Chapter 1: Taken.

Friday.

Day 1.

Issa.

I woke up that morning with a blistering headache, not quite able to remember much of the day prior. I didn't know just how truly insignificant all of that really was then, and that I was truthfully just utterly oblivious to what terrible events would begin to unfold for me and the people in my life after that day. 

I remember I had went to that stupid party my roommate dragged me along to. That was pretty much all I had to recollect from the night, other than I definitely got very drunk. And to make the situation worse, I was also sore as all hell, pretty much everywhere like I'd just run a marathon. What was up with that? 

I felt like I had miraculously just appeared here, wherever here was, like I had been asleep and was just somehow there now. I couldn't quite make out anything happening around me at all strangely enough. It made little sense, and I still thought I might still be totally asleep anyway. My vision was weirdly blurry as I stared around, trying to figure out exactly where I was, but failed miserably, as it wasn't familiar even the slightest. As far as I could tell, I was inside an old rusted out schoolroom, and damn was it creepy.

I wasn't the smartest girl in the world, but I also wasn't an idiot. As I looked around the room I was in and my sight eventually, yet slowly came back, it became increasingly clear how I had gotten here. I was taken here, kidnapped, with several other random people who didn't look even a tad bit familiar either. I could only think and hope that this couldn't possibly be real.

I have no memory of how I even got here. I was just here-sitting in a dirty, old desk, awaiting whatever was to become my fate with the rest of the strangers. That only gave me extra time to think about my train wreck of a life until then.

I was a struggling first year college student before all of this mess, and could actually make out that one of the people sitting in here with me is from the same school as me. That only creeped me out more.

I'd seen her at my dorms before, which was a weird coincidence. We never got the chance to talk then, but I always remembered feeling bad because nobody really liked her, but I was unsure why. All I knew was I was kidnapped along with her and all these people. The only difference between her and everyone else was that she didn't look scared at all, just like she was mad about something, which was kind of understandable.

I studied around the room feeling curious now, when I finally spotted the man standing next to the door, just observing us closely, like he was expecting one of us to do something for him any moment now. I could only assume he was our abductor, although he truthfully looked as destructive as a puppy.

The man is wearing a white, slightly oversized shirt, and looked to be about the same age as me, maybe older? Oddly enough, he even looked familiar to me, I just couldn't pinpoint it. Maybe he also went to my college? After seeing the other girl, I wouldn't be surprised if he did too. 

It was even weirder to admit, but he was very attractive, almost exactly my type. I hated the thought, so I swiftly shook my head, getting the image out of my head immediately, then I glanced down at the paper on my desk, just now noticing it. Next to it was a pencil.

Confused, I look around and see that the girl from my dorm was now drawing on hers, so without hesitation, I picked up the pencil and copied her, not knowing what else to do.

As I draw mindless scribbles, I listen to all the many sounds around me. There were two other girls and only one guy here with me. Everyone else is crying and frightened, except me and the dorm girl. And I had no idea why I wasn't terrified like I should be. I simply sat there drawing, being as calm and unbothered as I've ever been.

I knew what was happening was real, but it felt so strange, like it actually wasn't even real at all, and all I could do was treat it like the dream it felt like, not really caring much.

I looked back up to see the mystery guy now taking someone out of the room, a girl, not saying a single word as he did. After he eventually came back again the same thing happened again and he was grabbing the next person. He just tugged them up and led them to the large, creepy door. Each time he grabbed them, they would scream and flail their arms around crying dramatically. I quickly caught on that the guy is also as unbothered about them as I was, maybe a little apologetic as he took them from the room.

About an hour goes by as he takes more people outside the room until he finally comes back, leaving only me and the dorm girl left to tend to. Then, all he does is watch the two of us in the damp smelly room, both still drawing. This time, his dark eyes find me, and I finally feel the fear overcome me all at once.

He doesn't hesitate to walk over and put his hand on my desk gently, staring down at me, not manhandling me yet like I definitely expected. He just studied me harmlessly, not saying anything. I don't say or do anything either except draw, just like the other girl was. I don't even look up at him, like he wasn't actually standing right next to me, studying my every move. He was only observing me, so far.

Suddenly, the smell of the gross room was overwhelmed completely by the mans cologne next to me from his closeness, taking away the horrible smell. I hated that I was inhaling it deeper, enjoying the scent of the coconut and rain water scent he gave off. It definitely beat the smell of the rooms normal smell by a land slide.

After almost a minute, he finally speaks in a tender, calm voice, making me stop breathing all at once.

"Why aren't you scared of me?" The man stops and waits for my answer paitently, but I can't. I just sit there staring down at my drawing, covering it so he couldn't see what I now noticed to be the man standing above me. How had I drawn him and not noticed until just then? Oh god.

"I'll ask that again. Why. Aren't. You. Scared. Of. Me?" He says this in short, almost irritated, breathes now, ridding of his calmness suddenly. I finally looked up at him out of fear. I'm then looking up into his dark chocolate eyes spiking down into my greenish blue ones, attempting to intimidate the truth out of me.

Only his eyes don't scare me, and just like he had so cleverly pointed out, neither did he. And I didn't know why, I just didn't feel threatened by him, like I knew he wouldn't hurt me. Even if in reality I had no idea who he was. What was the matter with me?

As we sit there watching each other, this time he doesn't say anything more at my silence, he just simply begins to walk away. I didn't know why, but I hated seeing him leaving me, and I didn't want him to go away just yet. I wanted to know more about why I was here and who he is. Most importantly, I wanted to continue to hear the temptating unknown accent he had, as horrible as it felt to feel that way. It was European, but still sounded American at the same time as weird as it was. Maybe Welsh? I wasn't exactly sure, but it was alluring either way.

I finally gain the courage to speak, only to sound flattened and out of breath;

"I-I don't know." The man ubruptly stops, then halfway turns around to look at me with a smirk so deadly I got a chill down my back. He just stood there as he drew a hand through his hair slowly, then he sighed and looked upwards toward the tiled ceiling. His dark hair was just as chocolate-like as his eyes were, luring me in like prey. I was totally hypnotized in his presence despite knowing how wrong it was.

As he touched his hair, it became slightly fluffier, letting a small strand fall in front of his face to which he had to blow away. Seeing him struggle to get rid of it, I caught myself smiling up at him, but quickly stopped. But it was too late; he was eyeing me hard and caught my smile anyway.

He quickly flashed his intimidating smirk once more, then began to walk towards me again, slower than before. I stopped looking at him and paid attention to my drawing again, trying my hardest to avoid his eyes. As I do this, so does he. I sense him staring at my page, and I can only imagine what he will think about it. The words that come out of his mouth next are what finally startle me after all that's happened;

"You fancy me." This was said so confidently and matter-of-factly that I almost gasped aloud at the suddenness. His words don't scare me because it was a false statement, but because of the opposite.

He was right. I knew he was bad; he literally kidnapped these people along with me and had us in here doing god knows what, yet I was mesmerized by him. He was only staring at me then, clearly waiting for an answer, so swiftly I blurt out;

"I don't know what you're talking about-" I barely got the words out of my mouth; they came in a soft, almost whisper. The man began walking slowly again and was now standing behind me at my desk, looking entirely too amused by my skiddishness.

"I think you do know, though."

He was still behind me while I breathed out a small no, but before I get out the lie I was preparing to say, he places a gentle hand on my shoulder and I finally gasp breathlessly like I'd been wanting to this entire experience.

He didn't stop there; he then began dragging his hand across my back, down my spine slowly. Why was I getting chills? This man is a creep. He had kidnapped these people in here. He kidnapped me. I should feel disgusted.

What was he even planning on doing to us? I haven't been hurt yet, maybe he is just- Why the hell was I defending him now? It was my greatest weakness. I gave people too many chances and cared too much. And now I was even giving a psychopath excuses all because I am attracted to him. Great.

The man is still stroking my back, moving towards the front of my shirt now, getting closer and closer to cup around my neck, and I don't move an inch as he did. He finally gets where he wanted, and I close my eyes, then a small noise escapes my mouth unexpectedly. He does the same as if just as satisfied by the touch as I was.

Why am I not stopping him? I have a pencil I could easily use as a weapon. I could easily escape. Maybe not, though; I have no idea where I even am. Clearly an abandoned school that much is obvious, but not the location. How far could I really get? Hell, I was totally lost here.

I look over on my left to the other side of the room to see the girl I dormed with, forgetting she was even here with us. She simply sat there at her desk, just looking at us with wide eyes. She sees me looking at her and pulls away eye contact then continues on her paper, her blonde hair now in the way of her face, like nothing was happening.

What was her name again? Laney? It definitely started with a C or maybe-

I was deep in thought when I felt the mans hand slowly begin to go down to my shirt. I quickly grabbed the closest part of him to me that I could reach, which was his other arm, and squeezed it hard, not really sure what the point of it was. He isn't even a little affected; he just continues up my shirt.

I was wearing a white zip-up sweatshirt with a grey tank top underneath it, dressed like I was back in my bed, sitting lazily at home. He was ignoring the sweatshirt and going straight for my tank top. With my hand still gripping his arm, he takes it and slowly slides my sweatshirt down my shoulders finally.

Wait-finally? I didn't want this. At least I kept telling myself this, but I couldn't bring myself to stop him. I did want it. I didn't know this man, but I felt a burning hot temptation for everything he was doing to me. From the way he moved, down to his whole appearance, and even the way he was holding me.

I instantly stopped the way I was feeling when I suddenly remembered the mysterious dorm girl sitting across from me yet again and panic shredded through me. I abruptly pushed the man away from me and quickly looked over at her.

She isn't looking, but by the redness of her face, it's obvious she had noticed what was now happening over here. I looked up at the man and knew he had already caught on to what I was looking at. He takes a huge step back from me and suddenly shouts across the room loudly, making me jump.

"Hey. Get up." 

The girl jerks her head so fast in our direction I thought her neck might snap from the force. She doesn't hesitate to get up for even a moment as he speaks to her.

The man looked at me briefly, almost looking guilty, then he was briskly moving towards her to grab her. She surprisingly wasn't struggling as he held her, almost going willingly, looking pissed yet again. Then, the girl and the man take one last look at me and exit the room, leaving me alone. All alone with my guilt.

Why had I let him do all of this to me? Who was he, and why are all of these people here with me? I had so many questions that it almost hurt my head. Now that I was thinking about it, I had a massive headache forming more than was already there.

I reached back to the base of my head to feel a massive bump. I must've been knocked out to be taken here. What had I been doing the day before this? I wondered if I've even only been here for just a day. Maybe it was way more? The last thing I remember was going to that stupid party I really didn't even want to be at in the first place. 

I wouldn't say I was a study freak, but I had only wanted to study that day, not party. Any other day, I'd be fine with partying, but I had some finals coming up and needed to study. I guess now none of that really mattered anymore.

My roommate, Jo, insisted that I must go to this party because, her words exactly; "The most hottest guys are gonna be there, girl!" I was incredibly single and have been since highschool, so she had a point to try and get me out. But now I was in this situation because of it.

I wonder if she'd even noticed I was missing yet. Definitely not. She was always away at parties or with her boy-toys to even notice me most days, basically having a dorm room to myself. Now, none of that mattered anymore.

Forcing myself to think of something else, anything, I found myself looking around the room.

The abandoned school I was in did not look at all familiar. It was dusty and smelled like grass and dirt. There was a small amount of light leaking into the room. I don't think the light switches even worked, because the large lights above me weren't even on, we were just relying on the outdoor lighting, which was very minimal.

I looked down at my drawing of the man and felt sick. Why had I drawn him? The picture was an up-close sketch of the side profile of his face. I'd been going to college, learning how to animate, but haven't been doing the greatest. The only thing I had going for me was being able to draw some things, which was honestly upsetting.

Really, I didn't even want to go to college. My parents both forced me to go straight out of highschool. I wanted to enjoy life before I turned 21, like most of my friends had done, and now I was already 21 and definitely haven't done that, at all.

I hated how, in a weird way, I felt almost thankful for being here. It was a huge distraction from my real boring life. At least this was exciting. I quickly stood up, wanting nothing to do with that thought ever again.

Before I even noticed, I'd found myself walking over to the window fumbling away at it trying to open it as an escape. It was no use, they were all locked. It made sense, I mean why would he just leave us alone in here with windows wide open so we can just leave? It couldn't just be that easy.

I barely had any time to react when I heard the doorknob handle behind me swivel a little then the door swung open and the man walked in swiftly. First he looked for me at my desk, then when he found me by the window instead he just looked at me standing there, not looking as angry as I expected. He just stared me down.

Quickly he snapped out of it and shut the door behind him, then started to walk towards me. I backed away closer to the window, scared again, but was only stopped by the wall, now pressed against it and unable to get away.

While he was just a couple feet in front of me, he stopped with a long sigh, then he was saying; 

"Hi, I'm George."

Completely astonished, I only looked at him, saying nothing back. 

"Why are you just standing over there?" His accent was mesmerizing. I was just American, slightly Irish, but no hot accent along with it, annoyingly. I snap out of it and realize I hadn't replied yet. What was I supposed to say to him? Let him know I was going to try to escape out the window? Yeah that would go over just swell.

"Why do you think?" I stupidly said. I was going to die here looking like an absolute idiot, and better yet, in my pajamas.

He didn't say anything, he didn't even look upset. He just kind of sat there looking at me completely all over. I leaned more against the wall, crossed my arms then looked down at the ground, uncomfortable now.

I felt ashamed I had only minutes ago let him touch me. He had on grey sweatpants to safely match his white shirt. I was now only wearing my tank top and some baggy plaid pj shorts. I couldn't help but giggle to myself as I rediscovered what I was wearing.

This was what I chose to wear to the party. I remember thinking that day that if I was going to go to the party that night, I was going to dress comfortable and how I wanted to. Maybe that was why I was still single. Definitely.

"Are you gonna tell me your name then?" George sounded alot less mean like he had earlier to the other prisoners. I finally manage to talk but it comes out with way too much attitude;

"What? Like you don't already know? I mean you kidnapped me so clearly you're some stalker." Why was I being so mean? He could easily hurt me right here if he wanted. I shouldn't get on his nerves, but I was, for some reason, very irritated right now. Probably at myself for being such a hoe-bag a little bit ago with him.

He didn't get mad at all, instead he giggled a little then said;

"Well-I actually wouldn't know your name because I didn't kidnap you. You can blame all that on-my boss." After that line, he dropped his smile and became very serious looking.

"I'm sorry you got dragged into this. And I'm sorry about earlier-I really don't know what came over me." He was scratching the back of his head and kicking at a dust pile on the floor, obviously ashamed of himself. Join the club.

"That can't happen again. If I get caught, we'll both get in trouble." I ignored him like he hadn't just spoken and ask;

"Why am I here?" I was getting more and more angry as he spoke. As if he even had to point out that it couldn't happen again? Of course we wouldn't be doing it again, not in a million years.

"I shouldn't be talking to you at all you know. Like I said, I wish you didn't have to be here. I don't want this-" I cut him off feeling my temper getting the best of me, then half-yelled at him;

"Then get me out of here! I'm sure you easily could!" He rolled his eyes at my sass and smirked his sexy grin again. Then, obviously very sarcastically, he says;

"I'm okay to yell at. If it was my boss on the other hand, you wouldn't look so hot right now."

"I'm so glad this is humorous to you. I guess I just don't get the joke." George stopped smiling yet again, took my arms firmly in his hands, then looked me straight in the face, only inches away.

"I'm trying to help you." I could smell his cologne again. It wasn't the time or place, but I started to wonder how good I smelled at the moment. How long had it been since my last shower? Eesh.

I looked him back in the eyes and as firm and calm as he said it to me, I repeated;

"Then get me out of here." He dropped my arms from his hands and stepped away, sighing loudly. I stepped away from the window finally and walked back over towards my desk I was sitting in earlier, finding it strangely comforting now. I took the drawing I had made in my hands and showed it to him. He looked at me in understanding of my question then said;

"It's a thing my boss does. He thinks stressful situations make people more creative. Some people. Apparently you qualify as one of those people. That's really good." Now the paper kind of made sense, although it was still weird as hell.

"So, what? He's looking for artistic people? Just go to a damn museum, plenty of things to just steal there." George laughs, but I could tell he wasn't amused by what I said whatsoever.

"Yeah, but it's not that easy. He wants people who will make things for him, specifically the way he wants. Originals, you could say." George says this a little quiter than he was originally speaking.

"So he's using us to make pieces to sell?" Why was he actually telling me this stuff now? Nothing made sense. I was annoyed that our conversation was getting a little too casual sounding, like we were best buds suddenly. I just wanted to leave and never see this place again.

"Everyone here had different skills. You clearly have this special perk about you." George gestured to the picture of himself I was holding, then took it from me and examined it closer.

"He takes something unique about a person then profits off of it." Why would he just want me to make stupid drawings? Out of everyone here, I was probably easily the most talentless.

"All I can really do is draw a little. Why does that make me special?" George quickly looks back up at me and makes a funny expression, like I was stupid for what I just said.

"Are you kidding? You can do more than that. I've read your file, 'Animaniac', as my boss calls you." George air-quoted over the very stupid and unoriginal name. It takes me a minute to realize really what he had just said.

"How does he know I can animate? And my names Issabelle, not whatever the hell you just said." He smiles when I say my name, like it was his first time hearing the specific name in his whole life.

"You know, it's not really all that bad here, Issa. As long as you listen to the boss, you'll be treated okay." He shortened my name like we're best friends who've known each other for years, almost making me smile back at him.

"Why do you say it like that? Like you're also being held captive here?" Georges face turns upset looking real fast.

"That's it, isn't it? You were taken too?" I was beginning to feel bad for him, then realized he was helping whoever exactly 'the boss' was, with all the other people who were also taken here.

"Then why the hell are you helping him? What's wrong with you?" George instantly looked away from me, obviously shameful of what he's been doing.

"It's not like I'm the one who went out and kidnapped everyone. I just bring people in and out of the room every once and awhile." He still didn't look proud of his self. I wish I knew what it was about him that was drawing me into him so much. No matter how hard I tried to stay angry at him, I couldn't.

I quickly let out a much needed exhale and attempted to not sound as angry with him as I spoke this time;

"So, why is it you're helping do this then? What are you getting in return? I hope it's not just because you're insanely bored." He chuckled at that, then added;

"No, I guess not." Then his smile faded instantly as he added even more.

"I get to keep in contact with friends and family as long as I do this for him." It was starting to make more sense now. I could tell this wasn't easy on him, so I decided to try and change the subject, also hating how casual kidnapping people was sounding between us.

"So, George? What is it you do here that makes you so unique, besides fondling random girls you just met?" I don't think I had ever seen someone's face get so red so fast. George was instantly backing away and sliding down against the wall, then he was sitting down and putting his head in his palms. I sat down next to him. He was chuckling awkwardly to himself, clearly embarrassed.

"I am actually so sorry. Like I said, I don't know what came over me-" George stops for only a moment to look over at me, clearly realizing something as he smirked back at me.

"But hey, you didn't exactly stop me. You literally were pretty much begging me for it. What's your excuse?" There was no hiding it now from how close he was to me. I knew he saw my face turn the exact shade of red his was as he spoke nothing but the truth to me. If I was next to a tomato right now, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Then just like that, I was blurting out anything to fill the awkwardness surrounding us, only making things worse.

"Okay, okay, point made. I guess my excuse is I've been single for a couple years now since highschool. So-uh, yeah." Why, just why, did I tell him that? Go ahead and tell him your lifes story while you're at it. I might as well tell him every little embarrassing detail about myself. Ugh, way to go me.

He made me feel better by laughing. His laugh was amazing. It was almost villainous. But in the best way.

"I guess it's too bad we didn't go to highschool together then, I would've put you out of your misery and dated you." He was looking directly at me, but I was purposely avoiding eye contact.

It wasn't like it was news that he found me at least a little attractive after all he literally just did to me not too long ago. But it was still nerve wrecking to hear someone say they think you're attractive, especially when it was someone as gorgeous as George was. I then felt him brush his thumb against the top of my hand and I felt a million butterflies shoot through my chest in an instant. Ugh.

I got up quickly from the floor, trying to ignore his touch, then shot him a look, trying hard to change the subject any way possible once again.

"Hey um, aren't you supposed to like, take me somewhere? I don't know exactly how this works, but I'm assuming, just by observing everyone else, I was supposed to get taken away awhile ago?" I wasn't excited to go where I was going next, but I didn't know what else to say in this situation.

Now was Georges turn the shoot up from his spot on the floor. But this time he wasn't very happy looking. In fact he looked like he might puke. Thankfully he didn't, but he did pull me towards the rusty door and say frantically;

"Crap! Yeah you should've been there awhile ago. I'll make up and excuse. It'll be fine." George takes a step then ubruptly stopped right before the door, staring me down again, like he wanted to say something to me but couldn't quite get it out.

I knew I'd probably regret this decision later, I most definitely would, but I didn't know when the next time I'd see him would be. I barely knew him, I literally didn't know anything about him at all, for all I knew he was really my kidnapper, but that didn't matter to me right then.

Everything happening still felt eerily-unreal, like I could do whatever I wanted right now and not have to deal with the consequences.

So that's what I did. I don't take another second to think as I pulled George, the stranger I had just met, down to my level and planted a harmless kiss on his cheek.

I had to stand on my tippy toes to do it because he was so much taller than me. He must've been a towering almost 6" something, while I was a puny 5"3'. Our height difference soon didn't really matter, because he was quickly pulling me up and kissing me back, only on the lips this time.

I was so caught off guard I almost didn't kiss him back at first, but when I finally managed to kiss him back, I never wanted to stop kissing his lips. I didn't know this man, but the familiarity I had looking into his face drew me in more. Maybe it was the pity I felt for him also being trapped here like I was that made me kiss him back. Whatever it was, we were too far to take it back now.

But I didn't really want to take it back, George felt safe, and I felt safe as he held me close to him, even if he was just a stranger. I definitely didn't regret it at all.

He was the one to finally break apart the kiss to unbelievably state;

"To answer your question from earlier, I stream. So, yeah-" All I can do is stare at him with big disbelieving eyes and laugh. Glad that was his first thought after our kiss, like we hadn't just kissed at all. I had almost forgot I even asked him what he did here at all.

"Oh, wow. And I can see you kind of have a big head about it too, huh?" He awkwardly grins and rubs his head, knowing I was right and didn't have any kind of excuse for me.

"I think it's cute." He quickly goes from embarrassed to smiley within seconds, then George was kissing me on the forehead, rekindling my heart fluttering even more than it already was.

"You really do need to go, I'll see you soon though. Again, I'm sorry you got dragged into this mess." And just like that, my faux happiness drifted away as his words fully sunk into the situation.

That this was indefinitely all real, and I was going to be locked up here like a prisoner, working for a man so addicted to riches he resorted to kidnapping people for it. I was stuck here.

Then George was opening the door, leading me out. All I could do was dread what was to come next as we began making our way into the rest of the abandoned school, still feeling a sense of derealization as we stepped out into the hallway.

My new home.