Chapter Three

Alexander paced up and down the floor of his private house, surrounded by his closest friends and inner circle. Alexander's inner circle were the only people aware of his private house, with a few trusted guards that patrolled the perimeter. Alexander needed to be constantly well protected, he always carried weapons and had a set of trained guards on standby. These guards were a part of the mafia, but their jobs were primarily to protect important assets. His father had been the one to set up the almost separate organization. They had specific training and were always ready to kill. They had been taught to shoot first and ask questions later, and of course, never ask questions about what or why they were protecting something. 

"Someone is making a complete fool out of me," Alexander exclaimed, tugging at his hair. "I keep losing more and more products. Someone has to be leaking information." Alexander decided. Shocking those around him. A leak, a mole, a rat, either would've been terrible. There was no way to know exactly who it was, plus Alexander hated the paperwork that came with having a mole. For generations, every leader had kept extensive records of important goings-on within the mafia and Alexander had been taught to follow in their footsteps.

"Come on Lex, that's going a bit too far." Jason was the first to pipe to the defence. That was normal. Everyone hated to think that one of their own was a traitor, yet what other conclusion could Alexander come to? He had made too many excuses over the past year. Too many arguments, defending what was happening, but he couldn't do that any longer. It was impossible to keep making excuses. He was losing almost 30 thousand a month. Yes, to him it wasn't that much. He was a multi-billionaire, his casinos were also losing money thanks to Jack Hill. It seemed that within the first 6 years of him taking over, it was already crumbling apart. Alexander couldn't allow that. He would start by dealing with Jack, Jack was the easiest problem to solve. Next, he would increase security and up training, then look at the books. The last, and hardest problem was who could be the mole? He hated thinking that one of his members, people he considered family, would-be traitors, but he had to find out. He couldn't be weak, yet that was how he was seeming to people watching. 

"I think Alex is right." Cindy frowned. "This has been going on for too long, they can't be getting lucky every time." As Alexander's cousin, Cindy was also worried about the legacy of the mafia. They used to be so feared, but since her uncle was diagnosed with cancer, it seemed that their rivals were taking advantage of the distraction. Not like it was much of a distraction. Not to Alexander anyway. They haven't been close since Alexander was 16. Cindy didn't know what happened, but she knew that since his 16th birthday something had changed between the father and son. Yes, their relationship always seemed formal to Cindy, but now Alexander looked at his father like he was a stranger. Cindy had never brought the topic up, because what could she say? How would she ask? There was also the element that she was just scared of the answer. She refused to see her uncle in a different light or even her cousin in a different light. She had liked the way her relationship with both had developed. They had supported her as she and her parents supported them during a difficult period in their life. 

"Even if there is, how would we find them?" Jason asked. Jason Grey was a more recent member of the inner group. Chris and Alexander had been friends since they were kids, while Jason only joined them in college. It was a difficult situation. He knew he had just as much trust as the others, but always felt slightly outcasted. Although, honestly, that was his fault. His paranoia was just playing in his head. 

"Systematically," Alexander spoke. A smirk formed on his face and a plan swirling in his mind. He seemed confident to the others, but inside he doubted his ability. It was times like this he hated the distance between himself and his father, but he knew it was necessary. "With lots of pain."

"What's your plan with this Jack fellow?" Chris asked. He knew that was the easiest problem to solve, and also wanted to change the subject. This side of ALexander scared Chris. Alexander seemed to enjoy inflicting pain. That was scary, even to those closest to him.

"He'll pay or we'll take his sister. He has until tomorrow to pay up." Alexander shrugged. Chris sighed another kidnapping. He hated these. Innocent people always get hurt because of someone else's screw up. Yet he couldn't change it. He knew, deep down, it was the best way to get what they wanted, and Alexander wouldn't change his mind. He always got what he wanted. 

"Right." Chris frowned. "Do we know where she is?" Chris hoped they didn't. He hoped that this innocent would get the chance to escape. 

"Yes, I have people following her as we speak," Alexander answered, almost proud of himself. He was so close to solving one of his many problems. Chris frowned and nodded. He wondered what would happen to this one. Most of the time they died when their loved one didn't pay up. He hoped she wouldn't, he had no connection to her, just the slight whisper of a concionce that Alexander didn't seem to share. 

It was hours later when Annie returned home. She was bored and tired, yet every instinct within her told her she was being watched. She had felt that feeling for a few days now. It was an unsettling feeling that sat in the pit of her stomach, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She hadn't told Rebecca about this feeling, she had told nobody. She knew it would only make Rebecca worry and nobody else would care. She would be told she was just being paranoid, and maybe she was. But honestly, the feeling was just getting worse. Maybe something was about to happen. Part of Annie, the reckless part of her, hoped it would. 

"How was work?" Rebecca asked when Annie collapsed down next to her. 

"Something strange happened." Annie sighed, Rebecca covered Annie with the blanket, the two girls snuggling closer as they always did. Rebecca stayed silent, it was her way of telling Annie to continue. "Jack came to the office," Annie stated. "He had something to tell me, I thought it was to do with dad's engagement, but he didn't know anything about it. He never got round to telling me whatever it is he wanted to tell me. It was so strange." Annie frowned and brought her legs up onto the sofa, crossing them through her talk. 

"Do you think he's in trouble?" Rebecca asked, it was the best conclusion to draw after all. It was the easiest. The siblings hadn't been close in years, of course, Jack would only reach out if it was serious and important. 

"That's my best bet." Annie agreed. The two were silent, both were coming up with theories. Annie's theories were much more optimistic than Rebecca's were. It was the different relationship they both had with Jack. To Annie, Jack was the big brother, her protector, that had just gotten busy the past few years . The big brother she had so many fond memories of and could honestly be proud of, or at least she thought she could. Annie still had that nagging voice of reality that was picking at any insecurity she had. However, Rebecca had no relationship with Jack. As far as she was concerned Jack is Annie's unreliable brother, who will call on Annie's birthday. He wasn't anything special in Rebecca's opinion, and so suspecting the worst was much easier for her. "How was work?" Annie finally asked when her mind started swirling with the worst thoughts, thoughts she refused to entertain. 

"Same old. Janie had a slight moment today though. She forgot her son was dead, we could only lie for so long. When we told her she started shouting and throwing stuff." Rebecca frowned. Sometimes Annie wondered why Rebecca entered such a world, when Rebecca hated seeing people suffer. She hated seeing them sad, in pain, hurting. Emotionally or physically. So Rebecca's career choice was somewhat a mystery to Annie. 

"Is she okay now?" Annie asked, just as concerned as Rebecca looked. 

"After a good cry she was. It was like she didn't even remember what had happened. When I left she was baking with May supervising." Rebecca explained. "Sometimes it's scary." Rebecca confessed. "One minute they seem heartbroken, the next they are perfectly fine." 

"Beccy, why did you choose nursing?" Annie asked, although she knew the answer it seemed like Rebecca needed a reminder herself. 

"I want to help people, support them." Rebecca smiled slightly, recalling positive memories with her residents. 

"Then focus on that." Annie smiled at her friend. 

"Thanks Ann." Rebecca smiled at her friend. Annie sent a smile and the two girls remained huddled up on the sofa together, watching some random show. 

It was over an hour later when Annie got her craving for snacks. She stood and maneuvered her way over to the kitchen. Searching every cupboard for any signs of something she could eat that wouldn't include actually cooking. Yet nothing showed up. She frowned. 

"Beccy, we're out of snacks." Annie called through to her friend. 

"I can go and get some more later." Rebecca suggested. Annie shook her head, even though her friend couldn't see her. Instead she walked through to the living room where Rebecca was sitting. 

"I'll go, I'm already up." Annie smiled, going to her room to get her card and a coat. The weather was getting colder. At only 7 it was already pitch black, at least it would be if it weren't for the city lights illuminating the streets. The shop was only a short ten minute walk away, there was no point in driving. "I'll be back soon." Annie called to Rebecca as soon as she had slipped her shoes on. Honestly, Annie believed she would be back soon. 

During Annie's walk to the shop the uneasy feeling continued. Perhaps even grew, until it was practically screaming at her. Despite knowing something was wrong, she ignored it. She reassured herself it was just paranoia.

It was five minutes before anything happened. However, the distant sound of footsteps started to draw closer. Another minute past and a van, a big one with blacked out windows and a windowless back. The footsteps started to draw closer and closer. If Annie sped up, so would the van and the footsteps. Finally, she made the mistake of stopping to look back. Annie found herself caught in a stranger's arms, she fought and struggled against them, but it was useless. A cloth covered in chloroform covered her mouth. Annie tried not to breathe it in, but eventually she had to. It was a short few minutes before she was completely unconscious. 

"It's done." Samial said over the phone to Alexander. Alexander nodded satisfied, drinking his brandy while sat watching some dumb show on the TV. 

"Good. Put her with the rest. Inform me when she wakes up." Alexander instructed. 

"Got it Sir." Samial agreed, with that Alexander hung up the phone and Samial started driving. He drove for around half an hour before he reached the main base. Annie's unconscious body was carried down to a cell and she was placed on the bed to sleep off the rest of the chloroform. 

"She looks so innocent." Adam, Samial's partner in crime, said softly. "Do you think her brother will come through?" 

"No." Samial said honestly. The hardest part of their job was punishing the innocent for the guilty mistakes. They knew it had to be done, just like Chris, but that didn't mean they were happy about it. Samial had joined the mafia in order to help pay back his father's debt, maybe that made it worse. Knowing that he had been in such a similar situation. He could relate to these people. Adam's origins were simply that he had to support his drug addict mother and his younger sister. His younger sister was his biggest priority. Adam was promised that his sister would be well looked after, and get a good education. He had high hopes for her. His mother was a slightly different story. His mother was a drug addict, and had only gotten worse since his father died. She simply didn't have the capability to look after herself. So the money Adam got he spent on supporting his mother's needs, not her addiction though. She had to support her own unhealthy habits. 

"He's going to kill her." Adam frowned. He couldn't ever imagine putting his little sister in this situation, and yet that's what Annie's older brother had done to her. Put her in danger. Abandoned her to take care of herself. To fend for herself, and she seemed so incapable of that. He reminds himself of how easy it was to kidnap her and guilt sets in. Maybe they could've given her more of a chance. Let her go to the shop, that seemed to be where she was heading. At least then maybe she would've had more preparation.

Annie woke up in the early hours of the morning. She awoke with a start, her back aching from the hard thing below her that vaugely resembled a bed. It was pitch black, she could barely see her hands from in front of her, the cell had no windows. No way of teling what time it was. No way of seeing a way to escape. Annie felt sick, her stomach swirled and twirling threatening to explode at any second. 

Annie pulled her legs up around her, she wanted to be as small as possible. She had never wanted her normal life more than she did in this moment. It seemed a strange notion. Annie had always longed for something to happen in her mundane life. Yet now that something was happening it was too much. Annie stayed in that position, with her legs tucked under her chin and arms wrapped around them, for hours. Or at least what felt like hours. She could hear distant scream of pain, with each one she tightened her hold on her legs. 

Eventually the door opened, it was a loud sound that made Annie flinch. She tried once again to become smaller. She hoped she would disappear, but of course had no such luck. The light flickered, and although it was dim Annie's eyes still needed a second to adjust to the new light that surrounded her. 

"So I see your awake." Alexander said in a voice that seemed to echo around the room. Annie frowned and kept her head burried within her legs. So far she hadn't cried, although she wasn't sure that would stay the same if she looked at her capture. "Silence, that's better then begging for me to let you go, although that would be fun." Alexander smirked. Annie waited a second before looking up. She ensured that she was properly composed. 

"Would it work?" Annie asked softly. Alexander pretended to think, but instead studied Annie. Her eyes, although sad and confused, seemed formillar. Like they were in a distant memory of his, a memory he kept burried down. He ignored that feeling. He could show no weakness. So after what he deamed an appropriate amount of time he answered. 

"Nope." Alexander popped the 'p' and Annie seemed to shiver. She took advantage of the light and wrapped the thin, flimsy blanket around herself. The cell was freezing and Annie's coat wasn't doing all that much to fight off the icy air. 

"Okay." Annie frowned. "Will you ever let me go?" Annie asked, even though it seemed pointless. She knew the anwer. It was possibly the most reduculous question she had ever asked. 

"Let's put it this way love, you're not leaving until the hottest depths of hell freeze over, even then we could dance on the ice together." Alexander spoke, his voice emotionless and almost as icy as the air around them. 

"Can I ask you a question?" Annie said softly. She didn't want to anger the powerful man before her. Yet as she asked, their eyes met. She was reminded of the boy her heart longed for. The boy who had so many hopes and dreams, yet shared none of them with those closest to him. Annie was reminded of the person she was so hopelesly, and desperately in love with. 

"Go ahead." Alexander spoke, honestly he was curious at her reaction. Most of the time people begged to be set free. They cried and wanted to go home. Yet Annie hadn't had that reaction. Annie's reaction was almost calm. Like she wanted this, and deep down she did. To some exstent anyway. She wanted an escape to her mundane life. This seemed like an escape. It seemed like something she had read about in one of the stories she read. Maybe this was what she needed. An escape from her life. The reality of never returning to her old one hadn't hit her yet. 

"Why did you take me?" Annie asked. Alexander was glad now. Finally she showed some signs of reacting like everyone else did. Although normally they were crying when they asked this. Yet Annie's eyes were completely dry. 

"It's nothing personal." Was Alexander's cryptic response. Annie just nodded and stayed scilent. That was how the two stayed for the next few minutes. Just sat in silence. Alexander studied Annie, while she studied the room she was now being kept in. "Someone will bring you food in about an hour." Alexander informed. 

"I'm allowed to eat?" Annie asked, slightly shocked. Alexander looked down. Did he really seem like that much of a monster? 

"You'll be looked after here. To some exstent anyway." Alexander informed, he had shut down, and that seemed almost obvious to Annie, but she still had one more question. 

"Can I have another blanket?" Annie asked softly, she felt like she was pushing her luck, but she was so cold. 

"No." Alexander refused. He wouldn't give anyone special treatment, even though the sight of her almost shaking and curlled in a ball was sadening to him. It was a strange feeling, but he felt like he should know her. Like he should be treating her better. For once in his life he felt like his actions were wrong. 

 It was exactly an hour later when the door opened again, that awful sound came with it. Then the light flicked on. Annie hadn't moved, her eyes were glued to the wall in front of her, that she previously couldn't see. She was only getting colder and colder, the cold had speaded and started to infect her bones.

"I have your breakfast." Samial said softly, opening the hatch and pushing a slice of toast through. Annie nodded and kept the poor blanket around herself as she walked the short few steps over to where the toast lay. Next to it there was a plastic cup of water. 

"Thank you." Annie said, once she had sat back down, resting the water on the floor bellow and the toast on her legs which she now had crossed. Samial looked at her shocked. 

"You're thanking me?" He chuckled. "I kidnapped you." 

"You were following orders." Annie sympathised. Her heart was too kind and that made Samial feel worse. Once he had been in a very similar situation. 

"I still kidnapped you." Samial stated. Annie stayed scilent and started eating. Samial stayed outside of her cell, just sitting on the chair that he had placed outside of her cell. "You're a strange one." Samial thought out loud. 

"Why?" Annie asked softly, almost finished with her toast at this point. She wasn't particularly hungry but she knew she needed to eat, and wasn't sure when she would get another chance. 

"You aren't crying, shouting, begging to be let go, anything that normal people do." Samial stated. 

"Is that a bad thing?" Annie asked after finishing the last bite of her toast. Samial shook her head. 

"No. It's just different." Samial said, Annie shrugged and reached to pick up her cup of water. She hesitantly smelt it. "You think we'll drug you?" Samial asked, almost offended. 

"You did kidnap me." Annie pointed out. Samial had nothing to respond with. She was right. The two stayed in silence again, for a little while anyway. "How often to I get fed?" Annie asked. She felt only slightly safer asking Samial questions, he didn't radiate power in the same way Alexander did. 

"Three times a day." Samial answered. 

"Will it always be you?" Annie asked softly. She wondered how many people she would see in one day. She didn't like meeting new people, it made her uncomfortable. Maybe that's why she chose her old life, because it was boring and predictable. A situation where she wouldn't really have to meet new people, she wouldn't have to expand. 

"No." Samial frowned. "But mostly it will." Annie just nodded. She had one more question, but wasn't sure how to ask it. Annie just nodded and they stayed in silence again, until another question sprung to Annie's mind. 

"Since um, well since I'll be here a while." Annie nervously stuttered out. "What's the bathroom and tampon situation." Samial looked down, he knew she would be dead soon and so the 'tampon situation' as she had referred to it, wouldn't be all that importanat. 

"The bathroom comes down when you tap the end of your wall, and tampons will be delived when you need them." Samial answered, yet he suspected she wouldn't need them. Alexander wasn't a forgiving person. He doubted she would make it all that much longer. A couple of days at most. 

"Thank you." Annie said softly, Samial frowned. "When does more food come?" Annie asked, maybe that would give some indication of what time it was. 

"Six hours." Samial said skeptically, not giving much away. 

"If you need more water bag on the cell three times." Samial stated before walking off. The light again flicked off and Annie was left in darkness.