*Ella*

The following night, I curled up on the couch with my oversized t-shirt and knee long socks.
Scooping my ice-cream with a larger spoon than usual, I ate away my stress as a horror movie played.

I always loved horror movies, just maybe...not the aftermath.

I pulled the blanket a little more towards my stomach as I ate my ice-cream.
I never understood why in horror movies, when the victim falls, they only tend to get up once the killer is seconds behind?
Is surviving not what they want?

I was so picky when I watched something.

Once silence was heard throughout the movie and the screen was empty, there was a solid percentage that something scary was going to pop up. My first instinct is so cover my eyes with my fingers, yet leave a little gap to peek.

So what was the benefit of that?

As soon as the dramatic effect was heard, I twitched in slight fear.

Then, the tv switched off and so did the rest of my penthouse.

Well shit, that didn't go as planned.

I noticed by looking out my windows while remaining seated, everything outside was still on.

I gulped, putting my ice-cream tub down on the coffee table beside me before removing the blanket and gaining my balance.

Maybe I should leave torches or something hanging around next time.

With the little light from the night outside and opened curtains, I slowly made my way towards my room.
Hitting things lightly and almost losing my balance a few times, I finally reached my room.

I walked over towards my bedside table and reached for my phone.
Swiping it unlocked, I looked for the electrical company, thinking it must be from there end or they could direct me to see what went wrong.

But then an unusual sound occurred.

Something clicking and cluttering, thin metal along thick metal.
I frowned and walked over towards my bedroom door.

I looked out, the noise kept coming and it seemed to come from the entrance door.

"Hurry it up, would you?" a deep voice hissed.

I took a deep breath and my body instantly covered in goosebumps.
Someone was breaking in.

I shivered as I tried to dial 911.
Then for some reason, my fingers worked like crazy and made it's way to Nicolas number.
No.
It was probably just a break in and robbery.
Nothing big. Call the police.

Nicolas was only on my phone for a check on here and there.

"Quick!"

"I'm almost done idiot!"

I couldn't think straight, so I dialled Nicolas.

One ring after the other.

"There!" my entrance door squeaked open.

"Pick up, pick up" I whispered at the phone.

One last ring, as I was about to hang up, he picked up.
"Hello?"

"Nicolas" I whispered within the phone.

"Ella" he sounded surprised to hear from me this late.

His voice from within the phone was loud as everything else was silent and quiet.

"Nicolas someone is here"

"Huh?"

"Someone broke into my house" I whispered, holding back tears of fear as I stood worried in my room.

"What are you hiding?" Nicolas began to sound worried.

"In my room" I whispered as a tear dropped.
Crying in a scary situation? Who wouldn't.

"Get under your bed"

"Okay" I whispered, getting down and crawling under my bed.

"Who is there?" he asked, fiddling as I heard.

"I don't know" I continued whispering, my voice trembling.

"I'm coming"

"Nicolas"

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared"

"It's probably just a robbery" he panted, almost like he was running around.

"I don't hear anything" I panic.

"Yeah-"

Within a second, my phone dropped and I was dragged from beneath my bed.

"Found her!" a mans voice groaned.

I yelled and screamed before calling, "NICOLAS!"

My phone remained under the bed before my face was covered with a bag and I was held off the ground.

My voice was unheard as the bag wrapped tightly around my head.
I couldn't fight them off as they held me tightly out.

***

I woke up, drowsy with a headache.
I was quick to gain awareness once I noticed I was tied down to a chair in a dark, wet and empty place.

"Help!" I was quick to yell.

"Don't bother" a man said, flicking on a lighter as he brought it to his lips and lit a cigarette. "Nobody would hear you"

"Who are you?" I asked, panting as I noticed my thighs exposed and my shirt covered in dots of blood.

"Ella?" a familiar voice called.

"Linda" I frowned, looking around.

"Oh my god, thank god!" Linda's voice echoed the wet walls. "Ella untie me"

"I...I can't...they have me too"

Linda began to cry "I'm scared"

"It's okay" I gulped.
Nicolas knows I'm taken, he's coming for me. He always does. "It's okay" I repeated.

"Won't be if my boss doesn't get his money"

"What?" I sighed "Is this Josh?" I was quick to ask, wondering if Josh's dirty work has me again.

"Josh?" the man on the chair laughed "That man is clueless"

"So who?"

"Our instructions were nothing said, unless the money doesn't come in. Which would be pointless because...well...you'll both be dead"

"Oh no!" Linda cried "No!"

"Shhh" I whispered back at Linda, wherever she was held. "It's okay Linda"

"No" she cried "My mum would be worried"

I held back tears. "It's fine"

"But" the man stood up, flicking his cigarette as he walked towards me "My boss didn't say anything about...not touching"

I spat his way "You animal"

He laughed "Oh not you, honey" his smirk was seen within the little light "Her" he pointed behind me.

I couldn't turn around as I was tied down, but he walked past me.

"No, no" Linda panted.

"Don't touch her!" I yelled.

"Please" Linda sobbed.

"Don't touch her!" I repeated.

"NO!" Linda yelled.

I yelled, sobbing lightly.
Please hurry, Nicolas.

Find me.

__________________________

No! this wasnt a random kidnap, it'll all connect eventually. First the car chase now this, you'll find out why in the next chapter maybe or the one after it. Patience is key!
I do hope Linda (Ella's colleague) is alright & hope Nicolas can find her before anything happens to her!
Think he can?
Heres the updated I promised :)

Mia x