Ten missed calls. That was still less than the missed calls Alessa had left on Kyle’s phone last night. She was going to let Kyle suffer a bit more. So she left her phone outside while she got ready for work. She showered and thought about how she could surprise him with this news. Maybe she could take him back to the penthouse restaurant and have Peter repeat yesterday? Excited by her stroke of genius, Alessa rushed into the shower so she could call Peter to make the arrangements. Alessa called Peter three times but it seemed like everyone was avoiding calls. It couldn’t be helped. She needed to go back to the penthouse.With thoughts of work completely out of her mind, Alessa put on her most comfortable clothes—her newly acquired hoodie—and walked out of the Milton. She did not expect what came next. A swamp of men with cameras rushed towards her as soon as she stepped outside. Flashes from their devices were causing her eyesight to go glowing white. She couldn’t see anything. “
Kyle texted Alessa, who was slowly moving into the penthouse the next day to come to the mansion once he was done as he needed some help.Alessa only moved half her clothes before giving up due to the fact that she missed Kyle even though she saw him a few hours ago. So she rushed to the mansion where she was greeted by Mrs.Rafferty.“Hello dear. Congratulations.” She said with a motherly expression.“Thank you.” Alessa forced a hug on her.“I was hoping to have you both stay with us again but Kyle has other plans.” Mrs.Rafferty sighed. Alessa thought perhaps their moving into the penthouse was a point of contention but she learned otherwise.A few minutes later, when she went into Kyle’s office—well Frank’s office for the last few months—she found out Kyle’s ‘other plans.’“You're selling the mansion?” Alessa yelled as soon as he informed her of his plan.“And Camelot.” “Are you insane? I thought you did all of this to get Camelot back. To get your parents' company back!”“I did al
Alessa’s sleep that night was a blissful one. The calm one you have without many dreams. She felt like she was floating on a cloud. Until her eyes opened due to a loud bang. First, she was discombobulated as this was the second time her sleep was broken tonight. Once she became more awake, she realized she was in Kyle's room. At first, she thought it was Kyle’s ploy to get her up again for round seven, but he was softly snoring next to her. She stretched out and yawned as she made her way downstairs to the noise.The living room was pitch black. This was odd. Usually, there was a source of light, but she couldn’t see anything. Still, she forged on, though a bit slower and warier now. She walked towards the kitchen to see if maybe the mess they made earlier had caused the ruckus. Maybe one of the cereal bowls fell?The kitchen was equally dark. She knew for a fact they left all the lights on here. Something was off…She turned back around to go wake Kyle up, but she felt a hand wrap
Kyle woke up with a headache. He realized he wasn’t lying in his bed next to Alessa, but tied to a chair. He looked around, and his neck screamed out in pain. His lips were wet. He licked it. Blood.He fought the pain and looked behind him. A gruffly big bloke was napping behind him on his very expensive couch. The fat man gave a loud snore. Perfect, he can get out. The ropes around Kyle’s chest were tried hard, but the idiot forgot to tie his hand. Kyle began wiggling. At first, he could barely move, but the more he moved, the more he loosened the rope, though it was causing burns on his chest and arms. Finally, he found a loose string and pulled at it. He pulled until he got to a knot, and after some contorting with his hands and fingers, he was able to undo the whole thing. The fat man let out another loud snore. Kyle moved slowly and went up to his office. He found the handgun he had in the drawer of his deck and made his way toward the living room. The metal barrel of the gun
When Alessa came to, she realized right away that she didn’t have the capability of moving her arms, or legs. She opened her eyes and noticed she was in a room without any windows. There was old furniture, piled to her right. An old laundry and dryer to her left. A TV with a radio button dial was a few feet in front of her. Alessa tried to move again and realized that she was tied up standing on what seemed like a pole. One found in most basements in America. She could safely assume she was at least in the country. She didn’t know anything else. Like was Kyle safe? How many days had she been here? What day was it? What time was it? Was Kyle safe? Was he safe? Please let him be safe. Alessa could barely keep her eyes open. Whatever they had given her was strong. Again, she fell asleep.The next few times she was up. She was in the same position. In the same location. She was up a few minutes—her guess—and then she was out again. It was always the same. Except one time. She remembered
Kyle woke up at four am. It had been five days since Alessa was missing. His FBI friend, Ron, had very little information on Frank or Adam. Kyle even tried to track down Adam’s daughter but came up empty-handed. He got nowhere. His friend’s advice to file an official police report was also not something Kyle wanted to follow. He was trying to keep the media at bay by trying not to share Alessa’s kidnapping with too many people, afraid that if someone outside his circle found out, Frank or Adam wouldn’t be happy. Which meant, Alessa wouldn’t be safe. So Kyle was treading lightly—till now.He woke up at four because his phone had buzzed loudly, and an unknown number dancing on his screen. He clicked it to find a video. He clicked it fast.“Kyle, I have been kidnapped. To keep me safe, they ask you to do the following.” Alessa started and paused to take a breath. She looked safe but dirty. Kyle noticed her clothes were ripped and immediately feared what that meant. Alessa started again,
The lady, Jackie, was now the only one Alessa was seeing. It was day five of her kidnapping. She was still tied to the pole. Though Jackie untied her once a day to clean her and provide her with a new pair of clothes. She was also providing Alessa with three hot meals a day. There was also another thing Alessa figured—Jackie was Adam’s wife. She wasn’t sure if she was right. Alessa also thought she maybe could convince Jackie to talk to her. So today, while Jackie bought her lunch, Alessa asked, “How does your daughter feel about you keeping a woman down in the basement? Did you tell her not to come down? Or did you lie and say there is a monster down here?” Alessa asked.“You don’t worry about me—“ Jackie paused. “How do you know I have a daughter? I never said.”“Kyle knows. Another powerful man knows about your daughter. He knows quite a bit about her. He talked to her once.” Alessa added.Jackie cackled. “You figured out who we are. Good for you. I know Kyle isn’t going to do an
“Shut up. Frank and Jason will be here any moment! They’ll hear you and try to kill you. Do you think I want my daughter to see that? I didn't tell you her name so you can call her.”“It was your fault to drag her into this but it’s not too late. Agree to help me or I won’t stop. Your child needs to know what her mother is willing to do!” Alessa said.“Please stop!” Jackie said. She came over to Alessa and tried to put her hands on her mouth but Alessa moved her head.“Cindy! Honey, come down.” Alessa screamed louder.Little uneven steps came down the stairs and a blond pigtailed girl wearing pink shorts and a white shirt, holding a bunny plushie, came down. Smiling at first but as soon as she saw Alessa, her eyes widened and filled with tears. “Mommy! Is that the monster?” She yelled, running to her mother and hugging her. Alessa was sure she looked awful after getting hit, and not fully showering for days. She was sure she had cuts on her face from the pain she felt. “Who is the m