Chapter 14:

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Strangely, I was angry, confused, disappointed and relieved that Radley had pushed me away.

Deep down, despite being absolutely determined and desperate to escape, I hadn’t wanted Radley to use me. I would have felt dirty for the rest of my life.

Also, despite all the girls and boys at school thinking I was some sort of slag or sex symbol, depending on how they looked at it, I’d never actually had sex. It was something I both dreaded and looked forward to doing – but only with the right person, at the right time. I would have much preferred it to be after I was married, or at least in a long-term relationship – I couldn’t stand the idea of it being just a casual fling, meaning absolutely nothing to the other person, but everything in the world to me.

In reality, I’d only ever kissed two boys – Jamie Henrickson in Year 9, when we’d gone out for two weeks, and Brad Gregory, last year. We’d enjoyed an unofficial relationship for around six months – that is, neither of us actually officially asked the other out, but we enjoyed eachother’s company and our friendship turned romantic.

Thinking of my romantic encounters, my mind travelled back to Rick and Faye.

I felt hurt, betrayed and confused by Faye’s kiss with Rick. A week after her kiss with Rick, Dominic Brown, a boy in Year 11, held a party, and Faye and I prepared to go.

We got ready in my room this time. Faye leafed through my wardrobe, though of course my clothes were much too small to fit her. She pulled out a teal, lacy dress which skimmed above her knees. While it was baggy and pathetic on me, it hugged Faye’s curves, making her breasts look even bigger.

I slipped myself into a cream crop top, high-waisted black jeans and black peep toe wedges.

I watched Faye carefully as she did her make-up. I felt bitter and envious as she applied lipstick. I wondered if Rick would kiss it off later.

‘You and Rick,’ I said, without even thinking about it. ‘What’s going on?’

Faye paused, glancing at me behind the mirror. I didn’t look cross; rather, I looked helpless and desperate, so she relaxed a little and carried on doing her make-up.

‘You saw that, huh?’ she said, nodding. She chucked the lipstick into her make-up back and fished out mascara.

Applying it carelessly and quickly, she said, ‘It didn’t mean anything, if that’s what you’re thinking. I was hella drunk, and, well, come on, he IS hot.’

She turned around, crossing her arms. ‘You’re not mad at me, are you?’ she asked, in a voice which was more accusing than worried.

I shook my head. ‘N-No,’ I lied. ‘I was just…wondering.’ I swallowed. ‘Do you like him?’

Faye sighed, turning back around to check her make-up once more in the mirror. ‘He’s nice, but he’s boring. His parties may be lively, but he isn’t.’

It was true. Despite Rick’s parties always getting way out of hand, he always remained laid-back and relaxed. He barely even drank.

‘He’s all yours, Veronica,’ Faye said, zipping her make-up bag shut with a flourish.

I didn’t know whether to pleased that nothing was actually going on between them, or hurt that Rick could make me feel so special and then go and kiss someone else for nothing.

That night, I was confronted by Rick. I’d managed to avoid him all week, apart from the one occasion on which he’d mumbled a quick hello then bumbled off.

But now here he was, standing before me, beer can in hand. He looked effortlessly stylish, wearing a brown hoodie jacket, black jeans and Converse. He was with some friends, but smiled at me and walked over.

I’d been stood by myself in the hallway, sipping a glass of some fancy French wine Dominic had nicked from his parents’ wine cabinet. Faye had abandoned me for some of Dominic’s older friends. Rick’s friends, too, abandoned him, leaving us completely alone in the hallway, except for the bustle of strangers who passed us to get more alcohol from the kitchen or to dance in the living room.

‘Hey,’ Rick grinned at me. He looked genuinely happy to see me. My eyes dropped to his lips, which had kissed my best friend.

I smiled insincerely, turning away a little. I didn’t really want to see him.

‘You okay?’ He sounded quite worried and cupped my face with his hand, turning me to look at him.

I didn’t know what to say. If I said no, I’d be forced into revealing my feelings for him. If I said yes, he’d expect me to be all friendly with him.

I chose to shrug non-committally. He took a swig of beer, then said, ‘You don’t wanna talk about it?’

I both resented and relished his sympathy. When I didn’t reply, he took hold of my hand, letting his empty beer can fall to the floor. He led me into the living room, where a loud song full of drums and piano was blasting out. There was at least five couples; two of whom were drunk and falling against eachother lazily, one which slow-danced oddly to the fast song, and two which actually danced happily.

Rick held me close. I wondered if he could feel my heart beating madly behind my chest. I leaned my head against his shoulder. Suddenly, however, he whirled me away from him, spinning me around madly. I laughed loudly, until he yanked me back towards him. I smiled up at him, but my face soon fell when I saw his expression. He was smiling oddly, calmly, his face very close to mine. His chocolate brown eyes shone in the dim light of the living room. He leant forward suddenly, his hot breath caressing my mouth. I held my own breath, feeling overwhelmed by the reality of Rick kissing me.

But his hands grew clammy on my own and my lips were suddenly cold and bare of his breathe. When I opened my eyes, he wasn’t looking at me; he was looking past me. I casually turned my head, pretending to have an itch, just to see who he was looking at.

It was, of course, Faye.

I now didn’t know what to do in Radley’s company. I tried reliving the kiss. Every time, he kissed me back – but I began to question whether he really had or not. He’d opened his mouth – but what if that was to try and yell at me to go away? He’d put his hands on his back – but what if he was just trying to pull me off of him?

Now I had to resort to another plan to escape. I remembered the other three.

Make a run for it next time he let me go to the bathroom.
Try and break the door down.
Use something to knock Radley out when he next opened the door.

I envisioned all three, just to pass the time. The whole time, my stomach churned and my lips burned at the memory of the kiss.

I wondered if he’d punish me. He’d slapped me twice now. Maybe he’d hit me, or tie me to the bed. I remembered a horror film I’d watched at Faye’s house, where this psychotic woman kidnaps her favourite writer and when he tries to escape, she bashes his feet with a sledgehammer. I cringed at the thought of that.

Hours passed. Even with my disorder, I was beginning to feel slightly hungry. My stomach rumbled. I rubbed at it self-pityingly.

Would he ever return? Perhaps he was as embarrassed as I was. I didn’t know how I’d look him in the eye again – but I knew I had to. I had to show him I was the strong one here, that I’d never, ever back down.

I must have fallen asleep, for when I woke up, the room was filled with light, seeping through the blue curtains. There was no evidence that Radley had been in the room.

I tried rehearsing what I was going to say. I practised my hard stare. Without a mirror, it was hard to tell if I was doing it right.

Eventually, I heard footsteps. I scrabbled under the covers. My heart thudded simultaneously with the footsteps.

I heard the bolt of the door click as it unlocked – and that was it. I had my next idea of escape.

An idea was born in my mind immediately. I could trick Radley into coming into my room, then lock him in the room. It was genius! But how would I do it?

Just before he opened the door, I sprang out of bed, rubbing my cheeks to give them colour. As soon as the door opened, I hurried towards it, screaming.

‘Help! HELP!’ I squealed, pushing Radley inside the room.

He frowned at me, his thick eyebrows knitted together. ‘What the hell is wrong with you?!’ he demanded.

‘There’s a spider! It’s…it’s massive!’ I cried. I pointed vaguely to my bed. ‘It’s there, it’s there! Get it out!’

In reality, I wasn’t the slightest bit afraid of spiders, and would have actually relished one’s company, but it was the most realistic thing I could think of in a few seconds.

Radley shook the duvet briskly. He bent to look under the bed. I decided that was the best time to do it.

I slammed the door shut, locking the bolt.

Submitted: May 20, 2012

Thrillers mystery stolen crime thriller syndrome hostage kidnap stockholm ransom

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Comments

Soapysoph

Ooooo i beez all exciting now to see if she escapes ;3 KMU ^.^

Sun, May 20th, 2012 10:57pm

Author
Reply

Hehe, well, you'll just have to wait and see ;D I will :D

Mon, May 21st, 2012 12:19pm

Taste the Rain

wow you're a really good writer. I like your sentence structures, and variety. I like the little flashback, and Faye. Awshum!!

Sun, May 20th, 2012 11:47pm

Author
Reply

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it. :D :D

Mon, May 21st, 2012 12:23pm

Neytira

Mon, May 21st, 2012 3:49am

Author
Reply

Mon, May 21st, 2012 12:26pm

Neytira

Looks like he may be in a tight spot. Wonder how that'll pan out. Lookin forward to your next update :)

Mon, May 21st, 2012 3:50am

Author
Reply

Haha, he sure is >:) You'll just have to see ;) Thank you! :D

Mon, May 21st, 2012 12:26pm

ayoepan

Like the flashback you put in ths chapter...
I sense that Veronica's attempt for escape will be futile. I think she wont go anywhere :/

KMU pls :)

Mon, May 21st, 2012 11:53am

Author
Reply

Thanks! :D Well, you'll just have to see, hehe. :3 I will :D

Mon, May 21st, 2012 12:34pm

botness

Way to leave us hanging! Bah. You better update soober this time, after you ended it like that! :p kmu

Mon, May 21st, 2012 2:46pm

Author
Reply

Hahaha, sorry ;) I will :D :D

Mon, May 21st, 2012 12:35pm

Cameron SeVant

Nice chapter of course... but the cliffhanger ughhhh.. ;-)

Mon, May 21st, 2012 4:17pm

Author
Reply

Thank you, haha :D

Mon, May 21st, 2012 12:35pm

Lovees Smilees Heartts

this is getting good update me

Mon, May 21st, 2012 9:34pm

Author
Reply

Thanks :D I shall :)

Mon, May 21st, 2012 2:57pm

buttercream

This was fantastic, quite sad in the middle though.. thanks for updating me!

Tue, May 22nd, 2012 8:36am

Author
Reply

Thanks :D you're welcome XD

Tue, May 22nd, 2012 8:23am

Melody Rachelle

KMU!!!!!! :)that was excellent. please upadte soon!!!!!!

Tue, May 22nd, 2012 12:57pm

Author
Reply

I will :D and thank you :D :D

Tue, May 22nd, 2012 8:24am

MrV

Funny how Faye pointed out how shallow Rick's existence truly was. It seems to work as a parallel Radley's a bit.

Oh! OH! HORROR TRIVIA! The movie Veronica saw with Faye was called "Mysery." The book is much more gory than the movie, because in the former the nurse actually chops off the writer's thumb as punishment... hehe, horror geek in me. xP

AHHH!! SHE REALLY DID IT!! O____O Will she escape? Could this be the climax of the story? So soon? Damn! :(

Sat, June 9th, 2012 5:09am

Author
Reply

Aha, I know, I love both the book and the movie! The book is partly what inspired this story...I wanted to make a kidnapping story where the kidnapper is ruthless, just like Annie Wilkes. xD

Sat, June 9th, 2012 4:33pm