Chapter 1
Darkness shrouds me like a blanket. The stench of mold and dirt filled my nose. An oversized shirt is the only thing protecting me from the cold ground.
I shivered in my skin sitting up from the cold surface. Black is the only thing I see. Darkness consumes me as a whimper escapes my lips.
I knew instantly that I was far from home. My memory of the past few hours was lost to me. The last thing I remember was walking to my car after a game. The game that we finally won to go to state.
My mouth was dry from lack of water. I lick my crack dried lips with my tongue. Pulling my knees to my chest I let out a weak breath.
Hungry! My stomach let out a grumble warning me of its emptiness. Weak. My body felt weak through the condition it’s been in.
I hate feeling weak or useless.
Where I’m I?
I thought to myself.
This can’t be happening to me! I’m Lora Knight.
Was I kidnap?
Is anyone looking for me?
Yes, everyone I know is looking for me. I’m loved by many and the only child to my parents.
Someone’s looking for me.
Right?
I look around in the darkness wondering where I was. Why I’m I only in an oversize t-shirt? Who had the audacity to undress me bare?
Who took me?
How long has it been before I wake?
A shiver went through me again as the temperature seems to drop in the room.
Click
Click
Click
The sounds of footsteps come to my ear. My head whip around to the direction it came from.
Click
Click
Click
Closer. The person was coming closer at every step they took.
My breath hitch at the anticipation. I look around for anything that I could use for a weapon, dawning on me that I couldn’t see a flipping thing in this dark room.
The footsteps stop as the sound of keys took their place. Which tells me that there’s a door. A low whistle struck out indicating the person was by in fact male.
Male!
I heard a click unlocking the door of the room. Light rush into the room instantly blinding me when the door was suddenly pushed open. A hiss left my lips as I shielded my face from the light.
“Well. Well. Well, it looks like someone is finally up.” A deep voice said.
I blink a few times to adjust to the new lighting. The warmth of the light spread over my skin. Subconsciously I move closer near the door to spread the warmth over my body.
“I see that you’re cold.” The man’s delicate voice spoke.
It was then I look up into the man’s face dark hazel eyes bore into mine. The man standing in front of me was strikingly handsome. He stood tall before me his whole poster going cold.
“Where I’m I?” I croak out.
“Come let’s get you clean up and get something in your stomach. We can talk later.” The man said leaning down to look me in my face.
My stomach then decides to announce its hunger. I knew that the room wasn’t the only thing that stinks. Energy, water, and Warmth are what I need right now if I want to survive. I slowly nod my head in agreement to his suggestion.
“I don’t think I can move or walk,” I told him.
I hate that I’ve had to admit that...that I need his help. My body is a way to weak for me to help myself.
“Oh, then I shall carry you.” He said reaching down to easily pick me up.
A surprise noise left my lips when he lifts me up in his arms. My head hit his hard chest as he picked me up bridal style. The warmth from his body spread over through mind. I clutch at his chest moving closer to him for warmth.
Weak.
I heard a chuckle left his lips as he made his way out the door. He steps into the hallway and turns right slowly making his way down. The next thing I knew we were climbing up a circled staircase.
I close my eyes due to its heaviness. I was then set down on a cold seat. The sound of running bath water rush through my ears.
“Here drink this.” He told me.
I open my eyes slightly tilting my head back. The man pours orange juice in my mouth while I gulp it done. My stomach welcoming the content of the beverage.
I felt my shirt being pulled up over my head. Naked! I was naked in front of this stranger. Before I could even react he picks me up, setting me in the tub full of warm water.
“I will give you half an hour in here by yourself. I’ll be back to help you if needed.” The man said before leaving the room.
I need to wake my eyes up!
I duck under the water covering my head completely. When I came back up my eyes pop wide open as I took a deep breath of air. I look around the small bathroom that was painted white. It was a simple style bathroom with a toilet, sink, and bathtub.
No windows.
I slowly reach up to grab the face towel and soap that was laid across the side of the tub. I clean myself until I felt satisfied that I was totally clean.
Better.
I felt better after taking this bath and finally getting something in my system.
A knock came to the bathroom door right when I move to get out the tub. The door swung open revealing the man from earlier. I quickly wrap my arms around myself to cover myself.
“Are you crazy? Get out!” I yelled at the man.
“Don’t worry baby. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen your jewels and it show won’t be my last.” He said with a chuckle holding out a towel for me.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask him.
“Get out the tub.” He said ignoring my question.
I stare at him for a minute before stepping out the tub into the towel. He wraps it around me hugging me to him.
“Dry off.” He ordered letting me go.
“Who are you? Where I’m I?” I ask while drying my legs, trying to keep myself covered.
“I thought we agreed that we’ll talk about all of that when we get something in you.” He said pulling the towel completely away from me.
I yelp in surprise wrapping my arms around myself. The man looks at me with a smirk shaking his head at me.
“Raise your arms in the air.” He told me while holding a clean oversize shirt in his hands.
“What about undergarments,” I ask him.
“You wear none of that here baby.”
“Where’s here?”
“I’ll tell you everything after you eat.”
“I can put the shirt on myself,” I told him reaching out to take the shirt from him.
“Of course you can.” He said looking at me with a smile.
I don’t expect him to turn around for privacy, so I did. I tried to quickly undo the shirt and slip it on, but I felt a hand grab my butt. He presses his body up against mine as his lips travel up my neck.
I shivered from his touch taking in a breath of air. I lean my head to the side as his lips found their way to my ear.
“Your body is art baby and I will always admire it. Stop hiding it from me.” He said in my ear.
I throw the shirt over my head pulling it all the way down to my knees.
“It’s not for you to admire,” I told him coldly.
I turn to find him smirking down at me.
“That’s not for you to decide. Follow me.” The man said turning on his heels and walk out the door.
I reluctantly followed after him as he leads me down a dark hall. I didn’t see not one window or door on our walk to a room that makes the kitchen. A small stove set in a corner of the room next to the sink. The refrigerator was set up a few feet away next to a microwave. A table took up the rest of the room in the middle of the floor.
I knew instantly that anything about this place wasn’t normal.
“Take a seat.” The man said while making his way to the stove.
The smell of chicken soup filled my nostrils waking the monster I called my stomach. He places a bowl full in front of me with a bottle of water. I didn’t hesitate to pick up the bowl gulping down the soup greedily.
Delicious is the only word I can say about this soup. The perfect amount of spices were placed into the soup. Fresh perfectly cut vegetables and tender white meat made the soup. If he made this from scratch then I know he’s anything less than a good cook.
Three! I chow down three bowls before I slowed down on the fourth one. I stare over at the man who sat across from me.
Striking. This man was very striking to look at. He looks to be a couple of years older than me. It was then I realize the position I’m truly in. I’m in a strange place with a complete stranger that claims he saw me naked more than once.
“Oh. My. Gosh. Who are you and where I’m I?” I ask him setting down my bowl.
“My name is Sebastian and you’re on my family’s property.” He said nonchalantly.
“What I’m I doing here?” I ask looking around the kitchen.
“Your here for me of course.”
“I don’t even know you.”
“That’s really disappointing to hear baby. I should probably show you who I am then.” Sebastian said coming over to stand between my legs.
“Oh, no. I’m fine. I just want to go home.” I told him trying to push him away from me.
“There’s only one way for you to go home.” He said leaning into my ear.
“And what is that?” I breathe out.
“It’s to keep away from me. We’re going to play a game. Hide and seek I call it!”
