That was when I looked down and shrieked as real fear took hold of my chest and gripped me hard.
My legs were bound underneath of me, tied at the knee and ankle with soft rope that was twisted over and over and knotted. My skin was darker than usual, and blotchy with bruises. I uttered a low moan at the sight of my feet – they were covered with blue and purple spots that looked dangerous. And worst of all, they were completely numb.
My arms were bound to my sides, with my wrists tied underneath my body. Like my legs, my arms were mostly numb. But when I gritted my teeth and rolled my shoulders back, I felt the ghost of sensation in my thumbs and hands. And the clothes I was wearing were unfamiliar – someone had changed me out of my red satin dress and into a pair of worn cotton shirts and a plain t-shirt.
Where the fuck am I, I wondered as my heart started to pound. How long have I been here, and what do they want with me?
The thought was enough to make me start crying, but I knew that I had to keep my head calm. If I wanted a chance at escape, there was no way I’d be able to do it as a weak, sobbing mess. I was going to have to figure out exactly where I was and what to do, not just get upset and wait for someone to come rescue me. As I looked around the room where I was being held, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. There was a small, grimy window a few feet off the floor, but the other walls were blank. I was lying on a mattress that smelled like it had seen better days, and it was freezing cold. Plus, my stomach was aching, and my lips and tongue were so dry that they were both cracked. One thing was certain – I clearly hadn’t been given any water since someone had kidnapped me.
Kidnapped.
The word alone was a shock – the kind of thing I’d always thought could never happen to me. And yet, here I was, trussed up like a prized pig. Waiting for someone to find me.
That is, if anyone even realizes I’m gone, I thought as a chill ran down my spine. What the hell is going on?
The sound of a door opening and closing made my heart stop. I tried to lift myself off the grimy mattress and look to the door, but just lifting my head was a struggle.
“Awake, I see.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This is it, I thought. This is the person deranged enough to kidnap me.
“Look at me.”
I forced myself to open my eyes. From the stern, authoritarian voice speaking, I half-expected to see a female drill sergeant standing there. But instead, it was a pretty, petite, blonde girl with her hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
“So,” the girl said, leaning closer and putting her hands together. “You were out for a really long time!” She threw her head back and laughed. “I had no idea that ketamine would work so well!”
“Ketamine?” I blinked. “You…you drugged me?”
The girl laughed again. It was a high, cheerful sound that filled me with dread. She snorted and shook her head, tossing her bright blonde hair over one shoulder.
“You’re not really too bright, are you,” she said casually, sitting down on the edge of the mattress. From the angle where I lay, it was a struggle to see her clearly. “I bet you don’t even remember me!”
I didn’t reply.
“We’ve met before,” the girl said in a sing-song voice. “In fact, it was pretty recently, too! But like I said, you’re obviously pretty stupid. I have no idea what James sees in you…although maybe he likes stupid girls!”
The mention of James’s name sent my heart leaping into my throat and I blinked.
“Oh, yeah, I bet he’d really like to see this,” the girl said. “I’m Emily, by the way.” She batted her eyelashes at me, almost like she was flirting. “You remember me, don’t you? From the Christmas party that Langdon threw?”
I closed my eyes and just as I was about to take a deep breath, Emily struck me across the cheek. The blow was sharp and painful and I winced.
“There’s no way I’m going to let James marry someone like you,” Emily said. “So, you’d better get used to it.”
Despite the fact that I was bound and confined to a small, cramped, and dirty room, for some reason Emily’s taunt was what made me realize that she was truly psychotic. There was no way she was going to let me leave…unless I figured out how to manipulate her.
“Emily,” I said. “Trust me. We’re not getting married.”
Emily gave me a cold look and rolled her eyes. “Obviously,” she said. “Were you even listening to me? He wouldn’t marry someone like you – you’re not even from new money!”
“We broke up,” I said flatly, looking into her eyes and trying to search for an ounce of humanity. “He dumped me. In fact, maybe it was because he misses you and wants to get back together.”
Emily stared at me for a long moment, squinting into my face. “You’re lying,” she said.
“I’m not.” I made my eyes wide and tried to look as innocent as possible. “Trust me, Emily – I have no reason to lie to you. James and I are finished. Completely done.”
Emily bit her lip. “I don’t believe you,” she said slowly. “I think you’re just telling me that because you want me to let you go.” She leaned in close and I caught a whiff of musky, floral perfume. “Well, Hanna, I can tell you right now – that’s not going to work.”
“Call him,” I urged. “Ask him whether or not he broke up with me.”
Emily’s cheeks turned pink and she twisted her mouth into an angry shape of confusion.
“No,” she said. “Why would I bother doing something like that?” She laughed, but this time there was no humor in her voice. “You’re obviously just trying to manipulate me!”
Emily lunged toward me, hands outstretched and her fingernails drawn into claws. I barely managed to twist to the side as she landed on the bed, her legs flopping over mine and pinning me down. As I tried to wriggle free and break loose of my bonds, Emily climbed on top of me and wrapped her hands around my throat.
“Now,” Emily said. “Don’t lie. Tell me the truth, Hanna!”
“You’re choking me,” I gasped, trying desperately to breathe. My lungs were on fire as I gasped and choked for air. Emily’s hands grew tighter around my throat. Little black spots appeared in front of my eyes and just as I thought I was going to pass out, there was a loud bang. Emily took her hands away and leapt backward, crashing onto the floor in an unceremonious heap. I heard a bunch of voices and loud sounds, but every time I struggled to sit up, I felt that I was going to lose consciousness.
“Hanna!” James’s voice yelled. “Oh my god, are you okay?”
And then, just like that, I was in his arms. James pulled me close and held me tightly for a second before putting his fingers to the ropes knotted around my wrists. He grunted and strained for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife.