Kidnapped

Red - 30

Emma POV

I can't breathe. I think I might be dying. In my peripheral vision I see Mason hurriedly talking to Chris.  They both look at me as Mason gestures my way. 

I clutch at my throat, and wonder if this is the best for everyone, if I'd just drop dead already. 

Chris is suddenly crouching beside me, pulling me into his arms. 

"Shhh, breathe" He soothingly rubs my back as he embraced me. "You must calm down, take a deep breathe." 

Mason stood, watching with a concerned expression, one hand scratching the back of his neck, while the second was clutched to his side. 

"That's good, shhh," Chris said as I started getting my breathing under control, "deep breaths. Good." 

When my breathing became more even, I weakly pushed Chris away from me. His eyebrows furrowed as he studied me for a few long moments. 

"Don't look at me like that." I said without thinking. He might as well hear it. 

Chris massaged his temple and shifted his eyes down to my scarred arms. He clenched his jaw, making me nervous. I tucked me arms against my chest and rested my forehead against the top of my knees. I want to disappear. I want the earth to swallow me whole. 

"Emma, you need to get a hold of yourself," Mason approached me. 

"Get away from me." I seeth. How dare he say that to me. 

Unfortunately Mason settled to taking hold of one of my arms and pull me to my feet. 

"Do not touch me," I ripped away from him. When I glanced at his face, he looked sad. Good. I'm sad too.  

"Emma I can't pretend to know how you feel," Mason started. "But I do know what will happen if you panic like this during the mission." His face held an ominous expression. 

"Might as well you guys kill me now," I sigh, feeling defeated. I'm so very tired. 

"Self-pity will not get you anywhere." Mason sounded frustrated now. Chris angrily told him to shut up, but Mason waved him off. 

"Fuck you and your mission. I am not asking for your pity. I-"  before I could continue Mason interrupted me. 

"Well, what would you call this shit on your arms?" He gestured at my scars. "Tell me Emma, does hurting yourself get you anywhere?" He's mad. 

His words struck a deep part in me, and I felt both fury and degraded. I turned my back at Mason, I don't think I can handle seeing his eyes on me. 

"Fuck you, Mason," I couldn't hide the humiliation in my voice. "You know nothing about me. So don't talk as if you do."

"Then explain to me," he demanded. As if you have a fucking right to know!

I don't know what came over me, but all I could see is red as I grabbed for his laptop and flung it at him. He dodged, the laptop ended up smashing to the wall. I didn't bother stopping there, I grabbed Chris's laptop next and did the same. This time Mason ducked in time to avoid the hit. With both laptops smashed, I felt the need to go for something else to destroy, consequences be damned. 

In my fury, I strode towards the flat screen TV and punched it. My fist hurt, and blood oozed out from my knuckles. I shoved the broken screen at Mason when he came at me. 

I swirled out of his grasp and began throwing books at him and Chris who started advancing towards me. I ignored both of their please to calm down. 

"Emma, stop! I'm sorry for being a dick- Ouch!" I landed a hit at Mason. Good. 

Belatedly I realized Chris snuck behind me, and next thing I know, he restraining me arms to my sides. I thrash for a bit before calming myself down. I don't want Chris to hate me. 

"Fuck! My nose, bro!" Mason cupped his hand under his bleeding nose. "My shirt is ruined too, now," he grabbed for a napkin. 

"Boo-hoo, asshole." I bared my teeth at him, feeling more feral than human. 

Mason eyed me, not angry, but with a strange look. Then he sighed and looked at the TV. "I guess I deserved that." He scratched the back of his head. 

I sneered at his half-assed apology. 

"I'm sorry! Fuck!" He said. "You're right, I don't know you."

Chris released me, probably thinking that I've calmed enough. I turn to look at him, expecting him to wear an angry look. Instead his face was blank. Great now he might hate me, and next time something happens he won't be there. I'm such a dumb fuck. I am a fuckin moron!

"I'm sorry." I said to Chris. His face contorts in surprise. He blinks at me, before running his hand through his hair. 

"Okay," he said unsurely. I let out a deep breath. Chris looks down to my bloodied knuckles and a muscle in his jaw twitches. He looks me in the eyes, his expression hardens. 

I step away from him, suddenly scared that his patients might have ran out. Then I felt self-disgust for even caring about what he thinks of me, for even believing that I could rely at anyone to begin with. 

Chris turned angrily towards Mason, "Are you satisfied!" and then they both were arguing, angry with one another. "Look what you caused," Chris pointed at me hand. 

"I said I'm sorry! We can probably hid her cuts and scars well enough for the mission. It will be fine!" Mason raised a hand, trying and failing to calm Chris down. 

"It's not about hiding them!" Chris rubbed his temples, speaking to Mason as if he was speaking to an idiot. "It's about the fact that she's injured!" So Chris does not hate me... And that realization makes me happy, as much as I don't like that it does. When was the last time anyone gave a shit about me? ... I shouldn't feel thankful but I do. 

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Art by Ko Byung Jun