Falling For The Mafia Underboss

CHAPTER 2: TAKEN

Kelsi stirred in bed. She tried to open her eyes but couldn’t—her eyes seemed to be glued shut from dried tears of crying herself to sleep. She slowly rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed. It was already night time. She looked out the window and saw that it was raining slightly.

She got up, fumbled for the light switch in the dark, then went to her adjoining bathroom to wash her face. She stared at her ashen face in the mirror. She was a mess. Memories of the recent events came back to her—the memorial service and the clash with her uncle. She felt empty and drained.

She glanced at the wall clock on top of the mirror. 8:30 p.m. The house was very silent. All she could hear was the soft sprinkling of rain on the window and the rhythmic ticking sound as the hands of the clock counted the seconds.

It must be over, she thought. Everyone’s gone. She realized she was alone in that big empty house her grandfather left behind, and that agitated her a bit. She went back to her room and turned on the TV, cranking the volume up, to make herself more comfortable with the extra ambient sounds from the TV. She flipped it to the news and a female reporter showed up on screen.

“...meanwhile, on other news, yet another armed bank robbery had taken place in Gaunt City last night. Suspects are reported to be still at large. Things are looking bad for the local authorities due to the fact that it is the third bank robbery within the month, in which the perpetrators have successfully escaped...” The reporter’s voice droned on in the background.

Kelsi decided to take a shower instead of just washing her face.

After she was done, she put on her favorite worn out black hoodie and a pair of black lounge pants.

Perfect color choice, just like your mood, she thought bitterly. She brushed out the tangles of her hair furiously. At least she felt more comfortable now; the shower helped clear her mind.

All of a sudden, she heard a noise from downstairs, as if a window was slammed shut. She stopped moving. For all she knew, she could have imagined it since the TV was still on. She turned the volume down and tried listening again.

It’s probably nothing, Kelsi. It must be the wind. You’re being paranoid.

Just as she started to relax, she heard another noise. It sounded like muffled footsteps, as if someone was trying to walk silently. Kelsi grew afraid. There’s no mistaking it. She was sure someone was inside the house.

Oh s**t, oh s**t. I should have checked downstairs first if everything was locked!

She didn’t know what to do. She tiptoed to her door, making as little sound as possible, and checked the handle. Locked. She thought with relief.

She scanned the room, looking for any means of escape.

The window! But unfortunately, her bedroom was on the second floor and it was a long way down without any footholds or any way for her to get down without injuring herself.

She heard the footsteps slowly creeping up the stairs. She was now panicking. Think Kelsi, think! Under the bed maybe? No, the space was too small. She could not fit in.

The footsteps were getting closer to her bedroom.

The closet! She tiptoed as quickly and as quietly as she could to her walk-in closet and slowly opened the door. It didn’t creak.

Thank God. She closed it behind her and quietly moved to where her thick jackets were hanging. It was heavily full, partly because of her problem of not wanting to let go of anything she owned. She parted the clothes and crawled inside as deep as possible.

They can’t find me in here, Kelsi thought as she curled up into a ball and tried to cover herself with some of the clothing that fell on the floor. She held her breath.

The handle of her bedroom door jangled. The intruder was trying to get into her room!

Oh help! Please! Somebody, she thought desperately.

The handle jangled again. It’s locked! Please, go away! Go away! Kelsi had never before been more scared in her life.

The intruder finally stopped trying to open the door. The quiet that followed was deafening.

Are they gone? Please let them be gone.

Suddenly, a loud noise ripped through the silence, as if the bedroom door had been wrenched off from its hinges. Another loud noise followed as it crashed to the floor.

Oh no, oh no. They’re in! What do I do. Help me please! Somebody! Kelsi thought with horror. She was frozen in fear. The only thing that was moving was her hand fidgeting on her pendant unconsciously.

Who could possibly be there? Why is this happening? Are they burglars? If she just kept quiet they might not find her and leave after robbing the house. Or are they psychopath killers? She’d seen enough TV documentaries to know they exist in the real world. Am I going to die? All these thoughts raced through Kelsi’s mind as she dreaded what was to come.

Heavy footsteps entered the room. The intruder wasn’t trying to be quiet now, it’s all past that. She heard them walking around the room. She heard another door open, probably her bathroom door, as if the intruder was looking for something. The footsteps returned to her bedroom, very close to the door of her closet.

She heard a click, and a scratching sound—very much like the sound a radio makes.

“She’s not here,” a low gruff male voice said.

Kelsi became even more afraid. They are looking for me!

Another scratching sound, then a muffled voice could be heard coming from the radio.

“She’s got to be there. No one has left the house. I’ve been watching,” the voice said. “Did you check everywhere?”

“Yeah, she’s not in her room,” the intruder said. A short pause followed. “But wait, there’s a closet. She’s probably in there…”

Kelsi started hyperventilating. Her heart was pumping so hard in her chest, she could hear it. She felt her blood drain from her face. Her hands were so cold. She was very frightened.

Oh s**t, they’re going to find me. They’re going to kill me! I’m so dead. Oh please, oh please. Help me, God help me.

The door of her closet opened.

Kelsi closed her eyes and prayed. Her senses were heightened; she could hear every step the intruder took as he entered. She heard clothes being shuffled, or ripped off from their hangers as the intruder searched. The sounds came closer and closer.

Without warning, Kelsi heard the hanging clothes, where she was hiding behind, be pulled away violently. She looked up. A tall burly man was crouched in front of her; his face covered by a black balaclava.

“Found you,” he said.

He grabbed Kelsi by the arm and dragged her from her fetal position on the floor.

“No! No! Let me go!” Kelsi said frantically as she attempted to fight him. She scratched at him and kicked him as he was dragging her. But the man was too strong. She was brought to her knees and the man yanked both her arms behind her back, and tied her wrists together tightly with a heavy-duty cable tie.

Kelsi screamed.

“Help! Help! Somebo—“

Her screams were cut off as the man covered her mouth with his gloved hand. He had his whole body weight over her so she couldn’t move.

“Shut up!” He whispered. “Or I will kill you.”

Using his other hand, he grabbed a thick scarf from the pile of clothing strewn on the floor. He quickly wrapped it over Kelsi’s mouth and around the back of her head. He did this two times to make sure she couldn’t make any sound, then knotted it tightly on the back of her head.

Kelsi tried to scream but she couldn’t. The thick woven scarf did a good job of making sure she couldn’t talk. Eyes wide with fear, she turned to look at the man who was holding her captive, as she attempted to beg with her eyes. The man ignored her. He dragged her to her feet and started moving her out of the closet.

The man took out a small portable radio and turned it on.

“I got her,” he said to the receiver. “On our way out now.”

He continued to forcefully drag her by her arms as Kelsi tried to put up as much resistance as possible. She tried to free her hands, but they were tied so tightly together. Her attempts at trying to kick the man were getting weaker and weaker as it dawned on her that she was no match for him.

Oh no. Is this the end? she thought. Never in her life did she ever imagine she was going to die this way. Papa… Mom… Dad… I guess I’ll see you soon.

Kelsi hopelessly took one last look at her home as she was dragged down the stairs, to the front door. She glimpsed the family room, where the memorial service was held just a few hours ago. She remembered the little scuffle she had with her uncle—it seemed so irrelevant compared to what was happening to her right now.

Cold air rushed to her face as the main door opened. She quickly looked around, desperate for somebody to see her, to rescue her. But it was so dark. Rain clouds had covered the entire sky. She could barely see anything.

The man tightened his grip on her arms and gave her a push forward.

“Don’t try anything,” he muttered. “Or else.”

Kelsi stepped outside. She was barefooted. Her feet were so cold and painful as they splashed on the wet pavement. The rain was slowly soaking her hair and clothes as they moved to the open gate.

As they approached, she could see a black van with dark tinted windows parked across the road. The front window was rolled down; she could see another man, also wearing a balaclava, sitting on the driver’s seat.

The street was empty. They lived in a type of neighborhood in Salvadora where everyone owned big mansions and huge lots, which also had big gates around their properties, so unfortunately, Kelsi could not see anyone for help nearby. Plus it was raining, her neighbors were likely inside the warmth of their homes enjoying a good time together. Or sleeping. It was already late at night.

The man who was holding her gave her another push towards the van. As they were about to cross the road, Kelsi made a sudden decision.

With all her strength, she slammed her shoulder into the man’s jaw. The man was surprised; the grip on her arm loosened. That was all she needed.

Kelsi broke free and ran. It was difficult since both her arms were tied behind her back, and she was also barefooted and the wet road was slippery.

Someone, she thought, there has to be someone here!

She made it to about a couple of yards before she felt strong arms encircle her from behind.

“That’s it. No more playing around, Missy!” The man said angrily. His grip was now more painful as he quickly dragged her back to the van. He was half dragging, half carrying her. He didn’t care if her bare feet were scraping against the hard pavement.

As soon as they reached the van, the man slid the door open, then dumped her inside forcefully. He got in beside her and slammed the door shut.

“What the hell is this, B? Lost your touch?” the driver said as he laughed. Kelsi identified his squeaky voice was the one on the other side of the radio.

“Shut up,” the man beside her said, “Let’s go. We need to make the drop off. We’re going to be late.”

The driver started up the engine. He reached behind and handed something to the man beside her.

“Put this over her head,” he said.

Next thing she knew, she couldn’t see.

This is it, Kelsi thought sadly, I’m really going to die.