CHAPTER 264: TAKEN IN SILENCE

Slowly, Abby began to open her eyes. A wave of pain washed over her almost immediately. She couldn’t quite tell where it was coming from, was it inside her head like a pulsing migraine, or was it on the outside, aching across her skull?

She instinctively tried to move her hands, maybe to touch her head or rub her tired eyes, but something was wrong, she couldn’t move them at all.

Are they tied right now? she thought, her mind sluggish and confused. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The moment she became aware of her mouth, she realized she couldn’t move that either. A strip of tape had been pressed tightly over her lips, sealing them shut.

Panic crept up her spine like icy fingers. Her wrists and ankles were both bound, making it so the only thing she could do was squirm and wiggle helplessly in place.

Her breathing quickened as she struggled to get her bearings, her mind racing to piece together what had happened. After a few moments, through the haze of confusion, she finally noticed her surroundings.

She was in the backseat of a car, but not the kind she would have expected after being kidnapped. No, this wasn’t a rusty old van or a beat-up sedan. The leather beneath her felt expensive, and everything from the soft hum of the engine to the sleek interior screamed luxury.

Turning her head slightly, she managed to catch a glimpse of the driver. He was built, broad shoulders, thick arms, the kind of physique that suggested power and control. Again, not at all what she would have imagined a kidnapper to look like.

He must have been the one who broke into my house, Abby thought, her pulse quickening. But why would he kidnap me... in my own home?

Wouldn’t kidnappers usually just snatch someone off the street? Not break into someone’s house, unless... unless they knew me.

The idea sent another jolt of panic through her chest, but despite the rising fear, her thoughts were trying, desperatelytrying, to be rational. To find something that made sense.

I was on the phone with Cindy... maybe she heard something. If she can’t get in contact with me, she’ll know something’s wrong. She’ll report it. She has to. Things are going to be okay... they’re going to be okay...

She kept repeating the words in her head like a mantra, clinging to the hope that someone, anyone, would notice she was gone.

Still, the situation was terrifying, and no amount of reasoning could silence the thunder of her heartbeat in her ears.

One thing she was surprised by was that she could still look out of the window. The glass was tinted, heavily, but from the inside, she could see the world passing by. Trees, buildings, signs... freedom, just on the other side of the glass.

But from the outside? There was no way anyone could see her.

She was hidden in plain sight. And that thought scared her more than anything else.

Do they not care that I know where we’re going? Or the location I’m being taken to... or have they already decided it doesn’t matter anymore?

The thoughts churned uneasily in Abby’s mind as the car continued down the quiet road. Eventually, the vehicle slowed and pulled into a large, open area where several hangars stood like silent metal giants. The further they drove, the more abandoned the city around them appeared. Cracked pavement. Overgrown weeds. Buildings left to rot. It reminded her of something out of an old military base or a deserted airport.

But then, as they turned a corner, things shifted.

The area they had just entered was not abandoned.

Vans were parked in neat rows. Groups of people moved in and out of buildings, some carrying crates, others speaking into radios. Abby’s breath hitched.

What is going on? she thought, her heart racing again. He’s taken me to a place with this many people?

Her mind reeled at the implications. Does that mean he doesn’t care if they see me... or worse, are all of these people in on it?

The panic that had just begun to fade now returned tenfold. This wasn’t just some random abduction. She was part of something, something much bigger than she had imagined. A sick feeling curled in her stomach.

And then she noticed something that made everything feel even more surreal.

Most of the people moving around were wearing military-style uniforms. Camouflage, black boots, earpieces, the whole look.

Wait... if the military is involved... then who’s going to come for me? Will I even be found?

Her stomach twisted, and her chest felt tight as fear took hold once again.

The car came to a stop. The man in the front seat, her captor, turned around slowly to face her. Their eyes locked. His gaze swept over her, not with cruelty or lust, but something else entirely.

It wasn’t creepy... in fact, it almost looked like guilt.

After a long moment, he let out a sigh and shook his head, disappointment flickering in his expression. Maybe disappointment in her, but more likely in himself.

Then he spoke, his voice firm and deep, the kind of tone that instantly demanded obedience.

"Before I take the tape off your mouth, I’m going to tell you a few things," he said. "If you understand, I want you to nod. Got it?"

Abby hesitated, then slowly nodded her head.

The way he spoke, it reminded her of those strict teachers who didn’t even need to raise their voice. They just looked at you, and you knew better than to push your luck. There was authority in his voice. Control.

"Good," he said. "While you’re here, screaming is useless. Every single person you saw out there? They’re part of the same group. No one is going to help you."

Abby’s heart pounded louder in her ears, but she stayed still, listening.

"As you probably noticed, we’re far from the city, far from anything, really. So even if you did scream, no one would hear you."

He paused to let that sink in.

"And if you try to run," he continued, "you saw how many people are around. You saw how many vehicles we have. It wouldn’t take long to find you and bring you right back."

Abby swallowed hard. She didn’t nod this time. She didn’t have to. Because everything he said... it was true.