Play Me - Revised

Déjà vu - a feeling of having already experienced the present situation.

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Summer White

...♛...

9 years ago

Darkness is inevitable. In everyone's life, no matter what religion, profession or gender you are, there comes a time where you give into the darkness. Reason's aren't needed when you're over the edge – as some like to describe the dark side. But even then, there are levels to that darkness. Levels to how evil someone is or can be.

I try to open my eyes, but my lashes are stuck on the cotton cloth tightly tied over them. My first instinct is to pull the rag off, but sandy ropes are securing my wrists to the arms of the chair. The next thing that comes to mind is my legs, but they've been tied to the legs of the chair keeping me in place.

My physical tactics are useless at this point, so I try to recall all the years of training I've had. Nothing is good enough to help me find a way out of this.

I recall the events of how I got here. I remember everything. My birthday is today, or maybe it was a few days ago depending on how long I've been kidnapped. I was with Vince. He was stabbed. I wonder if he's still alive. Even though I hate him, I hope he is.

The events of how I got here are clear in my mind. Two things that aren't are: who and why. My family has many enemies, but never have I experienced this. Maybe this is why my family never allows me to go out, but if they did, then I'd know who our enemies were.

Creak.

A door opens nearby and my ears perk listening for footsteps. They are quiet, but I can hear them. Someone is walking towards me from my left.

"I didn't believe it when they told me, but –" the man takes a pause. My head remains forward knowing that the man is standing to my left. I have great senses and keeping that a secret, would be to my advantage. A hand places itself firmly on my right shoulder and I flinch at the unexpected touch. He chuckles as his lips find a spot near my ear, " – I've got the key in my hands."

My jaw clenches. I've been trained for these situations since I was a child. Most still consider me one, but I don't like to believe them. I might've only turned fourteen, but I act much older.

"The key to what?" I ask.

"Power, Kiddo," I feel the man's hand ruffling my hair. His voice is light this time, almost like Vince's, but less authoritative. It's full of enjoyment more than anything.

"My family won't give in to your demands. They'll come and kill you," I spit angrily. The man's hands find a spot under mine on the chair's arms. His face is only inches away from mine, his breath smells fresh – minty. Not the cheap store mint, but like the plant freshly growing in a garden.

I wait for him to speak, but he doesn't. Instead, one of his hands lifts off of the chair and pushes my long hair away from my shoulder. The tips of his finger then caress my jaw. Most people say I have a jaw sharp enough to cut. I wish it would cut that man's hand. The feeling of him touching me is sickening.

"You don't like me touching you?" his voice comes out as a whisper. I don't respond and he lets out a laugh. "You don't know the rules yet, but you will soon enough. How old are you?"

"Fourteen," I reply. I've learned that responding to your captivator is a way of having them treat you better than they've initially planned because they feel like they have control. If you're rebellious from the start, it makes them more eager to crush you.