HER ABDUCTION

It was drizzling slightly. Shirley walked out of the car and took light steps towards the entrance of Pandora University. After one hell of a weekend, she wasn't exactly thrilled to be back in school that Monday. One of the bodyguards had an umbrella over her head as she walked. 

Shirley Blakes was in her third year, studying Business Administration.

When she stepped into the lobby and started for the locker room, she halted when she realized that Mr. Bernad, the head bodyguard was still following her.

"You are probably going to follow me to class as usual, aren't you?" she said sarcastically, turning to face him.

"Umm, I am only obeying your father's orders," he said and she scoffed.

"Whatever," she blurted out as she spotted Emily. She started to approach her.

Shirley's father had been the one to personally enroll Emily in the university as soon as the girl started to work as Shirley's assistant, almost a year ago. Although she was in her first year and not in the same level as Shirley, it sure felt nice to Shirley, having someone to talk to, at least during lunch breaks, in the university.

Sometimes, Shirley couldn't believe just how extreme her father could be. Like having the bodyguard behind her, follow her about, even to her classes.

That was why she didn't have any friends. Who would talk to her when a frowning hefty man was always right behind her? Shirley was at least thankful that Emily went to the university with her now or it would have been really unbearable.

"Hey Shirley, seems like you didn't have much sleep last night. You have heavy bags under your eyes," Emily said, staring at Shirley with concern.

"I just couldn't stop thinking about what happened... I loved him, you know," Shirley said.

"I know," Emily said, reaching out to take Shirley's hand in hers.

"But you are going to be fine. It is that a**hole's loss. At least thankfully, your father was able to get back the drive," Emily added as both girls started walking towards the staircase.

"I don't even want to think about the means he used to get it back. It serves that family right. Using people is wrong, so wrong," Shirley said.

"Have you scheduled the photoshoot with JK Cosmetics?" Shirley asked as they started to climb up the stairs.

"I have. Another job came for you though. Mrs Loretha sent it this morning. She said I should ask you if you want her to accept it," Emily said.

"What brand?" Shirley asked.

"Showan clothesline," Emily replied.

"She shouldn't accept it. In fact, she shouldn't accept any more jobs in the meantime. My exams are fast approaching. I want to be fully focused," Shirley said.

"I understand," Emily said with a smile.

******

After excusing herself from her last lecture for the day, Shirley raced to the SUV that was already parked right in front of the university's entrance. Emily joined her barely a few seconds later.

"What happened to him?" Shirley asked, visibly panicking.

"I don't know much but we received information that he suddenly collapsed at work and was rushed to the nearest hospital," one of the bodyguards riding with them said. 

"Can this thing go any faster!" Shirley turned to the driver and screamed.

Emily held Shirley's hand and when Shirley turned to look at her, she flashed her a comforting smile, which weirdly calmed her nerves a bit.

It had been during her last class for the day that a text had suddenly come in saying that her father had been rushed to the hospital. The text had been from her father's personal secretary.

"He will be fine. It is probably just the stress. You know he works too much. Running a company and still playing senator, that's a lot," Emily muttered, in a bid to comfort the anxious Shirley.

"I have told him a million times that he shouldn't work too hard. He doesn't even have to yet he does. He is so stubborn. Like a mule... I just..." her voice trailed off as there was a sudden screeching sound. The van lurched forward, propelling everyone forward, and then suddenly, there were gunshots.

Shirley screamed when a bullet hit Emily's chest. The van was swerving at this point. There were more gunshots before the van suddenly stopped.

Shirley looked behind her and gasped, the two bodyguards behind her had been shot.

Shirley's mouth moved to her hand to cover it as her side of the van's door was opened from outside.

"Come out," a not so friendly but definitely feminine voice rang out.

The person that had spoken was clothed in an all black apparel. She was even wearing a hood and her face was covered with a mask. She was pointing a gun at Shirley's head.

Shirley did as she was told and stepped out. Her body was shaking involuntary.

The lady grabbed Shirley's arm roughly and started for a van parked right across them. There were at least seven other armed people standing by the van the lady was dragging her towards.

"Am I going to die?" Shirley couldn't help but wonder.

When the lady reached the van, she spoke in Spanish to the others and one of them replied back in Spanish.

Shirley felt her heart pounding. She heard what they said. She did Spanish as an elective course...

The lady had said, "Contact her father. Tell him we have his precious daughter and if he doesn't give us want we want before midnight tomorrow, he will never see her again."

They shoved her roughly into the van and it sped off. Shirley was sandwiched between the lady that had first grabbed her and another person who from the build she could tell was a man.

Her hands and her feet had been tied closely together, it was hurting bad. They had even gagged her mouth.

Shirley drew a sharp breath as Emily's face popped in her head. They had shot her. They had shot all the bodyguards and even the driver? So, much for having bodyguards!

Emily would be fine, right? Someone would find them soon right? Tears poured out Shirley's eyes as she hoped. That was all she could do anyway, hope.