4 BE CAREFUL WHO YOU TRUST

'Have you informed the cops?'

I offered him a brief nod; my eyes still fixated on my despair ridden car. 'Ali…she is around here somewhere…she was going to call them.'

I suppose.

For, I was really in no condition to place that horrid call.

'Good.' James gave out a sigh, running a hand through his hair in understandable dismay. 'I have a friend in the local police department. Let me see if I can reach him. If nothing else, we will at least know how to go ahead from here.'

I mumbled a hardly there "sure", ignoring the reference to plural in his sentence as I pushed that to the back of my mind for a later thought, shutting my eyes as I winced in anxiousness and frustration, semi-aware that he was talking on the phone, but not really paying any attention to the details.

Who could have done this?

And why?

It wasn't an accident. I wasn't naïve enough to believe that.

No.

Someone knew exactly what they were doing.

They knew that this was my car, and they had purposefully slashed the tires, being aware of it all along!

The question here was why?

I did not even know anyone in Seattle.

Heck. I hardly ever visited Seattle at all.

What could anyone have against me to resort to such drastic measures?

It was simply unthinkable.

Or maybe…. I was looking too much into this and Alice had been correct all along….

It need not be anything personal.

It could be the work of a small-time criminal gang that went around committing such minor felonies for fun or some quick cash?

Such gangs did operate in each mega-city, didn't they?

Yes, it could be that…

Whatever it be, this was a serious matter. Never to be taken lightly. And hence it needed to be looked into.

'Bella,' James's concern filled voice reached my ears, pulling me out of my shaken stupor. 'I have spoken to my friend, Adam. He should be here soon. He was planning to leave as soon as the call ended. Anyhow, when was the last time you ate something?'

I shrugged, food being the last thing on my mind at the moment; so low in my current list of priorities that I could not even remember what or when I had eaten last.

'Jeez.' He frowned, a sigh leaving his lips. 'Let's get you something to eat before you faint on me. There is this decent coffee shop nearby. It is actually walking distance, but I doubt you should be walking right now. Why don't we take my car and go? It won't take much time.'

'But…Ali?' I protested in a scared whisper. 'I can't leave her alone. She will get worried.'

And what if the person who had done this came back for me…us…

No.

I could not leave her alone.

That was not even an option.

'Well,' he spoke up, 'Where is she? We'll ask her to come along. But I don't think we should waste much time here. We need to be back before the cops arrive. It is getting late.'

I offered him a half nod, convinced by his argument, looking around me in impatience as my eyes searched for the one person who was nowhere in sight. Seriously, where was she?

I could see happy families, tired couples and deep in thought individuals as they walked back to their respective vehicles, but no matter how much I searched or desperately wished, Ali was nowhere to be seen.

Damn it.

She had gone to see the CCTV records, I remembered. But where exactly she was at the moment, I had no clue.

She could be anywhere in this seemingly massive sized mall for argument's sake.

Where the hell was I supposed to find her?

Also, had she even been able to find out anything?

I really hoped that she had been successful.

The culprit deserved to be punished!

'I can't find her.' I helplessly wailed, waving my hands in air.

Where was she?

I needed to find her.

I needed her here.

'Bella,' James's soothing whisper reached my ears. 'Calm down. We will find her. Do you…can you call her up? Ask her to come here as soon as possible.' He offered, meeting my eyes in question.

Why hadn't I thought of that any earlier?

It was so obvious a suggestion!

I nodded my head in response, whipping out my phone and dialling the familiar digits, my fingers crossed as the phone rang…and rang…and rang….

'Shit.' I cursed out loud. What fucking luck! 'She is not picking up.'

Where was she?

Why wasn't she picking up the damn phone call?

'Oh.' He mumbled in disappointment. 'Can you drop in a message that we will be back soon?'

I instantly shook my head at that proposition, the idea not sitting well in my head.

'I should wait here for her. It is getting late and…'

We should not get divided.

Strength in numbers and all of that.

Till we didn't know who was responsible for this mess, and what their motive was, letting our guard down was utter foolishness.

'We will be back before she or the cops arrive.' James argued in firmness, his eyes boring into mine. 'You seem… stressed.' Understatement of the year! 'You need to eat something; or at least get some sugar in you. I would have offered to go on your behalf to get a travel cup back, but leaving you here alone does not seem that great an option…'

'I will be fine.' I protested; all energy drained out of my body as I stared into nothingness. 'It is just really, really scary for me. I don't know why anyone would do this to me.' My voice trailed off in a cry of desperation as I took my head in my hands.

I was just twenty-one.

I was not supposed to know how to deal with this!

I was just out there…trying to make it on my own….

'I understand.' He whispered, his voice soothing and plead filled, the concern on his face not going unnoticed. 'Look, please, I owe it to your parents to make sure you reach home safe. If nothing more than that. Just… please…trust me, okay?'

His eyes were pleading with me to look up, and reluctantly I did, the care in his eyes making me gulp.

'Can you? Trust me, I mean?' he continued to stare at me, an unfamiliar vulnerability visible in his eyes, as he attempted to seek an answer, I had no way to push my mind to find.

Could I trust him?

I don't know.

Maybe?

Or maybe not?

We had just met a few short hours ago…

But I had indeed agreed to go out on a date with him. Surely, I could trust him enough to take me home in one piece.

And I did need to get out of here.

Soon at that.

I wanted to go home.

I wanted to feel safe again.

'Okay.' I commented with a half nod. 'But we need to be back before Alice gets worried. I can't have her stressed about my whereabouts. She would be stressed already without me adding shit to it.'

'Of course,' he smiled, leading me towards his car, opening the passenger side door for me as he let me enter, my fingers quick to type in a text message to Ali, stating that I was heading to get some coffee and would be back soon- short and simple! 'This won't take much time. Before you realize it, the work will be done.'

I forced a smile onto my face, ignoring the weirdness or the smugness in his tone.

I just hoped that we would be back before Ali, or the cops arrived.

We needed to report this- and whatever Ali found- before heading home.

Sunset had been more than an hour ago; my parents would be getting worried.

They had not called till now, fortunately, but that record was bound to be hampered within the next hour or so.

No.

I needed to be back on the road before then.

I could not cause them any more worry than I already had.

Once this was reported, I needed to be on my way home.

I would deal with the repercussions later on.

I could only hope that the police would be successful in catching the culprit, the thought of someone deliberately doing this to me still a hard one to digest.

'We are here.'

I offered James a half-hearted nod, surprised by how quickly we had arrived at our destination, deep down incomparably glad to have his company. I don't know how I would have managed to deal with this situation, had Ali or him not been around to help.

I was no kid; I was aware of that.

But even twenty-one was too young an age to deal with such a situation on your own.

I needed an adult to intervene!

Even though I was an adult myself.

It was surely an unfavorable situation to be in.

'I am going to go and get us some much-needed caffeine intake.' He smirked, tilting his head slightly in my direction.

I offered him a polite nod and a smile, attempting to open my purse and give him some cash, that being the least I could do in the situation, but he declined, winking as he stated that it was on him.

I took in his offer without much hesitance- having no strength in me to argue, watching as he exited the car and walked inside the bustling with life coffee shop, a sigh leaving my lips at the act of kindness presented in front of me.

It was so strange to bump into someone like this- while entering the lift in a public place, said person coming to my aid in this unexpected crisis.

I had never before had much faith in the term "right place- right time", but maybe it was time to reconsider on that.

For, at this moment, James seemed Godsend.

Not only was he here with me, when I probably shouldn't be left alone, but he had also spoken to his friend who was in the police, assuring whatever could be done in the matter, all in the hope that the criminal would be caught.

And if that was not enough, James was probably going to end up being our ride to Forks, too.

I did not know much about the formalities from hereon, but driving my car tonight itself- repaired and in earlier pristine condition- did seem kind of a stretch.

Either way, I was craving the comfort of home.

I wanted my bed.

I wanted to see my parents.

And I even wanted to eat that crappy baked fish that I would rather not touch with a pole.

I would agree to anything, if only it meant getting out of here!

That desperate that I was to get out of here.

'Here you go,' James smiled, having returned, offering me a cup of scalding black coffee, a similar sized cup in his hand, as he shut the driver's side door and leaned out of the rolled down windows.

'Thanks.' I mumbled, sipping onto the hot liquid, the taste surprisingly even more bitter than the usual- if that was even possible.

I generally did not mind the taste of black coffee; I liked it bitter!

But this was just too bitter for my taste buds.

'Sorry,' James winced at my reaction. 'I can get you another cup with milk added if this is not to your preference. I just assumed….'

'No. This is fine.' I waved a hand in air, smiling briefly. 'It is just a tad bit stronger than I usually prefer. No harm though. It is nice.'

He accepted my answer without much of a fight; wow! I was probably a better actor than I gave myself credit for, going back to drinking his coffee.

'Have you messaged your parents that you are stuck here?' he asked, a few minutes of silence later, turning to look at me, slight nervousness visible in his eyes.

I shrugged; my eyes fixated on my cup. 'No reason to cause them the worry. I am still hoping to avoid that discussion.'

He sighed half-heartedly, nodding his head briefly. 'Let's return. Hopefully, your friend should have returned by now.'

'Yeah,' I instantly agreed, taking another sip in, frowning when sudden blurriness appeared in front of my vision, causing me to jerk in my seat.

This was strange.

So, so strange.

I shook my head once- then twice, the dizziness refusing to vanish.

My head was pounding; someone had taken a hammer to it, banging on it repeatedly.

I let out a groan, the cup slipping from my hands as the hot liquid came to stain the inside of James's spotless car.

'Oh. No.' I frowned, a hazy figure that vaguely resembled James in my periphery.

Why was he shaking so damn much?

I could not concentrate!

Please. Just stop moving.

I am getting a headache!

I took my head in my hands, an uncontrollable scream emitted, my eyes shutting on their own accord, restless and refusing to listen to rationality.

What was happening to me?

Why was I suddenly feeling so sleepy and so, so out of it?

Why was it an arduous task to keep my eyes open?

It had never been a task before this moment.

I let out a few loud gasps, my breaths coming out heavy, the last sane thought to cross my mind being that there was something added to my coffee.

I felt myself being rudely shaken awake, cold water mercilessly dumped on my head, a jerk being my immediate response as a loud gasp escaped my mouth, my eyes squinting open, surprised by the lack of light that my eyes witnessed.

It was pitch dark all around me…

Wherever I was at the moment?

I took in my surroundings in desperation, confusion thick in my eyes.

It seemed to be a warehouse of sorts?

Or maybe an abandoned garage?

There were boxes in here of multiple sizes- the useful but easily forgotten kind that one uses while moving houses, apart from which there was nothing that my eyes could find or even minutely associate with.

Where was I?

How had I reached here?

'Morning, princess.'

I looked up with a jerk, resisting the urge to put a hand to my heart, surprised beyond words to find James standing in front of me, snorting as he smoked a cigarette, his demeanor overly relaxed and casual, having changed his clothes from what he had worn earlier, donning a more rugged and street-smart look, a look that I had to admit suited him well.

'James.'

My tone was more accusatory than normal.

'You scared me! Where the hell am I?'

What on earth was going on here?

Why was I here?

And most importantly, what was he doing here?

'Tch-Tch, princess,' he snorted, his eyes looking me up and down, making me shift at my place in discomfort, heavily glad that my untied mid-back length brown hair covered my breasts enough to not make me feel naked in this unwanted situation, his gaze shockingly giving me the creeps. 'Let's go over the rules once, shall we?' he demanded more than asked, making me frown in confusion.

'What rules?' I narrowed my eyes at him.

What the hell was going on here?

What was wrong with him?

He forcefully smiled, his eyes cruelly boring into mine, making me gulp at my place. 'As this is your first mistake, I am letting it pass. But in the future, if you ever interrupt me, I can assure you I will not be a gentleman and the consequences will not be what a little lady like you would like.' He muttered in absolute seriousness.

'James, this is really not funny, okay?'

I went to stand, noticing for the first time that both my hands and legs were tied with thick nylon ropes, tight knots leaving me with nothing more than the bare minimum space to wriggle my fingers and toes.

What the fuck!

Why was I tied?

What kind of creep did this to another?

I fidgeted at my place, attempting to loosen the grasp, only succeeding in leaving red angry marks on my skin, pissing me off more in the process.

'James, this is really crossing the line, okay?' I shouted in anger, frowning at the cold droplets of water that dripped all around me on this dirty, square tiled floor, leaving its impression for all to see and know.

Had he just dumped an entire bucket of freezing cold water on my head?

Had he lost it?

I was seriously doubting that he had ever had it in the first place!

Who did this to another?

I was fucking drowning in cold water here!

'Untie me.' I ordered him, an enraged scoff leaving my lips. 'NOW.'

Jeez.

I needed to get out of here.

I so could not bear to see his face any longer.

I was stuck with a maniac who did not understand when a prank was no longer funny.

Just my luck!

He, not so surprisingly considering what I had already deduced about him, let out a loud laugh, shaking his head to himself.

What was this funny in the situation, again?

'Oh, princess,' he scoffed through laughs, holding his belly as his eyes undressed me mercilessly. 'You have so much to learn. This is going to be so much fun. For me, of course!'

'Look, James.' This guy was seriously testing my patience! 'I don't know what kind of prank you think this is, but let me tell you, I am not finding this funny.' At all. 'So, let's just, you know, end this nonsense and move on with our lives?'

Come on.

Work with me here.

Once I am out of here, I never want to see your stupid face again in life.

'But, princess,' he tilted his head slightly, creepily, 'This is no prank. This is reality. Your new reality. And if you really wish the best for you, you will now shut up and LISTEN TO ME.'

I frightfully took a step back, my eyes wide at the drastic change in his tone, my heartbeat instantaneously quick, as I attempted to keep myself calm.

It would be alright.

I just needed to remain calm.

'Good.' He maniacally grinned, nothing but the beating of our hearts audible in this silent room. 'Now, tell me, where are your ears?'

What?

What kind of dumb question is that?

'WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOUR EARS?'

I motioned towards my ears, gasping in absolute terror.

What was wrong with him?

Where was I?

'What do you do with your ears?'

'I don't understa…'

'ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION.' He growled out, his entire form shaking in anger and annoyance, his eyes screaming bloody murder as they glanced at me.

'I hear with them.' I let out a whisper, a few tears rolling down my eyes.

I wanted to get out of here.

I wanted to go home!

'So, you do know what the function of the ears is, then.' He commented, grabbing a chair from nearby and sitting on it, crossing his legs as he let his hands rest on his thighs, leaving me there behind on the dirty floor, certainly aware of the disparity that existed between us at the moment.

'Am I correct or am I incorrect in my assumption?' he let out a growl, making me jump at my place, my sobs increasing with each passing second.

Why was I here?

What was wrong with this man?

I just wanted my parents!

'Yes.' I feebly muttered, refusing to look into those creepy, murderous eyes of his.

'Yes, what?' he rudely demanded.

'Yes. You…you are correct in assuming so.'

Please. Just let me go.

I have nothing that you could want.

'I thought so.' He smiled to himself, pleased by my reaction. 'Now, that we are clear on the topic of ears being capable of hearing, I expect you to pay attention to what I am saying. Is that understood?'

I faintly nodded my head, willing to do anything to get out of this situation, even if it meant agreeing to whatever he had to say.

'Good.' He smirked, rubbing his hands together. 'Let's now start with the rules. Rule no. 1- I don't like to be interrupted while I am talking.' He frowned, waiting to see if I would say anything to that, an opportunity that I was quick to pass. 'A quick learner, I like it.' He winked at me, a cringe forming on my face as I hurriedly looked away. 'Moving on, rule no. 2- this is not a hotel or your house; you have been kidnapped, if that wasn't any clear by now. I don't care about your feelings, so don't even assume that I do.'

I nodded my head, wordlessly sobbing, as only one word swam through my mind on repeat.

Why?

'I will feed you and give you water.' He continued with a smirk. 'Till I seem fit. Don't keep any expectations, though. Rule no. 3, which is also the most important rule in here, don't ever even think of contacting someone to come and rescue you. It won't work. Not to forget, I am not opposed to showing you your place if you ever even think of doing so. Is that well understood?'

I offered him a faint nod, aware that I had no other choice in the matter.

I had to get out of here.

But how?

I didn't even know where I was!

'James,' I pleaded in a whisper. 'Just tell me…why?'

Why was I here?

Why was he doing this to me?

What had I done to deserve this?

For a minute, his face softened, almost making me believe that he would answer, a hard unfamiliar mask replacing it the very next second.

'I don't answer to you. And it would do you good to remember that. And if you cannot remember that, let me know. I have other ways too, to strengthen your memory.'

I winced, forcing myself to nod.

At least I was alive.

If nothing more.

'And one last thing,' he paused, silently daring me to look up and meet his eyes. 'The name is Edward. I assure you; you will not be forgetting it any time soon!'

With those last spine-chilling words, he stormed out of my dark hell, leaving me there behind, tied and helpless, crying over my misery.