The kidnapping

Chapter 1
Natas could feel the chilly breeze blow her golden locks off her bare shoulders. She walked down a dead end street, filled with abandoned buildings. Just a few miles away an alley floor was littered with garbage. Old beer cans, liquor bottles, and fast food bags. Most of the street lights had been broken out long ago, and the city never bothered to fix them. The large city she lived it didn't bother with the back roads, and empty streets, the bothered with the tourist attractions that brought money to the city, the places people wanted to be, with their friends and families, the places that "mattered".
Natas liked to be alone, nobody really understood why. Sometimes she toke these walks to get her mind off the self loathing, and hatred. She just wanted to be alone, to think. She didn't know why she liked being alone so much; she just found comfort in it. Life was a gift and she understood that, but she couldn't help wishing she had a way out of it.
Natas could feel the goose bumps rising on her skin, sending a chill down her spin. It was a sensation she hadn't felt in so long, and it brought unwanted memories back to the surface, Natas ignored them, and kept walking. The street appeared to be empty; nobody really lingered there at night when the street was blanketed with darkness. The words enter her mind swiftly, words muttered to her so long ago.
Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it's not there.
The words her father used to mutter to her during the night, the words haunted her, scaring her; cautioning her. Telling her she was never completely alone, and she wasn't. Hallee began walking faster then, making sure her footstep were only but a whisper as her feet hit the ground with every stroke. She felt like she was being fallowed but she didn't have the courage to look behind her; knowing that the sight of someone fallowing her, watching her would bring back unwanted memories.

His heart raced with excitement, and he breathed in the very scent of the night. The humid air filled his lungs, the oxygen pulsing through his bloodstream. He waited patiently until footsteps faded before he stepped out of the shadows. He was careful as he came upon the girl; slowly matching up his footsteps with hers; breathing softly. Inside his jacket his latexed fingers found the blade, as he slid his fingers across it he smiled. He placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. "Where do you think you're going?"
The girl gasped before attempting to turn around. She struggled against the strength of his hands. "What... do... you want?" Her voice was croaked, and he knew she was about to cry. She froze as he spoke.
"Careful what you wish for."
He moved his hand around so that is was on her throat. Her neck was soft, and he could feel each breath she took; each slow, shaking breath. He felt her swallow her saliva, in a big careful gulp, as she thought about a way to escape. Everyone was the same he thought, everyone thinks of a way out, never thinking that it could be the end. For some reason she was different, she remained calm. She took in each breath, with a slow, shaky sigh. Her heart was pounding; he could feel it in her pulse. She bit her lip to stop the tears from pouring, but she didn't struggle.
He had his blade in his left hand, something must have reflected off the blade. Something caught her attention; she looked down to discover the blade. Her eyes grew bigger, and he pupils dilated.
"Fallow me," He said calmly; using a deep, serious tone as he pressed the blade deep into her throat. "We need to do some talking; if you cooperate I won't need to kill you." He steered her through the street to an abandoned building. It was incredible the power he had over her life.

Natas felt panic rise in her chest as she let the man steer her through the dark abandoned building, the silver knife at her throat. The sharp pain stung her throat as the man added pressure to the blade. She could feel the warmness of her blood flow down her neck. Her legs felt to week to hold her up any longer, but she couldn't afford to let them buckle.
"Natas," He said "I'm going to release my blade from your throat. However if you begin to even think about leaving, I have a gun handy and I'm not afraid to use it. I'll kill you, do you understand?"
Natas hated that he knew her name. She hated the tone of voice he used when he spoke to her. But most of all, she hated to control he had over if she died or not; the control over her life. She tried to speak, but the words only came out in a croak, the man must have guessed she was willing to cooperate because he released his grip from her throat and stepped back. Instinctively her hands went to her wounded flesh, adding pressure to the deep gash in her throat where the blade had been.
"Don't worry, it's not fatal." He said as he smiled slightly. For the first time she got a look at the face of the strange man. He wasn't much older than she was, 20 maybe 22 years old. He watched her as she scanned his features.
He had stubble on his chin, dark like his curly hair. His eyes were big and brown. He stood at about 5 foot 8 when he was slouching. He slumped his shoulders as if he carried the weight of the world on them. The grin on his face didn't reach his eyes, they looked sad, and lonely. "Is there something wrong?" He asked.
Natas snapped into reality. "Besides the point of you bringing me here, cutting my throat open, and threatening to kill me? What could possibly be wrong?" she cautiously remarked; scanning his face for any sort of reaction. He half laughed and stepped closer. Natas stepped back.
"You don't trust me."
"Why would I?"
"Touch"
Natas watched him carefully, taking in every movement. She distrusted him, but something about him didn't make her fear him. She didn't quite understand. "You know my name," she said slowly. "But I don't know yours. I imagine that you are not keen in telling me, but it's worth a shot. I'd like to know the name of the person that is going to kill me." She spoke slowly, carefully choosing her words.
He smiled and considered her statement before answering. "It's Traeh."
She felt a jolt of recognition, like she knew this person. "Dvu." She muttered.
"Excuse me?" he said. She glanced around the abandoned building, suddenly aware of her surroundings. She spotted a chair covered in papers and dust, She wiped in contents on the floor and sat down. "I said de ja vu."

He watched her every movement, he watched as she took each slow, careful breath. He watched as she sat down on a filthy chair and looked straight at him; frowning. "So," she said. "What do you want with me? I'm assuming I'm here for a reason other than your cruel torture before killing the hell out of me. Because, let's face it, if that were the case I think I'd be dead by now." She sounded angry, like his very presence angered her. He walked closer to the spot she sat. She watched every step he took; as he got closer she stiffened.
"You assume correct. Although your torture would definably satisfy many of my fellow companions, I have direct commands that you shall be kept alive."
She let out a slow, shaky breath. She thought about his carefully chosen words.
"I'm not quite sure who wants me dead or alive, but I don't need this bull right now." She said more to herself than to him.
He could sense her stress; something other than his presence was bothering her. He couldn't help what he said next. "Tell me what's bothering you." She looked at him then, questioning him. He realized then that he wanted inside her head. To know what she was thinking of.

Chapter 2
"If I told you," She said at last. "I would have to kill you."
"Considering the situation, better me than you." He said, knowing the words would confuse her, enough that she may open herself up a little.
"What's with you? First you kidnap me, shove a knife in my throat, then you want to be friends? Well guess what, I don't want to be your friend. So you can back the fuck off and leave me the hell alone." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She couldn't take them back now. He stayed silent. "So who wants my head anyways?"
"If I told you, I'd have to kill you." He said slowly.
She couldn't help but laugh, she could sense the seriousness in his tone, but she knew he was mocking her, trying to get into her head.

He caught something flicker in her eyes, but as soon as it was there it was gone moments after. He felt comfortable, he knew he shouldn't but he did. By the ways she was laughing he knew she did too. All the fear had left her system, and he couldn't help but think of it as a good thing. "What's your biggest fear?" He said, looking deep into her eyes for the answer. Hoping she wouldn't pull away. She glanced away quickly, as if the answer scared her. "Mine's love," He said quickly. "Seems crazy but love scares me."
She looked at him then, with a look of relief. She tried to hide her giggle. He smiled. Success! He thought. "Don't laugh at me!" He said trying to look hurt. This only made her laugh harder.
"Don't call me names!" she sang.
"Don't get your pleasure from my pain!" They sang together. They laughed, than sat quietly for too long.
"What are we doing here?" she finally asked after a moment. He thought about her question a moment too long. She sighed and stood up. "Are you going to shoot me if I leave?"
Traeh wished he could let her leave, he wished he never brought her danger. This was the worst part of his job. He knew he'd fall for her, he knew the moment he laid eyes on her picture. Jasper wished he could keep her safe. Now, he was too late. He slipped his hand inside is jacket pocket, he felt the gun; fully loaded, cold against his latexed fingers. He looked at her as she starred at his hand. "I'm sorry," he said at last. "But I can't let you leave."
Her expression changed, she watched him pull the hand gun out of his pocket. She braced herself for death, she watched as he pointed it at her, as he watched her watching him. Then she watched him lower the gun. A sense of relief flooded her senses. "I... can't... do it." He muttered, he walked away from her to a boarded window. She stood, still shaking, watching him.
"Thank you," She said; still watching him. They stood there, for what seemed like hours. But could have only been minutes, both silent, both breathing heavy, both having nothing to say to each other. Finally she spoke, breaking the silence. "I fear blood, but really I fear pain; painful deaths that is." She offered the answer to the question he asked, what felt like so long ago. His shoulders slumped against the boarded window, pressing his forehead against the wood.

"Traeh, why didn't you shoot me?" She asked, slowly walking to the window he was standing at. As she got closer her legs began to shake. He turned as she was reaching to touch his shoulder, making the space between them limited. She already knew the answer, she knew when the gun was pointing in her direction, she knew from the look on his face, she could see the hurt in his eyes; he had lost. He was grieving the death of someone close to him, he had seen death one too many times.
"Because," He said his voice a whisper. "I've seen so many people die, by the hand of a gun. So many people I cared about. I'd never be able to do it, kill an innocent person, especially someone that looks so much like her." He finished and glared into her eyes. His own glossy and red.
Natas could feel his breath graze her face. His breath smelled of mint and cigarettes. Natas did something then, that no sane person would have done. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. He stood still for a few seconds then put his arms around her waist. "Thanks you." He muttered into her ear. She rubbed his back comforting him.
"I know what it's like to lose someone you love. I lost my boyfriend in Afghanistan; who'd you lose?"
He lifted his head and looked into her eyes, the hurt still lingered there. "I lost my girlfriend and daughter to gang violence. She looked like you. So much like you." He whispered.
Natas felt his pain. She knew his pain. She had once felt so alone, had been grieving alone; the loss had been so hard. "I feel your pain, but you need to let go. Your girl can't be happy until you move on, she can't fully cross over. God has a plan for them Traeh. Respect him, and move on."

Traeh could hear her speaking, but the words didn't register. He could see her lips moving, but he couldn't hear her. All he wanted was those lips on his. He watched her lips move as she spoke. He looked away after a moment when she stopped talking. She was so close, he could feel the warmth of her breath, it smelled of old mint. He could feel the warmth of her body radiate off her.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Did I say something wrong?" she sounded so sincere, so forgiving. He wished he could hold her.
"No," He answered. "You said everything right. It's just you look so much like her. How old are you?"
"I'm nineteen as of this morning."
"Today would have been her twenty-first birthday, we planned everything." He looked at her then searching for comfort.
"What was her name?" She asked.
"Katherine Gilbert." Two words; two of the saddest words he could think of. A look of recognition rose on her face.
"Was... she...a teacher?"
"Yes, she became one, just two months before her death. She wanted me to meet her family; I did, at her funeral; but so many didn't show."
Natas walked away from Traeh at that moment. She knew something, he could tell. She walked to the corner farthest from him. She leaned against the wall and fell to the floor with one swift movement. She starred at a single tile on the floor. Traeh stood there just watching her. He broke the silence. "How do you know who she was?" She didn't answer him. "How do you know? Tell me!" He could hear the anger in his voice.
"She was my cousin" She said, there was no life to her voice, no emotion at all.

Chapter 3
This time is was Traeh's turn. Jasper walked slowly to Natas, taking each breath in slowly and shakily. He didn't know what to say, but at this point, all he wanted to do wasn't to talk; He wanted to kiss her, to hold her; to take her pain away. Even only for a short while, they shared pain, the two of them, they shared the same pain. After all the years of Traeh hiding from his pain, he felt the need to embrace it; Just one final time.
"Natas," He said, his voice cracked; clearing his voice he said "I'm... so sorry. I didn't know. I... don't know what to say here. I'm not good with... words, or anything else associated with people for that matter. All I know is... I spent years running from the grief, and the pain. I know how you are feeling... right now. I... could... help you?" The last words came out as a question, although he didn't mean for them to. He wanted to sound strong for Natas. He wanted to be her shoulder to cry on, but he knew that was impossible, because of what he came here to do.

Natas looked at him then, really looked at him; from his slightly chiseled face, to his big brown eyes, to his long brown hair. She saw the pain, stricken on his face as he tried to act calm and cool. But she saw it, and she recognized it. She felt the same way. In a way she felt connected to Traeh. "Thank you. I'm.. I'm fine... really." She said, even as she spoke, she didn't even convince herself as such. She wasn't okay, she wasn't fine. She was shattered, to a million tiny pieces, struggling to put them back together again.

Suddenly there was a bang outside, like a door opening and closing. Footsteps began downstairs in the abandoned building. Traeh jumped and looked at Natas, "Natas, hide! Now!"

Natas could see panic in Traeh's eyes so she ran for the fire escape and climbed up until she was far enough away from the room in which she was imprisoned just moments ago. She sat on the stairs, and watched below as a figure descended in the doorway of the room below. She watched as they spoke, knowing Traeh was defending her somehow.
. . .

"You're useless!" said Dracko. "You are a useless peice of shit! Where is she god dammit? Where the fuck is she?"
"She's not here, I told you that."
"Yeah, you did. Yep, and you know the problem with that, Traeh, is she is supposed to be here! Now, I am going to ask you one more time. Where is the little bitch?"
"I don't know!"
"Fuck you! I trusted you with one little task. I didn't bring you into this business, you asked for it, it was you that needed the money. YOU! Now tell me, before I fucking shoot you, where the fuck is she?"
"I'm sorry but I don't know, so I can't tell you." Traeh said as Dracko started throwing things around, tables, chairs and boxes. Traeh watched as Dracko walked over to the closet, opened it and shuffled through it's contents. Traeh hoped that Natas had enough brains to run for her life, and never look back, because he couldn't keep this up, he didn't know how long he could protect her.

Dracko walked over to the window and looked out at the street, turning back to Traeh he said "Okay, well I guess you don't know where she is. But, you were supposed to have her here by now. What happened?"
"I didn't get around to it yet. I was making sure there wasn't any place she could escape to when I do bring her here."
"Have her here by noon tomorrow! You hear me?"
"Yes sir."
"If you don't have her here by now, I will hunt you down and kill you. I can't take back the money I already paid you, but I can take your life. You understand me?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, I will get going now."
"Yes... sir."
Dracko turned and walked out the door.
To be continued...