CHAPTER SEVEN

Samantha stirred as an uncomfortable sensation began to overcome her. She jolted awake. Panic caused her to throw herself off of the floor. Her body screamed in protest as she got to her feet. She was confused for a split second until she remembered her horrible ordeal. She caressed her throat before returning her hand back down to her side. She grabbed a hold of the rails as she stumbled down the stairs.

She felt horrible. Her throat was hurting. Her arm was causing so much pain it was unbearable. She could feel numerous scratches and bruises that caked her body. Her entire body was sore. Her stomach was growling because of the lack of food. Her lips were cracked because of the absence of water. Her mouth was dry. She had little energy to do anything.

She went to the window and peered out. She saw children waiting for the school bus a little ways down the street. Birds chirped announcing that morning had arrived. The sun was barely peaking behind the houses. There was a man jogging with his golden retriever; he looked happy to be alive. The neighborhood seemed so lively and perky.

Samantha raised her hand, and she navigated it around the bars. She lightly tapped on the window. "Help," she muttered. A twinge of anger washed over her. How could all those people be so happy when she was locked in a basement being tortured by an unstable man?

Suddenly light flooded into the basement. Samantha looked up to find David standing at the top of the staircase. The light that flooded in around him made a perfectly straight line to Samantha. It also created a perfect silhouette of David's figure. Samantha turned around slowly allowing her eyes to only glance at him before she finally settled her eyes on him.

The abductor and abducted had a silent staring match challenging the other to blink first.

David broke his gaze. "Let's go," he demanded in a gruff voice.

Samantha turned around and began to climb to the door. She glared at him during her entire ascend. She walked slowly as if she was testing him.

When Samantha was in reach of David, he grabbed her left arm. "If you try anything, I will kill you."

Samantha gave him a look of disdain. "You're hurting me!" she shouted.

"Good, maybe it will teach you not to misbehave," he said.

David led her through the house and to the garage. Samantha saw a van in which she recognized it as the van that was used to abduct Kyra. The back door was open already. Because of Samantha's pain, every step felt like a knife being driven into her deeper. She refused to moan unwilling to give David the satisfaction he wanted.

"Get in," David grumbled. He released Samantha's arm and shoved her towards the van.

Samantha grunted. She glared at David before turning her attention to the van. She stared at it to try and figure out a way get into the van with the least pain possible. She wasn't sure how she managed to climb in without too much pain, but she did. She was so concentrated on getting into the van that she didn't even notice the frightened woman cowering in the corner of the van.

Kyra sat with her legs tied at the ankles and her arms tied at the wrists. Her brown hair was in knots. Her face was covered in dirt which found its way into her wounded eye. Dried blood covered her face. Her injuries mimicked Samantha's. She stared at Samantha with curiosity.

Samantha navigated her way to Kyra's side. She reached out with her right hand and squeezed Kyra's arm. Samantha stared at Kyra with awe.

"If either of you try anything, you're both dead," David growled.

Samantha tore her eyes away from Kyra to stare at David. David's voice snapped her back to reality. She watched as David slammed the back of the door and disappeared.

"Do I know you?" Kyra stared at the strange woman through swollen eyes.

"I'm with the FBI," Samantha explained. "We've been looking for you." She shifted positions in an attempt to alleviate the pain that shot through her whole body.

Kyra's eyes wondered over Samantha. "Looks like you didn't plan on joining me," she said.

"No," Samantha said. She lowered her eyes. "I figured out his plan, and David didn't like it so he took me."

"Well…welcome," she said with a sad smile. She looked to her feet before looking back at Samantha. "What's your name?"

"Samantha."

"Nice to meet you, Samantha," Kyra said.

"Where were you?" Samantha asked, her curiosity outweighing her conscience.

"In the back room," Kyra said simply.

Just then, the driver's side door opened up, and the two women gasped. They immediately recognized the man who climbed into the driver's seat with ease.

Kyra's eyes began to water. Her face distorted into hurt. Her face was soft, not anger. "Rick?" she said in a soft, feeble voice.

"Hi Honey," Rick said climbing into the driver's seat. He acted as if there was nothing wrong. He smiled shamelessly.

Kyra was speechless. She couldn't speak.

Samantha took the initiative to find out for herself. "But why?"

"Because I had to help David, and, plus, Melia needs the money for college," Rick said with a scowl, looking at his wife.

"I can't believe you were involved in this the whole time," Samantha wailed. She tried to move but found it extremely painful.

"Well you don't have to worry about this for much longer because after this you're both dead," David said as he climbed into the back with the women. He closed the door behind him causing a loud bang. He looked over and winked at Rick.

Twenty minutes later, the foursome was parked in front of the bank in the Johnson Center.

David grabbed a bullet proof vest and wrapped it around his body. The placed a black jacket around it. He turned to Kyra. "You're sure that the guards aren't here?"

Kyra shook her head; she was still in shock.

"If you are lying to me, I'm going to kill you on the spot," he said.

Kyra's eyes traveled to her husband's. Tears fell from her eyes. "I…I…" she stammered.

"Oh, come on Honey, it's not like we had the perfect marriage anyway," Rick smiled.

David opened the back door and crawled out. He grabbed Samantha by her left arm and forced her out with him.

"Ow!" Samantha screamed. Tears of pain began to sting the back of her eyeballs.

Once David had Samantha outside, he grabbed his gun and began to stalk towards the front door.

"So what am I for?" Samantha asked as she slowly walked with him. With every step, she winced. The pain was unbearable.

"Protection," he said. He tugged her tighter. "Go faster."

"You're hurting me," Samantha pleaded.

David gave a smirk to Samantha before giving focusing his attention on the bank's door.

Samantha's heart began to race. She was going to be his human shield against bullets. She watched helplessly as David wrapped his hand around the handle and pulled it open. Samantha was petrified. She was being forced to help him rob a bank that could end in the worst situation possible.

XxX

Next chapter will be full of excitement…I promise.

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