12:05 A.M.
It felt like a gazillion years had passed when I heard the same creaking noise from the door again. That’s when I became aware of the presence of another person in the room. He must have arrived before me because I didn’t hear anyone entering after he left me here.
“Who is it? Who the hell is this? Let me go. Why the hell am I tied up here?” It was a man who was frantically asking questions.
“Have patience. We will tell you everything, but only when the time comes. I’m going to remove your blindfold right now.” In a gruff voice, the kidnapper told the new man.
“You fucking come one step near me, and you won’t see the next morning.” The new man forewarned him.
“You really think I am an idiot, Buddy. I am not going to harm you… Yet.” After a dramatic pause, he said the word yet. “You are an asset to us, and remember that even if I don’t see the day next morning, I have other friends who will. So, hurting me won’t help you.” The self-assured abductor informed him.
The new man was silent. It was evident that he had nothing left to say, as he knew very well that the abductor wasn’t lying. As of now, it was better to keep his mouth shut.
“You want me to help you sit?” The abductor asked him politely.
“No, thanks. Don’t get your filthy hands near me.” The new guy snapped.
“Suit yourself.”
After a few moments, the new guy spoke up again, asking, “Who the hell is she?”
He finally noticed me, which means his blindfold is no longer on. The darkness, on the other hand, continues to pursue me.
“Your company for the night.” The kidnapper told him.
“Is she dead?” The new guy asked him. Fear laced his voice.
“No. She is as much alive as you.” The kidnapper stated.
Before the guy could ask any more questions, I heard someone speaking in another voice. It sounded like it was coming from another device, possibly a walkie-talkie.
“Come here immediately. The time has come.” The voice spoke.
“Well, it appears that you will need to remain in this darkness for a while until I return. Have fun.” The kidnapper then exited, closing the door behind him.
I heard some hustling and assumed the other man in the room was attempting to sit up.
After settling into his preferred position, the man spoke. “Who are you?”
He inquired when he received no response from me. “Are you sleeping, or are you unconscious?”
“I really hope you aren’t dead. I don’t want to be locked up with a dead body.” I wanted to burst out laughing, but I restrained myself. “Well, I can see your chest moving up and down, so you’re definitely alive. But how the hell are you sleeping in this situation?” He was speaking to himself rather than to me.
His jibber-jabber went on for a few more minutes until he came to realize that he was not going to get a response from me. However, I had the impression that he was staring at me from time to time.
*****
12:11 A.M.
In the Bossman’s den…..
“JM, did they both meet?” His Bossman inquired as soon as the door to his room closed.
“No, not yet. You called me before I could remove Ivanka’s blindfold.” JM replied to him.
“No worries. I am sure Ivanka will be fine. It’s time for us to make the call.” The Bossman said, wasting no time. Every single thing they had planned will work out only if they follow their schedule. He trusted his men to handle everything if, anytime, things went south. Ivanka and William, both of them are too precious to him.
“Captain, you make the call, and I’ll take care of the setup here. You ready?” The Bossman asked his Captain, who gave him a thumbs up. Finally, the moment he had been anticipating had arrived.
*****
Meanwhile, in Hotel La’ More Room No. 905…..
Jim was sound asleep when his phone rang. He picked up his phone and looked at the caller ID with a frown on his face and his eyes half-closed. It was a random number. He ignored the call and returned his phone to its original location. When he turned around, he saw his partner sleeping soundly beside him. He was at ease, and love shone in his eyes. He moved closer to feel his lover’s warmth and fell back asleep but was awakened again by a call from the same number.
“Who is this?”
“Did I disturb your sleep? It’s only 12:22 in the morning. I thought I would be disturbing your quality time with your ‘so-called partner.” The person on the other end of the line said.
His words made Jim alarmed about the situation.
“Who the hell are you?” He asked again, but the only difference was that his sleep had vanished now. He was in all his senses.
“The guy who managed to kidnap your daughter. But you can call me Captain, just like others do.”
“Is this some kind of sick joke?” Jim growled as he tried to put on his robe to cover his naked body and left the room so as not to disturb his lover’s sleep.
“It is not a joke but a reality. Sick!? Well, that depends on how cooperative you are with us. So, cutting to the chase, I will give you fifteen minutes to gather your thoughts and confirm that your daughter is really with us and that this is not a bluff. I don’t want to waste your time and mine by warning you and telling you that ‘don’t dare to call the cops’ because I know for sure that you won’t listen. So, please make the call. Do the usual stuff, and in-between, don’t forget to click on the link I am about to send you now. That will more than guarantee you that Ivanka is with us, safe and sound. How long will she be with us? That is entirely up to you.
Oh, and before I forget, please inform Nathan that his son William is also with us. He is keeping your daughter accompanied. I am going to take the liberty of assuming that your best friend is also with you on this trip. You two are always together, some friendship you both have.” With that, the Captain hung up the phone.
Jim was nervous, and his anxiety intensified when Nathan emerged from his room. True to the Captain's words, Nathan did tag along with him.
“Who was on the call? What happened?” His best friend questioned Jim.
“We are screwed, and that’s what has happened.” He responded.
12:37 A.M.In Hotel La' More Room No. 902.....After fifteen minutes, the kidnapper who called himself Captain called again. However, this time a squad of police officers assisted Jim.If you're wondering how they got this far so quickly, consider this: Well, his name is Jimothy Patterson, and it should be enough for everyone to do what he asks, and when Nathanial is added to the equation, the world is on their feet.The police set all up to apprehend the suspect who was playing with them. Jim reserved a new and larger room in the same hotel where he and Nathan could hammer out the kidnapping squabble with the squad of investigators assigned to the case.“You criminal seems to be a lot more punctual than I thought,” Jim said as soon as he answered the Captain’s call. He put the phone on speaker so that Nathan could easily hear him.“And you seem to be even more confident than before. I presume that you have called the back-up to catch us.” The Captain told him.“It’s just a matter of
1:45 A.M.Tick… tock… tick… tock… In this prison, it was the only sound that I could hear. William was exhausted by all of his jibber-jabber. He was also mentally drained from trying to cut the rope, which I felt was a stupid idea. Furthermore, this bloody fool declined to drink water. I am living evidence as I am still alive after finishing the entire bottle of the sipper. But no, he would rather die from thirst.My eyes were closed, my head leaned on the wall, and my forehead was turned upwards. I counted my breath cycles to pass the time when I heard a groaning noise as I twisted my head to the left. I saw William struggling to open the knot of the rope with his teeth. It was a ridiculous sight to see, but I had to appreciate his efforts for not giving up.When he felt me staring at him, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “What? I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I may not look tough, but hell, I am not weak.” I gave a small smile in response. He does have a lean body.“Jeez, g
2:22 A.M.“Are you familiar with osteomyelitis?” The Bossman was curious.“Excuse me, what?” William was confused.“Your father is an orthopaedist, and you don’t know what that means?” The Bossman questioned Willy.“Not me, but my dad. I work as a makeup artist…..” The kidnapper cuts him off.“I understand you work in a salon as a professional. But I am sure your new friend is mindful of this illness, don’t you, Ivy?” I nodded in agreement.Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bones. If not treated promptly, it will weaken the bone to the point that you have no choice but to cut it, and in the worst-case situation, amputation is the only option.“Since you have decided not to speak, I will explain. Osteomyelitis is an infection that spreads or contaminates the bone to the extent where it is as good as dead. There is no other way but to get rid of it.” The Bossman elaborated.“How does that relate to us?” Willy inquired.It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why we are here.“You a
2:34 A.M.I spoke at 2:34 A.M. sharp. This is the time that should be documented in history. I chose to remain silent. I can, however, talk. Although, rarely, and this was one of those times. Words flew out of my mouth before I knew what they were and before anybody could comprehend them.None of them expected me to talk, and yet here I am, asking the Bossman questions, the answers to which should not come as a surprise.“Did you just speak?” Willy was taken aback when I spoke. He wasn’t expecting her to talk to him. At least not this soon.“It seems she did. Cookie, if I knew this is what was going to make you talk, then I would have used those terms a lot sooner.” With a grin, the Bossman told her. Yeah, kidnappers do smile, and it isn’t necessarily a sick and malicious smile.“Don’t call me that,” I told him with a frown. “And yes, Willy, I just spoke. I need to know what my father did.”“You should speak more often. Your voice is very soothing. In the literal sense, music to my ea
3:10 A.M.In Hotel La' More Room No. 902.....Jim and Nathan were delving into Jonathan Stone’s case file with diligence. It’s been nearly two hours since the Captain called. But, as he said, he never broke his deal. They could see their children via the live stream to which they had been allowed access. Except for the fact that Ivanka and William’s hands and legs were tied, they seemed to be in decent shape. They could also hear what they were saying, but there was no way their kids knew that their fathers could listen to them.“We tried so hard that neither of them ever met and look at us. Here we are at this crossroads,” Jim said to Nathan.“What more could we have done? At the very least, our secrets are safe. Our kids know nothing about us.” Nathan told his friend.“How long, though? They may not be aware about us, but the kidnapper does. So, we will be good only till we comply with them. Perhaps we should not have called the police. Things would have gone even more smoothly.” Ji
3:10 A.M. Meanwhile, in lockup…..Willy and I were curled up in our sleeping bags, close to each other. It was reassuring to know that I wasn’t alone in this bed, cut off from the rest of the world. I had my eyes closed and was trying to sleep, but the fear was killing me. Not physically but psychologically.“Have you fallen asleep yet?” Willy inquired gently.“No, I just can’t sleep,” I explained.“Neither do I, and I doubt I’ll get any sleep before I get out of here. It’s creepy in here.” He shivered.“What did you expect? A VIP bed, a royal treatment?” It was a sarcastic statement rather than a question.“You know, for a mute, you are one hell of a sarcastic person.” He told me with a frown on his face.“I will take it as a compliment,” I told him with a blank look.“You’re weird, but so am I. I wish I had known you in different circumstances.”“Me too. That would have been fun.” I gave him a friendly smile.“Yes, it would have been. You know what? Once we are out of here, I am go
3:35 A.M.When Jim saw an unfamiliar number on his cell, he quickly told the officer-in-charge. Jim picked up the phone after a signal from the respective officer and kept it on speaker. The Captain interrupted him before he could say anything.“Hello Doc, I believe you have read the case file and are well prepared to do this surgery.” The Captain got right to the point.“It is not as simple as you think...” The Captain cut Jim off before he could stall.“It seems that you do not love you, kids, as you pretend to.”Nathan asked, “Excuse me?”“You heard me loud and clear, so don’t pretend as you didn’t. Anyway, it’s now 3:37 A.M. I want you, doctors, to get ready to operate from 5:30 A.M., giving you over a hundred minutes. You will receive your advance in ten minutes, and after Jonathan is recovered, you will receive the pending price. All the preparation and formalities in consideration to the patient have been done. He’s been taken to the hospital, which is about a block away from y
5:00 A.M.Sleeping with hands and legs tied is not easy. Even though the Bossman was kind enough to provide us with the sleeping bag, he ensured that our movement was still restricted. We would need to crawl if we wanted to go somewhere.The whole night, both of us were fidgeting and tossing. So, it is safe to say that none of us slept the entire night.“Urg, that’s it. I just cannot sleep like this.” Willy groaned in frustration.“Me neither,” I told him glumly.“Why the hell can’t they release our hand?” He asked, obvious to the answers.“So that we don’t untie our legs and try to leave from here.” I rolled my eyes.“I know that, smarty-pants.” Willy closed his eyes and opened them again. He inhaled heavily and screamed to summon the guards.I sarcastically asked, “Can you get any louder?”“As a matter of fact, I can.” He cocked his head and smirked.Willy asked the guard to help him out of his sleeping bag and demanded food from him as soon as the guard entered, earning him a stare
Four Months Later.....“You like it?” Mike asked me. He was hugging me from behind. He rested his face on my shoulder, and I rested my hands on his, which was on my stomach.“I love it,” I said with a smile on my face.We finally purchased and moved into our own home. We found this flat seven months ago; it was the same one where Mike and I reconnected after two months of me being kidnapped. Fortunately for us, this property had been on the market for quite some time. It was a bit pricey, but it was definitely an excellent investment, especially since we want to start a family.He did, in fact, propose to me. We had not dated for a long time, but we were both certain that this was what we wanted for our future. He asked me to marry him last month. However, it was not romantic in the way that most people would expect, but it was special to me.Flashback to One Month Ago...I was sitting on the couch, waiting for Mike to return home. It was 2 a.m., but there was still no sign of him. I
Present“That’s about it? And you start dating while manoeuvring against us?” Jim, perplexed, asked.“Yes, we started dating right then and there. However, as Mike previously stated, he has abandoned the idea of conspiring against you two.” This time it was me who answered him.“Then he came up with the plan to kidnap you and William out of nowhere?” Nathan’s sarcasm was prominent. “And Michael, I can’t believe you told Ivanka and William the truth about your father. I specifically warned you not to reveal it to anyone.”“You really expected me to listen to you? You were against the idea of me finding my dad. Nathan, you don’t own me. The only thing we have in common is your wife and Willy. That’s all there is to it. Whereas the kidnapping ploy is considered, this happened when you used your cheap trick to blackmail John.” Mike locked his gaze on Nathan.“That doesn’t explain how you know Jonathan,” Nathan exclaimed.“Jake Martin is a member of my crew and also the brother of Paul Mar
Nathan muttered, “Unbelievable.”“Come on, Martin, join the party.” Mike invited him and others to join him. They sat comfortably on the floor because there wasn’t enough seating.“Well, dad, you are already familiar with Martin and Billy. This is Gabriel, my former boss who works alongside Martin’s team, and Billy, the tech guy who reports to Gabriel. His other team was unable to arrive. And the other people you see are Jonathan Broadway Club crew members.” Nathan cut Mike off as he was about to introduce others.“How do you know him?”“Really, Dad. You still couldn’t figure anything out.” Willy was annoyed. His dad and Jim were really stupid.“You were right, Mike. These two showed up here at the exact time you predicted.” Paul Martin, the cop on our case when we got abducted, stated.“Is anyone going to explain to us anything here?” Nathan asked us in frustration.“After you tell us, why did you show up here?” Mike asked them.“Because we discovered that the advance money which Cap
Present“Michael, what are you doing here?” To say Nathan was taken aback would be an understatement.“As in New York or here with Ivy?” Leave it to Mike; he won’t leave any chance to play verbal games with our parents.“You exactly know what I mean.” Nathan glared at his son.Yes, Mike is Nathan’s son and Willy’s brother. The one who was always there for his brother when he needed it the most. The one who was as close to a perfect son as one could hope for. The one who is smart, sensitive, logical, and amazing all at the same time. The one whom I have known for two years, as well as the one who has been my boyfriend for a year and with whom I have been living for the past two months.“I work in New York, and as to why I am here with Ivy? Well, I live here. How did you come across our address?” He asked them in return with a cynical smile on his face.“We have contacts, and Ivy, when were you going to tell me about Michael is staying here with you?” This time it was my Dad who was cur
7:00 P.M.Today has been a good day. Any normal day is a good day for me, and it becomes incredible when you have close friends visiting you after a long time. Delicious food, chatting at the table, and a peaceful and chirpy environment is what one needs in their life.“I had no idea you could speak so much. When I first saw you, you were so still on that floor that I assumed you were dead.” Willy stated on the table when our conversation turned to that fateful night of my and Willy’s kidnapping.“What was I supposed to do then?” I scowled at him.“I don’t know, maybe punch the guy.” He said it as if it was the most obvious thing on the planet.“Are you sure? What did you do when they kidnapped you?” Willy had always teased me about my actions that night, so I asked him.“Nothing much.” He muttered slowly.“Come again?” I asked him, even though I had just heard him for the first time.“Fine, I didn’t do much. But I didn’t make it easy for them to take me.” He defended himself.“Shouti
7:00 A.M.After 3 Months in New York…There is no comparison to sleep when you are held closely by someone like a protective shield, feeling their warmth like a soft, comfortable blanket and being cuddled with a giant teddy bear even though its structure might not be one.That’s what I like to call the best sleep.Even though it was 7 in the morning, the room was still dark due to the curtains concealing the daylight that encircled the entire city. I knew it was time for me to get up. I slowly unwrapped the arm that was encircling my stomach, but it only tightened around it.“Don’t move and get back to sleep.” He murmured sleepily in my ears.“I need to. I have got work to get too, and so do you.” I told him softly.“All right. But I am going to sleep for a few more minutes.” He said.“Okay,” I said as I kissed his cheeks and steadily rose from the bed to brush my teeth. When I was finished, I made my way towards the kitchen to fix us some breakfast. It was nothing fancy, just scrambl
5:00 A.M.Sleeping with hands and legs tied is not easy. Even though the Bossman was kind enough to provide us with the sleeping bag, he ensured that our movement was still restricted. We would need to crawl if we wanted to go somewhere.The whole night, both of us were fidgeting and tossing. So, it is safe to say that none of us slept the entire night.“Urg, that’s it. I just cannot sleep like this.” Willy groaned in frustration.“Me neither,” I told him glumly.“Why the hell can’t they release our hand?” He asked, obvious to the answers.“So that we don’t untie our legs and try to leave from here.” I rolled my eyes.“I know that, smarty-pants.” Willy closed his eyes and opened them again. He inhaled heavily and screamed to summon the guards.I sarcastically asked, “Can you get any louder?”“As a matter of fact, I can.” He cocked his head and smirked.Willy asked the guard to help him out of his sleeping bag and demanded food from him as soon as the guard entered, earning him a stare
3:35 A.M.When Jim saw an unfamiliar number on his cell, he quickly told the officer-in-charge. Jim picked up the phone after a signal from the respective officer and kept it on speaker. The Captain interrupted him before he could say anything.“Hello Doc, I believe you have read the case file and are well prepared to do this surgery.” The Captain got right to the point.“It is not as simple as you think...” The Captain cut Jim off before he could stall.“It seems that you do not love you, kids, as you pretend to.”Nathan asked, “Excuse me?”“You heard me loud and clear, so don’t pretend as you didn’t. Anyway, it’s now 3:37 A.M. I want you, doctors, to get ready to operate from 5:30 A.M., giving you over a hundred minutes. You will receive your advance in ten minutes, and after Jonathan is recovered, you will receive the pending price. All the preparation and formalities in consideration to the patient have been done. He’s been taken to the hospital, which is about a block away from y
3:10 A.M. Meanwhile, in lockup…..Willy and I were curled up in our sleeping bags, close to each other. It was reassuring to know that I wasn’t alone in this bed, cut off from the rest of the world. I had my eyes closed and was trying to sleep, but the fear was killing me. Not physically but psychologically.“Have you fallen asleep yet?” Willy inquired gently.“No, I just can’t sleep,” I explained.“Neither do I, and I doubt I’ll get any sleep before I get out of here. It’s creepy in here.” He shivered.“What did you expect? A VIP bed, a royal treatment?” It was a sarcastic statement rather than a question.“You know, for a mute, you are one hell of a sarcastic person.” He told me with a frown on his face.“I will take it as a compliment,” I told him with a blank look.“You’re weird, but so am I. I wish I had known you in different circumstances.”“Me too. That would have been fun.” I gave him a friendly smile.“Yes, it would have been. You know what? Once we are out of here, I am go