Chapter One
Emily couldn’t have picked a worse night to go to the mall. Not only was it pouring torrential rain, bordering on typhoon but Christmas was only seven days away and the parking lot was insanely crowded. Emily drove slowly hoping someone would serendipitously leave but as she snaked through the parking lot the chance of getting a close spot was getting smaller as she moved further away from the mall. Emily told herself this was her own fault. This was what she got for procrastinating. Not only did she have zero Christmas shopping done but her niece’s birthday was tomorrow and showing up empty handed to the party was not an option. She needed to walk out with a birthday present before the mall closed.
She resigned to parking in the overflow lot and even though it was packed she found an empty space and parked her car. Emily stared at the deluge of rain hitting her windshield. At least I’m not made of sugar. She tried to think positive and psyched herself up as she grabbed her umbrella. Just get Lily’s present and worry about Christmas presents on Monday. Emily had the entire week before Christmas off from work so that chore could wait a few more days. Lily’s present couldn’t so Emily hoofed it to the entrance. She loved Christmas; she just hated shopping and the weather. Georgia rain could be a pain but this was ridiculous. She was soaking wet and cold. Emily stepped under the overhang and shook out her umbrella before stepping inside the mall. Orange caution cones were out with little signs that read ‘Wet Floor’. Yeah no kidding people. Wiping her feet as best she could on the floor mat Emily gingerly made her way through the crowd into the mall and towards the toy store.
She was on a mission, in and out. Ugh. She tried to ignore her wet feet as her socks squished in her boots. Now that she was inside among the masses she was sweltering hot under her coat, but taking it off would slow her down. Emily did her best to ignore her wet socks and the growing discomfort under her coat and moved with a wave of people into the toy store, making a beeline for the arts and crafts isle. While she had procrastinated, Emily had come prepared. Her older sister Kristin mentioned Lily was really into some fashion show now, so Emily was excited to get Lily a children’s sewing machine.
Grabbing the model that came with starter fabric Emily was already devising a plan to stop at the fabric store for Lily’s Christmas present. Yay, at least I know what I’m getting one person for Christmas. Dodging shopping carts and crying children Emily got into the long line and made her purchase. Making her way back through the mall towards the parking lot Emily gazed longingly at the corndog stand. She hadn’t had dinner yet and she loved that place but the line was obscenely long and even though her stomach growled she wanted to get out of there. Her corndog and lemonade would have to wait until next time.
Emily grumbled a bit before opening her umbrella. The rain was coming down just as hard as it was before. She didn’t want to go back out there but she tucked the plastic bag in tight and started walking as briskly and as she safely could through the lot towards the overflow parking, praying people could see her through their windshields. She didn’t want to become a hood ornament. Jesus. The rain was coming down so hard the water weighed her umbrella down so she used it like a shield as she jogged the rest of the way. This was all going to be so worth it when Lily opened her present and Emily couldn’t wait.
Squinting through the rain Emily tried to find her car. She’d been in such a hurry to get inside she’d forgotten to glance at what section she’d parked in. With the yellow fluorescent lights and water drops bouncing off of them, the cars were the same color but she was pretty sure she was going in the right direction. Emily fumbled with the bag and her umbrella as she clicked the button on her keychain praying for a flash of yellow. Oh thank god, there you are. She clicked it again to be double sure and was relieved when the blinkers lit up again. Hurrying to her car she opened the rear door setting the wet bag on the floor before shutting it and opening the driver’s door. She’d just closed her umbrella and was sitting down when a strong arm wrapped around her neck pulling her back and out of her car. What the hell?
Completely caught off guard, the change in her momentum threw Emily off and she tumbled back unable to stop herself or the person who’d grabbed her. She sucked in her breath but her scream was muffled when her nose and mouth were covered by a noxious scented cloth. No! This isn’t happening! She struggled in earnest but her movements became sluggish as everything faded into nothing.
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Emily’s head was spinning. She blinked opened her eyes but there was nothing but inky darkness. What was in her mouth? Oh my god. Her eyes widened in horror, she’d been gagged. She moved her arms and legs and found her wrists and ankles were bound. Emily’s heart raced as her foggy mind tried to remember where she was. The steady whir of the road surrounded her and her world bounced, her cheek rubbing against carpet. She was in a trunk. Fear and panic bubbled over and Emily screamed, her chest heaving as she screamed over and over, the sounds muffled by the fabric covering her mouth.
She didn’t want to die but Emily was realistic about her situation and she already missed her family so much it hurt. And that made her angry. How dare this person try and take her away from them, from her life. No! Even though Emily was bound she could still move. She scooted forward towards the front of the trunk really wishing she’d watched more of those survivor shows. She had no idea what she was searching for when she tried to feel for a latch or anything that would open the trunk. Tears welled and her throat tightened when she found nothing. Swallowing Emily changed tactics, she needed a weapon but she soon found she was the only thing in the trunk and her heart dropped.
She bounced as the car turned onto an unpaved road and Emily let the tears well over, gritting her teeth when the ride became bumpy and never ending. Where in the hell was he taking her? The car finally stopped and she sucked in a breath, her heart ready to beat out of her chest. Despairing she scooted frantically backwards plastering herself to the back of the trunk trying to get far away as possible from her only exit. Please let this be some kind of sick joke, but she couldn’t imagine anyone who would do something like this to her even as a prank. She was a third grade teacher, she didn’t have any enemies. She had no logical explanation for what was happening right now. The trunk opened and Emily was blinded when a bright light flashed in her face.
“Well, hello there pretty girl. Look who’s awake.” He giggled.
Not recognizing his voice, Emily blinked trying to make out who was speaking but he was just a black spot above the flashlight. She tensed when he grabbed her coat and pulled her towards him. She bucked backwards but he easily lifted her from the trunk.