This time when I wake up, my head feels much clearer. The sun has started to set and it's harder to see things, but I'm more familiar with the room now so it doesn't really matter.
I reach up to adjust my glasses, make sure that I haven't broken or bent them. It's not a good idea to sleep with them on, but I fell asleep so quickly that I hadn't thought about it. I look to my side and see a gray bowl sitting on the nightstand. A small plate next to it holds a piece of toast with a note on it.
Sorry about earlier. I had to head into the office for a bit to settle some numbers with a client, I should hopefully be back before nine. You haven't eaten in a while so please eat, even if you're still upset at me. I had the cook make your favorite, broccoli cheddar ;)
~Hokil
I scowl as I read it. He thinks he's being all sweet, writing me out this note. Probably expects me to gratefully eat it, and blush as I do so. Well I'm not eating it. I'm not that easy. I sit back and huff loudly. When I breathe in again, I catch a whiff of the soup. It smells really good, actually. I hate how good it smells. I sit there with my arms crossed. I plan how to run away. I'm trying to focus, but I start thinking about the soup more and more, my stomach starts to growl, and finally I give in.
It's been sitting out for a while I guess since it's cold, but it still tastes amazing. I finish the bowl very quickly and begin to eat the bread. Hokil didn't even get me some water to drink, which was kinda dumb. I avoid thinking about our last conversation.
Feeling angry at him is easier than any other emotions that I should be feeling right now. I slide out of bed and crawl over to the door. I'm getting the hell out of here. My knees are starting to hurt by now from being used too much, but I'll live. I feel a rush of nerves, but push through. It's now or never. When I open the door, the same guard is stationed right there, and turns as soon as he hears the door.
"Bani, can I assist you with anything?"
"Yes," I say, sitting back. "I would like a glass of water." He nods at me and immediately heads off towards the kitchen. Bless the stars. He has a limp. Oh, that will help. "And a few lemon slices as well," I call after him. Anything to delay him longer.
As soon as he disappears around the corner, I crawl as fast as one can crawl towards the exit. I start by going in the same direction that he is, so I must be careful that I don't make any noise, lest he turn around and see me. Once he enters the kitchen, I wait until I hear the door close behind him and turn the corner as well.
The hall crosses through another hall, creating a four-way, and the main exit is straight across from the door to the kitchen. An odd sensation washes over me. I wasn't taken through this part of the house at all yet, but somehow I just knew where to go. Deja Vu pokes at me and I shudder. What if he's telling the truth? No, now isn't the time for that.
I hear some bumping noises from the kitchen and realize that he must be almost ready to bring me my drink. "Dammit, that was too fast," I mumble. I start crawling again.
The hall seems to never end, it's almost like the closer I get to the door, the farther it goes from me. Then I hear the door open, and freeze in terror. I turn my head as slowly as possible, hoping, praying he doesn't see me. He has a tray in his hand, with a tall glass of water and several lemon wedges just as I had asked. When he turned to face me, his eyes looked right in the direction where I was. If I had been standing, he surely would've seen me. But he didn't look down. Thank God he is tall.
He begins walking in my direction and my pulse quickens. I know he's going to spot me, he'd be blind not to. He gets closer and closer, until he's at the cross-way. And he turns to walk down the other way. I can't believe it. That was too easy. I turn around and head towards the door again, a grin on my face.
"Bani?" Oh shit. I look behind me, and there he is, still at the cross-way. Somehow he spotted me. I desperately grab at the doorknob and miss. It's too high up.
"Screw these fancy doors," I curse breathlessly. I reach for it again, and really strain for it. My hand just barely grazes it, and I twist. It opens.
"Bani, stop!" I throw a glance back at my (still) nameless pursuer, and he has laid the drink on the floor and is crookedly running over to me. I yank the door open and rush out. Oh, wow. This man is FILTHY rich.
A wide stretch of pavement that circles around a fancy bush arrangement, and there are several flashy cars parked in a line. I could stay and admire the view for hours if I had the chance. However, now isn't a great time. I head towards the closest car, a red Mercedes. In a mercilessly short time, I hear him behind me.
"Bani, stop!" He calls out again. What a waste of breath. He slows down a bit to say something into a radio, or something like that. I didn't bother to look, but took the opportunity to put some distance in between us.
"Bani is trying to leave," he says breathlessly. "I'm in pursuit, but my ankle is slowing me down. She's headed towards the cars."
"Fucking tattletale." I try the car door, and it's unlocked. Rich people are too trusting.
"Bani, I'm begging you, please stop!"
"Shut up!" I yell back at him, lifting myself into the front seat and slamming the door behind me. My knees are throbbing in pain from the pavement. The man reaches the door and is about to open it, but I slam my hand over the lock button and he jiggles the handle to no avail.
"Open the door!" He yells at me. His voice is getting more desperate and it occurs to me that he will probably lose his job over this. But I really don't care.
"OK, think," I say to myself, closing my eyes and running my shaky hands through my hair. It's full of knots, but I tear my fingers through them and ignore the pain in my scalp. "Screwdriver, I need a screwdriver." I start ransacking everything in the car, searching for one. Yanking open the middle console, I lift one out, revering it. "Holy shit, there actually is one here," I stare at it and start to feel weird again.
I can mark it off as another coincidence, but this is almost getting to be too much. I always have screwdrivers in my car for emergencies such as this one, and I usually keep it in the middle console. That can't be something that normal people do. I push these thoughts aside and jam it in the keyhole.
The man is still beating the window and shouting orders at me, but I know he can't get in so the only thing it does is irritate me. I do my best to block him out. Jiggling at the mechanics inside the wheel carefully, I do what I know how to do best, which is hijacking cars. I've done it more times than I can count. Not very many people can hot-wire a Mercedes, so I've been especially proud of my proficiency with the more recent models. A few more skilled turns, and then the engine roars to life.
I yank the ignition, and flip off the guy at the window without even bothering to look. And then I let her rip. I tear off down the lane, pleased with how smooth the car runs on the pavement. Immense satisfaction washes over me. NO ONE can take down Bani Ahuja.
I see a tall wire fence form in my line of sight, and then I understand why the cars are left unlocked. Not a bother, I'll just blast right through it. A darker shape forms in the middle of the gate, and I lean forward to see better. It's a man.
Why is he just standing there with his arms spread out like a fool? Does he have a death wish? As the car gets closer, I see who it is.
"Hokil, you idiot. He thinks I'll stop for him." I watch him as I continue to get closer, and he doesn't waver. "What a fucking idiot. I'll gladly run you over." I accelerate, even though I'm already going dangerously fast. He closes his eyes, and tilts his head up slightly. I frown.
"I will drive over you," I say as if I'm trying to convince him, though obviously he won't hear what I'm saying. I start to feel scared. I'm quite close to him now. "If he doesn't move, it's his fault," I reason.
I'll kill him. I'll do it with a grin on my face. Perverted sociopath that kidnaps a seventeen year old. He deserves it.
But I think of the screwdriver.
That damned screwdriver.
"DAMN IT!" I slam on the breaks, and they squeal loudly. The car swerves side to side, and I lurch to a stop. Smoke fills the air, and I can't see him anymore. Yanking the door open, I stumble out.
"Hokil!" I scream, taking a few steps. My stupid legs collapse under me, but instead of hitting the ground, I fall into someone's arms.
"Hello, baby." Hokil smiles peacefully at me. He run a finger across my cheek.
"I knew you'd stop."