Laf's P.O.V

I'm scared. I'm really scared. The room I'm in is small. Though, I'm not sure if it's a room. Possibly a walk-in closet, since the space can't be more than twenty-five square feet. I've tried walking in it, only to hit a wall every few steps. There are no lights, either, so I can't see anything. I reach my hand into my pocket, only to find my phone is missing. I run my hands through my hair, expecting to grab onto the beanie for just a small amount of comfort, but that's gone too. How could I possibly have lost it? I curl up and hug my knees to my chest. I just want to go home.

James' P.O.V

"We can't just sit here!"

"James, he's been gone since this morning." John replies. "He could be hours away. I'm worried about him too, but we're going to let the police handle this."

"There has to be something we can do!" I cry, panicked and desperate to find Laf.

"I'm looking to see if there's been any other recent kidnappings in the area." Alex says, tapping away at the keys on his laptop. "Hopefully that will give us a lead of some sort."

"Thank you, Alex."

"I'm not doing this just for you," Alex snaps. "Laf's my friend, too."

"Sorry...I just…"

"It's alright, James." John says softly. "We're all worried about him."

There's a knock at the door, and I jump up, running towards it. A part of me hopes it'll be Laf. He'll be standing there, and everything will be okay.

But of course, my hopes are shattered as I open the door.

"James! Where've you been?" Thomas exclaims, wrapping his arms around me in a hug.

I freeze and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to keep myself from shaking.

"Jemmy? Are you okay?"

"Leave me alone." I say, looking up at him. "Please...just leave me alone…"

"But I have reservations for that new restaurant on Oak Street. I thought you'd want to go." He replies. "You do want to go, don't you?"

"Not with you." I push him away.

"But-"

"But what? Remember what I said last night, Thomas?"

"I didn't think you meant it…" he almost looks hurt. And I almost feel bad. But I don't. Thomas deserves it.

"Of course I meant it!" I screw,.

"I'll be better, I promise…" he begs.

"How, by tearing a knife along my skin?" I say, venom in my voice. "Or by forcing me to do something I have no desire to do?" My hands are shaking.

"You know I can still tell everyone, right?" He says, his voice low. "I'm trying to be better. I'm trying really hard, but you're making this really difficult."

"Fine. Tell everyone. I'm not going with you, Thomas. I'm done."

He grabs onto my wrist and spins me around, pinning my arm behind my back. I let out a yelp of pain. How are Alex and John not hearing this? I don't dare call out, either. Thomas will make me regret it.

"You're gonna come with me, alright?" He whispers into my ear.

I whimper softly, but am unable to move away from Thomas.

"James?" John steps into view of the doorway, his eyes narrowing. "Get away from him, Thomas."

"Or what?" He pushes harder against my arm, making tears leak out of my eyes.

John lunges straight at us, and manages to punch Thomas in the nose. Thomas gasps out in pain and releases me. I scramble back into the dorm, hiding behind John.

"Stay away from James." John growls before slamming the door in Thomas' face. He turns to me. "You all right?"

I nod, rubbing the arm that Thomas pinned behind my back, which also happens to be the one covered in cuts. I'm hoping they didn't open back up.

"Alright." John says. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Me too," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm gonna go back to the room…"

"Alright, James."

I walk into the roo, and flop onto Laf's bed, hugging the pillow. I'm worried about him. Where is he?

Laf's P.O.V

I can't help but wonder if my friends are looking for me. I was supposed to meet Alex and John for lunch. They have to have noticed im missing.

My stomach rumbles, I haven't eaten since breakfast. I don't even know how much time has passed since this morning.

I hear a door slam. I shoot up, trying to listen for anything that might tell me about my captor.

I hear another door-closer, this time-open, and someone talking in the phone.

"Yes. Yes, I have the Marquis. No, not yet. No! I'll call you back once I've decided. Yes. Bye."

Why do they want me?

I hear a lock click, and the door to the closet opens.

I immediately jump up and shove past the guy, trying to get out. Just as quickly he grabs onto me and shoves me up against the wall. He's pressing against my back, so I can't see what he's doing. I feel something cold cut through my jeans and press against my leg, then gasp out in pain as it-I'm assuming it's a knife-cuts into my leg.

He let's go of me and I collapse, unable to stand from the pain.

"If you try to run again, it'll be worse." He threatens. I catch a glimpse of a gun holstered on his waist before he grabs me around my wrist and drags me back to the closet. "Idiot." He mutters before tossing an apple at me and slamming the door. It's not much food, but I'll take it.

I feel the blood pouring down my leg. I don't know how deep the cut is, but it will no doubt scar.

I take a small bite of the apple, letting tears roll down my cheeks and fall onto the floor. I wish someone were here with me…James, or John, or Alex...heck, even if Thomas was here I'd be feeling better. But more than that, I just wish I was back home.