05

After a few twists and turns, we stopped. I heard keys jingling. A moment later, I heard him unlocking a door, and then opening it.

« Welcome to my crib. Hope you enjoy your stay princess, it’s going to be a long one. » The kidnapper whispered, his tone holding a cynical edge to it.

I gulped as I realized I was being led into a kidnapper’s apartment as he undid the blindfold covering my eyes.

Reality hit me hard.

All at once, the panic, shock, and fear hit me like a high five.

In the face.

With a bus.

Filled with hippos.

Run.

That was the first thing to come to my mind.

Without thinking it through, I spun around and pushed my kidnapper back, catching him off-guard as he stumbled back a bit.

Which way had we come from again ? Was it left or right ?

Realizing I was being foolish for stalling even for a second, I took off down the hall going right.

I opened my mouth, getting ready to scream bloody murder to get the attention of other residents who lived here, when I fell.

No, it wasn’t my own fault for once.

I was being tackled.

I fell to the ground in an instant, the kidnapper’s body weight crushing me before I even got a chance to catch my breath.

I looked up into his eyes hesitantly, afraid of him getting pissed off and strangling me to death right on the spot.

But I was taken aback. Instead of his face being red and smoke coming out of his ears, and yes, I actually imagined that, he surprised me by laughing.

My kidnapper was laughing. At me. For almost escaping.

Nice.

What was so damn funny ?

Maybe my pants fell down while I was running…

I tilted my head to the right and looked past the crazy psychopathic kidnapper at my legs.

Nope, not my pants. He really is crazy. I should’ve figured when he pulled out a gun and pointed it to his head. Even though he knew it wasn’t loaded, there could’ve been an extra bullet in there…

I looked at him confused, and after he wiped away a few tears that had fallen from laughing so hard, he spoke.

« Oh god, that was hilarious. » He mumbled, shaking his head at me. « Highlight of my week. »

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, afraid that maybe if I talk he might burst out laughing. Or crying. Or both. It was very possible.

There was a pause as he just stared at my face, with a small smile.

Oh no. The first thing that came to mind when I saw his polite smile was something that rhymes with grape.

I shrunk back as he lifted up a hand and brought it near my face.

He was gonna knock me out.

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the blow, feeling helpless.

But it never came. I snapped open my eyes when I heard him start laughing again.

Oh god help me. I’d rather just die right now than put up with this crazy psycho.

« Um, excuse me Mr.Kidnapper ? Can you just kill me already ? You’re starting to freak me out… » I said quietly and uncertainty.

He let out a small chuckle.

Thank god he didn’t start laughing again…

« I’m not gonna kill you. » He said seriously, and I saw the truth in his eyes.

But then that must mean he’s planning on-

Noticing my sudden panic attack, he quickly added, « Nor will I harass you in any way. I mean no harm, really. » He assured me with a calm tone.

He means no harm ? Really ?

« Then why the hell did you kidnap me !? » I couldn’t help but yell out.

« I don’t know, I just felt like it. » He shrugged.

My jaw dropped as I stared at him in shock. Was he joking or was he serious ?

« You’re kidding, right ? » I asked hesitantly.

He simply rolled his eyes. « Of course I’m kidding. Even if I did do it just to amuse myself, I would have picked someone less… » He trailed off in thought.