Chapter 1
The night is eerie and dark. We are walking quickly towards the end of the tunnel but she keeps complaining about being tired. I grab her hand and tell her we are almost there but she slips and falls onto the damp floor. My lantern crashes to the ground when I try to break her fall and we are now covered in complete darkness. I can hear her whimpering but I also hear his sinister laugh engulfing us in the darkness. My heart starts throbbing even more than before when I can no longer hear her. Wham! I instantly feel my head pounding. Someone has hit me from the back and before I have time to process what is happening, a pair of hands grab my shoulders and another brooding figure punches me straight in the gut. I bend over, heaving, trying my best to gain clarity but it makes no sense that hit on the head was too hard. Sweat is beading onto my forehead now profusely and I can feel warm liquid dripping down the nape of my neck. In a matter of seconds I’m being hauled by three brooding figures and I can make out two other figures ahead of me on the other end of the tunnel. I try to shout but I can’t make any sounds. I try to fight but I’m almost frozen. The image of her and the kidnapper gets smaller and less visible as I am being taken in the opposite direction. I give another shove with all the strength I can muster and then…BANG!
“Oh shit!” I jump up from the pillow and find that I am in the middle of my bed. I look towards the door and see Bono my cat scurrying away from my desk and books now scattered on the floor. My shirt is soaked with sweat and I struggle to calm my breathing. I really need to get these nightmares under control. I don’t know how much longer I can go without a proper night’s rest.
***
The phone rings and it brings me back from my daze after staring out the window on my way to work.
“Liz, I’m on my way I’ll be there for my 9:30.”
“Good morning Mr. Richards, you have an emergency meeting at 8:00am this morning. The partners called just now and requested your presence.”
I groan inwardly and squeeze the bridge of my nose. “Ok. I’m five minutes away. Ensure my coffee is on my desk piping hot! Need an extra shot of espresso this morning.”
“Didn’t sleep well again sir?”
I grip the seat a bit tighter than I intended. I hated that my assistant- who was my longest employee, knew me so well. It irked my soul that she could read my tone so well to know I didn’t sleep well the night before. The nightmares have decreased. I have them maybe once every blue moon but I still was left with great anxiety after an episode. But let’s be honest, who else could handle my mood swings better than she could? She understood what I’ve been going through and I’m happy she keeps things on board despite how much pressure the job comes with sometimes. I think her experience working at a high performing law firm prior to working at our company gave her a fair advantage in this environment. She often says, “This is child’s play,” when I’m ready to take an unplanned vacation or mental health day. I know she says that to make me feel better in the moment so I can put in the extra grit bring home the big wins.
“See you in three. And thanks for the heads up.”
“You’re welcome Raymond. The file will be on your desk as well.”
I have been working with some government officials in a small island off the coast for a huge deal. This meeting wasn’t supposed to happen for another week. These guys know how to keep me on my toes. They always try to push my limits.
But… they always forget… I am always ready…
