She let out a bloodcurdling scream and glared at her captor. “Don’t you dare come near me!” she whispered harshly, “Or I’ll scream again.” He let out an evil laugh and grinned wickedly, “Go ahead, scream all you want. No one can hear you.”

She heaved a sigh and closed her tired eyes. She wanted so badly to escape, but this mad man was intent on keeping her hostage no matter what. She’d offered him money, but he wouldn’t accept it, he hadn’t called her parents to ask for a ransom either, nothing! She was getting extremely frustrated.

He, on the other hand, was enjoying himself. The rush, the adrenaline of keeping her secret, not letting anyone steal her away from him. “How absurd,” he thought to himself when she offered him her money. He did not want her for her money, no, of course not! He was in this just for the fun.

“If you plan on keeping me here, then at least let me see your face, tell me your name, anything!” she murmured. He had donned a mask for his part in this twisted, sick game of his. She had never wanted to know someone’s identity so badly before. He put his lips next to her ear for a moment, hesitated, and whispered, “Bite me.”

She groaned. Suddenly, she heard voices calling her name from upstairs and her cold hands tightened into hard little balls. “Ah, so they’ve found you. Took them long enough,” he said, staring into her chocolate brown eyes. “I’m here,” she called out, her whole body trembling now, hoping that they would find her. “Please, someone, anyone, help me!” She shouted again.

Footsteps could be heard descending the cold, hard metal steps, coming closer to where the both of them were. “Oh well, sweet Caroline, this is my cue to go. Till the next time we meet,” he grinned. “Wait!” she said, “There’ll be a next time?” “Of course, the game’s not over yet you know. In fact, it’s just beginning.” He winked at her and disappeared.

TO BE CONTINUED