5 KIDNAPPED

Kidnapped.

I had been kidnapped.

Someone had abducted me.

I had been taken a hostage.

There was a ransom on my head.

No matter how I framed that absurd sentence or how careful I was with my words, it still seemed completely surreal to my ears.

Shit like this did not happen in reality!

Never did.

It wasn't supposed to.

This was what you saw happening in the movies or in books, walking out of the theatre and laughing about the probability of it never occurring in your real life.

Just how it was supposed to be.

People weren't really kidnapped and tortured in some dark dungeon in reality.

Nope. That was simply a work of fiction, created for the curious, impatient minds.

It just did not happen in reality.

Wasn't supposed to.

But then how could I explain this what was happening in my life currently?

Why was I here?

What had I done to be locked up in this manner?

Why was James…. Edward doing this to me?

I did not even know the man!

I had never even met him before today…. or I suppose yesterday?

While I couldn't truly see anything of the outside world, my personal hell having no windows, he had greeted me with a "morning" a while back…

Damn it.

My parents would be so worried.

Ali would be so worried.

I had been unreachable for an entire night, having never done anything of this sort before!

I was more responsible than this generally.

Wait.

Had they filed a missing complaint by now?

Had they even realized that I had been kidnapped?

That I hadn't left by choice?

Shit.

Were the police searching for me right now?

I could only keep hope.

Anyhow, I could not help but wonder, what could Edward even achieve from doing this?

My parents weren't rich in any which way; they had enough to survive the rest of their life. But that was the extent of it.

There was no old money that could be gained in ransom or some hidden treasure no one had any clue of.

Maybe…

Maybe he was not aware of this.

Maybe he was mistaken.

Maybe he had meant to kidnap another…. however horrible that sounded on my part….

'James…Edward.' I let out a terrifyingly loud scream in the abandoned room; my voice heavy with the tears that stained my cheeks. 'I need to talk to you. Please.'

I could not see him.

It was too dark in here for my eyes to adjust.

But he had to be in here. He wouldn't have left me alone.

Kidnappers didn't go around letting their guard down.

'Please. It is important.' I begged, letting my head rest on my knees. 'Please just listen to me once…'

I had to talk to him.

I had to convince him of this.

He was wrong.

He had to be wrong.

'WHAT IS IT?'

I let out a gasp, forcefully calming myself down, the sight of him glaring down at me as he came to stand right in front of me enough to scare the life out of me. No. This would not do. I needed to be calm for this discussion.

I needed to be in my rational mind.

In order to clear the confusion.

'I am not who you think I am.' I softly admitted, a new confidence rearing its bold face. 'My parents are simple people. They cannot afford the ransom you are thinking of gaining. You are probably mistaken. Please just let me go. I will never tell another soul about this. I promise.'

I would take this secret to my grave, if only he let me walk out of here.

I would never tell another, no matter how much time passed from this moment onwards till the end of my life.

I promise.

He let out a laugh, first, a soft one, and then a booming, unkind one. The kind that made you squirm at your place in embarrassment and discomfort.

'You really think I am mistaken?'

Of course.

What other reason could there be for me to be here?

He had to be mistaken.

'You fool.'

I shifted at my place, looking away from him, shutting my eyes tight as the tears once again began to fall, hating myself for it, but unable to control myself.

'You are here because you are meant to be exactly here, Isabella Marie Swan.' He growled out in disgust, spitting the words out.

'But you don't even know me!' I wildly protested, frowning at him. 'What could you even have against me?'

And I couldn't be the only "Isabella Marie Swan" out there.

This had to be a misunderstanding.

Yes.

It just had to be one!

'Look, princess,' he smirked, his eyes announcing his annoyance. 'It does not matter whether I know you or not. I don't care, get that straight! I get a photo and a huge sum of money to do my job. I am not the one responsible for this.'

'Who is then?' I asked in a terrified whisper. 'Who is responsible for this?'

If Edward was only a contract killer, if what he was saying was true, who would do something like this to me?

I did not even have any enemies!

And none the kind to do something of this sort. Not even in a prank!

I had always been the friendly one; the one that got along well with everyone.

What could anyone have against me to resort to something this extreme?

'It does not matter.' He let out a cruel laugh, shaking his head to himself. 'I am not supposed to kill you. Those are not in my instructions. Explicitly stated. Lucky you! But nonetheless, if you try to escape, I am free to use any means I like.' He put his hand in his jeans pocket, a small gun pulled out of it, making my eyes widen in fear and terror, as I gasped audibly.

He had a gun on him.

He had a freaking gun on him!

'And don't even, for a second, assume that I will hesitate in using this.' He motioned towards the weapon in his hand, smirking in supposed victory. 'Is that clear?'

I nodded my head, having no other choice in the matter.

'Good.' He grinned, running a hand through his hair; an action that had once been adorable now solely creepy and cringeworthy. 'Oh, and don't worry about your phone. I have done you the favour of discarding your sim card and breaking your phone into a hundred pieces. No one will be able to trace you now! Does that make you happy?' he taunted with a wide smirk.

My phone!

I stretched my hand in an attempt to reach my jeans pocket, nothing but air reaching back to me, as I patted my pocket in absolute desperation, his words ringing clear in my head with each failed attempt.

He had taken my phone away from me!

How dare he?

I had no way to reach the outside world now….

How was I supposed to get out of here?

'Alice must be worried about me.' I pleaded, an instant plan forming in my head, quicker than lightning. I needed to reach her somehow. She was the only one who could help me out now. The only one who could get me out of this mess. I could not worry my parents. No. Ali would have to do. 'Please just let me talk to her once. You can monitor the conversation. If you think I am saying anything…unsatisfactory, you can pull the phone away from me. Please just one phone call.' I begged, attempting to wave my hands in air.

Ali and I often spoke in code words. She would understand what I was trying to say. I was sure of that!

This was my last hope.

I had to try.

If nothing more….

He let out a sudden laugh, folding his legs one on top of the other, glaring down at me. 'You really think I am that stupid?'

I cringed in discomfort, looking away from him in embarrassment.

'You think I don't realize what will happen if I let you place that one phone call that you so sweetly ask for?'

'I wouldn't betray you.'

I hoped that my lie would seem genuine enough to not garner suspicion.

He smiled. Apparently not!

'Nice try. But no. Not happening.'

'James…Edward, please.' I tried once again, willing to even get down on my knees and beg in front of him.

Anything for my freedom.

I needed to get out of here!

'I will…I will pay you.' I offered in desperation, changing my tactic on a whim. 'I don't have much, but I can offer you whatever I own. I am willing to buy my freedom.'

Come on!

Just work with me here.

'I don't know how much you are getting for this. But I am willing to offer you more.'

He was doing this for the money, right?

He had nothing personal against me.

He did not even know me.

I was willing to compensate for my freedom.

It was a fair enough deal!

He smiled, a sigh of relief almost escaping my lips, as I let myself smile, too.

Finally.

Something had worked.

I was going to get out of here.

He walked closer to me, my hands outstretched with the urge to get out of these tight binding ropes, his hands coming forward to cup my cheeks- softly and adoringly at first- quick to change into harsh and borderline painful as he squeezed tighter- and tighter- a tear leaking down my eyes as I cried out in discomfort and pain.

'Edward, please stop.' I begged in a painful whisper, my pleads falling on deaf ears as he continued with his assault.

'Look, princess,' he squeezed tighter, my cheeks screaming out in horror. 'My loyalty is not for sale. It won't work! So, don't even try.' He let go of the solid grip, walking away from me, the aftermath of his action leaving me with tears stained down my eyes, as I forced my mind to ignore the pain it was currently undergoing. 'And anyhow,' he continued, completely unaware of my misery. 'You cannot afford to buy me. It is simply out of your reach.'

'How much?' I demanded to know.

I would try.

I would…arrange for the money somehow!

I would sell everything I owned, if only it could gain me my freedom.

He let out a loud, cruel laugh, his eyes patronizing and demeaning, forcing me to look away from him. 'Much more than your father has made in his entire life. Trust me, you cannot afford to buy me.'

I cringed, my eyes shutting tightly. 'Do you even know my father? Like actually do?'

Had it all been a lie, just like his name had been one?

Did he even live in Forks, or had once lived there?

Or had it all been a full-proof story and nothing more than that?

The likelihood of the latter much likelier at the moment.

'You want to know if there was anything that was true in the story that I told you?'

'Yes.' I hesitantly whispered. 'Exactly.'

He nodded his head, humming to himself, coming to sit back on the chair and folding his legs one on top of the other. 'To answer your question, yes, I was once a resident of Forks. And I have met your parents before. But that's it. That's where the similarities end.'

'James…Edward.' I would have to get used to this. 'You seem to be a decent person. Please. Just let me go. This is not you. You are no monster…'

'Don't you…dare….'

I minutely managed to avoid the flying chair that was thrown my way, my sentence trailing off into thin air, as I stared into the fury filled eyes of a monster, glaring at me with hatred unlike ever seen before.

The sheer anger prevalent in his green eyes making me take a step back in fear and worry.

'You. Don't. Know. A. Thing. About. Me.' He emphasized on each word, his eyes burning holes into my very soul. 'So don't pretend like you do.'

'Edward...I….'

'Shut up. Just fucking shut up.' He spat the words out. 'If you don't want me to kill you before the sun rises tomorrow morning, don't say another damn word!'

I cringed, staring at my lap in nervousness, a major part of me terrified of the consequences of upsetting him.

'That's better.' He growled out, his eyes appreciating me like one did to a piece of fresh meat. 'I am leaving for some work. Don't wait for me. And don't even think of planning an escape. Trust me, I will know if you do.' He paused, his eyes disrobing me with the intensity visible in them. 'Is that understood?'

'Yes.' I nodded my head, knowing the drill by now; the consequences of not agreeing with him too harsh to take lightly.

He smiled, one last glance given my way, as he turned away from me in the direction of the door.

'But…wait…' I shouted at his retreating form, desperately meeting his eyes. 'I need water. I am thirsty.'

My throat was burning.

I had not had anything to drink in hours now.

He let out a menacing laugh, surprising me. 'This is no hotel, sweetheart! You have been kidnapped. Get used to that. And I have already told you this, that I will decide when you will eat or drink. You have no say to make demands.'

'But that's inhuman.'

What was wrong with me?

Did I want to die here today?

'Food and water are a basic necessity.' I pointed out, my voice surprisingly not quivering while speaking. 'You can't deny a person that.'

'No. Not for you anymore. You are just a prisoner. And prisoners don't have any right to make demands.' He let out a scoff, not sparing me another glance as he walked out, leaving me there behind to rot in my newfound hell.