Kidnapped, Unfortunately

Chapter Sixty Nine

I held my breath as the intruder walked into the living room, their boots stomping loudly against the hardwood floors.

Carson please hurry please hurry please hurry please hurry please-

"Hayley, I know you're in here..." a familiar voice rang out eerily.

I gulped.

The voice sounded distinctly like the thug who had recently tried to kill me at Carson's.

But how did he find me?

"There's no point in hiding," he spoke, his words echoing throughout the apartment, "Sooner or later I'll find you."

Hopefully Carson would be here by that time.

I took deep, even breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. If I started to hyperventilate now it could give away my hiding spot.

The sound of his feet began growing louder, as he made his way across the living room toward Hope's bedroom.

No, turn around! Go to the other side!

The sudden sound of his boots hitting tile told me he was in the bathroom, so while he couldn't see me I decided to take advantage of the situation.

I pushed some off the clothes off of me and grabbed a hairbrush that was laying on the floor next to the basket.

Then I aimed, and threw it as hard as I could.

Somehow, I managed to throw it hard enough and accurately enough for it to fly out the room, through the living area, and into my room.

It made a quiet clatter, landing on the rug right inside my doorway.

Yes! Didn't know having all the rooms connected would be so useful!

I dove back into the basket and heaped the laundry back on me as the guy ran out of the bathroom.

"Ahh, in the bedroom, huh? Nice try!" He ran to the other side of the apartment where the brush had landed.

Thank God.

As I heard him rummage through my room, I figured now would be a great time to make a timely escape.

I quietly climbed out of the basket, looking around to make sure he was busy.

I couldn't see him through the doorway, and this meant he could see me either, so I tip toed out of Hope's room.

Trying my best to be silent, I crept to the door that lead into the hallway.

My hand reached out and clasped against the brass doorknob, praying that he wouldn't notice.

Then, sucking in a deep breath, I turned the handle.

Creak.

I froze, my hand still on the knob.

Crap.

In a rush, I yanked the door open to make a run for it, when a strong arm hit the wood from behind me, slamming the door back closed.

I tried in vain to pull it open, but he was too strong.

Groaning, I leaned my forehead against the wood and closed my eyes.

I was so doomed.

"Hello, again," he said from behind me.

I could practically hear the smirk in his voice, and I tried to keep myself from shivering in fear.

He leaned in closer, putting his lips next to my ear, and whispered, "Times up."

The guy spun me around to face him, and I tried not to cringe away from the sight of him.

The same dirty clothes, yellow teeth, scruffy hair, and menacing smile,

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You know, the time you spend harassing me could be much better spent at a dentist."

That was the wrong thing to say.

His eyes darkened, and the smile was wiped off his face.

"Did you really think saying that was a good idea," he growled out, his eyes narrowing.

I merely shrugged. "I mean, I'm going to die anyway."

He nodded. "Good point."

And he swung a fist at me.

Reflexively, I ducked and his knuckles smashed into the door painfully.

"Ow!" He exclaimed.

While he was distracted, I darted away and made a break for my room, which at least had a lock on it.

He recovered fast and grabbed the back of shirt, yanking me back.

I flew against the door again, letting out a wheeze.

He watched me struggling, a sad look growing in his eyes.

"I'm sorry about all of this," he said sincerely. "It's nothing personal. Strictly business."

I regained my breath and looked back up at him. "Lord business?"

He screwed up his nose, obviously not getting the reference.

"Goodbye," he said, and drew back his fist to end me.

"Wait!" I cried out suddenly.

He paused mid-punch, and looked at me questioningly. "What?"

"I-uh- Don't you want to know... their secret?" I bluffed, grasping at straws at this point.

Thankfully, he seemed to believe me.

"What secret?" he demanded. "Tell me!"

"Let's make a deal," I offered. "You let me go, and it's all yours."

He thought for a second. "Tell me half now, and then I'll decide whether I want to kill you or not."

I mean, at this point I'll take what I can get.

"Fine," I said. "They say that they are werewolves, but in truth, they are something else."

He leaned in closer with interest. "What?"

"They are actually lions," I said seriously.

He scrunched his face up. "What??"

"They-"

Before I could finish, someone slammed the door I was leaning on open, sending me flying against the wall.

As I crashed into it painfully, someone ran in in a panic.

"Hayley, are you ok?!"

My eyes widened.

Thank God.