Chapter One

Have you ever gotten the feeling that something big was about to happen? As I stared out my dark bedroom window, I had that feeling. The feeling that something life-changing was about to happen and I had no control over it.

 

I was contemplating what huge event could possibly happen to someone like me when I heard it. Just the whisper of someone walking downstairs. The hair stood up on the back of my neck as I made my way to my bedroom door. I opened it slowly, wincing when it let out a creak that cut through the silence. Holding my breath, I waited for whoever was downstairs to come rushing up at the noise. When it didn't happen, I continued my careful trek downstairs, walking slowly. I had just made it to the last stair when someone grabbed me roughly and muffled my squeak of protest with a gloved hand.

 

Cursing myself for not bringing some kind of weapon, I fought against my attacker, stopping only when the cold barrel of a gun was pressed against my back. Strangely enough, I was more intrigued as to why they were here and what they wanted than I was scared. I never once thought I was actually going to be hurt. And maybe that was part of the initial attraction. Because even when I hadn't yet seen his face and he was pressing a gun against me, I felt safe with him.

 

"If I move my hand, are you going to scream?" He whispered in my ear.

 

I quickly shook my head no. When I felt him tying something around my wrists, I rolled my eyes.

 

"Do you actually think I'm stupid enough to try to run when you have a gun?" I wondered aloud.

 

"Is anyone else here?" He asked, ignoring my question.

 

I thought of my little brother sleeping in his room upstairs, and the first flash of panic stirred inside me.

 

"No, no one else is here." I lied quickly.

 

"Erik, get in here." He called out.

 

A rather short, blonde man walked in. He looked about the same age as me at around seventeen or eighteen. All in all he didn't look at all like someone who would break into my house.

 

"Who's the chick?" He asked.

 

"I'm guessing it's his daughter." The other man replied.

 

"So, are you guy's looking for my father? Because you could have just rung the doorbell, you know."

 

Neither of them answered as they forced me into the living room and sat me down on the couch. That's when I got my first good look at the man who had grabbed me. He was very good looking with dark brown hair, piercing green eyes, and a tall, well developed physique. But the thing that made me practically drool? Yes, I admit it. I was drooling over the man who had broken into my house.

 

"Where is your father?"

 

"Not here. I think he went on a date."

 

"Danni, I had a bad dream." I panicked again at the sound of my little brother's voice.

 

He was supposed to be sleeping. They weren't supposed to know he was here.

 

As the two men walked over to him, I flung myself in the way. Standing in front of my little brother, I gave them my deadliest glare.

 

"Don't touch him. Do whatever you want with me, but don't you dare touch him." My voice was low.

 

"Who are they?" My little brother asked me.

 

"Just some friends of mine, Alex." I said, daring them with my eyes to disagree.

 

"Yeah, we're just some friends." The blonde man said with a goofy grin.

 

"Daddy will be mad. You aren't s'posed to have friends over."

 

"You let me deal with daddy, okay?"

 

"Deal with me how?" Asked a cold voice.

 

I cursed silently as my father walked into the room. Pushing Alex even further behind me, I let out a nervous laugh.

 

"Oh, I was just kidding around dad. You know me, always the joker."

 

"Who are these guy's?" He asked, looking angry.

 

"I don't know. They're here to see you."

 

It was like I had pushed a magic button. All at once, his expression turned from angry to terrified.

 

"Hey, Dan, how's it been going?" The blonde man asked.

 

"Listen, I'll get the money. I just need a little more time." He was almost begging.

 

"We've given you all the time we can afford, Dan." This was the other man speaking.

 

"Wait, what about a different form of payment?" He looked around wildly, his eyes finally landing on me.

 

"Danielle, you can take Danielle. Surely you can find some use for her."

 

Both men turned to look at me, then at each other, then back at me. I just stared at my father in disbelief.

 

"Fine, we'll take her. But we will no longer do business with you. Good luck finding drugs somewhere else.

 

My mind was in a whirl. My father did drugs? And, he was using me to pay for them? Then one horrible thought hit me, leaving no room for anything else. Alex. I couldn't leave him here. If I wasn't here to protect him, then my father would start hitting him.

 

"No, you can't take me. It's kidnapping. That's a crime, you know."

 

Ignoring my protests, they started to drag me out.

 

"No!" I screamed.

 

Alex was now crying and running after me.

 

"I'll come back and get you, I promise!" I managed to call out before they dragged me outside and slammed the door after me.

 

Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them back. I wouldn't cry. I was stronger than that.

 

"Please, I can't leave my brother alone." I begged.

 

The blonde man seemed sympathetic, but the other man just picked me up and tossed me in the back of their car, his face impassive. It was then that I decided I hated him. No matter how good looking he was, he was an evil monster.

 

"I'm Erik." The blonde man said from the front seat, giving me a small smile.

 

Since he wasn't the one I hated, I decided I could be nice to him.

 

"I'm Danielle, but you can just call me Danni."

 

Just then the other man got in, slamming the door.

 

"And this grouch is Damien." Erik said cheerfully, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

 

I didn't bother replying to that, deciding then and there that I was not speaking to or about Damien.

 

"Looks like she doesn't like you Damien." Erik said with a smile.

 

"Oh, no, how will I ever survive?" He said flatly, not looking at either of us.

 

My anger flared, but still I said nothing. And it was going to stay that way I promised myself. Unfortunately, it was going to prove difficult not to speak to Damien. He could be very infuriating, that one.

Author's Note

Please review and tell me what you think. I'd love to know if this is any good or not.

Reviews

[Meradee]

Hmm...its interesting. It needs some work though. You need more detail. I like the idea, but maybe explain the desperation of all five who are involved. It seems just a little too....quick. Also it seemed odd that Danielle was so accepting of her kidnappers....at least one of them. Also what happened to the bindings on her wrists? You kind of dropped that. All in all, it's very good. I would like to know when you continue this. Please make it soon. I hate waiting for what happens next. I'll be staying awake wondering what happens....
Pepper...