"What we know is a drop. What we don't know is an ocean."

Harm

AVERY

I don't know how long I lay there staring up at the ceiling. Hours, I think. I'm kind of numb. I'm pretty sure I'm in shock, actually. I don't say a word the entire time. Trien is so quiet, I wonder if he's fallen asleep. Anger boils inside me, and I channel it towards him.

"Hey?... Hey!!! I have to pee... do you want pee all over this pillow top!?"

I wonder if he's left when to my relief the door opens. He doesn't say a word, just unties me, and pushes me in the bathroom. He then announces I have two minutes. Surprise, surprise, no window. My shoulders drop in defeat. I haven't lost hope, just today's battle. I'm so tired. When I'm done, he ties me back up. Not long after, Trien brings me water and a sandwich. He feeds me, and I grudgingly accept. We don't speak at all, but he stares at me like he's hungry and not for food. It's the first spike of erotic fear I've ever experienced. Ignoring the new emotion is easy with my level of exhaustion.

This routine continues on for a couple of days. On the third day, we make progress. He keeps me untied with the door locked. Although the windows are boarded, I enjoy the small freedom and hold hope that someone will notice me missing.

When he brings me dinner, today. I ask him a personal question that's been bugging me.

"What do you do? You said my dad was your best customer."

His back is to me, his hand on the door handle. He waits so long I wonder if he'll respond or if he even heard me.

"Not do. Sell, find, locate."

He doesn't turn around but talks over his shoulder.

"Ok, fine, what do you sell, find, and / or locate?"

He sighs loudly but turns around; I take this as a win. Trien sits on the edge of the bed, eyeing my legs. I'm sat at the top, holding my knees to my chest as I rest my chin.

"I'm an illegal dealer, I sell black market items."

My Eyebrows climb my forehead. I knew he did something illegal. I realize my first question and put two and two together.

"Wait, are you trying to tell me my dad was buying illegal goods from you?"

"That's right. You name it, sweetheart, and he got it. Your dad is the worst kind of criminal. He steals when he can afford to buy. He buys for other people to make him look good, and he does it all while keeping his hands spotless."

"Uh un, no way?"

I try to deny it, but even my denial is shaky. I believe him, and he knows it.

Trien shrugs his shoulder and gets up to leave.

"Wait!"

My voice is panicked, I can't stand being alone anymore. With no distractions, I'll go crazy.

"I,_I want to come out there with you... I promise I'll behave and I won't run... please!"

He's staring at me. I try not to fiddle. Finally, he opens the door and steps back. I'm so thankful, I'm wearing a genuine smile. I try to pass him, but his body takes up too much room. Trien doesn't move, just stays in the way, staring at me. I struggle to pass him without squishing my breasts against his chest. Nope, it's not possible. I'm turned sideways, sucking in, but there is definite contact. I'm almost all the way through when his massive arm grabs the door frame, trapping me in place. He doesn't wear his sunglasses around me anymore. This close, I see the cloudiness. It's slight but still abnormal, and by the way he's staring at my chest. I say his vision works just fine.

Pushing into me, he bends down to my ear. I don't breathe; I can't. Then I feel his lips brush my neck. A shiver shakes my entire body. wholly shit, I'm getting a wetty. If this isn't Stockholm syndrome, I don't know what is. Or does your kidnapper have to hurt you? God, I wish I knew the rules. He breathes deeply through his nose. When he speaks, the vibrations from his deep baritone do funny things to my lady parts. I blush, clenching my legs together.

"If you fuck with me, I'll have no choice but to fuck with you. And Avery, you do not understand how badly I want to."

"Whuh", yeah, that's my reaction. A gust of released air that made a noise. I watch him walk away and debate going back to the room and locking the door behind me. But my curious, crazy, stupid side numbly follows him. Hey everybody, look at Avery poke the bear. Hey everyone watch Avery get eaten whole. Someone in my head, not me because I'm not crazy. Some alter ego throws in; I bet he's the type that licks the honey pot dry, to the last drop.

I sit on the couch, looking up at him from under my lashes. Trien sits at the table reading the New York Regal. Hmm... Coincidental, or no? He knows everything about me; him having public information isn't hard to believe. I scan his body while he's distracted. He has a gun tucked in his waist I didn't notice. I gulp, avoiding the area.
He's really very attractive his scar adds to his dangerous appeal, if you're into that sort of thing. I've only ever dated simple guys. I may be insane, stockholm; cough, cough, but I don't think he's going to hurt me. Much.

"Why do you write simple articles like this?"

Ugh, seriously? Well, he knows and has noticed.

"Not by choice, that's for sure. And it's not for lack of trying. My boss is a sexist idiot. I'm one of three women that works for him." I ramble defensively. Trien does that thing where he has no reaction making me wonder if he's even heard me .

"Hmm..."

That's all he says. Man of few sounds, I roll my eyes. Wait, what the freck am I doing? How am I at ease? Why am I not trying to escape or getting information?Gosh, is my life so lonely being kidnapped is a welcome distraction? Wow, I'm pretty messed up. He might kill me and I'm complaining about my boss relaxing on a couch, like we're old friends. This isn't my couch not my apartment. things aren't normal and this massive criminal is most definitely not my friend. Oh no! I gasp for air, my chest feels constricted. I know this feeling, I'm having a panic attack.
I put my forehead on my knees. Trying to ground myself. Okay, something I can feel, jeans. hear clock ticking. Smell, cedar. See? I look up at trien. He stands over me holding my pills and glasses. I reach for them, relieved, and he pulls them back.

"You want these? I need you to do two things."

Bastard! I glare, my anger helps me calm down. I still want my pills and my glasses would be nice. The last thing I need right now is another headache.

"What?" I grumble I frustration. He smiles at my anger. I cross my arms, looking away. Trien continues like my anger doesn't phase him in the least.

"First, I want you to shower, change, eat normally, not like a bird and relax. I will not kill you, yet. Second, your going to answer some questions. Honestly. When I choose to ask them."

I turn back to him still glaring,

"That's five things."I say smugly; he blinks once; it looks like he's fighting for patience.

"Fine!" I quickly add with the tone of defeat. Trien exhales, his nostrils flare as he does. In that moment he looks animalistic and I check myself. I don't think I want to push this man.