His Twisted Addiction

"Mari don't forget your lunch! " I reminded her as I rushed to give her the lunchbox. She stood by the front door about to leave. " Thanks, Reena." she said as she took it from me put it in her bag. "Did you remember to put all your books?" "Yes, mum." she said mockingly. "There's no need to worry." I smiled at my little sister. "I'm only reminding you because you always forget things." "The bus is coming soon, bye Reena." she said as she opened the door. Then I remembered something last minute. "oh remember I'll be late tonight as well so here's the spare key." I said as I took a key out of my jogger trousers and handed it to her." Instead of using the bus you can come back with Jessica and her mum in the evening okay? " "Okay." she responded as I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "Bye." she said as ran out of the apartment and headed for the bus stop. Mornings were always so chaotic and hectic for us. Left alone in the apartment I quickly began to prepare myself for work. It was a day like any other, wake up at 5am, make breakfast as well as lunch for Mari to school. About an hour later I was ready for work. Checking my bedroom mirror one last time I checked myself. I wore simple black trousers and a white shirt. My dark brown was tied in a neat bun, my big brown almond shaped eyes had eyeliner and my tan skin had a little bit of concealer on it and make up minimal and professional. I locked the door and headed for work. Catching a bus I went from the suburbs to the main business district. Once the bus reached my stop I walked a few minutes till I reached Cafe Lux a popular Cafe in the city that served coffees, teas and sandwiches. It also happened to be the place where I worked. I rushed in and prepared to begin. My shift started on a busy note taking order after order in the barista position. It was rush hour around this time from 9 to 10 am with everyone one in the business district grabbing a coffee before heading to work. "Your name sir?" I asked one customer after having taken down his order and now wanted to write down his name on the coffee cup. "It's Peter." He responded. As I started to write it down; "make sure to add your number as well." He then added with a smirk. The man appeared to be in his early 30s, dressed in an expensive suit. I was often hit on when I worked, mostly getting asked for my number and to go on dates. I was used to it now though. I simply ignored the mans comments as I finalized his order and told him with a warm smile "Your order will be ready in a moment you can wait at at the collection point." "Come on now don't be like that. Give me your number, I promise I can show you a good time." I internally cringed at his words but maintained my smile at him. Another thing I noticed as I handed his order receipt is he had a ring on his finger. "Please sir, there are others waiting to order." I politely told him. The others in the order line also began to complain for to go to which he eventualy gave way. I quickly excused myself to the next customer waiting to order as I went to hand the cups from the last 4 orders to the kitchen so they could prepare them. I entered the kitchen and placed the cups down on the kitchen table. "There you go again seducing men." Someone then said from behind me. I turned to see my coworker Cassidy one of the order preparers in the kicthen. I let out a tired sigh as I prepared myself for whatever bullshit she was about to say. "That guy seemed pretty well off too unlike the broke college boys that you usually flirt with. You should have given him your number." She scoffed. "Maybe he'd sweep you off your feet and take you away from this cafe. Giving uneducated bimbo like you a chance at a better life. " I only stared at Cassidy as she was ranting, it was typical of her to complain whenever I got hit on. Essentially, blaming me for getting attention that I didn't ask for? I never commented when she spoke nor did I try to defend myself. Cassidy was the type of person who was quick to make their own conclusions about things without fact checking. No matter what I said she wasn't going to listen to me. There was no point in trying to talk to someone like that. "Cassidy hurry up, are you picking on Reena again?" Josh the other preparerer in the kitchen called for her to come back. "Reena people are waiting to order." The other server, Emily, at the ordering table called for me too come back as well. "Coming."I told her as I made to go back. I turned away from cassidy ignoring her completely to which she clicked her tongue, then I went back to taking orders. The line slowly got shorter as time passed allowing my co-workers and I a bit of a break. The next chaotic period would be at lunch so I intended to rest before then. In between taking the now gradual orders, cleaning the order desk Iwas also watching the tv that was placed on the wall of the cafe was adjacent to the ordering counter. It was tuned in to the local city news channel. "We now continue the story of two men who found dead in a car near the Warich Port. The city of Greenhaven is once again shaken by another mysterious murder. "We all know they aren't going to investigate anything." Emily commented from the other ordering till she was also watching the Tv. "Nearly every week someone gets killed they say they're investigating and then we never hear an update about the case again from them..." She continued in frustration. I stared at her as she spoke. As crazy as it sounded it was true. Greenhaven was a town notorious in the country for being "run" by gangs. The conspiracy was that the police and the city governer had all been bought out by the gangs which is why all these crimes were taking place with little to no investigations being done. The gang vilonece was scary and it was especially dangerous to move around at night which is why I told Mari to come home with her friend instead who gets collected by her mother. "...How much more gang violence is gonna happen? ..." Emily continued venting as a customer walked in. It was getting awkward because she wouldn't stop and there were customers eating in the cafe who could hear her. "I'll take his order." I said to the man "You girls better be careful when moving around alone. A lot of young women are also missing these days." Our manager warned as he noved around. Cassidy scoffed before looking at me knowing Reena she'd probably seduce the kidnapper like the slut that she is. "Cassidy knock it off." Josh told. "What is wrong with you?" Emily also scolded her. You pretty women are so lucky you can get swept off your feet by wealthy men and live a carefree life for basically existing. Giving us uneducated bimbo a chanceAnd yet you won't use your priviledge. If I were you I would have left this s**t low paying job long ago. Sometimes I wonder if you do it to insult me." she spat out I'd have her know I barely think about her but whatever. I felt I knew what Cassidys problem was with me. Unlike, Josh and Emily who were college students and worked here on a part time basis, Cassidy and I were full time workers our livelihoods depended on this job. I didn't exactly know her personal situation but like me she couldn't go to college due to finances. We were in the same boat. However, she felt because I was "pretty" and often got attention from men and thought The thing is I once had gone out with a customer, he was handsome and wealthy. Everything that Cassidy always barked about I thought this man was that. But its really not like that. It's not as easy If anyhting I regreted that relationship. I was always told I was so pretty and beautiful I can have any man I want yet so far I'd just been attracting creeps that hit on me. As we reached the closing time of 8pm we began to prepare the shop for closing. I left after my my duty of today to clean the eating area.On my way back I was thinking of what I was going to make for Dinner with Mari. I caught the bus to go home. I checked the messages on my phone and saw a message from Mari. I'm at home now. It read. Good. I hope you finished your homework. I texted back I'm doing it right now. Good girl. Make sure all the doors are locked by the way. Dropped off at my bustop I followed the sidewalk and was making my way to my apartment complex. I debated whether I should pass through the grocery store and get a few items. I was tired and wanted to sit down. It was then that I hadn't realized a car coming up from behind me on the road. It rushed ahead and stopped not far from me. I was brought out of thoughts as I wondered what was happening. One of the doors suddenly opened and figure ina hooded mask jumped out. The person ran straight for me, in an instant my instints kicked in and I turned to run the other way. However, the figure caught to me and grabbed me from behind. From the fugures speed and strength I was able to tell it was a man. I tried to scream out but his hand came over my moth to stop me. I tried to get out of his grasp but struggled as he began to pull me towards the car. In his hand that covered my mouth there was a cloth with a putrid smell in it. I tried screaming at the top of my lungs but they were all muffled by the cloth and inconveniently for me there was no one else on the street. I thrashed around but to no avail, not to mention whatever drug had been doused on the cloth was starting to take effect I slowly felt myself lose the will to fight and become drowsy. We made to the car and he forced me inside, his hand still staying on my mouth. I continued to fight but my movements were extremely sluggish. The driver at the front also had a hood on but I was guessing it was also a man. My assailant closed the door and the driver drove off. The whole ordeal couldn't have taken more than a minutes. It happened so fast. The drug was really strong for it to have taken effect in a matter of seconds, I was now completely paralyzed as my eyelids fought to keep opening and closing. I watched as we drove off still in my assailants grasp. Was this really happening