Chapter 5

Isquint hard at the harsh light trying to penetrate my eyes. The violent throbbing sensation in the front of my skull forces me to squeeze them shut again. My heart strums to an unusual beat and the inside of my mouth feels like cotton. I feel like I'm suffering from the world's worst hangover, but that can't possibly be right. I only had four margaritas. I'm made of stronger stuff than that.

My ears play tricks on me as the faint sound of a female voice speaking in a foreign language tries to trickle through. It sounds Slavic, I think. I must be dreaming. That's it, I'm dreaming because I'm alone in my bed. Eden didn't come home with me. But if that's so, why can I feel cold pressure surrounding my neck? As if someone chucked an ice-cold bucket of water over my head, my eyes fly open, and my body shoots up.

"What the fuck," I yell, pulling at the heavy chain that dominates my neck.

My wide eyes dart around the sparse room while my heart tries to find its way out of my chest. Two bleary-eyed women sit opposite me on an old mattress with chains wrapped around their necks, too. What kind of fucked up horror movie have I woken up in?

"Wakey wakey, sunshine," one of the women sneers.

I scramble to my feet, but the chain isn't long enough to stretch fully, so I flop back onto the rank mattress and lean against the cool wall.

There's a decrepit window to my right and a dark, heavy-looking door to my left. On the opposite wall, next to the women, is an empty doorway that leads into a dingy bathroom. Mould infiltrates the corners of every wall, and condensation fogs the large window, leaving a damp smell in the air.

"What the hell is going on? Who are you?" I ask them.

"I'm Devlin and this is Emiliya. Although good fucking luck finding out anything else about her, she knows about five English words." Devlin's face scrunches up in disgust.

"Da, yes, Emiliya." The other girl nods and taps her chest, giving me a weak smile. She looks no older than 20.

I try to put the pieces of this fucked up puzzle together, but there's a heavy fog clouding my brain.

"Why are we here?" There's a tremble in my voice that I'm putting down to how painfully cold it is here.

It only just occurs to me that whoever took me stole my furry jacket and killer boots. How fucking rude. I wrap my arms around myself to stave off the bitter air that dances around the room.

"Like I'd know, your guess is as good as mine," she huffs. "So, you gonna tell us your name or what?"

Devlin's attitude stinks like a bag of shit. If I'm going to be held captive, I'd much prefer it to be with someone who isn't a complete arsehole.

She's dressed in a skimpy black dress, and her heavy makeup is smeared across her harsh features. Her hair is bleach blonde with horrendous roots, and an eyebrow piercing glistens above her blue eyes. White streaks travel down her slightly orange chest as evidence of a dodgy tan. I imagine she usually has fair skin. She looks like she just came back from a really rough night out.

Emiliya is the complete opposite. She doesn't have a stitch of makeup on, and considering our current situation, her olive-toned face looks fresh and young. Her pupils almost get lost in deep brown irises, with hair equally as dark twisted into two messy French braids. She's wearing a thick red knitted jumper and black skinny jeans.

These women couldn't be more opposite, and I sure as hell am nothing like them based on appearances. So how do three people from entirely different worlds end up tied up like animals in a bare room?

"My name's Kai." I exhale shakily before continuing, "How long have you been here?"

"Hello Kai, I B?lgarski," Emiliya says in soft, broken English.

"That's not what he asked," Devlin snaps, shooting her a venomous glare.

I force a soft smile in Emiliya's direction, ignoring Devlin's bitchy remark.

"It's ok, I'm English. Are you from Bulgaria?" I point at myself when I say English and at her when I say Bulgaria, hoping the actions clarify what I mean.

"Da, da, yes." She shakes her head from left to right, gesturing no. Now I'm hella confused.

"No, you're not Bulgarian?"

"Ne, no." She nods her head now like she's gesturing yes. "I Bulgarian."

Have I entered another dimension? I stare at her with scrunched-up eyebrows, trying to comprehend what she's saying. A pang of guilt hits me for not understanding.

"Bulgaria, yes." She shakes her head from left to right. "Bulgaria, no." Then she nods her head. Suddenly, our planets align. I remember learning about gestures from other countries in geography at school, and in Bulgaria, it's the opposite head movement for yes and no.

Smiling at her, I say, "Yes," while shaking my head from left to right and then, "No," while nodding.

"Da, da, yes." She claps excitedly like we've just solved the Da Vinci code. Despite our dire situation, it warms my heart slightly that we figured it out.

I almost forget dickhead Devlin's in the room until she pipes up, "What the fuck are you two on about?"

I roll my eyes at her.

"In Bulgaria, the head gestures for yes and no are the opposite."

"That's stupid," she says, with eyebrows drawn together and a thin pout.

"It's not stupid. It's just different in their culture. But judging by your sucky attitude, I take it you don't know much about culture."

"Get fucked," she bites, then starts examining her grotesque nails. They look like bloody talons with too many diamantés attached for my liking.

Slyly giving Devlin the middle finger when she's not looking, Emiliya lets out a cute giggle. I smile broadly at her and send her a wink. I have an innate urge to protect Emiliya from this vile woman and anyone else who wants to fuck with her. It's bad enough being abducted without having to deal with an arsehole who has a problem with you because you don't speak their language.

We sit in awkward silence for several minutes. My mind conjures up dark and depraved things that could possibly happen to us, making my heartbeat speed up, and my breathing become erratic.

Need a distraction, need to talk, need answers.

"When did you get here?" I hurriedly ask.

Devlin looks up at me through squinted eyes.

"I arrived last night, but she was already here."

"Did you see who took us? Have they hurt you?"

I swallow hard. As much as this woman isn't for me, the thought of either of them being violated in any capacity makes my stomach curdle.

"Yep, a few blokes have been in here. One brought us food and water, and he seemed alright. Then, two big security-looking guys dumped you here. And one more, who I assume is in charge. He's a nasty prick. Comes in here to gawk at us and call us names."

She shrugs her shoulders like it's no big deal. Something tells me this isn't the first time Devlin has had to deal with men being abusive to her. I soften my expression.

"I'm sorry, that must've been scary. Neither of you deserve that." I aim to sound sympathetic even though we're in the same shitty situation.

"Obviously." She rolls her eyes and goes back to examining her long nails like she's bored of this interaction.

Well, I tried to be nice. I have a suspicion that me and dickhead Devlin won't be braiding each other's hair after this. If there is an after this. I tuck my knees under my chin and wrap my arms around my legs like it will protect me from the big, bad wolves on the other side of the door.

* * *

We've been sitting in stifling silence for about 20 minutes when mumbling and heavy footsteps echo from outside. The snick of the lock makes my heart pummel against my rib cage, but I force myself to uncurl my body, refusing to show fear. If I'm going to die or suffer god knows what, I'll go down kicking and screaming.

The door swings open with a thud, bouncing off the wall behind it. My brain malfunctions at the sight before me. I must be slipping into psychosis because he can't possibly be here. I had every intention of demanding these creeps set us free, but I'm left speechless as two men drag a semi-conscious Eden into the room and haphazardly drop him on the mattress beside me. They move him into a sitting position and chain him up in the same fashion as the rest of us while I stare at Eden in bewilderment. His upper body gives out, and his head flops onto my lap.

Why the hell is he here?

What are the chances that I go on a date with him, and then we both end up getting abducted? He was in his car about to drive home. Is he somehow involved in this? Is he working with them and maybe pissed off the boss, so now he's in the chokey too?

Like an old computer, my brain short circuits when I try to connect the dots.

"Oi, I need a piss, untie me," Devlin shouts, tugging at the chain around her neck.

Emiliya makes herself as small as possible, shoulders sagging and eyes on the ground.

"Hello, are you listening to me, pricks?" Devlin's shrill voice rings in my ears.

The men don't utter a word, or even make eye contact with us before they leave, slamming and locking the door behind them.

It pains me to do so, but I push Eden's head off my lap and move to the other end of the mattress. I'm still determining if I can trust him. This all seems too weird to be a coincidence. When he comes around, he better have some answers.

* * *

I really hope he isn't dead, but Eden has been asleep for what feels like hours. I shuffle closer to him, putting my cheek next to his lips. The light breeze that tickles my face confirms he's still alive. A wave of relief settles within me, not that I'm sure I should be pleased he's alive just yet. For all I know, he's lured me into a trap and plans on selling my organs on the black market.

Emiliya is curled into a tiny ball, staring out the gloomy window. She hasn't said a word since he arrived. I guess she's been here longer than the rest of us, and the fact that more people keep coming and getting chained up doesn't leave her with much hope.

Devlin is huffing and puffing because apparently, she ‘can't get fucking comfy and is going to piss her pants.' Now that I'd like to see. On second thoughts, this room isn't exactly large and we could do without bodily fluids flying about.

Sick of waiting for Eden to wake up so I can question him, I poke him in the ribs, but he doesn't stir.

"Eden," I groan like a needy child, craving attention. Nothing. "Eden," I say a little louder, but again, nothing.

I decide to take more drastic measures and cut off his air supply. That will wake the fucker up. I pinch his nose, and to my sick satisfaction, his eyes spring open, and he gasps for air. He bolts up and bawls my name, "Kai!"

I tap him on the shoulder, and he twists so fast his head almost snaps off.

"Nice of you to join us," I say, keeping a blank face.

He yanks me towards him, taking the breath out of me and squishes my face into his broad chest. My arms hang loose, and I stiffen against his hard body. Ok, this is not what I expected when he came out of his drug-fuelled haze.

"Oh, thank fuck you're alive," his voice rattles.

"Alright, you can let go now," I mumble against his chest.

Eden releases me, and I shuffle to the far end of the mattress, needing to figure out what the fuck's going on before he gets all handsy. His mouth hangs open, with an expression that looks like I just kicked a puppy.

Eden's eyes dart to my neck, clocking the heavy chain surrounding it, and then his hands hopelessly tug at his own restraints.

I hear shifting on the other side of the room and notice that Devlin and Emiliya are sitting up, solely focused on the weird interaction between Eden and me.

"Why are you here, Eden?" I stare at him emotionless.

"I-I saw, I followed, I thought," he stutters.

"You're not making any sense, Eden," I snap, guilt instantly settling around my chest. I guess I've had more time to adjust to our current predicament, but I can't be too sure he's not involved.

"Sorry, I saw them take you and followed the car," he stammers.

"What? Why would you do that?" I shake my head at him. What an idiot. Why didn't he call the police?

"Because I like you, and I thought you needed help." He sounds uncertain, like he's just realising how insane it was to come after me.

"Because you like me!" I screech. "Eden, I like tiramisu, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna risk my life for it."

"What?" His head tilts to the side slightly, looking at me like I've grown two heads.

"Great, now we're both going to die. And, because YOU cut our date short, you're going to die not knowing how amazing I am at blow jobs. How unfortunate."

Devlin barks a laugh, and I feel oddly proud of that one.

"Seriously, Kai, blow job jokes now?! We've been abducted, for fuck's sake," Eden bellows, his cheeks going scarlet.

I'm well aware I'm being a complete dick, but it's my default setting in stressful situations.

"Oh, Eden, what you need to know about me is I make very distasteful and inappropriate jokes when I'm nervous, so we're only getting started, buddy."

Eden releases an agitated huff and then leans against the wall, closing his eyes. He slips a hand behind his neck and roughly works out the tension. I can't help but wish my hands were soothing him, even if I am the cause of his stress.

He inhales deeply, the hand behind his neck trails around to the front, and he starts fiddling with the chain again.

"This is tight," he complains while pulling at it more forcibly. "It's too fucking tight, I can't breathe."

His chaotic breath and bright red face draw my attention. I watch his features contort into an array of uncomfortable expressions.

"No, it's not, Eden. You're just panicking," I say, trying to sedate him.

"No, Kai, I need it off," he barks.

Each end of our chains is bolted to the ground with ridiculously thick nails. I've not even tried to yank it out, but Hulk over here thinks he has a shot. I watch Eden grow even more frantic as he tries to pull the chain from the cement. Yes, actual cement. Not going to happen, love. He growls in frustration. If this weren't such a depressing scenario, his growling would turn me on.

All three of us stare at Eden like he's a caged animal that might take our faces off if we get too close. He continues tugging at the chain, and the clang of it hitting the floor bounces off the walls, making me tense with every clash.

His breathing is getting kind of scary now. Eden drops the chain and claws at his neck, gasping for breath. My heart pounds as I watch him lose it. Oh god, he isn't ok.

"Kai," he chokes, looking at me with pleading, damp eyes.

I go to him instantly, grabbing his face and forcing his focus on me and only me.

"Eden, it's ok. Just breathe for me, please," I soften my voice and gently stroke his cheeks, but his whole body vibrates, and he's hardly taking in any air.

I straddle his lap, clutching his face, hoping my weight will ground him and not make him panic even more.

"Look at me, focus on me, honey. It's gonna be ok. I'm right here."

"I-I c-can't," he stutters as tears flood his rugged face.

"Yes, you can. Don't speak. Focus on your breathing. I've got you, ok? I'm not gonna let anything happen to you," I coo.

He eventually takes in the first real breath in over a minute, and my body sags against his in relief.

I hate seeing this strong man fall apart in my arms all because he tried to rescue me. And all I've done is treat him like utter shit since he got here. Shame engulfs me. He wouldn't be here if it weren't for me. He might die because of me. My nose tickles and my vision becomes hazy.

Eden's breathing steadies out, but it's nowhere near normal, and his body still buzzes with nerves.

Lightly kissing his forehead, I whisper against it, "It's ok, Eden, we're ok."

He releases a wobbly breath and leans forward into my chest before letting out a gut-wrenching sob. The sound is deafening. I'd do anything to stop this hell for him. He doesn't deserve this. None of us deserve this.

He cries for a few more minutes, and I join him with my own silent tears, swiping them away before he can notice. I need to be strong.

Eden leans back and looks up at me, cheeks flushed and olive eyes glistening in the soft light. My heart swells. He's so fucking beautiful, even at his worst. Even after this devastating turn of events, he makes something inside of me burn bright.

One of the girls clears their throat, bringing our surroundings back into focus.

"God, you two are intense," Devlin mutters.

"Oh, suck a dick," I bite, twisting my head to scowl at her.

She loudly scoffs, then lies back down. I turn my focus back on Eden. He needs me.

"Thank you for coming after me. I thought you were involved somehow. I'm sorry I doubted you," I say quietly, fully aware that Devlin is a nosy bitch.

His trembling fingers dig into my hips almost painfully so.

"It's ok. Tonight has been fucked up. I'm glad you're ok. I'm sorry I didn't call the police. My phone died, and I didn't know what to do. I climbed the gate, and then some guy stabbed me with a needle, and I passed out. I was going to go get help once I figured out where you were, but then, you know, passed out," he rambles.

"Shhhh," I say against his lips, giving him the softest kiss, hoping it will bring him back down.

Eden goes silent and melts into me, squeezing me tightly and nuzzling my neck. His warm breath sends a tingle down my spine. Thank god I managed to calm him down. I never want to see him like that again. I pull back and ground him with my eyes.

"Look, the girls have been here for a few days, and they've not hurt them yet. Maybe this isn't as sinister as it seems." I'm trying to convince myself more than him. This is every bit as sinister as it seems.

"Pfft, doubt it."

"Let's just try and get some sleep so we can think clearly and find a way out of here, ok?"

I give him a pathetic smile, kiss his forehead, and then climb off his lap, already missing the closeness.

When I turn to face Devlin and Emiliya, they're both curled up in the fetal position facing the wall. I appreciate the privacy they eventually gave us in that surreal and intimate moment.

We lay down on opposite ends of the mattress, head-to-toe. A horrible feeling swirls in my stomach. I want to be close to him. No, I need to be close to him, feeling the warmth of his body.

About ten minutes pass, and I'm shuddering. The room clearly doesn't have heating. Rude really to chain us up and not even put on the central heating. Evidently, even criminals are feeling the pinch of the energy crisis.

My teeth chatter, and my whole body spasms like I'm taking repeated electric shocks. I'm seriously regretting my revealing outfit choice for the first time tonight.

I feel Eden shift on the other end of the mattress, but I keep my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

"Here," he grunts.

I sit up to see Eden holding out his ugly shirt. He has a slim-fit white tee on, and it looks delectable on him, damn. I really shouldn't be perving during a life-and-death situation. I also swore I'd never wear chequered anything, but beggars can't be choosers.

"Are you sure? You'll get cold too," I say, already reaching my hand out to take it. I'm fucking freezing, and he has way more meat on his bones than me.

"It's fine. I'd prefer it if your nipples didn't fall off."

"Ah, so that's your motive."

I smirk at him while he watches me intently as I slip it on, then pull up the collar and give it a good sniff.

"Did you just sniff that?" He frowns at me, but the corner of his mouth quirks with a suppressed smile.

"Maybe, don't make it weird. You smell good, ok? Like honey," I say, scowling at him.

He lifts his palms up as if to say don't fight me then lays back down with his face aimed towards the wall.

There are a few moments of heavy silence before I whisper into the chilly room, "Thank you, Eden."

He hums a sound of acknowledgement and reaches back to stroke my hip. Holding my breath, I reach for his hand and intertwine our fingers, sighing with relief when his grip tightens.

Regardless of how fucked up this situation is, selfishly, I'm glad I'm not here alone.