You think, when you're living a completely normal life, that you'll be able to handle any situation and crush the people who put you in it.I'm sorry to tell you, but that's not how it works.
I had no idea what was going on when I woke up in the back of a truck. Not a pick-up truck, it was the cargo kind. All I could remember was that flash. A flash of white light that blinded me. And then there was a sharp ringing in my ears, as if a bomb had went off, leaving me deaf. The ride was bumpy, I'll admit. I wasn't even in a seat. I was sitting on a sack of seeds or something with a scratchy rope around both my wrists and ankles, so that when I tried to stand up I simply fell down. After attempting this five times, I gave up. Another thing was, Jayden was not with me, and the truck was pitch black while whoever was driving up front couldn't see me and I couldn't see him (I just assumed it was a man to prevent further thinking). This meant that lots of other people could be scattered around me, but I would never know if they were there. "Hello?" I whispered.
I could hear minor shuffling opposite me, and then somebody began to talk, except without words. It was like his/her mouth was covered. I crept carefully over to the sound, pretending I was a ninja to make things more fun and less scary. It was difficult since I couldn't move my main body parts. I tried to reach out before toppling over to see if I could feel anything in front of me. Just as I was doing so, another hand, stronger than mine, clutched my fingers and smashed them against the floor, making me yelp in pain. "Whoa, relax!" I exclaimed. "It's okay!"
The person hesitantly let go of me and grumbled something through the mouth cover. I reached out again, uncomfortably feeling it's face to find the cover. Every time I touched the eyes, he or she flinched. "Sorry," I said. "I need to find the gag. I can help you."
The person brought it's hands up to mine and directed them to the gag. It was tape. I cringed for a moment. "Don't scream, whatever you do." It took me about twenty seconds to find the end of the tape. Once I had a good grip, I ripped so hard that it brought it's face down. "Oh, sorry, sorry!" I said, trying to find his or her arms to help them back up.
"No, it's okay..."
It was a boy. He sat there, his back against the truck. I sat beside him. He was trembling, probably from fear, and I could totally relate, because I felt the exact same way. "Is anyone else here?" I asked cautiously.
"No. I was the first one on. I've been here for about two days."
My eyes widened. "Really?"
"They come to give you water. And they warn you of upcoming stops, like when they stopped to get you and that other guy, but no food."
I paused, wondering about Jayden's current location, and if I could ever reach him again. "I need some more information..."
"Yeah, I'll give you the back-story. I used to be from a really rich family, and then my parents decided one day that I would go visit someone... It turned out to be these people, Italian Kidnappers, so they say, and they said that I was needed on their team or whatever. Instead they've kept me here. And it's impossible to escape."
I sighed. "Can I trust you then?"
He laughed softly. "Don't worry, I didn't choose to be here. I was kidnapped, same as you. I promise."
"Uh, that other guy, he was my brother, Jayden..." I said.
"Jayden?" he interrupted excitedly. "Jayden Cross?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Ummm, yeah, Jayden Cross... and I'm Isla Cross... You know us?"
"Yeah!" He turned to me even though I couldn't see him fully. "Well, I know of Jayden. He's from the wealthiest family in Milan. I guess you're from the same...?"
I shook my head. "No. Our biological parents put him up for adoption, he got adopted by those people, and we just recently discovered each other. We had no idea we even had a sibling. But we're twins."
He gasped. "Oh, Isla, he's known all over Italy because of his parents... You wouldn't believe how much land and money they own. I've seen pictures of it online. It's just... It's just spectacular!"
I dropped my eyes to the ground sadly. "I've lived on the North side of Milan all my life, working for a dollar every hour. My parents barely have enough money to keep up the coffee shop they own. I didn't even know Jayden was alive... Much less adopted into the wealthiest family alive."
"Well, not like the Rothschild family, I suppose, but yeah. In Italy. You ever been to his mansion?"
"No."
He paused. I could tell he suddenly realized something, because I did the same thing when I came to awareness. "That's why you guys were kidnapped."
"...Why?"
"They want your money. And it wasn't Jayden who got put up for adoption. Ummm, it was... It was you, Isla."
My mouth dropped. "ME?"
"Yeah... It's sort of online and everything, I don't get why you guys didn't notice this before now, but you were born into the Cross family. I guess they changed your names?"
I was speechless, unable to reply. I was put up for adoption? I was given a horrible life instead of being in luxury for fifteen years? Jayden and I were given fake last names to hide evidence of something? It was all unbelievable. Shocking. Misdirected. And, outright unfair, both to me and my brother.
I needed to figure out this mystery. Why was all of my life a lie? Why was I such a threat to everyone? Why didn't I know this before NOW?