………….

“You make a sound, I will end him” he squeezed my hand so tight I could feel my knuckles bruising as they crushed against each other.

I’d thought this might be my chance.

“You folks need a ride”, came the voice from the car. He sounded older, but I wasn’t sure, the headlights blaring my focus.

“That would be much appreciated” my captor replied. “Car troubles”, he added.

“Get in the back and keep that pretty little mouth shut”, he threatened, opening the door and shoving me towards the seat.

My thoughts were racing, what if I just threw opened the door and ran. No I can’t do that he will hurt the driver, and probably catch me.

The car started, and as if to add finality to my thoughts the doors all clicked and locked in unison. The air was heavy with cigarette smoke. I now see he was an older man, his hair mostly grey, he’d have no chance, again my heart dropped.

We drove in silence, the road rough, no other cars, not surprising it seemed like the middle of nowhere. Yet the driver said, “There’s a fuel stations a couple of miles ahead, I can let you out there.”

“Sounds good” responded the captor.

Two more miles of silence, when the fuel station appeared like a mirage. He pulled the car up and the back locks clicked open. “Out you get Missy” he said looking over his shoulder. I started to make my way to the opposite door, on the fuel station side. The light from the overhead sign, shining on the seat like a spot light. There was rope, and tape and a knife, my fear intensified. I quickly climbed over it, opened the door and got out. My captor was trying to open his door. “Not you buddy, you’re staying with me”, he smiled at me and added, “I’ll take good care of him, you’ll find assistance inside”.

I shut the door and stood fixed to the spot, stunned, as I watched the car lights fade into the distance.