Kidnapped

Chapter 4 - Michael

I felt Carla's cold hand smooth my face for the tenth time that day. My face was no longer burning and itchy. My vision was coming back and I could finally see where I was.

I was in a small house. It was bright and cheerful and it made me feel good. I looked towards the kitchen and the back door was open.

Carla was standing in the doorway looking at her green garden. The sunshine made the garden look like it was planted by gods. I smiled and looked down at myself. I was in a ton of bandages but I felt good and I guess that was all that mattered.

I got up and slowly made my way towards Carla. I walked up to the kitchen door and stopped. I cleared my throat so she'd know that I was there. Carla turned startled and then she saw that it was only me.

'Well, you're up! Come sit. I'll put some food in that belly of yours!' Carla exclaimed. She pulled out a chair from the table for me and I sat down happily.

Carla ran around scooping steaming food from pots and pans until she finally placed a plate in front of me.

My mouth watered as I eyed fluffy pancakes with warm maple syrup, steaming scrambled eggs, deliciously greasy bacon, tender sausage, and some fresh squeezed orange juice.

I dug right in and Carla smiled at me as I devoured everything on the plate.

'I called the police and they're sending squads to come and take you home.' Carla said while scooping more eggs onto my plate.

My heart stopped and I looked up at her. 'Thank you so much!' I got up from my seat and gave her the world's biggest hug.

Carla laughed and returned the hug. Our hug fest was suddenly interrupted by loud knocking on the door. Carla clapped her hands and smiled. 'That must be them! Let's go, Alaina!' Carla grabbed my hand and we both ran towards the door.

When we made it, I excitedly flung the door open. My heart sank when I saw Roger's dirty face. He smiled widely and Carla screeched as he pulled out a gun. Roger pointed it right in the middle of Carla's forehead.

He then pulled my arm, not moving the gun from Carla's head, and dragged me behind him. I cried silently.

I knew he would be capable of shooting his own mother. I didn't want him to hurt the only person who had tried to help me. I tugged Roger's shirt and he turned. I smiled weakly at him so he'd be distracted. Roger dropped the gun from Carla's head and then picked me up. I looked up at Carla who dropped to the floor and was shaking. I wanted to badly to go and comfort her but I knew getting her out of danger would be best.

Roger walked up to his car and placed me in the front seat. After he had closed the door, I let out a shaky breath and made sure to look straight ahead. He climbed in the driving seat and started up the car.

I looked at the road ahead as we drove and I wondered what my family was doing. Were they looking for me? Or were they sitting at home watching the phone hoping it would ring and the caller would be me?

I didn't know and I didn't really want to know anyway.

'Guess what?' Roger said. I turned slightly and gave him a look of hate. Did he really think I would care 'what' he was talking about? No, was the answer.

I didn't want him to be angry though. My bruises were barely beginning to heal and I didn't want new ones.

'What?' I said softly.

'I have a surprise for you. I guarantee you'll love it!' I wanted to laugh at his stupidity. I wouldn't love anything he gave me. Never.

Roger drove into an empty parking lot of an abandoned gas station. I saw a white van parked a few yards away from where we were parked.

A sleazy looking woman was sitting in the driver's seat smoking a cigarette. Roger quickly made his way out of the car and over to her. I watched them as they talked about something and she kept pointing to something in the backseat.

After a while, Roger opened up the back door and jerked what looked like a boy out. I squinted because everything was still blurry to me. Including the boy's face.

I stayed perfectly still as Roger brought the boy out to the car and made him sir in the backseat. Roger then told me to get in the backseat with the boy.

Ge also said I couldn't look at him yet. I did as I was told and sat.

'He's someone you know, Alaina.' Roger said to me when we stopped at a red light, 'Look at him and tell me who he is!' I cringed as Roger seemed to get angry out of nowhere.

I glanced at the boy and my heart basically jumped out of my chest and did the hokey pokey.

'It's... Michael.' Michael turned and smiled. His bright blue eyes seemed to light up the darkness I had been feeling.

I knew Roger would do something to me if I tried to talk to him now so I grabbed Michael's hand and started tracing letters on it.

SILENT CONVERSATION

ALAINA: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

MICHAEL: MY MOM SOLD ME.

ALAINA: WHY?

MICHAEL: SHE DIDN'T WANT ME. ROGER GAVE HER WEED AND 4000 DOLLARS FOR ME.

ALAINA: I'M SORRY. AT LEAST WE ARE TOGETHER.

MICHAEL: YEAH BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE WITH YOU ON A BEACH IN SPAIN NOT IN A CAR WITH A LUNATIC.

ALAINA: SPEAKING OF THE DEVIL, HE IS STOPPING SO WE WILL TALK LATER.

I stopped writing on his hand and waited for Roger. He soon arrived next to the passenger door and opened it up.

'Get up and get out! You don't speak or make any sounds. You try to run; I'll have a bullet in your back before you know it. Am I understood?'

Michael and I both nodded and got out. I looked around and realised that it was already dark out. Michael kept his head down as we walked to yet another crummy motel.

Roger seemed to already have a key to a room and we walked in. This room seemed to be better than the first one. After locking the door, Roger turned to us and smiled evilly.

'Why don't we break Michael in, Alaina?' Roger took off his belt and folded it making it into the perfect whip.

'Don't fucking touch him!' I yelled.

Michael placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and then made his way over to Roger. 'Just do what you have to do.' Michael told him. I couldn't take it. He could do whatever he wanted to me but not to Michael.

Before Roger could deliver the first lash to Michael I ran and tackled him. Roger staggered but he didn't fall. He turned to me with anger and disgust in his face. 'Oh, you want to be the little hero? Fine, you get the punishment?'

This time Michael screamed no. Roger got even angrier and slapped Michael. Tears streamed down my face as Roger grabbed Michael and tied him to a chair. 

Michael continued to scream as Roger began to hit me with the belt. I took each blow with silence as I realised I was doing it for Michael. I was doing it for love.