---Chapter 27---
In the following days, Michael and Victoria missed more classes, disappearing now and then. What they were doing was stealing moments together. They tried not to voice anything negative. It was their moments of peace and tranquility in an otherwise chaotic and sometimes miserable life. Yet, they didn't disregard how ironic it was - the two of them like that, the two of them having secrets that were shared by them and kept from the rest of the world.
Michael had said nothing to Maria, of course - and she naturally assumed nothing- just that they were together as before. But he was increasingly absent and distant. He didn't start fights or argue, bit was agreeable because he felt guilty no matter what and he didn't want to put it off on Maria. He didn't want to hurt her either. She was the second girl he'd ever loved. No other females had really meant much in his life, especially since he hadn't had a mother. But Isabel and Maria were the one's he cared about. And now? . . .
Michael didn't classify Victoria with them, mostly because he avoided serious thought as much as possible when it came to her, it was too stressing and confusing. He was living a lie and filled with illusion. And so was Victoria. They couldn't accept reality, not now.
- - - Kyle was worried about Victoria. She didn't talk to him much anymore or be social like usual with all of her "admirers", plus she was missing classes and stuff. She didn't return his calls and when they did talk in person or otherwise, she was not rude, really - or acting angry, but she seemed distant and oblivious to him. And so he decided to take a trip to Las Cruces on Saturday, to her home, to find out what was going on with her.
Kyle stopped the automobile about a block or two away and walked up. When a car came by, they didn't see him - and hey went through the security gates. Kyle saw his only way in, so he hurried and got in the gate before it closed after admitting the car.
Kyle stood back and watched as three men got out of the car and went into the mansion from the side. Kyle did the same. Inside, he saw no one and the vastness of the place before him made him uneasy.
As he walked around the mansion, he wondered where Victoria's room would be. There was no one around to ask. And it didn't feel too inviting even if there was.
He rounded a corner, just to run into two men. Without word or question they grabbed him, and he said, "Hey! Let go of me. I'm not here to rob the place. I only want to talk to ---" He only got those words out, because everything went black..
-- Kyle came to with an aching head, a kink in his neck and . chains on his wrist and ankles. He pulled on them, yet they were steadfastly hinged to some kind of reclining chair that he was reclined on.
"You shouldn't have come here." Kyle looked to the speaker. Adam Winthrop, with the two men around him - and another one off to the left watching.
"Intrusions are not welcomed." The man - Adam Winthrop spoke again.
"I'm not . . . I didn't do anything wrong. I only wanted to talk to your daughter." -Kyle.
"She had wasted enough time on you. You are not her focus." -Winthrop.
"What did I do wrong?" -Kyle.
"It's not what you did - it's who you're connected with. Friends can get you into trouble you know." -Winthrop.
"I don't know w---" Kyle started to say, when Adam Winthrop interjected, "It's not for you to know anything. You should have stayed home, Kyle Valenti. You see, I was going to wait until later to bring you here - or whatever I was going to do with you. But that's not important now - and neither are you, terribly. I'll acquire some information from you." He said, assuredly,". and then, we shall see."
Adam turned to go, but said first, "Enjoy your stay Mr. Valenti." A thick, metal door closed behind him, and all he had to look at was the barren, windowless, yet - immaculately cleaned sterile room --- and the men standing menacingly before him.
---End of Chapter 27---
In the following days, Michael and Victoria missed more classes, disappearing now and then. What they were doing was stealing moments together. They tried not to voice anything negative. It was their moments of peace and tranquility in an otherwise chaotic and sometimes miserable life. Yet, they didn't disregard how ironic it was - the two of them like that, the two of them having secrets that were shared by them and kept from the rest of the world.
Michael had said nothing to Maria, of course - and she naturally assumed nothing- just that they were together as before. But he was increasingly absent and distant. He didn't start fights or argue, bit was agreeable because he felt guilty no matter what and he didn't want to put it off on Maria. He didn't want to hurt her either. She was the second girl he'd ever loved. No other females had really meant much in his life, especially since he hadn't had a mother. But Isabel and Maria were the one's he cared about. And now? . . .
Michael didn't classify Victoria with them, mostly because he avoided serious thought as much as possible when it came to her, it was too stressing and confusing. He was living a lie and filled with illusion. And so was Victoria. They couldn't accept reality, not now.
- - - Kyle was worried about Victoria. She didn't talk to him much anymore or be social like usual with all of her "admirers", plus she was missing classes and stuff. She didn't return his calls and when they did talk in person or otherwise, she was not rude, really - or acting angry, but she seemed distant and oblivious to him. And so he decided to take a trip to Las Cruces on Saturday, to her home, to find out what was going on with her.
Kyle stopped the automobile about a block or two away and walked up. When a car came by, they didn't see him - and hey went through the security gates. Kyle saw his only way in, so he hurried and got in the gate before it closed after admitting the car.
Kyle stood back and watched as three men got out of the car and went into the mansion from the side. Kyle did the same. Inside, he saw no one and the vastness of the place before him made him uneasy.
As he walked around the mansion, he wondered where Victoria's room would be. There was no one around to ask. And it didn't feel too inviting even if there was.
He rounded a corner, just to run into two men. Without word or question they grabbed him, and he said, "Hey! Let go of me. I'm not here to rob the place. I only want to talk to ---" He only got those words out, because everything went black..
-- Kyle came to with an aching head, a kink in his neck and . chains on his wrist and ankles. He pulled on them, yet they were steadfastly hinged to some kind of reclining chair that he was reclined on.
"You shouldn't have come here." Kyle looked to the speaker. Adam Winthrop, with the two men around him - and another one off to the left watching.
"Intrusions are not welcomed." The man - Adam Winthrop spoke again.
"I'm not . . . I didn't do anything wrong. I only wanted to talk to your daughter." -Kyle.
"She had wasted enough time on you. You are not her focus." -Winthrop.
"What did I do wrong?" -Kyle.
"It's not what you did - it's who you're connected with. Friends can get you into trouble you know." -Winthrop.
"I don't know w---" Kyle started to say, when Adam Winthrop interjected, "It's not for you to know anything. You should have stayed home, Kyle Valenti. You see, I was going to wait until later to bring you here - or whatever I was going to do with you. But that's not important now - and neither are you, terribly. I'll acquire some information from you." He said, assuredly,". and then, we shall see."
Adam turned to go, but said first, "Enjoy your stay Mr. Valenti." A thick, metal door closed behind him, and all he had to look at was the barren, windowless, yet - immaculately cleaned sterile room --- and the men standing menacingly before him.
---End of Chapter 27---