My Ruthless Kidnapper

Chapter Ten: Finn Hayes

It's been two weeks since I've seen Finn, the last time I saw him, was the day I found out even the ruthless had tears. 

  I've spent all those aching days with Steph, and she managed to avoid mentioning Finn, for which I was grateful.

  Honestly, I must say I was surprised when she walked in through that door the next day after revealing the news to her. I knew she threw a fit about the whole situation, and I was sure Finn wasn't happy about it. But then he was a man of his words, and I remembered him telling me he and Steph were best of friends. Which still confused me.

  Steph spent every second of those days trying to make up for what had happened to me like she was the one who hurt me. She was disappointed in her friend for almost crossing the line that she felt guilty and made sure I smiled twice or more each new day. She always came along with ice cream and muffins or pizza from her mother's bakery.

  Sometimes I watch her do her homework on the armchairs while she still manages to tell me about her favorite movies. 

  The only difference I noticed was Steph had stopped using her mobile phone whenever she was around me, which must be an order from Finn, I was sure. 

  "We've had our homecoming. It was fun. Just some seniors party and then prom." I told Steph. "Honestly, I don't think there will be any more parties allowed after my disappearance, for only the elders have been attacked before—killed, I should say. I think it is different, though! because before it used to be murder, but mine was a kidnap, it's normal, right? it happens everywhere?" I added with a sincere smile. Picturing my dad and the community leaders and older residents agreeing for their children's safety.

  "Precisely." Steph heaved a sigh and then crookedly laughed before she bites on the slice of the pepperoni pizza in her hand. "You were the homecoming queen?" She wiggles her brows, changing the subject.

  I scoffed. "You're kidding me, right? There are pretty girls who dress like ice queens in my school. If there'd be hundred homecoming queens, I guaranty you I still won't make a list. You should see Clara Dominic." I roll my eyes and bite on my vegetable pizza.

  "What? Shut up; l refuse to agree. Who wouldn't crown you their queen? Do you know people with green eyes are the most attractive human, and then you're naturally blonde, which most girls are willing to spend anything to get their hair dyed to blonde? You're not even up to fifty kg, but you're five foot eight inches tall. You have the look of a model. I'm still surprised you live in a small town, honestly. You should be on Victoria's Secret or Louis Vuitton runway." Steph said. "And don't think I'm a creep, but I saw your file on Finn's desk." She laughed.

  Ignoring the fact that my kidnapper—the same person who promised to kill me, had a file of me that included my details, I let out a sarcastic laugh at her imagination, and Steph narrowed her eyes at me. "That's what someone will say to the person they know. My dad always says that."

  "See! even an old man understood the language, but I'm not your dad. I'm honestly telling you the truth." 

  "You didn't see the kids in my school. You'll be surprised." I sigh nonchalantly. In my current state—I don't care about the drama in my school. I don't even know if I will ever see a school with my eyes.

  "What? I don't have to see them to know how typically cheap and ugly they must look. I mean, since green eyes are rare, I'm sure you're the only one with those blessings in that school and granted! your schoolmates must be assholes if they didn't realize it too—unless they did, and they're envious." She lifted her brows suggestively. 

  "Or maybe I am the one jealous of them, who knows?" I remind her. 

  Scrunching her nose doubtfully, she shook her head. "No, I don't think so, but the only thing we need is to reactivate your self-esteem by going shopping and doing some girls' stuff." She thoughtful suggested.

  The words made me laugh. I laughed loudly that it took me a minute to compose myself. "In case you haven't noticed—I'm kidnapped, I'm Finn's hostage, my self-esteem couldn't be more than terminated." 

  Steph didn't laugh nor frown. She just stared at me like I was crazy, which was annoying at some point. "I will talk to him."  She simply said.

  "And you think he will agree?" I lifted my brows at the girl who possibly had no idea who her friend was. "Haven't you seen 'Money Heist' hostages? they were there until the last minute." 

  Her brows pinched together. "Cheryl, how many movies are in that brain of yours? that keeps giving you weird imaginations. But I'm glad to know you're aware you would make it out alive then." She smiled.

  "You tell me! you are the one who always gives an example with a movie." I shot back, and she laughed.

Finn POV

It has been two weeks since I've seen Cheryl in person. I knew I wasn't good for her; the only thing I could do for her was to stay away. I forced myself and suppressed the urge to see her that constantly surged in me.

My present was only destroying her. Ever since I stopped checking on her, I've seen her smile around Steph.

Yes! I was spying through the cameras. I had it connected to my LED screen; it was my everyday show. I watched Cheryl all the time, I watched her pretend like everything was okay around Steph, and I've watched her cry herself to sleep every night. She was in pain, and there was nothing I could do, for she wanted to escape, and I wanted her here.

I couldn't help her, and I was an asshole.

I knew that when Steph barged into my office in the company and jabbed me like a punching bag for a good whole minute. She was mad at me. She was angry and disappointed.

We barely talked ever since that day. She kept avoiding me even when I visited her at her mother's restaurant. Her mom was worried about our relationship, and I had to lie to assure the woman everything was okay. It was just a regular friend's argument, and of course, it was. Steph and I were close, she might be mad at me, but I knew she loved me.

And Denny, Denny was more like a father to me. He was more than disappointed when he found out about Cheryl. He warned me to stay away from the Masons. But I guess he still had no idea how much I wanted revenge.

Although he claimed he does but then he kept getting furious anytime he found out I've conquered men on my list. I don't get him.

I think throughout the past two weeks, everyone was mad at me. I spent it mostly alone, studying in the library and attending fraternity parties, smoking pots, and sniffing too much coke. I barely slept at home. That two weeks, I spent it with different girls to clear my head.

It was the only way I knew how to breathe.

I wished things were different, Cheryl! 

But still, they didn't clear my head, for I always ended up only smiling at my television screen anytime I came home. She was the only one who could make me feel better. But she hated me. She was scared of me.

***

It was April 20th. It was my birthday, and it was the day that held too many dark memories. It was the day I never celebrated, for there was no good in darkness. That day was awful. It was challenging and difficult. It never changes every year because it was meant to be that way. I had to live with my birthday stained.

April 20th was a curse. It was the worst day of my life.

Denny and his wife, Sharon, wanted to arrange a 20th birthday party for me, but I refused, Liam wanted to hang out to celebrate, but I turned him down.

Nothing made sense—everything was complicated, a birthday was insane, and they all knew it, yet they kept trying to bring light in the darkest of all days. 

Unfortunately! Teddy and Reddy didn't take no for an answer. By the time I got home in the middle of the night from a club—I was already wasted. I found the house party-like, only it wasn't a birthday party for it was everything that screamed 'Get High,' there were expensive bottles of wine, the place was clouded with smoke, weeds, etcetera.

"What the f**k?" I blurted, not knowing what to feel.

"Happy, successful year." Teddy patted my shoulder, and instead of getting a happy birthday song, no! I got a different version with 'happy successful 20th year' replacing the 'happy birthday,’ and all the men on the floor synchronized the song. I felt a little tense, but it was kind of them. 

They were my little family. They were all men, a lot of them. Whom I trusted, I knew they would die for me in a heartbeat, and for that, I loved them. 

"Where did you get the cake?" I frowned at the banner that welcomed me and the small beautiful cake that was missing a slice.

I hate cake, but that one said, "happy, successful 20th years."

"Steph made it for you since yesterday," Teddy said.

Smiling, knowing Steph won't forever hold what happened against me, I asked. "So she ate a slice?" 

I was only concerned about my friendship with Steph; if not, I'd be calling her and giving her a piece of my mind, for she knew I hated cake, yet she made it for me.

"Malcolm delivered a piece to Cheryl. It was Steph's who insisted."

Teddy answered.

Suddenly everything made meaning, and I found myself smiling. Cheryl had my successful 20th years cake. It was a happy birthday present after long, excruciating years.

Cheryl POV

  It was late night on a weekend when I showered and changed into matching pants and a button-down nightwear shirt. Steph left earlier today, for she said she had to deliver the box of cake she brought together with my junk food for a customer. 

  I had a long day of listening to Steph talking about how much she hated math and how physics might be the death of her.

  It felt like we had that in common. Back at home—I always complained about math and physics to my dad. He'd always suggest chemistry even when I'm also dumb at that subject. 

  Aiden Lucas once offered to help me out in our school laboratory on a free period, but I stopped functioning. Before you judge me, all girls in western springs high school automatically quit functioning next to Aiden, he was on the basketball team, and he was a straight-A-student. 

  I remember getting him worried; he ran out to get me some water, but when he came back, he caught me dancing and screaming at my success. Talking to Aiden Lucas was a victory for everyone. 

  Well, that didn't work out well when he realized I wasn't trying to learn; I was only studying him the whole hour he was explaining. 

  I think that was the only encounter I had with the popular boy in school. 

  I smiled at the good old memories, to days when I was eager to leave my home for school. To even days when I fake sickness to avoid school because of Declan Carter and his haunt for me. 

  At this point, I was at the level that I'd rather get bullied by the school football captain all day-everyday than the situation I was in. But of course, life threw me lemons, and I tried making lemonade only to get myself soaked in the sour juice of my creation.

  I heaved a sigh and pulled out the cover so I could tuck myself in. 

  For some lucky nights, sleep was the only place I went where I occasionally found comforts. That is, if Finn didn't appear in my sleep—aiming guns at me, attempting to kiss me, or gripping my hands, while I was defenseless. 

  I was settling into the bed when the man I was familiar with came in without a knock, as usual. He was holding a plate of cake and a cup of red wine in the other hand. Even though he should give up, for he knew I wouldn't eat, I've always been turning down meals from him. I've been turning down any meals that come from this house, actually. I depended on Steph's treat ever since what happened in Finn's studio. I'd rather die than eat from them. I thought. 

  The room I was staying in had a mini-fridge, so the men had made sure they filled it with bottles of water since that's what I only seem to consume. 

  I've been in this room for weeks that I was getting used to my cage of a home. My life was boring. Only in the presence of Steph could I have access to the television, and only Netflix was allowed even when she was around. 

  When the man left—I snuggled on the bed and closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the world where nothing existed.

  ***

  The building was noisy, and the faint sound of music was audible when I reopened my eyes. Even though I promised myself to mind my business and ignore whatever was happening in the house. My curiosity got the best of me after tossing and turning. It was past one in the morning—I got my feet down the bed and swallowed.

  Maybe if I go down the floor, maybe—only maybe It could be the end of my torment. If a party is happening in the building, I could either escape or luckily meet some kind people who might help me out.

  Weighing my choice, I sat back on the bed and began chewing on my nails—nervously. And what if I go down the floor and the people at the party were against me? What if they gang up and do worst than what Finn tried doing to me? 

  'Maybe' and 'what ifs' were the only thing crossing my mind at that moment. I pulled my head backward and gulped down a bottle of water, for I was suddenly sweating.

  I was a coward the other day; I had every chance to pull the trigger and stop Finn, but I didn't. He ended up killing me without a gunshot, leaving me empty. I might've been smiling this whole week, but it's nothing close to real, nothing even closer to my heart.

  I gathered all the courage I had and breath in and out. I need to be strong. I have to be strong. I told myself.

  I got myself moving. I've always wondered why Finn didn't get his men guarding the door, which I was grateful for always getting to sneak out of the door easily. 

  My legs were taking me down the hallways, I've been around there on my own, but I always find fear and chills whenever I take stealthy footsteps through them. 

  The closer I approached the end of the hall—the louder the music, although the volume wasn't too louder, for it was mixed with the sound of a television playing in the background and men chanting. The place was clouded with smoke, and it was a little darker downstairs.

  When I came to a halt at the end of the hall by the staircase, I realized there was a party, a whole new level party where people were either smoking, sniffing, or blowing everything that screams illegal, but there were only men and not a single woman did I spot. I could feel every hair in my body rising while I took in the event. 

  And by the wall was a big banner which reads

  'HAPPY SUCCESSFUL 20th YEARS FINN HAYES.'

I knew it was a birthday but in a weird way. 

  I was stunned at what was happening below me—on the first floor that when I heard "Cheryl Mason" come up in my head, I was startled. 

It was a voice of a woman, and there was none in the building. I tried to follow the voice in the background, searching through the busy people who hadn't spotted me yet.

  But then again, I heard the voice of the one person that had my life. The one person I thought I lost. I heard my father.

  It was the television, that's when I realized. 

  With shocking excitement, I stared agape at the person I craved to hold. 

He was alive. My dad was alive. 

  "The residents are cooperative. They've let us look around their houses. We are going to the sixth search party tonight. I want everyone to stay safe, Eureka Springs was a fortress, and I'm sure it will be again, hopefully soon. We will find my daughter and end the five years misery, I promise."  My jaw was on the floor as I listened to the news from the big screen below me.

  There it was, the bathroom I went, the last place I was before I woke up in the darkness and found myself in a punishing world.

  "Two sobered teenagers had confirmed Cheryl Mason went into the bathroom, although no one saw her coming out of it. The long-time disturbing murderer who had residents slaughtered and dropped by their neighbor's doorsteps had kidnapped the eighteen years old Cheryl Mason, a senior student of Western springs high school. She is the daughter of the town detective Nate Mason and former county lawyer Halen Broody. There isn't any update up till now since after the evidence the police found on the bathroom mirror written with Cheryl Mason's blood." A woman reported.

  I felt the remaining of my world collapsing as I saw the most dangerous sign that everyone In Eureka Springs was terrified of. The logo that everyone knew what it meant. It was merciless, it was evil, and that was what kept my father awake constantly. That was what broke my parents apart. That was why my mom was scared for me to stay in the town I was born and raised. It was two simple words. It was 'FH' written in the mirror with my own blood. Something I've always been afraid of, and at that moment, I was the talk on the news.

  I could barely see what was in front of me, but I could hear loud and clear when another male reporter started. "We're trying our best, and now we're collaborating with police departments around Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The sad death of the two famous Arkansas businessmen leads the case to Kentucky. We're still trying to manifest something out. Kentucky police department is still on the case, although just like back in Eureka Springs, there's not a fingerprint or anything that leads us further. The two bodies of the famous Arkansas businessman were found in their cars with the 'FH' sign drawn on the windshields and their both throats slits."

  This can't be! Please let it be a nightmare in my already dark nightmare. I can't take yet another explosion. I can't take this time wave. Not again.

  "What a sad death. Do you think Kentucky residents' lives are in danger if the famous unknown murderer is right now walking the street like every other citizen?" 

  My eyes were getting blurrier, and the air was getting thicker. I felt the walls closing, and I knew this wouldn't be easy on me.

  "There's a curfew for over three weeks now in Eureka Springs. I think Kentucky had to take measures to put eyes around the city for the safety of its people. Whoever this murderer is, he has no fear because he's moving into the city. Mr. Rowan McCain and Mr. James Ford sudden death left everyone once again shocked. Their bodies made a hundred and eight victims of the ruthless killer, our love and prayers go to their families, and we hope to find the young girl before it's too late." 

  The words were playing in my head, but I wasn't seeing anything because my world was closing, everywhere was dark. In my head was only the voice from the television. The men had either stopped chanting and laughing, the music had either been shut down for everywhere was quiet, only for the reporters from the screen. 

  My palms were sweating. I was sweating and hyperventilating. The amount of blood circulating my veins, from my capillaries towards my heart to everywhere in my body, was excessively rushing. I was either going to pass out or die eventually. 

  I was kidnapped by the world's most ruthless murderer, the person who had never killed with a gun nor had he ever left the bodies without his signature. He had killed innocent people, including my former principal, my seven neighbors, and there were more than ten children from my school who had lost their parents because he slaughtered them like cows. He was the murderer whom no one knew what he looked like. No one ever meets him. He had killed very cautiously—leaving the scene with no single evidence. 

  'FH' was no one but the man downstairs—the man staring at me with his lips parted at this moment. The man whose name was written bold and clear on the banner. 

  'FH' was Finn Hayes, a 20 years old kid who goes to school like every other child, who ruins a gang like every other criminal. 

  I was shredded and shattered into thousand pieces. 

  And then my heart had enough of wounds, I felt my body collapsing as my eyes began to close, and the thud was deafening for I know I've hit the tiled floor hard,  but I couldn't wince when everything became blank.