Acts of Desperation(44)
“Wha-what is it?” I asked.
“Just a little Propofol. I need you unconscious so I can stage some more pretty photos for your boyfriend. He’s going to love the next batch, and I can’t stand to listen to you yammering on anymore.”
“I’ll cooperate! I swear I will. And I won’t talk anymore. You don’t need to do this. Please. I’ll pose for you, do anything you want.” I began to cry and hoped that somehow my tears would have an effect on him.
“Shh…now hold still. If you struggle, I’ll have to hit you, and I don’t want to have to do that.” He grabbed for my arm. I thought about punching or slapping him, or getting up and running, but I still felt incredibly weak. I couldn’t be hasty with my timing. I would have to be patient and wait for my chance.
I gave him my arm and watched as he tied a large rubber band around it. He smacked my vein, and when it rose up, he slowly inserted the needle. I winced as it pierced my skin.
“There now,” he whispered. “Just a little bee sting.”
Chapter Nineteen
Over the next several days, I faded in and out of consciousness. I vaguely remember eating and being led to the bathroom; the pictures come to me like little snap shots taken from a dream. The first thing I can remember with some kind of clarity is when I sat up and noticed I was wearing a clean t-shirt.
“How long have I been here?” I asked.
“There she is,” my captor said. He was sitting over in his chair still wearing the same disgusting clothes, smoking and staring at a phone, slowly rocking. The chair creaked slightly under his movements. “Over a week. I didn’t think you’d mind me laying off the drugs for a bit. The long term effects can be a bit dangerous. I don’t want you pulling a Michael Jackson on me, at least not before I say.” He gave me a twitchy smile. “And I gave you a bath a couple of days ago too, you were starting to stink.”
As he spoke, I felt like my head was going to explode, but thankfully I wasn’t tied down again. I decided to not harp on the thought of him bathing me—it was too disturbing—at least I was somewhat clean. “What have you been giving me? I feel awful,” I said, rubbing my eyes.
“Oh just a little cocktail I put together. Some of it was a little old school but extremely effective and it made you very cooperative. I snapped off some great pictures too, it took me hours to tie some of those ropes and get you into those positions. But sadly, our time together is drawing to a close, not much longer now.” He frowned.
I’d seen some pictures of kinky bondage when I was an undergrad. My roommate was into weird stuff, but it was never my cup of tea. I visualized how he could have positioned me based off what I’d seen, and it made my skin crawl. I shook the images. “What do you mean our time’s drawing to a close?” I asked.
“Nothing,” he said and avoided looking at my eyes.
“You do know if you’re using a cell phone they’re probably tracing you. The police have to be looking for me. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re already outside.” I was grasping at strings.
“I don’t doubt they’re looking, but they’re not here. I’d know.” He held up his phone and wiggled it in the air. “And no GPS—I’m smarter than the average bear. I’ve got a special app installed that scrambles my signal. A guy designed it just for me. It’s not completely untraceable, but it should keep them busy for a while. I only communicate through texts so it makes it even more challenging. But, I should say Jax really has tried to get me talking, he’s done a few clever things—I have to give him credit. So admirable, your knight in shining armor.”
“He’ll find me. I know he will,” I said. Where the heck was he? He had to find me. He wouldn’t let me die like this. “You’re not going to get away with this.” The statement was cliché, and I was aware of that, but it was fitting.
“Oh, I’m afraid I will. With the money I’m requesting, I shouldn’t have any problem going off the grid. I can move anywhere I want. I’ll have to lay low for a while, but I’ve already got that worked out.”
“So what, you think you can just pick up a bag of money, and they’ll let you walk away. There’s no way that’s going to happen.”
“A bag of money?” He began laughing and coughing again. “Oh, you’re cute. Who deals with cash anymore? It’s all electronic these days. When the transfer is complete, my computer guy will handle the rest.” He tapped his watch. “And that should be happening very soon.”
“And what about me?” I asked.
“I promised the police, and Jax, that I wouldn’t hurt you, but, well…I sort of lied. I’m really sorry but there’s only one way this can end.” He tried to smile but shook his head and looked out the window. “I’m going to tie you to one of those trees out there and let the animals take care of you. I’ve been baiting them with meat wrapped in the t-shirts I’ve had you wear. I haven’t fed them for a couple of nights, but I’ve heard them out there looking. They should be hungry tonight, and it shouldn’t take long before they smell you. I’m not a violent man by nature—I couldn’t bear doing that kind of thing myself. And...” He took a deep breath and smiled then his face changed. “Jax shouldn’t be able to just carry on with you happily ever after when all of this is done, now should he?”