CHAPTER 11 – HOPELESS AND HURT.

🦋 BENITA 🦋

I had no hope, but I had expectations, even in a place where you are not wanted, when you are in trouble, they would definitely come to your rescue, at least that was what I assumed.

“Answer me!” The kidnapper’s angry voice elbowed me back to consciousness.

“I have no one to call,” I stated truthfully, “I'm practically an orphan.”

“Don't joke with me, lady, I have a gun,” he threatened, not like I'm blind. “Then give me the number of the person you are staying with… I picked this location for a reason.”

I shook my head in protest.

“Hurry!” He barked, sending shivers down my spine.

I immediately collected the phone he was holding and typed in the number.

“Who is he to you?” The kidnapper asked.

“He's…” I paused, confused, “He's… I think he’s my husband.”

*** 🦋 ***

🦋 FELIX 🦋

I couldn't stop thinking about the expression on Benita's face when she barged into my office, the moment replayed countless times in my head, that I couldn't help but feel guilty.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated and, on the screen, displayed an unknown number that ended in 2004. After staring at it for a while, I clicked on the receive button, and a weird voice came to life, an elderly man's voice.

“We have your wife; she'll be dead if you don't send us 2 million dollars.”

I looked at the phone screen to be sure I heard well, “Does he even know the wife I'm married to?” I thought.

I clicked on the end button and ended the call, just then my phone rang again, and I picked up.

“Did you hang up on me?” The kidnapper roared, “Didn't you hear me? I said, I have your wife.”

With a beep, I ended the call again, and my phone started vibrating again.

This time I ignored it, it rang again, again and again, and I just watched it ring.

On the 10th ring, I picked up the call: “If you hang up on me again, I'm going to kill her.” He threatened, and I kept mute.

“Hello?” He yelled at the other end of the call, “Hello! Don't fucking play with me or I swear.”

“Don't just tell me you kidnapped her,” I voiced, “Kill her and send me her dead body so I can bury her, or you do it yourself.”

I ended the call and switched my phone off immediately. “Stupid prank call.”

*** 🦋 ***

🦋 BENITA 🦋

My eyes widened in horror as I heard Felix’s response.

"Kill her and send me her dead body."

Tears gathered in my eyes as the realisation hit me like a slap in the face, leaving a stinging sensation that lingered long after the truth sank in. I thought of all the times he'd listened, nodded, and offered words of comfort, but now it seemed like an elaborate act. The memories replayed in my mind, but with a different narrative – one of indifference and apathy. A heavy feeling settled in my chest as I accepted the painful truth: he didn't care about me, not really. The weight of his indifference crushed me, and I wondered how I'd misread the signs so badly.

I trembled in fear, hopelessness, hurt and disappointment.

The kidnapper screamed in frustration as he constantly re-tried Felix's number, only to be hit with an automatic message, “Switched off.”

He slammed the phone on the ground angrily, “I swear I'm going to kill you! I'll kill you and send your dead body like he demanded – I'll kill you!”

I knew right there that I had to save myself, or I'd really be dead.

The kidnapper pointed the gun to my head, “Die! Die so I can send that bastard your corpse!” He screamed.

I struggled to untie my hands, as I hoped he wouldn't pull the trigger until I was done.

Suddenly, the robe came off, and I summoned all my courage to knock him out with my shoulder.

The gun fell out of his grip, and I kicked it away from his reach. I reached for the door, but he pulled me back by my hair.

I screamed in pain, and dug two of my fingers into his eyes. he covered his eyes in pain, and I took the opportunity to run off.

I sprinted down the deserted alley, my heart racing like a jackhammer in my chest. Fear propelled me forward, my legs pumping furiously as I desperately tried to put distance between us. Every step felt like a struggle, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I darted behind a dumpster, pressing my back against the cold metal, and holding my breath. My eyes scanned the shadows, praying I remained hidden. The footsteps grew louder, and I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to become invisible. The sound of my own ragged breathing seemed amplified, threatening to give me away. I remained frozen, paralysed with fear, as the footsteps drew closer.

Suddenly, everything went silent, and after staying a few minutes, I assumed he was gone because he couldn't find me.

And just when I walked out of hiding, he confronted me with an evil grin on his face that said “Found you!” and before I could turn around and attempt to run, a gunshot sounded and I collapsed to the ground.