Chapter 4

Locking up the store, this time on the outside, I started walking home. Our neighborhood was safe and I wasn’t scared to walk alone in the dark.

A million thoughts running through my head, like a herd of wild horses. Needing to call my best friend since the third grade, Lily. I reached in my back pocket for my phone, when I heard a noise from behind me. Dropping my phone, I quickly looked over my shoulder but nothing was there.

Smiling to myself, bending down to grab my phone, wondering what had me so jumpy, I snatched my phone back up. Suddenly there was a boom overhead. The firework show was just starting, the noise was deafening but mesmerizing all at the same time. Stopping for a moment to take in and admire the beautiful explosions.

As I righted my head I was staring into the eyes of my monster.

“Oh Cara” he sneered. I tried to turn and run, but he reached out and grabbed my arm. His grip squeezed and I could feel the bones splintering in my arm. I screamed out, in agonizing pain. “Scream all you want little girl, no one is going to hear you.” I knew he was right. The sky was ablaze with colors above us. With my free arm I swung it around, with intent. He was too fast and snatched my arm out of the air with lightning speed. I tried to kick, all it did was result in a chuckle from my monster.

He dragged me over to a waiting car and popped the trunk and slung me in, before he shut the lid, he looked down at me and said “I warned you, didn’t I? You just wouldn’t listen.” With that he slammed the lid before I could react.

“Let me out!!” I screamed into the darkness and beat on the trunk lid. Knowing no one was going to hear me.

I had been warned, but clearly, I was a stupid, stupid girl.

Suddenly remembering my phone, I tried to reach into my back pocket. However, nothing was there.

“Uggh, I must have dropped it when he grabbed me.”

Being stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey in the trunk of a car really messed with the mind. Go figure. It was hard to calculate how far he drove, it felt like hours. Finally, I felt the car leave the highway and turn onto what felt like a dirt road. Bracing as best she could, trying not to hit her head every time they hit a pothole. Which was always.

“Where is he taking me?” I spoke into the darkness.

I had to wait what felt like hours to find out. We slowed to a stop and I felt the car put in park and heard the engine shut off.

A sound came from outside the trunk and seconds later it was opening. An evil monster stared back at me with cold vacant eyes. He dragged me out of the trunk by my hair. The pain was so bad I screamed and tears streamed down my face .He started to drag me by my hair. I dug my heels in the soft dirt and fought, fought for my life. I was able to get a hand free from his grasp and swing it around and latch my nails into his face.

“You will pay for that," he spat back in my face, with so much venom and hatred. I halted in my efforts. "You couldn’t just leave well enough alone. Could you?”

He drug me up the steps of an old, broken down cabin. Opening the door, he threw me into the room. Landing on the hard-wooden floor, I groaned and rolled onto my side.

“Why did you even bring me here? Why not just get rid of me?” the fight having been sucked out of me.

“Because of what you now hold inside of you.” his response halted me in my efforts. “I may be a cold-hearted man, but I will not turn my back on my own flesh and blood. Lucky for you, or unlucky, I found out what you were up to. I was about to put a bullet through your skull. I can’t say I am pleased though,” He paused before continuing. “My son is an idiot boy, who let his dick do the thinking for him. No one will ever know though.”

I chanced a look up at him and asked, “How did you even know? I just found out.” scared to even hear the answer.

“If you think eyes were not watching you at all times, you are stupider than I thought.”

“What are we doing out here?” I looked around at where here was.

“I am so glad you asked, this will be your new home.” He responded with arms wide open like he was showing me something grand. “Oh, and you won’t be escaping. Once I leave, this place will be rigged to blow if any of the windows or doors are tampered with. So, I wouldn’t try and escape. But just in case….” He smiled evilly and went to a closet. Inside he pulled out a fifty-foot log chain.

“You like jewelry, right? Well I bought you a beautiful chain to wear.”

“You are insane. You will never get away with this.”

“Cara, sweetheart, I already have.” he smiled as he ran a hand across his cheek. I had got him good with my nails, just not good enough.

“People will look for me. My parents will never stop.” I didn’t want to cry in front of him, but I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling from my eyes.

“They might for a little while. I have a plan for that too. Well enough chit chat, let's get you set up.” The monster grabbed my leg from where I was laying on the floor. He wrapped the chain around my leg and drug the other end to the beam in the middle of the cabin. Once it was secure, he turned to me.

“Well, Cara, this is it. There are provisions in the cabinets and refrigerator. I will return, but not for some time. Remember what I said, do not try and open this door. Or……. BOOM.”

With that he slammed the door to my tomb, I heard the lock system slide into place and another set of beeps that was indecipherable.

“Well that happened,” I said into the emptiness. I hear Carlos slam his car door and the engine starts as I hear the crunch of his tires on the ground outside, it becomes apparent that he really does intend to leave me here. This is not a joke, no one knows where I am. I have no phone and no way to contact anyone. I am trapped, with no way to escape.

After the initial shock has worn off, I am able to pick up my sore body from the ruff wood floor. I bend down to inspect my knees and both have huge floor burns on them.

“This cannot be real.” I said out loud to the room. But it was real, “How could I be so stupid, did I honestly think he would just let this go.” I just keep talking to myself, not sure if it is to fill the silence around me or to drown out the screaming in my ears.

Looking around at my surroundings, I notice there is not much to look at. From where I am standing, in the middle of the room, off to the right is an old twin bed with a quilt thrown on top. To the left is a sparse looking kitchenette. One small refrigerator, hot plate and tiny round table with one chair, make up the whole thing. In the center of the room sits a worn couch. I can see one spring sticking out from where I stand. There is a door to my immediate right. Walking carefully over to the door, grabbing the worn knob, I slowly open the ratty door and peek inside. Of everything I have seen this may be the best part of the cabin and that is not saying much. There is a tub against the back wall, a toilet and sink on the right wall.

This place must have been an old hunting shack at some point. I do not doubt that Carlos has done exactly what he says he has and rigged this place to blow. He has the means to do just that. With a reputation as his, it would be a simple task. I do not doubt that he has only the best at his beck and call.

I walk over to the ratty bed in the corner and take a seat. Suddenly feeling exhausted I lay back and close my eyes. For tomorrow is another day and I cannot take another second of this one.