The Rest Is Light

Calvin's grip on my hand vanished instantly.

I did not even want to spare them a second glance, so I turned and walked away.

I could feel the sting of Rebecca's glare on my back.

Soon enough, their laughter was a mere echo behind me.

…

The next morning, I grabbed my bags, ready to hit the road.

However, the moment I stepped outside, the world went pitch black, and I was out cold.

When I came to, I was tied to a chair.

"Awake?" asked one of the guys, flashing a grin.

I forced myself to stay cool and think fast.

After mentally crossing off everyone else, I deduced this had to be Rebecca's doing.

I looked up at my captor, my voice edged with suspicion. "Did Rebecca put you up to this? How much did she pay you?"

The two kidnappers locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. Their gaze was shifty, and they did not say a word, just let out a creepy chuckle before slamming the iron door shut.

I wriggled my wrists frantically, ignoring the searing pain as I worked my way out of the ropes.

Stealthily, I crept to the door.

Outside, I could hear a man's voice, clear as day.

"Ms. Smith, we've got the person you wanted, right where you told us. Now, where's the cash? The last fifty thousand, when's it coming?"

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my skin, drawing blood I barely felt.

'So it is you, Rebecca,' I thought bitterly.

"What? No, we can't do this. Don't you realize how serious this is?" The man's voice spiked with anxiety.

...

Whatever they were discussing, his voice eventually dropped to a murmur.

I moved slowly, crawling to the window on all fours, squeezed my eyes shut, and leapt.

I hit the ground with a jolt of pain in my ankle, but I pushed through it, limping as I called Calvin.

He picked up right away.

"Calvin, you owe me a favor, and I'm calling it in. Come get me. Rebecca's behind this, and I have no clue where I am."

Silence hung on the line for a few seconds before Calvin's chuckle broke through.

"Rebecca's just trying to scare you straight. She's too nice to actually hurt you. Just chill out, they'll let you go once they've had their fun."

"Calvin, you have to believe me! They're going to..." I was not finished when a voice rang out.

"Calvin, isn't this necklace pretty?"

"I'm busy with Rebecca. We're looking at jewelry. Don't bother me again."

The line went dead.

"Freeze!" The angry shout came from behind me.

In a moment of sheer desperation, I called the last person I ever thought I would turn to: my sworn enemy.

No sooner had the call gone through than I was slammed to the ground by two burly guys.

"You think you can run? You think you can call for help?!" one snarled, his face a mask of fury as he delivered a brutal kick to my waist. Pain exploded through me, and I curled up instinctively.

They dragged me back to the warehouse.

The man spat on the ground in disgust before storming out, leaving me alone with my fading consciousness.

After what felt like an eternity, the heavy iron door creaked open, and Elliott Reynolds stepped in, silhouetted against the light.

His familiar, nonchalant drawl broke the silence. "Wow, look at you. A few days out of sight and you turn into a total mess."