Chapter 2

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I groaned in discomfort, disliking the unfamiliar material beneath me. I barely opened my eyes before a loud scream left my throat.

Seated in the back of a car, my wrists were tied together as well as my ankles. A tall man was driving the black vehicle, and from his reflection in the rearview mirror, I saw he had dark hair and piercing grey eyes. His face structure was sharp, every bone precisely edged.

His peachy lips moved as he softly shushed me, making contact with my eyes through the mirror. My heartbeat quickened as I realized this was the man following me, noticing even from his simple hush. My blue irises darted around, refusing to look at him any longer.

"Where am I?" I quietly mumbled while examining the unfamiliar city that was filled with traffic and skyscrapers. "New York City." He answered, his voice deep and clear.

New York City? I hadn't been in the states since I was 15, but New York is far from Washington. Had only six years passed since we moved? It felt like forever ago.

"Take me back to England, please." holding back my tears, I tried hard to not show weakness. "No." He abruptly answered, a hard bite in his tone. "Please, I beg you. I won't tell anyone what happened." My eyes stung from the effort of containing the pools brimming at my waterline.

"I said no. Drop it." His voice was harsher, frightening me. "Are you going to kill me?" With that question the tears released, unable to hide my fear any longer. I loudly sobbed, wanting to wrap my arms around my sister, Avery.

"No, no, no, of course not. Everything will be okay." He stopped at a red light, turning to face me. "You'll be fine, I promise, alright?" He placed a gentle hand on my knee, but my body shook with anxiety.

"Alright."  Answering timidly, I was stupid enough to believe his sincerity. He smiled slightly, turning back to the wheel. "What's your name?" He questioned while slowly accelerating. "Jess," I mentioned nothing of my full name, just giving him the abbreviation. "A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," Mumbling a quiet thanks, I turned to look out the window.

The moon was high into the sky, perplexing my mind. I wasn't sure what the time conversion from London to New York was, but I'm assuming it's late at night.

Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, I realized it's 4:14 am. "What's the time in England?" I quickly asked before I chickened out. "Should be around 9." He answered, acting a little too casual. 5-hour time difference, I'll have to remember that.

Keeping a hard gaze on the window, I refused to make eye contact. I was scared shitless and countless tears rolled down my eyes. Despite what he said, what if he killed me? I had dealt with enough drama in my family, and this wasn't helping.

From my biological father leaving before I was born, to mom and Becca-never mind, that's not important. Anyway, I didn't want to add kidnapped and murdered to the list that was far longer than one would think.

The car slowly pulled to a stop, causing me to look around. We were at a gas station, parked by the side of the building. The man was going through a bag placed on the passenger seat, not acknowledging me as I pushed my tied hands against the window, praying someone saw.

"The windows are tinted, no one can see you." He remarked with slight annoyance. Dropping my hands, I sighed and leaned my head against the cool glass.

He abruptly opened the car door, shutting it just as quickly. I watched carefully as he made his way to the door opposite me. In the time he was out, I managed to shove my door open somehow, using my body force and tied hands.

Like every dramatic story, nothing ever goes according to plan. Take this as an example; before I could scream for help, the man yanked my body farther into the seat, closing the door as well.

I yelped in surprise as he pushed me down until I was laying flat, leaning over me. "What are you doing?" I quickly objected with fear. He didn't answer, only revealed another syringe, the same clear liquid filling it, just a smaller amount.

Writhing beneath his body weight, I protested against him drugging me. "Shh, it's okay." He soothed, running a hand over my hair. I didn't calm down, only squirmed more. He straightened my left elbow, giving him a clear shot of my vein. Without hesitation, the thick needle penetrated my skin, releasing a rather loud groan of pain.

Within the minute, I was immobilized, only my eyes remained open, slightly drowsy. The man climbed off me, backtracking into the driver's seat. He glanced towards my sorrowful eyes, a pang of guilt shooting through his, but hastily turned around and started the car, driving onto the road as my sleepy eyes shut.

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