, with embarrassment, how she'd cooked for him since he'd been eating cereal for dinner. Now he put lasagna on her plate, and he looked very happy with himself.
"I could always cook, I was just lazy."
Across the small kitchen table he started eating. Only two years had passed, but for her it felt longer, so the fact that he still looked the same was strange. Picking up the fork she pushed the food around the plate.
"Aren't you hungry?" Sasha asked, already half through the food on his plate. "You haven't eaten anything today."
She was mostly nauseous, and felt lightheaded, but she didn't tell him that. Instead she took a small bite of the lasagna. It was quite good, even if she'd had a certain amount of doubt in his cooking skills. Sasha's face was still neutral as he watched her take another bite, but she could see the smile he was hiding through the light in his eyes.
"I'm done," she said, putting down the fork after the second small bite. His face fell and she felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
"But you..."
Before he could finish she left the table and headed into the living room. It wasn't a big room, but it held a sofa and a table placed in the middle of the room. Along the far wall stood two bookshelves filled with books. In front of the window was a small desk and chair. On the desk she spotted a laptop. Before Sasha could follow her into the room she walked over to the laptop and opened it. It took a moment for it to load, and just when she thought it was ready to use a login window appeared. She sighed and sat down at the desk. What could Sasha have as a password? She tried 123, abc, gymnastics, Sasha, and every possible word she could connect to him.
"You'll never get it," he suddenly said from the door, making her jump. Why was she so jumpy?
"I just want to check my email," she said. She hadn't even had a plan when she sat down, maybe she would have sent a message to the police and say she had been kidnapped. They would have found her quickly.
"I don't have Internet out here," he said, closing the lid on the laptop as he spoke. Of course he didn't have Internet.
"Then why do you have a laptop?"
He didn't answer. She sighed again. "What do you do for fun out here?" She looked around the room. No TV, no stereo, no minibar. The last one she hadn't even bothered to hope for.
"I fish or read books, maybe watch a movie on the laptop."
"You sound like a 90 year old man, those things aren't fun."
He sat down on the sofa, watching her. "Two years ago you would have thought so," he said.
Even though he wasn't wrong she shook her head. "I wasn't very fun two years ago," she said.
"I liked that version of you better..." He fell silent abruptly, like he forced himself not to continue. It wasn't anything she would ever confess to, but his word stung.
"Well, I hate that version of me so it doesn't really matter what you think."
His eyes were still on her. "I'm sorry you feel like that."
"I'm going to bed," Sasha said from the doorway to the living room. Payson was still sitting at the desk, staring out of the window.
"Where do I sleep?" Payson asked, turning to look at him. The house wasn't that big and she was sure there wasn't a guest bedroom.
"You can take the couch," he said. "There's linen in the closet in the kitchen."
Payson groaned but remained seated when he disappeared into the bedroom. Couldn't he have given her the bed at least? It wasn't like she was there voluntarily.
Outside it was getting dark. Watching the sun set over the lake she toyed with the idea of looking for the car keys, or a cell phone. She knew it would be a fruitless task, Sasha wasn't stupid after all, but the thought was still entertaining. She got up from the chair with a sigh. Maybe she could sleep away the time she was forced to spend in captivity.
In the closet Sasha had pointed out she found covers and pillows that she spread out on the couch. Not bothering to change out of Sasha's big and soft hoodie she crawled under the covers. The house was so silent, no surrounding traffic, no music from the neighbors. All she could hear was her own heartbeat.
.:.
So... what do you think? I've already written everything so I'll have the next chapter up in a few days. Will be 3 chapters plus epilogue.
