Chapter 2

April 18, 2020; Monday

I have no idea what day it is, not even the time. My vision is pretty blurry right now. I think I hear Saren whispering, and could feel their intense eyes on me. "Kara, are you conscious if you can hear me, raise your hand," whispered my concerned brother. I willed my hand to move, and it did, only with pain to shoot through it. I let out a small gasp of pain.

"At least she can move, even in pain," stated Saren's voice.

"Yeah Kara, you didn't get so lucky. We only got knocked out, but were nicely laid down. You just collapsed." I nodded. Then a girl walked up, she looked more like a genie by my vague vision.

"Is she okay? That was a nasty blow. We're all prisoners here." I stared at everyone and as my vision came to focus, I noticed that was Avan! She fit the description perfectly, 5' 4'', Hispanic skin, brown eyes, and waist length dark brown hair with red highlights.

I couldn't move, it would hurt me too much, "Hi Avan."

She smiled, "You guys seem to know me, and I've never met you! Why so?" I looked away and mumbled something incoherently.

Kaden answered, "It was a case, and people get curious."

"Yeah right, like people my own age would come looking for me. Only to be kidnapped by the same people who did it to me? What are you up to?"

I mentally smiled, "She could've been one of us. She's got the right attitude." The thought made me laugh out loud, which I really regretted.

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

"Nothing, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's just strange. Having someone know me, better than I know myself," Avan smiled. I smiled faintly as Aden and Kaden lifted me up and placed me on the beds.

"You didn't tell her?" I whispered in Aden's ear. He shook his head.

"So what pain do you feel?" she questioned me.

"Oh you know, pain everywhere. It's hard to hit the concrete," I snapped back.

"Sorry," she answered with so much sarcasm.

Saren gave her a glare when she turned her back sat down only to stare at the locked door. I moved my head to Saren, "How long have I been out?"

"Three days, you took that blow hard," she lowered her head and whispered, "I can't use my healing powers on you. Then she would know."

I whispered back to her, "Have you figured out who our captives are?"

Saren nodded, "Yeah, Naran and Raden, Naran's pretty hard core. She's been trying to train me, but gave up. Raden seemed to have a guilty conscious about us, since he's in here every night, when he thinks we're asleep."

I whispered, "He has?"

Saren nodded, "He leaves food in here, under the bed. When you were out, he transferred water into your mouth. Raden, he seems to feel guilty, and yet happy at the same time. Naran, I think she wants to train you, when Avan is asleep, I'll heal you." I didn't answer, I didn't need to. I rested and drifted off to sleep.

I woke up with a start as hands pressed against my stomach. I looked at the hands, glowing a soft red, and connected to those hands are Saren, also glowing red. I smiled at her and felt my strength returning. When she stopped I whispered to her, "Thank you." She nodded before crawling into her red sleeping bag and falling asleep.

I didn't want to stand, the bed was comfy. Everyone had taken turns on the bed I guessed, but they probably thought I needed it more than anyone. I let my thoughts drift off, thinking about what my parents were doing right this minute. The year 2020 had evolved, and most kidnapping cases were solved within two days or less. Most parents were worried after two days. I've been gone for three.

I heard the door open a crack, and a person holding a tray came in. He kneeled down and shoved the tray under the bed, and grabbing the old one. He held a glass in his hands and placed it on the bedside table. I think it was Raden, since it was just like Saren had described him. "You're awake," it was a soft but strong voice.

I sat up quickly, "Who are you? Why do you want us?" He smiled, there was very little light in the room, but I could see ever so faintly.

"I can't tell you much, since I've been trapped in this deal since I was your age. Listen Kara, or would you prefer Ichela?"

"Kara," it came out shakily, and I mentally kicked myself for that.

He nodded, "Well Kara, I'm Raden, and Naran will have to tell you the rest. I really can't be in here, since Naran could find I'm missing given time." He smiled again before scurrying out the door. I grabbed for the glass of water, until now, I've forgotten how thirsty I was. I drank it all down, and felt a whole lot better. I sighed as sleep washed over me again.