Chapter 2

Karen's POV:

I could hear the slow, dragging beat of my heart. It was dark and I was frightened. I had suddenly developed cold hands and feet. Tingling skin, heart palpitations, rapid breath, feeling like I can’t breathe. All these were happening to me all at once.

Blurred vision, or black spots at the edges of my vision, I almost crashed into another car. At this point, I was unable to think clearly. I was too aware of everything around me and unable to stop thinking.

"Can I say something?" I asked with a cracked voice.

One could hear the fear in my voice. Anyone could tell I was scared to death.

After a moment's silence, he said, "Speak” in his deep Italian accent.

"I think I would be more comfortable driving if you put the gun down. I'm finding it difficult to concentrate here."

"That I am injured does not make me stupid. Be quiet, and just drive. Turn to the left."

He was leading us down a lonely road and this made me more uncomfortable. By the adjacent sides of the road were grasses. Full-grown grasses I dare not run into should I attempt to escape.

Snakes and all manner of wild things could be hiding in there. I could not make out where we were or going.

I wanted to ask him exactly how far we had to go when I remembered our little session about guns. I thought it best to continue driving in silence until he said to stop.

"Turn to the sharp end to your left and stop."

"Get out and do not try anything funny."

Quietly as he had threatened, I opened the door carefully and stepped out.

All my hopes for trying to run away were crushed as I was surrounded by tall, muscular men. They looked like those who would kill you for no reason at all.

"She's with me," he said, making his way out of the car. Some of the guys rushed toward him to help him.

I could tell that he was either their boss or was high-ranking.

"Bring her. She's a doctor. She will help take out the bullet." I wondered how he knew.

We were led to an isolated part of the building. The room was almost empty with nothing but a wooden chair and an old bed. This was no place or way to live. This must be some hidden location they use to plan for their criminal activities.

The guys had helped him to the bed and laid him down, gesturing for me with their hands to get to work.

"I need drugs and some tools."

"Why did you not say so earlier?"

"You said to be quiet."

"Doctor, you do not carry a first aid kit around?"

"That would not be enough."

"Give them a list of everything you'll need and be fast about it."

From his facial expressions, one could see he was in great pain and trying to conceal it. He failed woefully at hiding it. His expressions gave him away.

I tried to tear the shirt, exposing only the part that was around the stomach to give me a better view of the injury.

Using some pairs of bed sheets, I asked one of them to apply pressure to the bullet site to suppress the bleeding.

"You have lost a lot of blood. We might need a donor."

"I've never had a transfusion before. Besides, this isn't my first time getting shot. Just take it out and with a few days rest and a doctor, I will be fine. That is why you are here."

"How did you know I am a doctor?"

Silence. It was more annoying that he pretended to not hear me.

"When will you let me go?" I asked and he shot me a fiery glaze.

The guy who had gone to get the medications had returned and handed them to me. With my eyes, I was signaling him the door to make his exit but he stood still.

The Italian must have noticed it because he said, "Leave us alone."

"Boss, what do we do about the man?" He asked as he was making his way to the exit door.

"Has he told you what I want?"

"He is adamant and says he has no intel."

"I've seen many like him, he won't budge," he said, and with his fingers across his neck, he ordered him to be killed.

Seeing him give that order, I immediately felt lightheaded and dizzy. I felt like I was going to collapse at any given moment. I pondered on the options I had here. These were dangerous people and not to be joked with.

"On second thoughts, do not kill him just yet. I want the doctor to watch us torture him to death," he said watching me closely. I tried to hide my visibly shaking hands. More like a threat, wanting me to hear, know, and see.

15 minutes went by too slowly. Among the medications, I had prescribed a sedative. Thankfully the guy who bought them did not know a thing about drugs.

I had given him twice the normal dose and when I was sure he had fallen asleep, I turned to find the door was left open. Could they have forgotten to close the door?

Tiptoeing, I headed for the door and peeked out. No one was in sight. I could not believe it. What if this was a trap? Were they testing me?

Certainly not. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. This was an opportunity and I had to take it. With that resolution, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, without turning back.

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the fields as I ran. I had been running for hours, ever since I had escaped from the abductors. I was tired, hungry, and thirsty, but I did not dare stop.

If I were to be caught, I would be forced to go back with them and only God knows what they would do to me. I just knew I had to try. So, under the cover of darkness, I made my escape. I walked for miles, before finally finding a place to rest.

But my rest was short-lived. The next morning, I heard the dogs barking. They were coming. I started running again, and I did not stop until I came to a river.

This was a dead end. Of all the many things I have learned in life, I never learned to swim. There was no way I could crossover. Not today, especially not with those men and dogs on my heels.

I retreated to the bushes and decided to let fate decide for me. For now, I would camouflage to the greens and see what miracle it would do for me.

I swear I heard something behind me. I turned but saw nothing. You know what happens when fear eats deep inside you, you feel and see things that are not physically present. The fear fantasizes them for you. That must be what I was feeling right now.

Uncomfortable with my hiding position, I decided to change my position. Just as I was about to step back, a pair of hands grabbed me, one covering my mouth and the other holding me down.

"Stay down," an unfamiliar voice whispered.