In the doors of the room next to mine stood a towering silhouette shrouded in the darkness. I couldn't see how this man looked. I could only vaguely make out it's a man, and judging by his posture and absolutely monstrous size, he could break me in half like a toothpick. Great,I'm dead for sure.
Every muscle in my body tensed in preparation for an oncoming attack. But the blow didn't come. This creepy man was perfectly content standing in the darkness like some real live boogeyman.
Fuck that! I'm gonna book it. If he plans to just stand here and enjoy watching me pissing myself in utter terror, I'd rather not give him the satisfaction.
Pumped full of adrenaline I ran hoping the element of surprise would help gain me some advantage in chase. Not to be arrogant but I'm pretty quick on my feet. I was sure I won't get to me too easily.
So can someone in the name of everything that's holy explain to me how this big dude practickly materialised from the door right in front of my face like fucking ghost! Now I couldn't stop the blood curdling scream from coming out. What can I say? I am only human.
"Ahhhhhghhh!!! Mghuuu...!" Big hand blocked my mouth and the noose at the same time. I guess creepy giants prefer their victims to be silent. I thought The Goblins liked more bloody type of torture than old fashioned suffocation. Don't know if it's a worse or better outcome for me. Scary man brought his face near mine. I was anticipating treats and elaborate tales about how he is planning to hurt me. What I didn't expect was that he stick finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.
"Shhh, rooms are soundproofed, but If you yell in the corridor they gonna hear you." He had a low and gravelly voice. Not like that made any difference.
Then the guy took his hand from my mouth. Why would one of the gangsters prevent me from alerting others?
I take another look at the dude and everything starts suddenly making sense. Really I can't believe my luck.
"You are this hero that's practically solved every case the police couldn't. I saw you on TV. What was your name ummm… Oh yeah! It was Shadow, wasn't it!?" And there was again a hand on my mouth keeping me quiet.
Shadow decided to roughly manhandle me to the room where he was previously standing, and he shut the door after himself. This man must lift like a lot. He just picked me up ragdoll style without even breaking a sweat. Oh thank whatever higher power out there that this man is on the good guys side.
If he was a villain I would be squished between his fingers like a puny bug.
"Listen kid, this is not a place and time for meet and greet for fans. If you don't want me to knock you out don't speak unless asked for, and if you do, do it quietly. Did. You. Got. It?"
I can't tell for sure because of the cowl but I think he is glaring at me.
"Okay, got it Mister Shadow. I'll be silent like an obedient lamb." My voice was this squeaky last time when my balls had yet to drop. If my blunder earlier didn't impress him this centrally did.
Agine cowl hid his upper part of face but I could just tell he gave me an unimpressed look. 'Hey, I can't help being a loser. Try to imagine being in my shoes. Traumatic experiences for sure loosen up your walls. Slipping up here and there is normal.' Naturally I don't voice any of this out loud. What? I know he is a hero but dude is still pretty scary.
"Listen kid." He grabbed me by the jaw. What with these people always grabbing me by the jaw? "I need you to tell me why they took you, and how did you end up here?" His tone was controlled and calm but his looming figure threatened a poor outcome If I lie. "And don't hide any details."
'You can believe me I wouldn't dare to lie to you.'
My thoughts aside, I needed to concentrate on collecting my thoughts. Everything happened in such a short span of time and adrenaline still cycling though my body for sure didn't help.
"I was walking from the school and then someone pressed a knife to my throat from the back. Then this person threatened that if I don't do what he says he's gonna slash my throat." Somehow now when I am forced to talk about it all my false calm starts to crumble away leaving me completely exhausted and vulnerable. My voice is thick with barely contained sobs but I go on. "He took me to the white van and there were four or five more people waiting. Then I saw their mask and I recognised they were from this gang The Goblins. They gave me something to put me to sleep and… , and… I woke up here bound to the bed. I don't know why they took me…"
Shadow looked at me intensely like he was trying to discern if I am lying or not. Something on my face must have shown him I was telling the truth judging from a single terse nod of approval but he still had some questions.
"How did you manage to unbound yourself from the bed? Did someone help you?"
'Who would help me here in lair of vicious gang'
Paying no attention to the absurdity of this question I answer anyway.
"No, I was lucky. Someone left keys to the handcuffs by the window."
"Hymm…" Wow, dude I've been producing myself out here and you answer is in monosyllabe. He took this cool and mysterious hero persona to heart. Sadly I must admit he is in fact cool and mysterious. Damn it. "Kid, were you listening to what I was saying?"
"Ummm…"
His lips form a flat disapproving line.
"He he he…" I only laugh awkwardly in response.
"Better listen to me pipsqueak. I won't be repeating myself again. Got it?"
I nod my head like a bobblehead toy.
"Great, now that I have your attention here's what we're gonna do." He grabbed me by the shoulder and practically threw on the chair I didn't notice was in the room before. "I'm going to survey this place and get rid of bad guys. Your task is staying here and waiting for me to get you when I deem it's safe for you to come out. Repeat after me what you gonna do?"
He raised his voice slightly to scare me into submission. Absolutely without any reason. Did I look like someone who would go to lion dean if i didn't have to? "Ehm…!"
Ups, I've made him wait to long for an answer.
"I'll stay here and wait for you." I repeat obediently.
"Maybe you are not as stupid as I thought."
I take back everything about him being cool and mysterious! This guy is clearly a douchebag!
"I am not an idiot! Excuse me, I'm so sorry I'm not kidnapped everyday and used to it! My bad!" I'm practically fuming out of my ears.
He smirks at my emotional outburst and pat me on the head.
"You're excused. Now stay here obediently and don't make any problems."
After saying that he just turned around and left to do his hero thing.
I can't believe I ever thought heroes are cool! What a scam!