Page 19 of Hostage of the Bratva

Nothing, not even one crack. What was this place? I sank to my knees placing my head into my hands, and sobbed. I wasn’t going to get out ever. In the end, I would have to go along with whatever Luder wanted I thought as I crawled up onto the bed.

Hugging the soft pillow, I cried unstoppably for quite some time. This was the end of my life. I would never see Bunny or my brother again. My heart felt as if it was going to explode as my chest struggled to find air.

This place was off the normal routes and hidden. Not even the cops would find me. After a while, my tears started drying up. My breathing regulated as I felt fatigue set in. I wanted to sleep, my body and mind were tired of fighting. But I didn’t dare close my eyes.

No, I thought as I sat up. I needed to devise a plan. I had to get out of here. He would be back later, he said. I got up and collected the bat from the middle of the floor where I had dropped it.

Yes, I thought as I walked back to the bed. When he comes back, I’ll wait on the side of the door. If I swing hard enough, I could probably knock him out. I drank the rest of the juice, which was now hot, before pouring myself another glass.

I collected the chair from behind the desk and sat on it next to the door, waiting. The day passed slowly, and I decided to take a short nap. Waking after some time, I noticed the sun started setting as the room darkened. Next to the door were two switches. I toggled the first one, but nothing happened.

The second one lit up the room in a soft yellowish glow. Really, I thought as I stood and went to the fridge. He couldn’t even put in a decent light. I was feeling weak and puckish as I searched through the contents of the fridge for something to eat.

It held a couple of glass jars; some I assumed were jellies, others contained pickles. There was an apple and banana, but I wasn't sure, even though they still appeared fine. On the lower shelf were a couple of plastic bowls with who knew what in them. I grabbed a bottle of pickles and a plastic fork before returning to the chair at the door.

I was sure he would be returning soon, and I wanted to be ready. About halfway through the bottle of pickles, I felt my stomach turning. Closing the bottle, I held it out before me. “This wasn’t such a good idea,” I said. I got up and placed the bottle back in the fridge.

My stomach was now aching. It was a dull pain, but it was there. I considered that even though it was bottled, I didn’t know how old it was. I might have just caught something, and I didn’t know how long Luder was still going to be.

Sitting back down on the chair, I pulled my legs onto it and hugged them. A slow and steady throbbing started at the back of my head. No, no, no, I thought as my mind started running with ideas of what I could have caught.

Never take something from strangers, my mother always used to say. But, in my own defense, he’s not quite a stranger. Plus, he said I should have something. But how was I to know it wasn’t poisoned?

Watching the sun setting outside, I wondered if Luder would do something like that. I felt sure he wouldn’t, it could just be that I consumed too much sour. I did feel a bit nauseated as well.

He would be back soon, and then I could go, I told myself as I dropped the bat to the floor. How could I even consider hitting him with it if I could barely move?

Sliding off the chair, I slowly walked back to bed. I lay holding the pillow to my stomach, curled into a small bundle. My head ached almost as much as my stomach. I didn’t know where I should be holding. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on something else.

My mind kept going to Bunny all alone at home, and I didn’t want to think about it. I filled his food and water before I left, but he has never been alone all day and night. I felt tears threatening to worsen my mood as I lifted my head in an attempt to stiffen the tears.

There was a noise outside and I looked out the window, hoping to see a light or something. I didn’t know what I was hoping for, but there was nothing. Then I heard footsteps, and I knew he had returned.

Although I didn’t want to be here, I felt a slight flash of happiness hearing him return. It could be due to me feeling sick or that I was feeling something because of the child. At this time, I couldn’t be sure. I just knew I was glad he was back.

Chapter 13 - Luder

I parked my car close to the docks and sat for a bit, watching the guards move around. The area was quiet as usual, with nothing much happening. Getting out of my car, two of the guards walked closer.

“Evening sir,” they said in unison.

“Evening, any developments?” I inquired as I headed towards the docks.

The two guards followed closely behind me as I moved. “Nothing to report.” They add.

Stepping onto the docks, I turn and face them. “Good, thanks, that will be all,” I said as I showed them to continue their rounds.

“There was, however,” one of the men started saying and then looked at the other.

“Come on, spit it out, there was what?” I asked rushed.

“Well, you see, we were walking the docks and heard an awful banging noise coming from your yacht, sir.” The other one added.

“Okay, thanks,” I said, feeling my insides turning. What had Skyler been up to?

They turned and walked off. I walked along the dock slowly, listening to the night sounds of bugs and the water softly lapping at the bottom of the yachts. I loved being out here, it had a calming effect on me.

Stepping onto the deck of my yacht, I told the two guards stationed there to return to their normal positions. I headed down to the lower level picking up Skyler’s phone as I went. She had three missed calls from a guy named Mathieu.

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