[disclaimer] do I really have to put it in every chapter?

Against All Odds
-one of many tiny puzzle pieces-

"Who's Kylee?" AJ observed the man standing before her. He held the phone a short distance away from his body – his eyes locked on it. She felt the tension in the air, could sense his tension. She expected him to smash the phone – given the look of outrage in his eyes. Instead, he sat it down on the cradle and fell back in the chair, covering his face with his hands. AJ inched her way closer to him, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. She jumped when he addressed her.

"That's my business." His tone was defensive. He turned to look at her. She decided she had never seen so much turmoil in a single gaze before.

"Maybe, if I knew what the hell was going on, I'd be able to help!" Did she really just offer to help the man who kidnapped her? What she losing her mind? No, she knew if she worked hard she could get out of the situation alive and really, that was all that mattered.

He waved a hand at her before bringing his elbows to rest on his knees. "Shut up, I need to think."

She huffed and flopped back on the bed. She should just make a run for it, hit him really hard, knock the chair out of the way and run…

But what if he caught her?

"Just, please. Tell me why you are doing this?" She pleaded with him. He sat motionless - as if pondering the question.

She sat on the end of the bed and peered at him, waiting for a response.

He sighed and looked at her. For the first time it felt like he really looked at her. "Because I have to," was his response.

"That's it. No reason or explanation - just because you have to?" She tried to hide her annoyance. The man's evasiveness was really getting to her. She couldn't imagine why a man – especially one she had never met – would kidnap her and bring her to a hotel and wait for a phone call. Don't kidnappers usually torture and kill you once they get you to some sort of private location?

"Look, I'm not a monster. I don't know who you are or why I had to kidnap you, but I had to. I have no choice in the matter or trust me, I wouldn't be here."

"So, you were told to kidnap me?"

"Are you a little stupid or something? That is clearly what I said." He gave her an annoyed look before leaning back in the chair.

She ignored his comment – inhaling deeply. She forced a smile and clapped her hands on her lap, "So who told you to grab me?"

"Don't you think If I knew that I'd be after him and not sitting in this dump with you?"

She sighed, the urge to slap him growing even stronger. "Fine, I was trying to help, but if you are going to be a dick than I'll just sit here and let you figure it all out."

"Good, maybe if you can shut up for a few minutes than I'll be able to think." He mumbled.

She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. That's it. She wasn't going to say another word to this jerk, even if he begged her to speak.

-[x]-

Phil sat with his head in his hands, thankful that April had finally stopped talking. Now, he would have some time to think.

Back to where it all began.

What was that supposed to mean. He sighed and raked his fingers through his messy, raven hair. He glimpsed at his captive as she moved from the foot of the bed up to the headboard, leaning back against the pillows, her head resting on the light oak wood.

He felt a little guilty for bristling. It wasn't her fault that he was in this predicament. Not to mention it was probably scary for her and she just wanted some grasp on the situation.

The idea of fear made him think of his niece. How scared was Kylee? Where was she? Was she hurt? Was she alive?

No, he couldn't think that way. She was alive. She had to be alive. He was going to save her. He was her uncle, her guardian, the only person she had left.

That's when it struck him.

Back to where it all began.

He jumped up, "Get up now. We have to go." He moved the chair away from the door.

The brunette started, shocked by his sudden movements, and scurried over to him. "Why, where are you taking me?" The fear was evident in her voice and it ate away at him.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. I know where we have to go." He seized her arm and escorted her out of the hotel room.

[Next Chapter] - AJ looked up at the dilapidated building, "What is this place?"

[an] a short chapter I know, but I hope you liked it. Any guesses where they are going? As always, reviews are greatly appreciated, as are follows and favorites. – Danie.