You know that feeling you get when you’ve just woken up in a strange place, tied to a bed in a dark room, after being kidnappe

Author’s Note: So, April basically sucked, which is why this late. So far, it’s winning as the worst month this year. Blah. Anyway, we’re back to Maddy! I’m having a lot of fun with this little series right now, so I’m gonna continue it for a bit. (If you don’t remember these, the first two installments can be found in Challenges 32 and 33!) It’s not my favourite, but I still like it. Hopefully there’s a resolution of a plot point, but I’m not sure…well, I guess getting rescued is a resolution! (Eh, I’ll stop giving away plot now.) Enjoy!

Being Tied to a Bed Isn’t All Bad When You’ve Got Your Own Personal Knight-in-Shining-Armour

By: BlackCat

You know that feeling you get when you’ve just woken up in a strange place, tied to a bed in a dark room, after being kidnapped by vampires, then sitting through a bank robbery, then being kidnapped again by some scary psychotic bank robber leader type?

No?

Well, I wish I didn’t either.

Seriously. I mean, why would someone kidnap some random teenage guy and tie him to a bed in a dark room?

…actually, I don’t think I want to know.

I look around, squinting into the darkness. This is just slightly creepy. And my arms are starting to hurt from being tied above me to the headboard. I wonder if my fingers are going to turn blue? I mean, I don’t think much blood is circulating up there. My legs are tied down, too, and I appear to be missing my boots. Actually, my coat’s missing, too.

…I’m not going to think about this.

My ears perk at a strange sound, and I try to lift my head.

“Hello?” I ask, tentatively. And, no, I do not think it’s stupid to bring attention to myself. I mean, c’mon, someone tied me to this bed! They already know I’m here!

Footsteps quickly move toward me, and a light is suddenly lit next to me. It’s not enough to see more than a small circle around the bed, but it is enough to see…

“Bailey?” I gasp in surprise. “What the hell are you doing here?” My eyes widen. “You weren’t one of the bank robbers, were you? Because I’m going to be really annoyed if you helped kidnap me.”

He grins at me, rolling his bright blue eyes. “No, I didn’t kidnap you. I’m here to rescue you.”

I snort. “I’m not some damsel-in-distress.”

“You look like one to me,” he shrugs, the grin still on his freckled face. He starts untying me hands.

I roll my eyes. “Gee, thanks. Guess that makes you my knight-in-shining-armour?”

“You got it.”

My left hand comes free. I flinch as the blood starts pumping into the limb. Bailey moves onto the right hand.

“So, how did you know I was here?” I ask, watching his fingers work at the rope.

“I saw you slung over some guy’s shoulder and decided you were probably being kidnapped, so I followed the car.”

“…that’s a bit…weird.”

“Well, I’m saving you, aren’t I? Or would you rather I leave you here at the mercy of some bad guys to have their dirty way with you?”
I grimace. “I’m liking this rescue thing.”

“Good choice.” My right hand it released.

I sit up, rubbing my wrists, wincing as the blood rushes from my head. Gaaaah…

“Wanna help with your feet? It’ll make things go faster.”

I lean forward, fingers pulling at the rope. Geez, these knots are tight…

I finally get it undone, breathing in relief. Freedom!

“Okay, let’s go.” Bailey grabs my hand, pulling me off the bed. I stumble forward, grabbing hold of the redhead’s shoulders, accidentally propelling him backwards into the wall.

“Ow,” he complains, grimacing. “Way to treat the guy saving you.”

“Well, it’s your fault for yanking me off the bed with no warning,” I grumble, pushing myself away from him.

“I forgot you were a spaz,” he shrugs, smirking. His eyes flick around the room. “Anyway, we have to go.”

“I need my boots and coat.”

He rolls his eyes. “I could just carry you.”

My face flushes. “Hell, no!”

He snorts. “You wouldn’t need your boots if I carried you.”

“That wouldn’t keep my from freezing! It’s winter! In Ontario!”

He rolls his eyes again. “Fine, we’ll find your stuff. Then we have to go.”

Haha, victory!

…I still can’t see the rest of the room.

“Did you bring a flashlight?” I ask, eyes flicking to Bailey’s face.

He raises an eyebrow. “Why would I need a flashlight?”

…huh?

I’m pulled forward suddenly, dragged into the darkness. The floor’s cold through my socks. I am not happy.

“Stop pulling me,” I growl, trying to free my arm from his grasp.

“If I don’t pull you, we’re never going to get out of here,” he retorts, tightening his grip.

“I can walk just as fast as you.”

“Without running into anything?”

“…shut up.”

“That’s what I thought.”

The room’s a lot bigger than I thought. It seems to go on forever. And just as Bailey predicted, I keep running into things. Owww…

I’ve just stubbed my toe for the billionth time and am in the process of nursing it when I’m suddenly grabbed from behind and slung over someone’s shoulder. I yelp in surprise, trying to wriggle away.

“Knock that off,” Bailey growls, giving me a warning squeeze.

“I told you not to carry me!” I retort, annoyed.

“I’d like to get out of here sometime today, so you’re just going to have to suck it up, princess.”

“Let me down!”

“Shut up! Do you want to attract attention to us?”

“I wouldn’t be making noise if you put me down!”

Duh!

“I’m not putting you down!”

“Then I’m not shutting up!”

Needless to say, I’m a bit surprised when I find myself pinned to the wall, feet dangling above the floor. I stare in shock at Bailey, whose blue eyes are narrowed dangerously. My mouth dries. Oh, shit, he looks mad.

“If you don’t shut the hell up right now, I am going to knock you out and drag you out of here by the hair. Understand?” he snarls, teeth bared.

Mutely, I nod. Even I know when I’ve crossed the line. And this guy is really strong. I mean, sure, I’m not exactly the heaviest guy ever (I’m actually kind of skinny), but I do have some weight to me (y’know, muscles and all). And this guy is even skinnier than me! How the hell is he holding me up so easily?!

“Good. Now, I am going to carry you, and you aren’t going to complain.”

I nod again, meekly.

He seems satisfied with this and slings me back over his shoulder. It’s hard to stay quiet when I’m in such an awkward position, but I can honestly say he scares me a bit. Why is it always the nice-looking ones who turn out to be terrifying?

Wait. Did he just grab my ass?!

“What the hell are you doing?!” I yelp indignantly.

“What did I tell you about talking?” he says sweetly, acting like he hasn’t just groped me.

Grumbling, I don’t say anything. Pervy bastard.

…he still scares me, though.

We actually make it to the door. I wish I could say without anymore random groping. But I can’t.

My life sucks.

“Okay, hold on tight. We’ve made to the hallway, so I’m going to start running.”

“You’re what?”

And then we’re off. I clutch desperately to his back, although it’s not exactly the easiest thing to hold on to.

Wow, he’s bony…

Feeling nauseous, I close my eyes, hair whipping around my face. How the hell is he so fast?!

Yeah, I guess I can’t hold onto the hope that he’s human anymore. Goddammit.

I’m not sure how long he runs, but when he stops, we’re in a…conservatory? Weird. Moonlight’s shining through the windows, so I know it hasn’t been too long since the bank robbery. Well, unless it’s not the same day. But I’ll assume it is, just for the sake of my sanity.

“Dammit, it’s snowing,” sighs Bailey, shooting a disgusted look at the outside world.

Oh, so it is…

I raise an eyebrow. “Well, it is winter. It’s not exactly unusual precipitation.” I shoot an anxious glance around the room. “Now, can we go? I’m starting to get freaked out.”

“‘Starting’?” he repeats with a smirk. “Wow. Alright, I’ll set up the gateway.”

…huh?

He sets me down (none too gently, might I add) on the ledge of a flower garden, moving to the middle of the room. He pulls a piece of blue chalk from his pocket and starts drawing a weird design on the flagstone. Uh…okay…

Somewhat dazed, I watch him, confused by the crazy swirls and lines he’s drawing.

“I really don’t think we have time to be drawing,” I remark, frowning. “Seriously, what are you doing?”

He doesn’t reply, fixated on his strange design. Great. I’m being rescued by an artistic freak. Fantastic.

My ears perk at the sound of distant footsteps and voices. My mismatched eyes widen. Oh, shit.

“Bailey, I hear someone! What are you doing?!” I stand up, starting to get pissed. I don’t know how the hell how to get out of here and Bailey’s apparently too busy playing artist to help me!

“Calm down,” he hisses, frantically adding more lines and circles.

Oh, my God, I’m going to get kidnapped again.

The footsteps are getting louder and I’m getting more anxious.

“Hurry up! I hear them!”

Finally, he stuffs the bit of chalk in his pocket and stands up, running over to me. Grabbing my wrist, he yanks me over to the crazy design, pushing me onto it. I stumble forward as he moves next to me, arm wrapping around my waist.

“What the hell are you doing?!” I demand, voice high and disbelieving. Does he not understand that there are psychotic bank robbers after us?!

He still doesn’t answer, instead muttering under his breath. It doesn’t sound like English.

The sound of a door being thrown open startles me, and I look up to see three guys racing into the room. Oh, dear God!

“Bailey! We have to get out of here!”

I yelp when his nails dig into my side, obviously trying to get me to shut up. He’s still muttering.

“What do you think you’re doing?” growls a new voice, drawing my attention away from Bailey’s freckled face to the bank robbers in front of me. Gah! It’s the guy who kidnapped me!

I try and move back, but Bailey has a good hold on me. Evil dude steps forward and just as he’s reaching forward, my stomach suddenly drops and the world starts spinning. Dizzy beyond belief as colours swirl around my head, I clutch desperately to the redhead, scrunching my eyes closed. Oh, my poor head…. What the hell’s happening?!

The sudden stop makes my knees give out, and if it weren’t for Bailey’s arm and my death grip, I’d be crumpled on the ground. As it is, I’m slumped against the redhead, eyes still closed, stomach nauseous, and head spinning.

I think I’m going to throw up.

“You can open your eyes,” says Bailey, sounding amused.

Carefully, I squint open my green left eye, peering around me. We’re…outside a hotel? My blue eye blinks open as well and I slowly straighten, staring. Why are we at a hotel?

Please don’t tell me I just got rescued by a sex fiend.

The snow’s still falling and I shiver, shuffling in my socked feet.

Wait…

Socks?!

We didn’t get my boots. Then…

“Shit!” I exclaim, eyes widened in horror.

“What?” asks Bailey, pulling me toward the hotel entrance.

“My coat! I need my coat!”

He rolls his eyes. “We’re back to that, are we?”

“You don’t understand! I need it!”

“You can just get a new coat.”

I shake my head. “It’s not the coat! My pills are in it!”

He raises an eyebrow, looking at me. “‘Pills’?”

“Yes! Pills! Medication! Things I take!”

“Huh, I would’ve never pegged you as a druggy,” he drawls, pushing me through the revolving doors.

“I’m not a druggy! I need those pills!”

We’re in the almost empty foyer, large and airy and very rich looking.

“That’s what druggies say.”

“I’m not a fucking druggy!” I yell angrily, drawing the attention of the few people lounging around the foyer.

Bailey rolls his eyes, dragging me to the front desk. “Fine, whatever, just shut up.”

Before I can retort, he’s smiling brightly at the woman behind the desk, leaning one elbow on the smooth wood, his other hand gripping me hard around the arm. Ouch. Bastard.

“Hello. I apologize for my friend. We’ve travelled a long way, so he’s a bit cranky.”

She smiles back, obviously charmed by the redhead. Pft. Stupid woman.

“No problem at all. A room for two, I assume?” Her brown eyes flick between the two of us.

“That would be wonderful.”

She ducks underneath the desk, coming back up with a key-card.

“Here you are. You can pay when you check out.”

Bailey’s smile widens as he accepts the plastic card.

“Thank you very much.”

“You’re quite welcome. Enjoy your stay!”

He waves as we walk away, heading for the elevator. As soon as we’re inside and the doors have closed, the smile disappears and he sighs, leaning against the wall.

“This has been a long night.”

I’m watching him with narrowed eyes.

“I need my damn pills.”

“Well, what do you expect me to do? We can’t go back for them.”

“Why not? You got in there easily enough!”

He looks up at the ceiling exasperated. “It wasn’t easy, and now it’ll be damned near impossible.”

“Well, I need my pills!”

“Why?” he demands, glaring at me. “What is so important about those damn pills?”

My mouth snaps shut and I look away. There is no way I’m telling him.

After a minute of silence, he shrugs, looking away. The elevator dings as the doors slide open on our floor. He takes hold of me again, leading me out with him. What, does he think I’m going to make a run for it? I doubt I’d get very far.

We reach the door to our room, and Bailey slides the car into the slot, turning the handle when the light turns green. We step inside, the door shutting behind us, and survey our surroundings. Looks like we got a suite.

I’m suddenly tired.

I head for the door that I assume leads to the bedroom and pause. There’s only one bed. Okay, sure, it’s meant for two people. But there’s only one bed.

“Now what’s wrong?” Bailey asks, catching the look on my face.

Silently, I point to the bed, too horrified to speak. He shrugs.

“So?”

“I am not sleeping in the same bed with you.”

“Oh, for the love of— I’m not going to try anything, you paranoid freak!” he sighs, throwing up his hands as he stalks forward.

I watch him with narrowed eyes.

“How can I be sure?”

He flops down on the large, comfy looking bed.

“Have I tried anything yet?”

“You grabbed my butt.”

He rolls his eyes. “Completely different.”

Pft.

Seeing the hesitation still in my face, he sighs, shoulders slumping.

“Look, I promise not to try anything, okay? Seriously, I just want to sleep.”

Well…damn, he’s convincing.

“Okay. Fine. But you’d better not be lying.”

“I’m not. I promise.”

Finally, I decide that I’m just going to have to take his word on it. I mean, this is better than where I was before, right? Right. No bank robbers here. Nope. Just a creepy, redheaded, probably-not-human guy. Yup.

God, my life is screwed up.

Shuffling over to the bed, I sit on the side Bailey isn’t, and I crawl until I reach the pillows. Dropping back on them, I stare at the ceiling, listening to Bailey as he shuffles around, taking off his shoes and coat, and whatever else he doesn’t need right now. A moment later, he’s lying down, too, and it’s silent. I hate silence.

“So…are you, uh, going to bring me back to Aeryk and Sorrel?” I ask, quietly.

“Aeryk and Sorrel being the oversized carnivores you were with?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“Y’know, vampires. Oversized carnivores.”

I snort at that. “They aren’t carnivores. That whole thing about them just eating meat or whatever is all propaganda made up by Hollywood.” See? I learn. “Aeryk was eating a salad,” I add.

“They still drink blood. That’s pretty carnivorous in my mind.”

“Well…okay, yeah. That is kinda gross. But they haven’t tried to eat me, yet, and that’s a plus.”

He laughs. “I guess. So, did you want to go back to them?”

I gnaw on my lip, suddenly hesitant. “I don’t know…they did kidnap me…but they aren’t, y’know, that bad…”

“They kidnapped you, too? Jeez, are you the prince of some far-off country or something?”

“No…I saw Sorrel kill someone, so I guess he figured it’d be better to keep me close so I wouldn’t go to the police or something. And the bank robber…I have no idea.”

“Hm.”

I sigh, picking at the comforter. “Today’s been so weird.”

“Yeah, I guess it has.” He yawns, shifting around. “Why don’t we get some sleep and you can decide what you want to do in the morning, alright?”

I nod, liking that plan. Sleep! “Yeah, sounds good.”

“Alright. G’night.”

“‘Night.”

And for the second time in one day, I’m unconscious.

Still, I really need my pills.