Lena woke up in a dark room. She tried to move. It didn't work. She tried to scream, but she had a gag in her mouth. Her hands were tied together with rope. With what little light she had, she noticed a figure sitting in the corner, about ten feet from her.
The man moved. "Oh I see you've awoken…I didn't want to use the tranquilizer…but it was my only choice…you know I would never hurt you. I love you." Lena felt groggy. She could hear the sound of waves hitting the rocks. The man had said he loved her. Kostos. He got up from his seat and came to stand beside her. "I can remove the gag, but you have to promise not to scream Lena." Lena nodded her head. She was afraid. She didn't know what he was capable of. Kostos reached around to untie the handkerchief. Lena didn't like that he was so close to her. He got it off and put it into his pocket. "I have it if I need to use it." Lena bit her bottom lip. Taking a glass of water in his hands, he helped her sip it. "You looked thirsty." Lena leaned her head against the wall. "I guess I would be…what time is it?" Kostos looked at his watch. "It's about seven…in the morning…You've been out for the past twelve hours." Lena needed to keep him talking. She didn't know how long she was going to be there. "Kostos…why? Why are you doing this to me?" "Because…like I said. I love you. I need you. When I heard you were coming back this summer…I jumped at the opportunity to come back. I was living in London…and my roommate wasn't going to be there to know where I was going…so I left." Lena jumped. "I have a friend back home…well actually he lives in London…he just came to see his father." Lena couldn't see his face, but Kostos went pale. "That's cool." Lena shifted. "Don't you even want to know his name? Maybe you two know each other or something…" "No!" Kostos shouted. "What?" Lena questioned. Kostos got up went out of the room. Lena sat there, until it dawned on her. Kostos was the roommate of Stephen. She was sure of it. That means…Stephen would probably contact Kostos…Stephen would be with Carmen. She just had to wait for the right moment.
The next day, Kostos entered the room with a cell phone. "I need you to call Carmen. Tell her how everything is going. Tell her you are ok. Whatever you do…do not mention me." He untied her hands. She took the phone, and dialed Carmen's cell phone. Carmen answered on the third ring. (Three very long rings for Lena). "Hello?" Lena didn't know what to say. "Carmi…it…it's me…Lenny." Carmen noticed the wavering in her voice. "Is everything ok Lena? You sound odd." "No…I'm perfectly fine." "Oh, ok…well where are you? I don't recognize this number." Lena didn't want to say anything about Kostos. "I don't know that answer." She hoped Carmen would pick up quick. Carmen came up with something. "Are you in trouble Lena? You sound like you are in trouble…if you are…say…say that you are fine again…and if you are not in trouble…just laugh." Lena could do that. She just needed it to sound normal. "I am perfectly fine." That was the answer Carmen needed. "Listen Lena…wait…Are you with Kostos?" Lena was shaking. Kostos had walked around the corner. "No…Carmen…I'm fine! Don't worry…I'll see you in a few weeks." Carmen didn't like this. "Lena…I'm going to find a way to help…and Lena?" "Yeah Carmen?" Carmen was crying. "I love you." Lena didn't want to think of what would happen if Kostos hurt her. "Love you too Carmi."
Stephen and Paul were sitting beside Carmen when Lena had called. "What's wrong?" They both asked. Carmen put her phone down and threw her face into her hands. "I don't know!" The tears were now coming on faster. Paul got nervous. "What did she say?" Carmen wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. "She said she was fine…" Paul was now up and grabbing his car keys. Carmen jumped out of her seat. "Wait! Where do you think you are going?" Stephen followed her. "Paul, If you are going to go somewhere…I'm coming with you." Carmen wanted to go, but she knew she couldn't. Lena was her best friend…and that was just it. Her best friend was in trouble. She didn't think she could do anything to help the situation. Paul had turned a paler shade of white. Stephen was shaking. "I didn't think he was capable of this Carmen! I'm so sorry." Carmen put her hand on Stephen's shoulder. "It's not your fault Stephen." Stephen smiled at her. "I think we should get going…I know where I'm going…Kostos took me to the island last year." Paul hugged Carmen, and then the two men walked out the door.
Carmen ran over to the couch and grabbed her cell phone. She dialed Bridget first. Bridget didn't answer. Carmen got her voicemail. "Hey Bee…Lena's been kidnapped…or so we think…call me please…as soon as you get this message. Paul and Stephen just left for the airport. Love you." She hung up and dialed Tibby's number. This time someone answered, though it wasn't Tibby. "Brian…where's Tibby?" Brian handed the phone to Tibby. "Tibby speaking…" Carmen was in tears again. Tibby got serious. "What's wrong?" Carmen tried to breathe. "It's Lena…she's been kidnapped. Stephen and Paul just left to go find her. We think it was Kostos..." "Whoa! Carmen… we'll come over right now." "No…" Carmen said slowly. "I'll be over there in ten minutes." She hung up the phone, grabbed her keys and ran out the door.