"Took you long enough," Nick greeted as Cindy slammed the car door shut. She glanced at Jimmy's house quickly, but didn't catch sight of him. Either he was still sleeping, or hadn't found the note yet. She sighed.

"I'm sor-" She was cut off by Nick pressing his lips against hers, engaging in a long romantic kiss. Cindy groaned, but not out of lust. I don't want to do this anymore. I can't. I won't allow it! Despite her resolution, it took her a few minutes to break away. Nick appeared irritated but let it slide. "So... where are we going?"

Nick eased up, and the conversation to the restaurant was light. So far so good.

Dinner was eaten at a four-star Italian restaurant at the end of town. The Tuscan décor, soft music, and exquisite meals eased the tension clinging to the date. As pleasant as everything was, Cindy couldn't help but notice the rush. He didn't want to spend much time there; it clearly wasn't the highlight of the planned evening.

Their timing for the show was perfect. Nick had chosen a horror movie, dismissing the fact that Cindy absolutely hated them. After twenty minutes, the monotony of the movie was apparent, even for Cindy. Its claim to chill your spine and keep you from sleeping for days was refuted, and the "couple" was soon bored. Cindy entertained herself by imagining what the date would have been like if she had gone with Jimmy. We at least would have seen a decent movie. And he'd respect me, unlike Nick. He's eying me again...She sighed. As "special" as this night was supposed to be, nothing has happened. Wait. Nothing's happened? Nothing happened at dinner, nothing's happened in the movie theater, what's left? His house. She gulped.

Nick amused himself by trying to make out with Cindy. He put his hands in such places that she winced at his touch. He's starting.

"Nick! Stop! Not here!" Cindy hissed under her breath. Oh great. "Not here", as in, not here but maybe over there. Not now, but later is fine.

"Shut up, wench." She was taken aback. What did he just call me? His exertion of his dominance over her was overwhelming. All she could do was whimper in fear as he continued. Cindy desperately wished for the movie to never end. If he is this bad in a public theater, what would it be like at his house? His parents will be home, right? The film was coming to a close. No! The last shot was with the man's wife found dead in the closet, hacked to bits by her husband. Cindy gulped again, and tried not to take it as a sign. You're strong, you can fight him... right? No.

"Come on, it's over. Let's go." He grabbed her arm and dragged her out to his car. After shoving Cindy into the car, he jumped in and sped out of the parking lot.

"I... I don't feel so good.. maybe... maybe I should just go...home. Or maybe... we could go to the... to the park?" Cindy tried to sound convincing.

"Ha." It was his only response. Even so, it scared her more than any other single syllable word that could have been uttered from his mouth.

At the speed at which they were traveling, they pulled into Nick's driveway in what seemed like seconds from when they left the theater. Something seemed off. What's missing? Cindy trembled as she noticed it was the absence of his parents' car.

"Where... where are your parents?" He smiled. Devilishly. She cringed.

"Out." His smile added to Cindy's anxiety. He pulled her sharply into the living room. For a moment, her mind was distracted by the sophisticated grandeur of his home. "Close your eyes."

"Wha... why?"

"I have a surprise." Another one of those smiles played on his lips. Cindy swallowed, hard, but did as she was told. As soon as he was blocked by her lids, she regretted it.

She resisted little as he wrapped her wrists together with the duck tape. She figured if she defended herself, he would continue, just in a more severe manner.

He kissed her harshly. His smile was still there as Cindy's eyes reluctantly opened. She didn't want to face the future. "We can do this the hard way, or the easy way. Take your pick."

"Touch me and I'll scream." Cindy couldn't stand it anymore.

"Hard way, ay?" Her scream was silenced as his fist slammed on the side of her head. She fell to the floor unconscious.