Kidnapped

Doctor Desi Jones wiped her forehead with the back of her hand as she stepped out of the hospital. The evening sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the city, but Desi barely noticed. It had been a long day, filled with surgeries, consultations, and nonstop chaos.

“Finally done,” she muttered, adjusting her bag. All she wanted now was to get home, take a hot shower, and disappear under the covers.

She started walking down the bustling street, her legs heavy with exhaustion. The sounds of the city buzzed around her—honking cars, people chattering, and the distant hum of traffic. Desi liked the noise; it drowned out her thoughts.

Just as she crossed the street, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out, already regretting checking it. Her mother’s name flashed on the screen.

Desi sighed but answered. “Hi, Mom.”

“Desiree,” her mother’s voice was sharp. “I called earlier.”

“I was in surgery. I’m just getting out now.”

“Of course. You’re always working.”

Desi clenched her jaw. “You know how it is, Mom. The hospital is busy.”

“And yet, you make time for everything except your family.”

Desi’s eyes narrowed. “I’m tired, Mom. Can we not do this right now?”

“Of course. Too tired to talk to your own mother. Typical.” There was a pause, and then her mother added, “You know, I spoke to Karen today. Her daughter just got engaged. A doctor too, but she still manages to have a life.”

Desi rolled her eyes. “That’s nice for her.”

“Yes, well, I suppose not everyone is cut out for relationships.”

Desi’s grip tightened on her phone. “Is there something you called for, or just to remind me I’m still single?”

Her mother sighed dramatically. “Honestly, Desiree, you’re almost thirty-five. It’s not just about being single. It’s about everything. You’re wasting your life away in that hospital. No husband, no children. You barely even visit.”

“I’m doing important work,” Desi said, her voice clipped. “You know that.”

Her mother scoffed. “Important to who? Strangers? What about your family?”

Desi stopped walking, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “I’m going to hang up now. I’ll call you later.”

“Of course. Run away from the conversation, like always.”

“I’m not—” Desi started, but her mother hung up first.

She stared at the phone for a moment before shoving it back into her pocket. The familiar ache settled in her chest, but she pushed it down. This wasn’t new. Her mother had never approved of her career, never understood why Desi was so driven to become a doctor. All her life, it had been one comment after another about how she was wasting her time, how she wasn’t living up to some imaginary standard.

Desi resumed walking, her feet dragging a little more than before. Her mother’s words replayed in her mind, but she tried to shake them off. She loved her job. She was helping people. That mattered more than living up to someone else’s expectations.

Her phone buzzed again, but this time it was a message from her best friend, Emily. "How was the day?" the message read.

Desi forced a smile and quickly typed back. "Long. My mom called."

"Yikes," Emily replied almost instantly. "Drink wine and ignore it."

Desi chuckled, feeling a little lighter. "I wish."

As she rounded the corner, nearing the park that led to her apartment, her thoughts drifted back to the hospital. There was a satisfaction in knowing she had saved lives today. The look on a parent’s face when their child was okay—those moments made all the long hours worth it. They made everything else fade into the background.

But as she crossed the quiet street, something tugged at the edge of her awareness. A figure up ahead, standing still by the park entrance. Desi’s steps slowed. The man was tall, wearing a dark suit and sunglasses. In the fading light, he seemed out of place.

She told herself it was nothing, just a businessman on his way home, but her gut said otherwise. Desi kept walking, hoping he wouldn’t notice her.

But he did.

The man stepped directly into her path, blocking her way. Desi stopped short, her pulse quickening.

“Excuse me,” she said, her voice steady despite the alarm bells ringing in her head. “I need to get by.”

The man didn’t move. Instead, he spoke in a low, calm voice. “Doctor Desi Jones?”

Her heart skipped a beat. How did this stranger know her name? She took a step back.

“Who are you?” she asked, her voice firmer now. “What do you want?”

“I need you to come with me,” the man said, his tone flat and emotionless.

Desi’s mind raced. Her eyes flicked to the street behind him, considering her options. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Move, or I’ll call the police.”

The man didn’t even blink. “You’re not calling anyone. And you’re coming with me. Now.”

Desi’s stomach twisted. She turned to run, but before she could take two steps, another man appeared from behind her, grabbing her arm.

“Let go of me!” she shouted, struggling against his grip.

“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” the first man said, stepping closer.

Desi twisted, trying to pull free, but the man’s grip was too strong. She started panicking.

She opened her mouth to scream, but the second man covered it with a cloth. The smell hit her instantly, chemicals and sharp.

Her vision blurred as she fought to stay conscious. Her knees buckled, and the world around her tilted.

The last thing she heard before everything went black was the cold, steady voice of the man in the suit.

“Take her to the car.”