Hostage

Elena Moonberry

Preface

You know, I never thought I'd be in this position. A position that is so uncomfortable that it was enough to rival being wedged between two natural disasters.

I held my breath and took in my deadly surroundings, which would probably be the last thing that I would ever see. The flames were engulfing everything around me, and nothing felt right. I felt sick and clamy as sweat beaded upon my forehead, the heat of the fire getting to me.

As I stared into the faces of the two men that I loved, I didn't know who to save. I didn't know what to do. Maybe it would be best if none of this had happened at all. Maybe it would be best if I never lived through this twisted fairytale. Why? Because fairytales honestly suck.

Damien Parker

Preface

I felt like a century had just gone by. I had no allies, no one whom I could trust right now. I didn't know what to say to comfort Elena, or myself. I was afraid too, as much as I hated to admit it.

The fire kept crackling, turning everything that I'd ever known since I was little turn into ashes. The world was tumbling underneath my feet, as if my life was becoming undone. I didn't know what was going to happen, and I wished that I could be anywhere but here right now.

It hurt. That pang of guilt that I felt when I looked at Elena's face. This was all my fault. The fact that all of us was stuck in this horrid situation was my fault. All mine. If I just hadn't been so selfish in the first place, Elena would've been okay. She would've been safe.

So I stared into Elena's sweet face, as I took it in for what could very be the last and final time.

Logan Wilson

Preface

I wasn't gonna lose Elena. Not again. Not ever. If any of us could ever get out of here, it had to be her. I certainly wasn't going to let him escape, or the bitch who had tricked me. I've become really gullible, believing everything almost everyone said. But I never trusted myself. I knew what I was capable of. I knew who I could hurt. I had already hurt her once, and I wasn't going to let her suffer again.

I loved her.....and I always would.

My love for her was unconditional. It was something that I couldn't contain, something that I had tried so hard to hide but failed to do so. I wouldn't try to hide anymore, I would accept it now. I would embrace it. Elena is my very reason to live, and I planned to keep it that way.

ONE

Elena

I could hear the loud music course through my veins, the sound waves pounding inside my ever-so-sensitive ears. Lady Gaga's old hit "Just Dance" boomed through the house, it's lyrics hitting me like a tidal wave.

Nearly everyone was dancing as I tried to weave through the gigantic crowd to get to one my of best friends. This was her party that she had invited me to. I just never thought that it could get so crazy and out of hand just because her parents were out of town for the weekend.

"Just Dance" had finally ended, and a new song came blasting through the giant speakers, "Blah Blah Blah", by Ke$ha. It was a fairly new song, like the past come to the present. I would be dancing right now if I wasn't so depressed.

By the table where the achohol and snacks were were Trinity Sakes and her clique. I immediately turned my head away when our eyes had met. I despised her. I wanted to hurt her so bad for taking away Logan. That was the reason why I was so depressed.

Logan was my ex-boyfriend. And I had cared about him so much that I felt like a broken porcelain doll who had just been left behind by it's owner when he left me. Logan had begun acting strangely about a week before he had dumped me. He started becoming more agressive (yes, more) and started avoiding me. I had no idea why. Then, one day, he stopped returning my messages and phone calls. The next day, I saw him with Trinity, laughing and messing around with her. And then.....he told me that we were over.

"Eeeeelennna!" cried a drunken voice, startling me from my thoughts.

I turned around, finding myself face-to-face with one of my best friends (the one who I was looking for), Kate. Kate was holding a red cup in her hands, in it, was achohol. Kate smiled at me, her body reeking of the scent. Kate was quite a partier, one who kept her secrets very well and who was a terrible liar when she was drunk. "Hey," I said at last, giving her a half-smile.

"Ya have toooooo driiink somethin'," she slurred, smiling, as she waved her red cup to my nose. I pushed it away, I hadn't had any achohol tonight, and I planned to keep it that way. "Let's daance!" she exclaimed, pulling my arm into the sea of a bunch of maniac dancers.

Kate sang along to Ke$ha, her voice sounding terribly off-key. She rocked herself around, bouncing up and down to the music. The cup in her hands started spilling alchohol on me, it's contents sloshing around in the cup, splashing everyone in it's deadly poison. Then, Jake came. Jake hadn't had much alchohol, and pretty much set Kate straight when she needed it. Jake was my other best friend, and right now, he was my savior. "Kate, you're sloshing beer over everyone," he said calmly, taking the red cup away from her.

"Nooooooo! Gimme my cup back! Give it back!" she whined, as she jumped up and down trying to retrieve her cup from Jake, who held it highly up in the air. I laughed, me and Jake knew that if Kate had too much to drink, she would do something really crazy. And I mean really crazy.

The last time Kate had had any achohol was at school in the girls' locker room. Marilyn Sampson, Trinity's cousin, had left a bunch of whiskey in her locker. After Marilyn had entered the gym and me and Kate were the only two people left, Kate decided to hoard the liquor. I hadn't been able to pull her away. In the end, the coach found her at the end of class, sipping the last of the whiskey. She had drank too much and ended up beating up the poor coach while the rest of the girls' gym class cheered her on. I had to text Jake in the middle of class, and Marilyn ended up telling on Kate, me, and Jake. So we all got suspended, and Marilyn didn't (even though she had brought the whiskey in the first place).

"Jake, I'm gonna leave now, take care of Kate," I said, watching him nod. I thought Kate and Jake were perfect for each other. They were only friends though, which was pretty sad. Kate entertained Jake and kept him from not being so serious all the time, and Jake kept Kate in line, straightning her out when she got too crazy. I turned around and left, sighing.

It was around midnight when I had walked out the door, thinking about Logan. It was like my heart was attached to him, like I just couldn't let go no matter how hard I tried. I was forced to walk home, not wanting to hitch a ride with some drunk I didn't even know. I was now crossing a dangerous part of town. In order to get to my house faster, I was forced to take this dreaded shortcut. Who knew that living in Charlotte, North Carolina could be so bad?

Kate had threw this party specifically for me so I could get cheer up. I had been a total party pooper. I was about to turn around to the party so Kate would be happy, but then I heard a punch, followed by another, and another. I started running, not knowing where I was running to but I knew that I was scared to death. I mean, I didn't want to linger when a fight was going on. I didn't want to be involved.

There were a few groans, and more punches, and then, there was a gunshot. I started running even faster, not even looking back. I didn't dare to look back. Adrenaline was pumping through my blood, my heart throbbing as much as it could after being shattered. I panted heavily, and I halted in my steps when I saw a shadow cast over me by the dim street light above me.

I was being followed. Cliche, yes, but....it was still true.

I was too scared to move. My breathing grew uneven, my heart slamming against my chest so hard, I was afraid that my ribs would break. The shadow didn't move a muscle, so I held my breath, and ran even faster, trying to muster up all the strength that I could.

Then, I ran through an alley, straight into a brick wall. The blow to my head made me slump to the ground weakly. Whoever was following me had finally tracked me down, his face coming into view. I was conscious enough to recognize the person as a boy. He seemed to be 2 years older than me, about 18. I didn't linger on this thought for long, though.

I tried to pull myself up, trying to escape. But the mere thought was useless, my attempt was feeble as the guy neared me, hesitating at first, but then his fist came down and the world faded into black.

Damien

I knew it was wrong to hit her. I didn't want to hurt her, I really didn't. I sighed as I carried Elena's body over to my  house. Elena had no idea who I was, but I knew everything about her. I had to stop her ex from coming near her, so I had fought him. It wasn't a wise choice to make, I admit, but I had no regrets. I had to keep Elena away from the world now. I wanted to make her mine. This was an opportunity too good to pass by, and I certainly wasn't going to waste it.

Blood was gushing out of Elena's head wound, the crimson red liquid dripping down the wound onto the front steps of my home. I shifted Elena's body to one of arms and used my other arm to dig for the key. I shoved the key into the lock, hearing the door creak open as I jerked the key out and pushed the door.

The house was dark and silent in an eerie and abandoned way. I was rarely home. My parents had died in a car crash, and I had been an orphan ever since. Adopted with my blood sister by 2 foster parents, everyone was convinced that I was living with them. They couldn't have been more wrong. I hate my foster parents and the rest of their crappy family with a passion. I wanted nothing to do with them. My life had been a nightmare ever since it started. But when I saw Elena.....things changed. I had changed.

You could call it love at first sight, or you could call it a sick obsession....but whatever the case, I could help it; I'm a hopeless romantic.

Logan

When I had finally opened my eyes and tried to sit up, I found that the world was swirling around me. I groaned and lay my head back on the rock hard asphalt. I sighed, closing my eyes and picturing myself in my room, with my TV, stereo, and computer.

I sat straight up then, having no idea who I just fought with but not really caring. I had lost, and that was very clear. Whoever had fought with me sure knew how to fight. There was a giant gash on my arm, and the bullet that was shot had grazed my stomach. When people fought with me, they could barely put a scratch on me. But still, I rolled my eyes at the wounds, I knew that they would heal.

I knew that whoever had attacked me knew that I was out for Elena. I barely knew who Elena was anymore. After going on the drugs and entering my blissful state, I was surprised I knew anyone anymore.

I wanted to hurt Elena for some unknown reason. So I was following her from a distance after I noticed her walking while I was leaving from my daily dose of drugs. I wanted to beat Elena up for some reason, so it would make me look even more badass. I was pretty sure that this would reclaim my dignity.

Then, a thought came to my mind.....what dignity? Why was I even acting like this? I never acted like this before. I cared about Elena, right? I didn't have the answer to those questions. I was far too tired of life, the high of the drugs clouding over my mind and my memories.

I stood up then, walking home. I was considering getting high again at Marilyn's house. Yeah, I was hanging around Trinity's cousin, but who cared? Definately not me. I didn't care about anything.

Certainly not Elena. Not anymore.

Elena

I opened my eyes, sitting straight up, taking in the pain of the blows to my head. I felt lightheaded and extremely dizzy, like I just got blood taken from me, got drunk, and got high from drugs all at the same time. It wasn't a very good feeling.

I was in my same clothes, the super tight miniskirt that Kate had gotten for me and a tube top that she had also picked out. Kate strongly believed that if I just put myself "out there" I would get some attention and get over Logan. I was in a bed. The blanket around me was warm and soothing. The sheets were expensive and the pillows were probably filled with down. This place was like a 5 star hotel. I didn't know who had kidnapped me or punched me, but whoever did seemed to care about me. I mean, why the luxery? I dismissed those thoughts and then focused on my poor throbbing head.

I groaned, bringing my hand to my head and rubbing at a spot where I was pretty sure there was a wound. A bunch of flecks of dried blood ended up on my hands after I did that. I was injured and I had no idea where I was. Great. How would I ever get home now?

I was about to get up and drag myself out of this bed and try to find a way out but then fear grappled me like a hook when I felt a presence in the room. I turned around to find myself face-to-face with my kidnapper.

His face was hard and looked scary. And suddenly, I had feeling that I might not be going home at all. In fact, getting home was the least of my worries right now.

Damien

I tried to keep my face blank as I stared at Elena. It was hard not to just smile at her. It was hard just to keep my hands off of her right now.

I didn't know what to do now. She was right in front of me and I could do whatever I wanted with her. I knew what I wanted to do, but somehow, I just couldn't picture myself doing it. It seemed.....wrong.

Elena

I stayed there. Frozen. My heart racing as a chill ran down my spine and a trembled. Whatever was about to happen to me? I didn't know. I didn't want to know.

I could've sworn that my face had paled when I had saw his face, incredibly handsome, but extremely dangerous. I didn't want to die. But I guess I wouldn't have minded. With my whole "Logan played me and dumped me," problem, I guess death would just take that away.

I had never once thought that I was suicidal, but maybe I was. My depression caused me pain, my actions influenced others, and I lashed out at everyone that I knew. I hated myself for that.

I felt vulnerable and uneasy when I stared at my kidnapper's face. He didn't move or speak, and he didn't even fidget. He just kept....staring at me.

Then, he cleared his throat. I held my breath, and squeezed my eyes shut tight. When he didn't say anything, I decided to break the silence and spill the million questions that hovered in my mind. "What do you want with me? Why did you kidnap me? Why did you hurt me? Who are you?"

Damien

I didn't want to answer those questions. There were too many and I was too lazy. But I had to answer them, just to be fair. "I didn't want to hurt you," I said, surprised that my voice didn't falter. "And to be honest, I don't know what I want with you," I said calmly, although on the inside, I was anything but.

Then I stared at the bundle of clothes that I held in my hands. These were Rachel's old clothes, ones that she refused to throw out yet couldn't wear because they no longer fit. They were for Elena now. I threw her the bundle of clothes, wondering what my approach to her heart would be. "Change," I said firmly, and left the room, enjoying the nice feeling I had whenever our eyes met.

Logan

I was back home now. Inside my freakishly awesome room. I threw myself down on my bed and closed my eyes. I was about to drift off to sleep when my door suddenly burst open.

"Logan, what the hell is this?" My mom's tolerant face popped into the room, her dirty blonde hair in a sloppy bun. She was holding my bag of treasure. She'd found the motherload. Shit!

"Uhhhhhh........sorry?" I mumbled, making it sound like a question. Well, it was. And technically, I didn't really mean it.

"Logan, ever since you've been hanging around Trish or whatever her name is. You've changed. I don't know what's gotten into you!" My yelled those words. She was angry, I could tell.

"What's gotten into me? Drugs, mom. Drugs. And it's Trinity," I hissed at her. I felt.....weird. I was no longer in my hazy, dreamy state.

My mother sighed and slammed the door to my room. Probably to send me off to rehab or something. I didn't really care. I wanted to see Elena. I needed to see Elena. No.....that wasn't right. I hated Elena. She hated me. I left her. "It's probably just the lack of drugs, Logan, that's all," I told myself.

But it was because of the lack of drugs that I was thinking so clearly. Now instead of that hypnotizing daze that always covered my mind when I was high......my mind was covered with memories of only one person. Elena.

Elena

My kidnapper technically didn't answer any of my questions. He didn't even tell me his name. I threw the clothes aside, not caring one bit about them. I had no idea who this guy was and I had no idea where I was. But it seemed best to assume that I had to get out of here, no matter what he was keeping me for.

I leaped up and got out of the bed and headed towards the door. I put my hand on the doorknob and tugged on it. Locked. Just as I thought. I started looking around the room, planning my escape. There were no windows anywhere. It seemed like I was going to be stuck here.....and I didn't like that.

I was growing weaker by the minute. I was afraid. But I sucked it up. I might as well figure out what this guy wanted with me, and if God was on my side, maybe I could get out of this. Maybe.

I picked up the clothes that I had carelessly thrown on the floor, sifting through the bundle of designer garments. I was really surprised to find that everything was so.....expensive. In the end, I chose the most casual thing in the pack: a violet-colored sweater dress. If I was going to bust out of this place, I might as well be comfortable......and look good at the same time.

Then, there was a jangling of keys outside the door. I scrambled to find anything that could be used as a weapon. I came up blank.

My kidnapper opened the door then, a ring of keys in his hand. Then, a thought went through my mind, 'Was he holding others as prisoners too?'. I didn't dwell on that thought for long though, especially when he beckoned for me to come to him. Who was I, Lassie?

But not having any other choice, I walked towards the door, but I took my time. My kidnapper didn't seem menacing in any way, but something just radiated off of him that told me to stay away, or else I would get hurt.

He closed the door then, and started walking up some stairs, and I had a feeling he wanted me to follow. So I did.

I realized that I was in a basement of some sort, so of course there were no windows. And apparently, this basement had a room, and then stairs. What a surprise.

My heart did this thumpity-thump thing everytime I went close to my (seemingly insane and perverted) kidnapper. And although it felt quite pleasant, it also felt......wrong.

My heart had a feeling that it was about to go through a painful journey. An emotional roller coaster of life. But little did I know......

I was right.