4

"Why isn't he picking up?" She mumbled, getting worried.

Joshua always gets back home on time. This was the second time he was taking so long.

Last night he came so late. But he texted her not to cook his dinner because he’ll be late and when he arrived home, he was a little drunk and disheveled. There were nail marks on his neck which made Evelyn worried. He has never drunk before so it was weird for her to see him in this state for the first time.

This morning she asked him why he was drunk and late last night, he said he went on a date but he didn’t remember what happened after that or when he drank so much. She didn’t question him further, she was happy that he went on a date and the nail marks on his neck made her smirk. She was happy that her brother was living his life. She was even excited to meet the girl.

Three hours passed and still, there was no sign of Josh. She started to get worried as she rang Joshua's colleague. He answered on the second call.

"Who's this?" Samuel said.

"Samuel, this is Evelyn. I'm Joshua's sister," She said.

"Oh, yes. How are you, Evelyn? You're calling at this hour. Is everything alright?" He asked.

"Joshua hasn't come back home yet." She said, panicking.

"But he left on time. Maybe he has gone out to have drinks with some friends," Samuel said as Evelyn shook her head. He must’ve texted her if that was the case just like yesterday.

Joshua wasn't an irresponsible person. If he goes out, he always lets her know.

"His phone is not reachable," She said worriedly.

"Don't worry, Evelyn. He's a young man. Maybe he's at a nightclub or something. Don't worry. He'll get back home soon. You should go to sleep. He'll be home by the morning," Samuel said as he comforted her and dropped the call but Evelyn was on edge.

She was having a feeling that something wasn't right. But Samuel mentioned a nightclub. Maybe Josh went out with his date from last night, but he could’ve at least informed her. 

Evelyn tried to calm her mind as she lay on the couch in the lounge and decided to wait for Josh. She didn't realize when she drifted into a deep slumber.

She jerked up with a gasp as she looked around with wide eyes and blurry vision. She jolted badly when the door banged again.

Instantly getting up to her feet she padded towards the front door. Another loud banging had her stiffening up. Joshua had the keys. Then who was it at this hour?

She peeked through the small peephole and gulped, finding two men dressed in black suits.

"Open the door!" One of them barked while banging on the door causing her to flinch. At this rate, the neighbors would come out. But Josh has strictly told her not to open the doors to strangers.

"We are here to take you to your brother!" The other guy said loudly. It was like they were sure that she was present there and she could hear them.

They know Josh. She clutched the pendant tightly. This pendant was her mom's. She had given it to Evelyn when she was just a kid. She had told her to never remove it. Whenever Evelyn gets scared, she clutches the pendant and it gives her strength as if she wasn't alone.

They were sounding fishy. She will not fall for it. If they could come to her apartment. Did this mean they had Josh? Was Josh in danger? Worst-case scenarios started to rake in her mind.

Evelyn scurried to the couch and she grabbed her phone to call the cops when she heard them saying.

"Try anything funny and Joshua will die," It was enough for her body to go still as she clutched the phone tightly.

Her mind couldn't process what was happening as her hands shook in fear and anxiety clutched her heart.

Joshua was in danger, she was sure of it. But why were they here for her? Who were these men? What did they want?

What if they had already done something to Joshua and now were after her? Just the thought of it had her knees buckling up as she decided to call the cops for help when all of a sudden a hand clasped on her mouth and the phone was snatched from her hand.

The man who was holding her cut the call as he shifted along with her and her eyes landed on the window of her room which was wide open now. Someone broke into the apartment through the window.

She got into fight-and-flight mode and she started struggling wildly.

Her heart thumped in her ears. Her eyes were wide in fear and horror as she clawed at that man's hand only for him to apply pressure in his hold causing her pain.

He yanked her along with him to the front door as he unlocked it and let the other two guys inside before they closed the door.

She gaped at those two men with teary eyes as she struggled hard.

She tried to elbow the man who was holding her and he let her go with such force almost pushing her and she crashed on the floor with a wince of pain.

Before she could gather her bearings the other guy hovered over her as he grabbed her arm and yanked her back to her feet. She let out a cry of pain as his hold was harsh on her arm.

"Listen here girl," The man said coldly, jerking her badly to get her attention.

"Our boss is asking for your presence. Your brother will pay for his life if you don't oblige to go with us," He hissed.

"Y...you're lying," She whispered looking at his shoulder. 

She was sure that at any moment she would have a heart attack and would die. She so wanted for all of this to be a nightmare, she just wanted to wake up.

The guy looked at the scary man who had a scar on his face. "Maxwell, show her." Maxwell was the guy with a scar on his cheek and eyebrow. He took out his phone and showed Evelyn a video in which Josh was tied to a chair as someone punched him.

"NO-" Her scream was muffled as the guy holding her arm clasped his hand on her mouth.

"Now, you believe us?" Maxwell said calmly.

"Let her go, Rick," Maxwell said.

Rick let her go as Maxwell took a threatening step closer to her.

"We can do it in two ways. Either you go willingly with us or we had to drug you and take you along. I'm kind enough to let you choose, girl." Maxwell said sharply as tears kissed her cheeks and her body shook with fear.