Taken

My eyes peeled open,

full of the sleepiness that

had held them together like glue.

I feel out of it.

Like I had taken too many drowsy meds.

But I didn’t….

…..Did I?

My thoughts were interrupted

by the rumble of a gravel road.

Gravel?

I’m in a truck…

I go to rub my eyes, but I….

I can't.

My hands won’t move.

A tightly weaved knot held my hands at bay

behind my back.

How did I not realize I was bound in a moving vehicle?

Blinking my eyes,

I try to take in my surroundings.

Its eerie, the darkness I see.

But I can make out two figures in the

front seat.

A man driving.

A woman staring out the window.

I try to speak, but can’t.

…Duct tape?

My heart begins to race as

I feel the pull of the tape

on my lips.

I look to the rearview mirror.

I can see my eyes full of terror in the reflection.

Because what once was my face…

…is now a bloody mess.

Tears form.

I watch the little droplets

mix with the blood,

little swirls of faint red

appear on my cheeks.

The man looks in the mirror now.

His eyes are cold.

Grey.

Dead.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

Turn my face

towards the window.

He slams on the breaks.

White knuckles grip the steering wheel.

“You’ve angered him.”

She says quietly.

Still facing the window.

I could hear my heart pounding.

I try my best to scrunch

myself into the

corner.

Making myself

as small as

possible.

“DON’T YOU HIDE FROM ME!”

He yelled.

Suddenly he’s at my door.

Thrusting it open.

Hinges snap.

Being pulled to the ground.

His hand has my hair

Wrapped around.

He throws me.

My back and elbows

break the fall.

I scream.

He laughs.

I slam my eyes shut

Just as his foot

comes flying

towards my

face.