Kidnapped

Pain - 2

Emma POV

The first thing I felt when I opened my eyes was the stiffness in my neck and my cold, damp clothes. It was dark, and I was lying on the cold cement. I groaned as I tried to sit up, realization and panic finally settling in. This can't be real. This can't be real. This can't be real.

This is actually happening. 

My body ached as I strained to sit upright. I was trying to calm my panicked breathing when footsteps echoed from above me. The sound of a lock turning was followed by a flood of light, making me squint. 

Several sets of feet walked down the stairs, and all I could do was push myself back into the wall.  

"Good morning, princess." One of them greeted me. I didn't make a sound, trying to adjust to the brightness. I can make out three figures standing a few feet in front of me. 

"Start talking," another voice hissed. His temper only made my vocal cords lock down even more.

"Cool it down, Josh. From what we know, the police only found the body a couple of hours after we took off," the first voice calmly said. His cool demeanor made me even more nervous. It makes it harder to gouge his emotions. From how he acted, I assumed he was the man in charge. He took a step towards me and eyed me for a moment before motioning me to get up. 

When I stayed frozen in place, too terrified to move, he gave a sidelong look to a black-haired man. Walking towards me, I curled into myself when he stood over me and reached out his arm towards me. With a choked sound escaping my mouth, I was pulled to my feet with a strong grip on my arm. 

Being touched always made me nervous. I avoided touch as much as possible, it makes me think of things I try to forget every day. Scared, I tried to pull away from him, but he only tightened his hold. 

"Get up; it's no use resisting, " he commanded me. Without any effort, he whisked me up onto my feet and led me up a flight of stairs and out the door of the damp basement. classic kidnapping setting. I cringed. the guy pushed me into some sort of sitting area and shoved me down onto the ground. Asshole. Why the fuck am I always being treated like shit?! First my parents, then guardians, and now them!

Two other men were already sitting on the couches, making a total of five asshats holding me captive. The leader walked over to the couch and sat down with his fingers interlaced behind his head. He eyed me up and down. The guy named Josh and the black-haired man stood over me, making me feel trapped. I don't deserve this shit! This is not fair! I pressed my lips together and looked down, not wanting to get hurt. 

"What's your name?" the leader asked with a bored tone. I can't lie, if police and news reports release my name... 

"Emma Jones," I answered quietly, my gaze fixed on my lap.

"Emma, huh?" He sighed, " So, what were you doing there last night?"  I looked up to meet his piercing gaze, his face void of emotions. Yet I could have sworn I saw a bit of amusement for a moment. They're enjoying this. They're enjoying seeing me like this. I clenched my jaw, anger seeping in. 

"Nothing. I was just walking home from work," I explained, now glaring at him. 

"Work, eh?" The leader ran a hand through his blond hair and chuckled. 

I gave him a questioning look, "Yes, why is it funny? "

He gave me another once over, his arrogant eyes laughing at me. "If you work, wouldn't you have enough money to get some decent clothes?" Some of the men, especially Josh, found this funny. I felt my face heating up with shame. "Anyone with eyes would see how pathetic you look. Aren't you embarrassed?"