I snapped awake suddenly, the shock of returning to consciousness so abruptly causing me a headache. My mind was still a little muddled, but I had enough presence of mind to pretend to still be knocked out until I could figure out what had happened. I could hear the low murmur of voices all around me, and the whisper of an air conditioner somewhere. I felt cold metal underneath me, and grasped that I was lying down in a semi tilted chair. Satin smooth padded metal cuffs encircled my wrists and ankles, and a wide band of leather lay across my chest area. Nice of them to make it comfortable. I thought sarcastically. I could tell they were loose as well, but not loose enough to slip free of them.

"She should have woken up by now." The sudden hiss of a male voice rose above the others, distracting me from my current thoughts. They must be talking about me. I realized. "Patience, young one." This time a female spoke, and I happened to know this voice. So, the crazy lady had managed to capture me. "You must have used to much of the gas at the house, otherwise she would be awake by now. The fault of why she isn't awake lies with you, not me."

The sound of someone approaching startled me, and it took all I had not to stiffen. I forced my limbs to stay loose, almost floppy. I had to act the part perfectly, or I would be discovered. The footsteps themselves were heavy, and as they neared a strange scent accompanied them. Chocolate and meringue... with a hint of cinnamon. I knew that smell from somewhere... But where? Who did I know that always carried that scent, despite never using a cologne or perfume?

"I grow tired of this waiting." The male growled. It was a lot closer this time, so I assumed it was he who had walked up next to me. "I'm going to wake her up, I've waited too long to meet her to wait another moment." There was a pause, and I could feel the tension in the air. After a moment, the psychotic woman spoke. "If you must try and wake her, be gentle. A sharp awakening could damage her mind, especially since her sleep was induced by your gas."

I felt a touch on my shoulder, light as a kitten's paw. "Isabella." It was the male again, and the scent he carried grew stronger as he leaned closer. "Isabella, wake up." His voice was as soft as a purr, something I wasn't expecting. Well, I might as well wake up anyways at this point, if I didn't, who knew what they would do to wake me in another way? I let out a soft groan, pretending to have just woken up. Opening my eyes slowly, I got my first glance at where I was, and it looked terrifying.

Huge machines stood around the room, some buzzing, other silent as the grave. There was only two people in the room besides me, the man right next to me, and the woman a little way away, eyeing me with a look of contempt. Double doors on the far side of the room seemed to be the only way in or out of here. Guess I'd have to cooperate for now if I wanted out of here.

"Who... who's there?" I mumbled, my voice weaker than normal. I had already accounted for that, because I had guessed the lingering chemicals from the gas would have some effects on my motor skills. The slight pressure of his hand vanished, and the man moved to where I could better see him. As I looked at him, I confirmed what I had already guessed. I knew who he was, I just didn't have any idea why or where I had met him before.

"I'm sorry if we frightened you." He said, shooting a glance at the woman. "That isn't my intention." I could hear the unspoken promise of the fact that he didn't mean to, but she would. Nice of him to give me a heads up, I'd have to keep an eye on her.

"Why... Why am I here?" I rasped, in desperate need of a glass of water. "And why am I restrained?" I knew I needed to get the important questions out while they were still pretending to be nice. "And most importantly, why me? I don't have much money, and I live alone. If you're hoping for a ransom, it's not going to happen." After all, why else were people kidnapped? I had listed all the reason I could think of. And yet... The fact that I knew him could mean something. Maybe he wanted revenge or something?

I watched as he exchanged glances with the woman, who nodded and left the room. Then he looked back at me, and gave me a sincere looking smile. "You'll get all your answers in due time, Isabella. Just cooperate with us, and you'll be able to return home in no time." As I searched his face for any sign of a lie, I realized who he was.

"Steve..." I muttered under my breath. "You're Steve. I know you, we had Chemistry and Biology together in high school. I remember you because you were always interested in how to change someone's brain through use of chemicals." Then you got expelled for experimenting on your fellow students... I thought with a twinge of fear. I kept my expression neutral though, no one was supposed to know that information. I only knew because I had snooped around after he vanished. You see, I used to have a crush on him, and was devastated when he had vanished without a trace. The information I had found was more than enough to make me give up on him.

His smile widened, he was pleased for some reason. "Ah, yes. I'm glad someone remembers, I was afraid after I left no-one would recall what I had done. I've pushed science farther than anyone ever has, and it's all thanks to that school." He trailed off, lost in memory, I assumed. I rotated my wrists slowly, hoping I could loosen the cuffs while Steve was otherwise occupied.

Unfortunately for me, as soon as I started to feel them move slightly, Steve snapped out of his trip down memory lane. His gaze narrowed briefly before his face cleared, and a neutral expression spread across his face. "Forgive me, I forgot how uncomfortable those cuffs can be. If you promise to behave, I'll take you to the guest room for tonight. Your room isn't quite ready yet, but it will be tomorrow."

I scowled, unwilling to 'behave' right now, but I knew I didn't have a choice right now. "...Fine." I muttered, letting my reluctance show clearly on my face. His face broke into a smile of relief, apparently he had expected me to protest. He approached me and started undoing the bindings, starting with the wide chest band. As he worked he spoke to me, telling me about the place. "You'll like it here, I promise. We have large rooms and a great kitchen, and once you've been here long enough you'll be allowed into the gameroom. Your room is being stocked with your favorite books and games, and I assure you that you'll like it here. I've even allowed you to keep you phone, but your cell service has been cut off."

As he finished releasing me, I stumbled and almost fell as I took a step forward. My balance was off, and I'm guessing that was because I had been unconscious for a while. Steve caught me as I stumbled, and I glared at him. "Don't be hurting yourself now." He said gently, helping me stand again. Then he let go, and starting walking toward the double doors, waving a hand to indicate I should follow him.

I start following him slowly, a little shakey. Together we walked down a short hall, and he opened a plain wooden door. Inside was a short bed, a plain wooden table, and another door that I assumed led to a bathroom. It was plain, but homely. I glanced at Steve, then back at the room. "Thanks, I guess." I mumbled, a little taken aback by the kindness I was being shown.

He smiled, and then turned to leave. "I'll come by tomorrow to show you around, but for now just get some sleep. Okay?" I nodded, and he finally left, closing the door behind him. I let out a sigh I had been holding in, and turned back to the bed. No. First, I'd see if there was a way out. I pushed aside my exhaustion, and tried the door. Locked. I let out a sigh, then turned back to the bed. I should have known better.

Maybe a little sleep wouldn't hurt... I walked across the room and laid down on the bed, kicking off my shoes and getting under the covers. I reached over and turned off the lamp on the side table, the only source of light in the room.

I rolled over on my side and closed my eyes, trying to fall asleep. As I started to drift off, a sudden thought woke me back up again. Would I ever see my family again? Or leave this place? Steve did say I would be able to leave soon but... I don't know if I believe him. I sighed and reopened my eyes, staring out into the darkness. It was going to be a very long night...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys!

Fun fact, I've got close to 8 chapters of this book of this book written so far on paper, and about 7 chapters typed up on a word document on my computer.

I need sleep... I stay up way to often working on this thing.

Anyways!

Let me know what you think of the chapter; could I improve it somehow? Is there a part of it you like best? A part you like the least?

Feedback really does help me write better stories for y'all, so it would mean a lot to me if you'd drop a comment down below (even if it ain't much, comments encourage me that this book is worth continuing.)

... I'm blathering on, ain't I?

Well, guess that's my cue to leave.

Until next time,

~C@$$