Read Online Scarcity (Jack Randall #3) by Randall Wood - Free Book Online

She had examined its filthy sheets and blanket and discovered what could only be spots of blood on both. This had sent her into a fit of crying that she had somehow stifled so as not to anger her captors. She could not bring herself to sleep in the bed, and instead curled up on the floor in the corner of the room. What if they came in while she slept in the bed and took it as an opportunity to rape her? They were constantly drinking, and their voices would get louder the longer they did so. Occasionally an empty bottle would strike the door, sending waves of terror through her, but so far they had left her alone. The only questions they had asked were the names of her relatives, and as she answered them one by one, she heard the beeping of her cell phone as they looked the numbers up and wrote them down. After that they had ripped the remaining lengths of tape from her skin and stripped her down to her panties and shirt. They had laughed as she cowered in the corner with the towel over her head, crying and shivering in the night air.
    The towel sat on the floor next to her now, and she kept it within arm’s reach at all times. She had been warned to immediately cover her head when they knocked on the door and to stay that way until they left. Failure to do so could result in her seeing their faces, and that would mean a certain death. The radio was not to be touched and was on at all times, the constant noise serving to cover any noise she may try to make, as well as keep her nerves on edge.
    It worked too well. The previous day she had done nothing but sit in the corner and cry, rising every so often to vomit in the toilet. She retched until she could produce no more, her fried nerves and adrenal glands keeping the torture alive until she had finally fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion.
    A loud knock caused her to jump, and she quickly threw the smelly towel over her head before the last lock was thrown open. She heard two sets of feet enter. One stopped and the sound of the dish being collected was heard. The other crossed the room until they stopped in front of her. A hand suddenly grasped her arm at the elbow and she gave an involuntary flinch.
    “Relax, I’m not here to hurt you.”
    The voice was new, younger, and the hand was soft, not rough and callused as the others. A faint scent of aftershave met her nose, and his breath did not smell of alcohol. His hand moved into hers and she allowed herself to be pulled up to her feet.
    “I’ve brought you some gifts.”
    She allowed herself to be led to the bed, and she sat with apprehension on its edge. Was this to be when they raped her? Her hands trembled.
    “I know you’re scared, but you shouldn’t be. As long as you follow our directions, you’ll be fine. As long as your family pays, you’ll go free.”
    “Why are you doing this to me?” she whispered.
    “Your father has money, yes? We want it, that’s all,” the voice replied.
    The heavy footsteps returned, and the young man dropped her hand to stand.
    “That’s everything?”
    “ Si. ”
    “We’re leaving now. The water will stay on for another hour. I suggest you make use of my gifts.”
    She never saw the man’s gaze linger on her for a moment before he spun on his heel to leave.
    She heard them leave the room and waited until the last lock was thrown. She smelled it before the towel was off her head.
    Beside the door sat a plate of hot food and a large bottle of water. She examined it to find a large bowl of spaghetti and half a loaf of bread. An orange and an apple sat on the floor next to them. The water was still cold. Her mouth watered, and she ate as her hunger dictated and the food was soon gone. She forced herself to leave the fruit until later, and examined the contents of the box while she finished the bread.
    Another towel, this one clean. A toothbrush and toothpaste. A bottle of shampoo and a bar of men’s soap. A large and warm sweatshirt with a soccer team logo on the front. A pair