Chapter thirteen

Martin 98 hours missing

Samantha 25 hours missing

For over four days, Martin sat in the basement contemplating on what Christian was going to do with him. He wasn't beaten right away. He just sat in the darkened cold for hours before the door finally crept open. He had never met Christian before. He had no idea what Christian wanted with him until that moment.

***

It was dark. He couldn't see anything. He immediately knew that his left hand was handcuffed to something. He couldn't believe how stupid he was. But Christian had a badge. He realized now that it was too convenient for Christian to be around.

The last thing that he remembered was drinking something that Christian had offered. It was obviously laced with something. Maybe rohypnol?

His body shivered. It was so cold. His stomach roared demanding food.

He sighed. He tried to work his wrist from the handcuffs. He knew it was pointless, though. But desperation could do a lot to a man. He began to feel around, trying to find anything that he could use in his escape.

He knew he wasn't going to escape. It was completely pointless, but he didn't know what to do. He wanted to get out of here. He didn't want to find out what this guy's plan was.

Suddenly, a stream of light slowly crept towards him. He looked up and saw the door being cracked open. He turned on the spot light. Martin's eyes began to hurt. He tried to watch as Christian stalked close, but the bright light in his eyes prevented that.

Christian immediately walked up and slapped Martin in the face, causing his left cheek to bleed. It also caused his lip to crack and bleed. "She loves you. She doesn't deserve you," he spat.

Martin reached up and grabbed at his cheek. He retracted his hand and saw blood. "What are you talking about? Who loves me?"

"Samantha."

Martin's heart stopped beating. Did he just hear what he thought he heard? Samantha couldn't love him. She had not acted like it. She wanted to keep their relationship a secret. He had always cared for her, but he couldn't take lying anymore. "She doesn't love me."

Christian laughed. "Love really is blind." He paused and stared at him. He kicked him a few times in the ribs and stomach.

Martin was in pain. His agony seemed to make Christian happy. He doubled over and grasp at his stomach as blood poured from it. "I didn't know," he breathed.

"She loves you," Christian reiterated. He smiled. "And that's why I have to get rid of her. She won't go for me. She's hooked on you."

Martin shot his up and stared at him. He was going to hurt Samantha.

Christian smiled. He began to pace in front of Martin. "That caught your attention," he smiled. "I know you love her, too. It's blatant." He leaned down beside Martin and said, "I'm going to rape her over and over again. And then I'm going to kill her." Martin stared straight ahead. "Don't worry, you'll be long gone."

Martin gasped as he saw the gun for the first time. He pointed it at his head. "See you in hell," Christian spat.

"I broke up with her. I don't want to date her anymore. That's why I broke up with her. It's not my fault that she loves me. I'm not doing anything to prompt her," Martin said quickly. They were words that he didn't mean. He wanted Samantha to love him.

Suddenly, Christian stopped and lowered the gun. "You know, you're right?" With that he turned around and left leaving Martin in the swelling darkness.

***

He spent the rest of the time thinking about Samantha. He was shocked to find that she loved him, but for all he knew, Christian was lying to him. But when Christian told him again in front of Samantha, he knew it to be true. He shouldn't be shocked. He stayed Samantha's friend for a reason, and it wasn't until now did he realize it. He had tried to stop loving Samantha, but she had a hold on him. It wasn't really unwelcome. It is what it is. He hung around Samantha at work for a distinct reason. And when he first heard a woman scream, he knew that Christian had Samantha.

***

There was complete silence. Then, Martin heard somebody screaming. His heart fell. He knew whose voice that belonged to. He couldn't believe that Christian had followed through with his threat.

Samantha's screaming was full of fear and pain. It was bloodcurdling. It was the kind of scream that only actors did in a murder movie. He had no idea that that kind of scream existed in real life. He tried to cover his ears. He was turning his back away from Samantha, but what could he do? He was cuffed to a pipe.

Suddenly, the screams faded. He couldn't hear Samantha anymore. It worried him because for all he knew she was dead. His nerves danced in his stomach until he heard the door handle jiggle. He looked up and saw Christian appear in the doorway carrying a motionless Samantha. He had one hand underneath Samantha's knees and the other underneath the middle of her back.

He prayed that the woman upstairs wasn't Samantha, but he knew when he saw her. She wasn't wearing a shirt, so he easily saw her bleeding abdomen. Her lip was cracked, and it carried dried blood. Why was her shirt off? His heart ached. He probably did rape her.

Samantha's arms dangled as Christian walked down the stairs. Her head drooped towards the floor. Her eyes were closed. Her face was serene. It looked like she was sleeping.

Christian gently placed Samantha on the ground. He pulled out some handcuffs and secured her to the railing of the stairs. He looked up at Martin and smiled. "She's alive," he said before climbing up the stairs and disappearing behind the closed door.

"She's alive" was the sweetest words that he had heard since this happened. He continued to call her name. He prayed that she was out because of what he gave her and not because of a head injury or something. He called her name in sporadic intervals. He didn't know how long it was when he heard whimpering.

"Sam?"

***

He knew that when he saw Christian carry Samantha's limp body he was in trouble. His heart flew out to her. He wished it were him in that state. He knew that he would always love her. He knew that his love for her will always be in the way. He also knew that he wanted to be with her.

Martin turned his attention to where Samantha was tied up. Christian had taken her away from him hours ago. And he hadn't seen either of them since. But, he heard Samantha screaming and crying. Once again, he covered his ears trying to get Samantha's cries out of his mind.