Kidnapped

Warmth - 27

Emma POV

Strong arms pulled me out of the icy water. I was placed on the cement floor, shivering as I coughed and heaved. A pair of combat boots appeared before me. I craned my head up and saw Evan looking down at me with a calm expression. He grabbed a towel and wiped his hands dry before tossing it onto me. I flinched but quickly held on to it, trying to dry my body as fast as I could. My grip was weak. I could barely feel my fingers as I wrapped my arms around my semi-naked body.

"So... lesson done," Evan said as he crouched before me, I scooted back when he reached for me, but all he did was drop another towel on top of me. "Let me help you, with that."

I froze in place, stunned by him as he dropped the towel on my head, and softly dried my dripping hair. I didn't understand what was happening but didn't move or say anything.

Removing the towel, I finally had a view of his face. I looked at him in suspicion, "What are you doing?" I asked, my voice just above a whisper.

Evan looked amused, "Like I said before, I'm teaching you a lesson." I frowned. He continued in a soft voice while wearing an unsettling arrogant smirk, "I told you I was gonna tame you and stomp on that hope of escape you seem to hold onto."

I looked around me, seeing Josh leaning on the wall, eyeing me with disgust. On the other side of the room, Mason and Chris stood, looking bemused.

Getting back up to his full height, Evan yanked the towel I clutched around my damp body and threw a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants on the floor.

I was mortified with being in nothing but my wet underclothes while being watched by 4 males. With jittery hands, I fumbled with the clothes but managed to dress up quickly.

"You two," Evan said to Mason and Chris, snapping out of their stupor, "get her some food."

Josh scrawled at me as he walked towards me. I stumbled to my feet and hurried to stand behind Chris, as I kept my eyes on Josh. I let out a breath when he simply walked passed us and up the stairs leading out of the basement.

With an innocent simile, Evan made his way up the stairs as well. I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I was left alone with Chris and Mason.

"What in the bloody fuck was that...?" Mason turned his gaze towards me and Chris.

Chris drew his brows together and shook his head in mutual confusion. I was done talking for one day and decided to just stare and my bare feet. I was still cold, and it wasn't helping that my hair was a mess of cold damp strands.

We went upstairs and into the kitchen. I sat silently and kept still as I stared blankly at my bruised wrists. The handcuff sure did a number on my wrists. They were swollen and hurt with the slightest movement.

Mason turned on the TV from where he sat across from me. I winced at the memory of the last time I heard the news.

"What is it?" Mason asked when he saw my reaction. I shook my head, nothing.

A variety of events were talked about in the news channel; car accidents, a new technological release, what foods help lower cholesterol, Political controversies and how the stock market was doing, etc. I sat still, keeping my full attention as I waited for some mention of me. I gritted my teeth when there was an interview with a high schooler about his views on bullying.

What about me? Is anyone still looking for me? Did everyone forget me?

I was startled a bit when a hot plate of pasta was placed in front of me, along with a glass of water. I looked up and saw Chris's calm face. When he met my gaze, I saw him clench his teeth. I looked away.

"I know this is a dumb question," Mason started. Despite his effort, he couldn't conceal his discomfort with the silence. He cleared his throat. "But...  Are you, uh, ok? Like what's uh," He made a motion with his hand "y'know, what were all those scars and cuts?"

I wanted to crawl under a rock. I looked away from him and muttered, "I'm fine." My voice sounded hollow. I took a bite, hoping to deter further conversation.

I felt Chris's eyes on me from where he sat beside Mason. Stop looking at me.

Mason gave me a weird look and nodded. A few heartbeats later, he forced a cheerful note into his voice, "Hey, y'know I think we should get your hair brushed after you're done eating."

Mason has a very handsome face, especially when he smiles. I hate it. I looked down at my food, my hair curtaining my face. I felt ugly and embarrassed. I hated that he saw my body and the damage I caused it.

I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they think.

'In other news, the missing teen Emma Jones has yet to be found,' the news sounded. I quickly turned towards the TV, drinking in every word they were saying. 'A search team consisting of some students of the teen's high school joined the search, as there is some evidence to suggest that Emma did not run away.'

My heart exploded. I felt a ray of warmth and hope and found myself smiling.

'Emma's foster parents, investigators report, have not brought forth details that were later found crucial.'  The reporter stood outside my high school. Behind her, several students stood with flashlights, ready to go on a search. 'The foster parents failed to mention the teen's work hours, and we later found that no money was drawn from any bank account savings, leading detectives to think the teen did not run away. Otherwise, there would have been money drawn from the account.' The reporter passed the mic to a student I used to see around school here and there.

'I really doubt Emma ran away. I used to head to the grocery shop where she worked until late at night. She seems to really work har-'. The TV suddenly turned off. The room was quiet.

I couldn't erase the smile on my face, my heart pulsing with warm waves of joy. I turned to face Chris and Mason, unable to hide my smile.

"Well, uh... No leads towards us." Mason looked to Chris, wearing a wary optimistic smile. Chris looked from Mason to me and gazed at me for a long moment.

"I never saw you smile before," Chris said, his tone undecipherable. His face remained neutral and calm.

"Yeah, it's a nice smile," Mason leaned back in his chair, smiling as if he is to credit for the smile.

I didn't know how to reply, so I just quickly got back to eating, my food suddenly tasting much better.

They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! They didn't forget me. They're looking for me! 

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Art by: Ko Byung Jun