Chapter 10

Katie could not stop smiling when she got home from work. She wished her mom was home to help her get ready, because she had no idea how to intentionally make herself look attractive. Katie rushed up stairs to take a shower and do her hair. She at least wanted to look good for Shiro. After her shower, she walked into her small room and saw the sparkling green dress hanging up in her closet. It stood out the most. She put the dress on and looked at herself in the mirror. "Great," she smiled to herself.

"And, uh… makeup," she said. However, she was terrible at applying that stuff, and was afraid if she tried too hard she'd end up looking like a sparkly green clown. She checked the time and saw that she still had ten minutes. Was there anything else she could do to be prepared? Oh. Put on shoes. Right.

She stole a pair from her mother's closet, because she didn't own any high heels. Finally, she was ready. She beamed.

Katie grabbed her phone and her purse that matched her dress. She headed out and locked the door behind her. Once done, she stood there and took a deep breath. Her arms felt tingly. Maybe she should call Shiro, just to make sure she got the time right? No, that might be stupid. She pulled out his number anyway.

Out of nowhere, a hand clamped over her mouth. She was pulled back towards a warm body. She let out a cry and struggled.

"You are pretty, I think I'll keep you," said Neville, his nasty breath going down her neck.

Katie struggled, and she dropped her phone in the process. Neither Neville or Katie knew what was going on.

"Come, my princess, let's head to the boats, we have a journey," Neville said.

…

Shiro smiled as he fixed his tie in the mirror. He was wearing a sweater vest with a tie, dress pants, and dress shoes. Lance helped him picked it out, but he had to go babysit Keith. Apparently Keith had suggested it. That probably wasn't a good sign. Shiro hoped those two wouldn't kill each other before Keith's mom got home.

Just then his phone went off with a ring tone playing "Only You" by Yazoo. Shiro smiled brightly, knowing who was calling. He picked up the phone and was about to talk, but was stopped.

"You are pretty, I think I'll keep you." It was faint, and he could make out some scuffling.

"Come, my princess, let's head to the boats, we have a journey,"

Shiro could hear Katie's gagged scream and tightened his grip on his phone. When it went quiet, Shiro knew Katie was in trouble. He grabbed his coat and headed out the door. He dialed Lance's number.

"Lance, I need you to meet me by the dock," Shiro said, his face stern. "No Lance, Katie is in trouble. I think she got kidnapped, something about a boat, I don't know but get down there now! And yes bring the kid."

…

"So I hear Katie had a date tonight?" Allura leaned across the counter, her diamond earrings sparkling in the Diner lighting. Coran was polishing the coffee machine, and gave her an affirming nod. "Yes."

"Is it with Shiro?"

"Yes."

"Do you think she'll dress up for him?"

"Yes."

"Oh, come on, you have to give me more information than that," she pleaded. "I don't want to have to spy on them from the bushes!"

Coran shrugged. "All I know is that she was in a rush to leave, and left two dirty dishes by the sink! I had to clean them myself." Allura's smile dropped to an expression of disappointment. "Do you truly know nothing?" she asked woefully.

"Well, I think she told me… now, don't take my word for it… I think she said something about it being at a resturaunt."

"You're useless," Allura said. "Thank you! It's my duty!" he saluted her.

….

Shiro ran all the way to the dock. He felt the pain of his aching body, but ignored it. It took about ten minutes, even when running, but he was in a panic. He had to keep going; Katie was in trouble. Shiro looked up and saw the dock ahead. He could see Keith and Lance waiting for him in the front with a cop. He was talking to the captain of the cargo boat.

"Shiro, thank god, "Lance said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Lance, I am fine," Shiro hissed and looked up at the officer.

"Officer Hunk, I was told your friend was kidnapped and brought here?" the cop asked.

"Yes… or that's what the kidnapper said," Shiro responded.

"I hope you are right," Officer Hunk said, and then looked at the captain. "This ship is staying here."

The captain threw his hat down, arguing that he had a tight schedule.

"Go check the boat, I'll talk to the crew," Officer Hunk said. Shiro headed onto the boat immediately, Lance close behind. Keith hadn't said anything, and in fact looked worried, but he followed as well.

The boat creaked beneath them as they started to search. Shiro seemed to be going at the speed of Sonic the Hedgehog. Thoughts like, Where is she? Where could she be? What if we're too late? What if we got the wrong boat? raced through his mind as fast as his heartbeat, but then he heard the sound of movement from behind one of the tall, heavy wooden boxes. Shiro immediately began to push on it, and Lance came to aid him.

When the box was out of the way, it revealed a rusty-looking door. They tugged on it and it opened easily, to their surprise.

Inside was small room, the size of a college dorm. There was a table, a bed, many broken beer bottles, and four human-sized boxes laying in a row. Shiro's felt his heart stop. Did he kill her? Are those coffins? Lance and Keith pushed him forward.

They found the boxes nailed shut, but with some breathing holes. Next to the boxes were a couple of crowbars. Lance and Shiro grabbed them and each worked on a box, trying to get it open, while Keith watched, waiting to help.

The lids popped open, and they worked together to rid the heavy lids. Inside each were two girls, one with blond hair, one with ginger. They were bound and gagged, and looked scared, trying to struggle.

Keith rushed over to help them as Lance and Shiro untied them and helped them sat down.

"Calm down, we're not going to hurt you," Keith said, trying to help them. Lance did the same thing, wondering both How can he be so calm? and Oh, crap, he's probably going to tell his mom about this.

Shiro went to the third box and opened it up in seconds. He found a pretty woman with brown hair bound and gagged, but it wasn't Katie. Lance took the brown hair girl and helped her sit down.

"How long have you been in there?" Lance asked, looking at them, out of breath.

Shiro paid no attention to their conversation. He gazed at the last box as if it taunted him.

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