Imprisoned in the night I

I just lay there. Dark. Disoriented. A cushion under my cheek. Smooth. My body leaden. I didn't know how long I just lay there. My head weighed tons, too heavy to lift. I felt glassy. My skin, ice-cold. Shadows flitted past me. Thoughts flickered, lasting only a split second, blurring just as quickly, getting lost, vanished.

A voice came closer, it sounded harsh, annoyed. I didn't understand the words, they slipped away without leaving an aftertaste. A shadow hung over me. Disappeared. Several voices. I tried to concentrate. To catch scraps of the conversation. Again and again they drifted away. Whatever I had wanted. It got stuck in my throat.

Somehow I managed to open my eyelids. Bright light burned in my eyes. My eyelids fluttered. Until the lights flitted on. Seats covered with white leather. A narrow aisle just beyond. A man. Directly across from me. His gaze cold, lurking. Always directed at me. We stared at each other, I didn't know how long. There were only his green eyes in my gaze, hypnotizing, smothering. I couldn't hide.

"Did you have some sweet dreams, Sleeping Beauty?" It took hours for his words to get anywhere inside my head. Only a groan escaped me. A thin fur was on my tongue.

A friendly grin broke out on his face. It didn't reach his eyes.

"How are you feeling, Principessa? You've been snoozing for most of the flight."

Flight? My eyes slid over Mr. 22, straight to the oval window. It was dark. There was nothing but blackness and the flashing red lights.

I was trapped. Somewhere in the air. No way out except free fall. Suicide mission, like a kamikaze plane. Where were we flying to anyway?

I closed my eyes, thoughts flooding my mind. Images drowned me. My lungs tightened. Maybe death was the better choice after all.... Would I be raped? Mutilated?

He had me trapped... Again.

He would take what he wanted...

And then sell me.

ADDY! - the only living thought made it to the surface, between all the roaring waves. Addy? Panic. My chest tightened. Please! Please! My eyes searched obsessively. The surrounding seats were empty. Addy? No! Oh, one. Where had they taken him? Cold fear roused me completely from my stupor. I had to find him! Now! Immediately!

I had to find him!

I had to find Adrien! No matter where he was!

Otherwise, I was going to lose my mind!

I was in a luxurious private jet. A woman in a light blue uniform, strongly reminiscent of the sixties, stood at the very front of the aisle. Her blond hair was neatly pinned at the nape of her neck, tall and slender was her silhouette, resembling more a model than a stewardess. She smiled, nodded, and passed a glass over to a hand, a dark one, the entire back of it covered with curly black hair, a thick gold watch peeking out from under the gray jacket sleeve.

I could only see three people. Maybe there were more, besides the pilots. Perhaps lurking behind the seats, the restroom, or some other place of privacy in this private airplane.

But Addy, of all people - there was no trace of him.

I wanted to scream. Scream - where is Adrien!

My lips were glued together.

"He's safe." His gaze indifferent, as if he were talking about whatever object. "Can Principessa move?" He tugged at the black tie, loosening it until he could undo the first button of the white shirt. A crescent-shaped scar snaked across his collarbone, the skin all red, like parchment. It seemed, somehow, burned in. Strange. The black suit, fit like a glove, emphasizing his sleek elegance. Suited him better, for some reason, compared to the baggy clothes of that morning. More gallant. Wrinkle-free. With the shiny patent leather shoes. His hair neatly tied into a chignon at the nape of his neck. Perfect. Ready for a meeting in one of those glass skyscrapers.

"The cushion is really comfortable. I thought maybe I could enjoy it a little longer!", I hissed, trying to put at least some harshness into my voice. Didn't really work. As usual.

"Of course. Knock yourself out. We'll be landing in half an hour."

"Where's Adrien?!"

"Safe." Slowly he bent down to me. "Not a hair on the little guy's head. My employer cares a lot about him."

"Then you can take me to him!" Firmly and sharply. I was not in the least reassured by his answer. Panic reached a new high. I forced myself to concentrate. "Who gave you this fucking assignment." Who wanted me and Addy. How did all of this connect? Why Addy? I didn't understand.

"I wouldn't call him shitty. He's quite lucrative. I never thought there would be so much charged for Principessa's head."

"Who's paying! I can pay more."

"I don't think so. Your account is hit by the drought years."

"In four years the fat years will arrive. I can pay then. Any price. All you have to do is let me and Adrien go."

"Four years is quite a long time, with no guarantee at all. Besides, I'm a very impatient man."

"I can give you everything you desire in four years."

"Indeed one of my clients you could surely outbid, - but the other...? No, even you cannot pay that price." Smoothly he shook his head, brushing his neck, lost in his thoughts. He was playing with me.

"I don't want to upset him. He's pretty furious, you know, and he's got a bone to pick with you." Abruptly he stood up.

"There's a second client?!" I yelled after him.

"You should calm down. Gerard de Rochou appreciates it when his women are submissive. At the wedding, I would recommend your most submissive side. To enjoy a good start into your married life. They say he is quite hot-blooded in bed." There was mischievousness in his gaze, before turning away, leaving me alone in the horror of my mind.

Desperately, I tried to brace myself on my arms. What the fuck! This had to be a fucking joke? Rochou! Not him!

My body was stuck on the cushion. My muscles numb. Did not listen to my inner cries. I had to move! I had to get out of here...now!

I wasn't allowed... I couldn't! Not him!

Where was Addy! What the hell was Rochou doing with him? Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!

Mr. 22! I wanted to run after him. Offer him a better deal. Yelling at him - he couldn't do that to me! Wishing, that was all just a cruel joke! Had to be!

Alexandre wasn't the client... Rochou was. Of course! My stomach was churning. No! God... please, no!

Not him!

I had to save us from that bastard!

I had to save us from that bastard! Escape. Escape the horror. Somehow. I didn't know how yet. All I knew, I still hoped. Hoped to run. I couldn't fight, only run. I would get out of here. Somehow. I always found a way. No one would take away my freedom...