Page 4 of Run Baby Run

I guess that makes sense since I wanted it to feel as real as possible, but what if they get me on a day when I look like shit? What if they take me on laundry day, and I wear an oversized T-shirt with holes and my comfy bleach-stained sweatpants?

I suddenly feel the eyes of strangers watching me as I walk through the supermarket.

God, did I say that out loud?

Every footstep is deliberate, and every item is carefully placed into my cart. I have an unnerving sensation of being watched, but I don’t catch anyone’s gaze when I look around. It makes me uneasy, but I shake off the feeling and finish shopping. I pay for my groceries and make my way to the exit.

Molly texts me as I wheel the cart to my car.

I giggle as I read the text, feeling the unease from inside the store slowly dissipate as I type my response with one hand and load the bags into the trunk of my car.

I load the rest of the grocery bags into the trunk of my car. I am eager to get home and escape the rain, but something feels wrong. I have a distinct feeling that I am still being watched. I hurriedly get into the car and start the engine, determined to get home as soon as possible.

On my way home, the dreadful knotting feeling in my stomach only seems to worsen.

What the fuck is going on? Is it just nerves? Do I feel this way because Molly fulfilled her side of the deal without telling me, and I’m up next?

Snapping out of my uneasy thoughts, I blink through the heavy rain. No one else seems to be on the road. My foot slams on the brake as I approach the red light. As if blocking out the sound of the water pelting the car harder and faster by the minute, an eerie stillness follows, and then something in the backseat stirs. My eyes dart to the rearview mirror just in time to see an ominous silhouette lurking in the shadows of my backseat.

Oh my god! There is someone in the backseat! What the fuck is happening? Is…. Is this…?

My body reacts of its own accord as fear takes over. But before I can react or make a run for it, a large black van speeds upbeside me, stealing my attention away from the figure behind me. I can barely make out anything outside the car. The windows are foggy as the rain pelts down on the vehicle, drowning out most of the sound from the outside.

The van screeches to a halt inches away from my passenger window. The driver, a large man in a black mask, reaches toward the window with something clasped in his hand, shattering it in an instant. All the air rushes out of me, and my heart sinks as icy fear grips me.

Iscream, not knowing what to do as I get showered in broken glass and rain. Unexpectedly, the man behind me lunges forward, covering my nose and mouth with a rag. I struggle in his unrelenting grip, digging my nails into his arms and attempting to claw my way out. He is too strong and completely blocking my airways.

Fuck, I can’t breathe!

My lungs burn as I try to inhale a breath. Fear takes over my body, and my eyes widen as I catch sight of my attacker in the rearview mirror. I see a stark white ski mask and golden-brown eyes staring back at me. He slightly lets up, and I can suck in some air, but the rag still covers my face.

Oh my God! What’s that smell?

My vision starts to blur, and my erratic breathing becomes labored. As I begin to lose consciousness, I hear the masked man chuckle as he leans close to my ear. “Don’t worry, baby. We’re going to have so much fun together,” he whispers, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine.

My foggy mind races as I try to figure out what is happening.

Is he going to hurt me? Wait, is this the fake kidnapping?! They broke my window?!

The last thing I remember before everything goes black is the feeling of his rough hand wiping the terrified tears from my cheeks.

I’m lying on a cold, concrete floor when I come to. My head is pounding, and my throat feels raw from screaming. I try to sit up, but my arms and legs are bound tightly with rope. I struggle with my bonds until it cuts into my skin. Fuck! Panic sets in as I realize I’m in a dimly lit basement, entirely at the mercy of this masked man and whatever twisted desires he may have.

This must have been Molly’s plan. I did tell her I wanted it to feel as real as possible, but damn, if she followed through with my crazy demands, she succeeded. I am scared shitless. The man in the mask is a fucking great actor.

I hear footsteps approaching from the other side of the room. The masked man emerges from the shadows. “Hello, baby,” he purrs, his voice dripping with something sinister. “I hope you’re feeling rested. You have a big day ahead of you.” I try to scream, to plead with him, but all that comes out is a whimper. He walks up to me, reaches down, and brushes a strand of hair from my face, gently tucking it behind my ear.

His movements are slow, and his touch soft, but something tells me nothing is gentle about him.

Is he trying to ease my nerves only to make it worse when I least expect it?

A heavy door opens and shuts somewhere in the dark basement, and the lights abruptly come on. I squint as I try to adjust to the brightness. As my vision clears, I see another masked man standing in the corner, staring at me. He is wearing a black mask. He is taller than the one kneeling in front of me and muscular.

“Consider this your new cage, little dove,” the man in the black mask growls as he leans against the wall and crosses his arms over his chest. I try to speak, but not a single sound leaves my lips. “Get her some water, will ya,” the white mask orders, looking over his shoulder.

“Did Molly hire you and tell you to call me that?” I ask, my voice just above a shaky whisper. They look at each other and then back at me. “She sure did, dove. She had quite the list of…ideas,” the black mask says and chuckles as he takes his leave. Moments later, he reemerges from the doorway and steps closer with a tall glass of water.

I hesitantly take a sip from the glass as he holds it to my lips, still confused as to whatideasMolly gave them.

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