The car slowed as we reached the villa, a large building hidden in darkness. My hands trembling as the kidnappers opened the car doors.
"You will stay here." One of them said. I realised there were two kidnappers--- one younger, maybe of my age (23 years), and the other older maybe of 27 years.
The younger one said... "My name is arin." You can.... call me that. I am the one who will take you to your room. You can trust me....
I mean I will make sure that you are okay.
I opened my month, but no words came out. Finally I managed to whisper, "Rhea... my name is Rhea."
Arin said " Okay Rhea ... Come with me."
The older kidnapper whose name was Eric, had stepped aside, standing silently in the shadows watching us.
Arin took me to a room. The door opened, a neatly made bed, a wardrobe, a bathroom stocked with towels, even snacks and water on a table. I was surprised as if the room itself had been designed to keep me there.
"You can... shower, change, whatever you need. Eric will wait outside. If you need anything just call him.... Arin said."
I nodded, swallowing hard. My pulse raced as I stepped further inside. My hands shook as I touched the surfaces, feeling trapped in a space that seemed to close in with every second.
When I stepped out, Eric was waiting. His eyes followed me, calculating. He moved closer, slow and deliberate.
"Relax," he said smoothly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips that didn't reach his eyes . "Everything is fine. You just need to settle in...."
Then he moved towards me. I tried to step back, push him away, but he was stronger. Shadows seemed to press in, closing around me.
He wrapped his hands around my waist, closing the distance and moved closer.
Stay away from me ! I shouted....
He said... "Struggling is pointless."
I didn't understand what to do.
And then suddenly he pushed me onto the bed. I tried to move back, my hands trembling, my mind racing for a way out.
I said "Eric... please... don't do this..."
But Eric didn't stop. His eyes stayed fixed on me, as if he was enjoying my fear.
Then suddenly the door opened.
Arin stepped in.
Eric stopped instantly.
His hand froze, his expression tightening as if he had been caught in the middle of something he didn't want interrupted.
I quickly moved away from him, trying to create a distance.
For a moment, everything went silent.
Arin looked at both of us, his eyes paused on me then shifted to Eric.
"Eric boss is calling you," he said.
I realised that..... "The man from the streetlight wasn't just stranger."
He was their boss.
Eric didn't respond instantly. His eyes stayed on me, dark and unreadable.
Then he nodded slightly. "Okay."
I could feel his eyes on me again---
like he was warning me that
"This wasn't over..."
And I was left standing there.. with a thought that made everything even more terrifying.