The Search 2

"I thought men in suits go for first-hand things. I can't believe you're just a raccoon scavenging through what somebody has already enjoyed." I spat back in anger.

I saw his face change. I knew I hit the spot… maybe a little too much, because…

*Spank!* I heard the slap echo in the room. It took probably a couple of seconds before my brain registered that I was the one who received the slap. I felt my jaw sting in pain. I did not realize that I'd involuntarily shut my eyes until everywhere was dark. I thought I had passed out, but when I pulled my eyes open and they did, I noticed that I was facing the other side of the room__well just my head, not my body.

I could not believe that an ordinary slap could cause my head to turn at an angle of 180° degrees involuntarily. My hand quickly went to my jaw out of reflex to support it in an effort to soothe the pain but to no avail. I felt my head throb in pain. I think a tear escaped my eyes too, I'm not even sure because my whole face was burning in heated pain.

"You know, I enjoy hitting women… but not like this though" He smiled with his face just a few inches from mine.

I tried to focus. I tried to maintain eye contact with him, but my face hurt like crazy. I kept on blinking my tears away, but they just flowed anyway. It wasn't my intention to cry, it wasn't my intention to be kidnapped anyway.

"I prefer to hit them when they bend over for me. And you my dear… are gonna do just that. That way when I hit you, you'll ask for more rather than shedding tears."

"I'll never do that with you, rotten pig!" I spat out on his face. I immediately closed my eyes waiting for the second slap. When I felt nothing, I gently opened my eyes again. I was scared to stupor.

He stared at me for a few seconds before he smiled and pulled out his handkerchief to wipe the spittle off his face. "You are very interesting darling, I love it" He replied in a pretentiously sweet tone as he handed over the used handkerchief to one of his stooges.

I smirked in disgust. I closed my eyes and offered a short prayer. I would never have believed that my boring life could take such a turn engulfed with negative drama. It sucked!

I thought he'd hit me again, but he didn't. Instead, he gracefully walked away. I was once again scared of what was coming next.

"Lock her up in the basement." I heard him order.

'Oh shit!' I exclaimed in my mind. I thought this garage was worse, now I'll be in a basement? I hate basements.

"You'll never get away with this!" I yelled behind him. He paid a deaf ear to me as he walked through a side door to which I had no idea where it led to.

If I had to escape, I had to imprint in my brain, the blueprints of every single detail I lay my eyes on, of this place.

I was once again dragged through a dark passage, at the end of the passage were the stairs leading to the basement. I followed the stooge obediently, narrowing my eyes as I tried to make out images in the dark.

I was thrown into a dirty room with a small bunk bed. The mattress was old and stinking. Some of the foam was already dilapidating. It was more like an old abandoned cell. 'What the hell is this place and who keeps cells in their basement?' I couldn't help but ponder.

I made myself comfortable on the floor, not that it was in a better condition either, but at least, it was less traumatizing. I had no idea how long I was locked up in this confined space without a window, but somehow I was relieved when I heard the old rusty door crack open.

I was disappointed when I saw that it was Funky G or whatever his weird name was. I did not bouge from my spot.

"I am thirsty," I said quickly before he got to me.

He stopped and stared at me expressionlessly, which lasted just for a sec before he maniacally smiled at me.

"Thirsty you say, huh? I'm not a monster, of course, I'll get you something to drink. Do you want food too?"

"Just water is fine," I said in a whisper.

"Sure." He replied. He took a few steps back towards the door. "Get our guest a bottle of water." I heard him order with just his head sticking out.

"How do you like this place?" He turned back to me, smiling.

I wanted to recircumcise him so badly...if it were a thing. "I think it's warm, just as it's supposed to be," I replied sarcastically.

"Of course." He stooped down in front of me. "I knew you would like it. I want you and I to do a little exercise." He spoke softly. "I mean we need to keep ourselves busy and entertained while your sweet boyfriend brings what I need… before you say anything…" he stopped me when I opened my mouth to protest. "... if you do not do what I ask you to, you'll not like the outcome. Trust me, sweetheart." He threatened.

I swallowed hard. "Where's the fun in it if I'm just doing what you want me to?" I mustered the courage.

"Oh, you'll love it." He grinned widely as he offered me the bottle of water.

"Relax sweetheart."

I savagely gulped down the water. He did not take his eyes off me but I did not care, I just wanted to soothe my dry throat.

He gave me his hand as soon as I corked the bottle. I hesitated for a second but later took his hand.

He helped me up to my feet. My heart was pounding violently in my chest. I wasn't sure what he wanted to take me to this time, but I had a bad feeling about it.

"Strip!" I heard him order.

******

"Look…" he said pointing at the monitors. Even the second guard swivelled his chair closer to get a clearer look too. "There's another guy, we lost coverage after that." He explained.

Alex pulled his hair in frustration. He couldn't believe he was at a dead-end again. "Neon."

"Sorry Sir, what?" The first guard tried to comprehend what he said.

Alex quickly pulled out his phone and made a call.

Both guys looked at each other in confusion.

"Hello." A sleepy voice answered on the other side of the phone.

"Hey, buddy. I need your help." Alex said quickly as he continued pacing.

"Why are you always interrupting my sleep?" Neon grumbled over the phone.

"I'll make it up to you, but right now I need you to find Lara, she's been kidnapped."