Chapter 38 – That would be me, babygirl.

Zoe's POV

I woke up to the yelling.

Someone was yelling and they were too close to me.

I couldn't make out what they were talking about. Everything was muffled.

Everything was numb.

I couldn't move my body.

I couldn't figure out where my body was.

I can't sense anything.

And then everything again went silent.

I felt someone caressing my temples and that ease the pain.

I slowly slump back to sleep.

.

.

.

.

.

I woke up again.

But this time not because of yelling.

I open my eyes and close them due to the pain.

My head throb due to pain. I shut my eyes and lay where every I am After about 30 minutes, my senses came back to me.

I slowly peel open my eyes. The room was dark but not too much.

Taking deep breath, I move my hand,

Pain.

I shift slightly. Pain I lay there slowly moving my body parts one by one starting from top.

Head. Pain.

Neck. Pain.

Shoulder. Pain.

Hands. Pain.

Chest. Will survive.

Abdomen. Slight pain.

Back. Very painful.

Thigh. Pain.

Leg. Little pain.

Ankle. Good.

Thank god.

I moved slowly, popping my back a little, I heard cracking sound and instant relief.

I roll my shoulders a few times and pop my neck.

I need massage.

I shakily stood up and stretch.

I might have been in same position for long, so my body is sore.

I took good 5 minutes to stretch.

Once done I sat on the bed.

My head was still throbbing in pain I lightly touch it; I felt the soft cloth.

I lay my head on the headboard and started thinking.

Slowly memories came back one by one.

The farmhouse.

Mommy and papa.

Bath.

The gun shot.

Unconscious papa.

Bleeding Mumma.

The guy.

Window.

"Fuck I am alive" I mumble to myself.

"I bet you are" A voice boom.

I looked around to see door crack open and a guy standing there.

The darkness of the room couldn't let me see his face but from the outline of his body I can make out that he is huge.

He switches on the light making me cover my eyes and groan.

He chuckles.

"Morning morning sunshine" He chirp.

And I know this voice.

I slowly got adjusted to light and my eyes widen when I looked at him.

The same buff guy.

"Forgot me so soon? " He asks.

My breathing quickens as I glare him.

"Tsk. No, you didn't. Now this is the expression I wanted" he said walking around in the room.

"Why did you? " I ask.

" Same old same old every fucking time" He mumble under his breath.

Tears brim my eyes making my vision blurry.

"It's my job kitten" He sigh.

"Who ask you to hurt us? " I ask.

"Now that’s the spirit." Her chuckle approvingly

"You know every time they beg me to leave them or some shit" He said getting comfortable on bed.

"Who is your leader? " I ask again "We don't have leader baby girl" Another voice came from the door. I jumped at the voice. The other guy was the one who stood beside papa's unconscious body.

"And you better keep your mouth shut. You know the rules. Not a single scratch on her" The other guy warn.

"And you whore. You better keep your ass on that bed, or I will break your legs and throw you in basement" He growl looking at me.

I tightly hug myself and nod a little.

I heard a loud thud indicating the door was shut now and followed by a click of lock.

I look around the room. A small door, maybe a bathroom. And a window with iron grids.

"You hungry? " Ask the guy who sat on the bed.

I shook my head.

"If I were you, I'd eat as much as I could" He said. He laid on the bed with his hand under his head, looking at the ceiling and whistling to himself.

My throat and mouth were dry as sandpaper. I swallow the little saliva and that worsen the situation.

"Can I have water? " I ask. My voice hoarse.

"Sure, baby girl" He sang and pulled a small water bottle from one of his cargo pants.

His pants had at least 8 pockets.

I finished the bottle in one go.

I was still wearing the same clothes.

Now I am ready for some answers. But how do I start?

Hello Mr. Kidnapper, I don't feel comfortable here can we please go back?

Or Hi, let's go back to my place and we can grab a pizza on the way?

I decide to start from simple question.

Hi. My name is Zoe what's your name?

So, If he is in bad mood I might shut up or if he is in good mood then I can get some answers.

I pulled my legs to my chest and looked at him.

He wore black shirt with green cargo pants. Tattoos all over his arms and neck.

Pookie had same height and looks, he reminds me of Pookie.

I want to attend Pookie's wedding.

"Stop staring at me" He said still not looking at me.

"Hi" I said after gathering my courage. I don't know how to approach a kidnapper.

He looked at me then raise his eyebrow while smiling. But didn't answer.

"Your name is Zoe. What's my name? " I ask in rush.

He propped up on his elbow and look at me. I mentally slap myself for being so dumb and nervous.

"Did you really hit your head so hard?" He asks seriously.

"Yeah, it hurts" I confess.

"But you fell on makeshift bed" He said.

"Really? " I ask.

"Yeah. And I almost fell on the ground because you just fainted. We had to carry you all the way to the truck and then nurse your head. " He said.

I look around the room to see a mirror. I got up slowly and made my way to the mirror.

They tied a rug cloth on my head to stop bleeding.

I slowly remove it to see a small cut on my forehead. It was small and little deep.

"I don't think you need stitches. You are young and your body will recover" He said from the bed.

I inspect my whole head, just in case I have other injuries.

"Thank you" I said looking at him from the mirror.

I took my seat on the ottoman and pulled my legs to my chest.

Why is this happening?

What the hell is happening?

Why am I involved?

Who is doing all this?

"Don't think so hard. You might get conclusions" He said.

"Who are you?" I ask

"You can call me anything I don't mind" He replied.

I nod to myself. No point in talking to him. I need to escape. But how?

We sat there silently for few minutes when he started talking, "why aren't you freaked out? Or bawling your eyes out? " He asks.

I spare him the glance and cast my eyes down.

"Did you really hurt Mumma and papa? " I ask "No. Just hit your dad on head to disarm him but he fainted, and your mom was uncontrollable, so the other guy hit her in hand" He said softly.

I nod as silent tears fell on my cheeks.

"But they both were tended as soon as we left" He said.

"So, they are okay? " I ask.

"Definitely babygirl" He said.

"Why did you take me? " I ask.

"I can't tell you" He sigh I look down. My head still hurts. And a little pain here and there.

The fear in the pit of my stomach didn't go unnoticed. It’s like I need to do something.

I regret being such a brat.

I regret troubling everyone. I regret not spending time with family.

I regret ignoring Jack.

I regret yelling at Aarav.

I regret behaving like a shit to everyone.

I thought I am adult, but now I want to cry and make everything right.

So many people hurt today.

So many people love me.

My inner voice screaming at me to tell the people that I love them.

I want to hug papa.

I want to lay on momma's lap.

I want to tease Aarav.

And I want to be safe in Jack’s arms.

I want to tell Emily that I am here, and I will be with you.

I want to hold girls and tell them I will help you all.

I want to find a job and throw my acceptance letter at Aarav's face.

I want to find Amy and tell her that she can share anything with me, and I will always be her partner in crime.

I want to find Sam and slap him. I want to hit him and make him realize that running away is not an option. You need to come back to your family.

I need to congratulate Ron and Alisha on their wedding. Be the bridesmaid. I also want to be called aunty when they have children.

"...... Rape you? " Some voice came snapping me out of my guilt trip.

"Huh? " Involuntarily i spoke "Do you think I will rape you? Is that why you are crying? " Ask the guy.

I DIDN'T THINK OF THAT!!!!!!!

I abruptly got up and move to the farthest corner of the room.

"No, I won't" He said.

If he comes near me, I am going to do my nipple move then hit his crouch.

"Seriously, I have a daughter" He said getting up.

Be prepared. I frantically started looking for a weapon.

Nothing.

A comb set lie near mirror but now I am far from mirror.

"Calm down. I don't want you to have panic attack" He said taking a step back.

"You won't rape me? " I ask.

"NO" he said.

I nod and sat on the floor.

I eyed his every movement. He slowly pulled a bottle of capsule from his pocket and threw it towards me.

I didn't pick it up. "Take them. It will help your headache" He said.

He threw a small pack of biscuits towards me. "Don't take them without eating. I don't want you to throw up on our way"

I narrow my eyes on him. "On our way? " I ask.

"Yes. We need to leave" He whisper.

"But? " I ask.

"No buts. I wanted to give you some time to adjust. And now u need to prepare" He whisper moving towards me.

"Where are we going? " I whisper.

"Listen. Take them, we need to escape. Okay? " He whispers.

"Why would you help me to escape? And why are you coming with me? " I ask.

"So, you think you can escape these human versions of hulk all alone? " He asks. His hands on his hips. And he stood just like papa when he used to scold me.

I shook my head.

But what if he is playing me?

What if all this is just a game to him?

What if all this is a trap, so he can use me?

I pick the capsule bottle. Those were just some normal painkillers.

I picked the pack of biscuits open it and bit a little. Nothing out of place. Just normal.

"Come on, Zoe, come on. Fast" He encourage.

I shook my head and drop everything on floor.

He kneels in front of me.

"Zoe, look. I know you have your doubts but trust me I am here to help. If I wanted to harm you, I would just have done it."

"What are your options right now? " He asks.

I just look at him.

He took a deep breath, "okay my name is Casper and I have a daughter" He pulled his wallet out then a picture of small girl.

"Do you believe me now? " He asks.

Okay. I have to take my risk. But I am going to be prepared for worst.

I eat a biscuit then 2 painkillers.

Casper wait for me until I use the washroom.

He was eating the remaining biscuits when I came out.

I looked at him in disbelief.

"I need energy okay. " He scoffs.

"Okay what's the plan? " I ask.

He smirks with his mouth full.

"Plan is already in action babygirl. The food they wanted to give you was poisoned. So, I exchanged yours with theirs. I think they call are out cold. We just need to get rid of guards" He said.

I gasp.

The door opens suddenly, enter the other buff guy. Foam coming out form his mouth. He holds his stomach tightly and looked at Casper for help.

"Traitor" He crooked out.

"Help" He said breathlessly as he falls on ground.

This would have been me if Casper didn't exchange the food.

Casper hold my hand and pulled me out for the room.

"That would be me" Smirk Casper.