Chapter 2

• Chapter 2
• Risana
• I stared at the man who navigated the roads without muttering a word. With the metallic scent of the blood circulating in the car, I was close to throwing up.
• I couldn't even make a call because my phone had died.
• ‎Not only was he a kidnapper, he also drove like a mad man on a wild goose chase. I gripped onto the car handle with fear breathing hard down my neck.
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• ‎Perhaps, I should have remained in Canterbury if I knew that it would be unsafe over here. I should have endured father's high-handedness a bit more, and Dairen's nitpicking.
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• ‎Back there, no one would dare touch Darkwood's daughter. But here, I was only a fresher who was trying to navigate her way through life.
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• ‎The temperature of the car grew hotter with each passing second. Sweat broke out on my forehead, my neck covered with warm slick liquid as I contemplated jumping out of the car, but he'd be stupid to not put it on the central lock.
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• ‎Which meant that I was trapped here, available for whatever devilish plans he had for me.
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• ‎"Please, let me out. I promise you've got the wrong person." I sounded like a scared puppy, my heart swelling to the point of explosion.
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• ‎Maybe pleading with him fervently would work and he'd let me out. But he remained silent, as though my words had fallen on deaf ears.
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• ‎His nonchalance caused my body to quiver. If he didn't care about being caught, then he was truly going to end me even when I didn't deserve it.
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• ‎My dreams to experience some sort of freedom in a new city would be thwarted and I'd never see my mom again.
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• ‎"Please, sir. I promise I won't tell the cops what you've done. Just let me go. I'd do whatever you want." My voice was beginning to weaken, the T-shirt tightening against my clammy skin.
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• ‎There was no need to sound confident when he had plans of killing me.
• ‎He pushed gears, my body slamming against the chair roughly. That was his response to my plea. Maybe he truly hated me.
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• ‎"You'd better stop pleading if you care about your safety, Dola." His voice was chill and low.
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• ‎I hated the stupid pet name he gave me. I hated being in this car with a stranger that wanted to kill me. I hated this suffocating feeling of death.
• I hated that I couldn't snap at him because he was going to kill me. Tears burned behind my eyelids. I was going to die.
• The clump of trees disappeared quickly, leading to a strait of tall buildings, cafés, convenience stores and then a gate. He stopped and the security checked the car all too quickly, but the fear of dying made it impossible to tell them about my situation.
• The car slowed to halt five minutes later, a four storey building with the signage 'St. Maria' written boldly on it stood in front of us.
• "You asked me what the plan is? This is it." He said, plucking the car key from its hole and throwing a glance my way.
• I darted a gaze at him and then the building. "I don't understand." My breathing took a hitch. "What are you talking about?"
• He shrugged off my question and squeezed his arm, bright grey eyes with a promise of death leered at me. "You're going to invite me into your room and keep me hidden. If you dare breathe a word about what is going on, you already know what will happen." A dark grin sat at the corner of his lips as he spoke.
• Shudders rolled out of me in vehement waves.
• "Why should I do that? I don't know you," I kept my tone soft.
• "Because you're not sure what I'll do to you if you disobey me. Aren't you a fresher?" His queried with a dark triumphant smirk.
• How did he know that?
• I sighed in resignation. "But I don't even know my room. I haven't checked in yet and I'm very sure that they don't allow men into the girl's hostel." The words slurred through trembling lips.
• "I know that. Now go get settled in while I wait here... for you," He said the last part as though he cared.
• My eyes lingered on him for a while and then I pushed out of the car, heaving a terrified sigh. He lowered the window before I took a few steps further.
• "Dola," He called in a lazy drawl while my fingers wrapped tightly around the straps of my tote. "Don't forget that I'm watching you. Don't tempt me."
• My legs were like lead as I dragged them toward the entrance. I didn't stop throwing glances behind me to be sure that he wasn't following me.
• The building, which was supposed to be my monument of freedom, was about to serve as a place of my death.
• The receptionist welcomed me warmly when I got into the lobby and directed me to the administrative block. Luckily someone was still behind the desk.
• "Good evening, sir," I greeted, my voice a bit shaky as I glanced over my shoulder once more.
• The man looked up from his computer, dark orbs scanning my face. "Yes, how may I help you?"
• I lowered my head, fiddling with my fingers. His door was made of transparent glass. We didn't have enough privacy.
• Shoving my fears to the side, I cleared my throat and told him everything about myself and gave him my documents.
• "Welcome to the University of San Francisco. Let's get you settled in." He rose to his feet and circled around his desk when I grabbed his wrists, blocking him from moving to the door.
• "Not yet, sir," My tone was hushed, the words rushed. "My ride was hijacked on the way here and the driver is nowhere to be found. The hijacker drove me here and threatened to kill me if I rat him out..." I trailed off, slowly swivelling a gaze at the door. "I'm doing that already." I murmured, chewing on my bottom lip.
• His face warmed up with concern. "Where is he?"
• "Just by the parking lot. He's going to kill me," I reiterated desperately.
• He helped me onto the sofa then phoned the security downstairs, asking me for the description of the car. After the back and forth, he ended the call.
• "Our people are checking every car in the parking lot, and once they are done, they'll get back to us. In the meantime, what would you like to have?" His voice was soft and soothing.
• Though my throat was parched, I wasn't comfortable with taking anything until that man was caught.
• "Nothing for now, sir,"
• Ten minutes later, his phone rang, my heart racing at what would be the outcome of the conversation.
• When he placed the phone against his ear, I craned my neck to catch on what was being said at the other end, but the voice was inaudible.
• After a minute of torturous waiting, he ended the call, letting off a disappointed sigh. His brows furrowed in displeasure.
• "What happened?" I sprang to my feet, the sofa feeling like a cage.
• "There was no car of your description found in the parking lot. But we checked the footage and found a similar driving out quickly. He's probably aware that he's been bursted."
• "Oh God. What... are we going to do?" I trailed off, trying not to stutter.
• "We're going to be more vigilant and also report this matter to the cops. Don't worry, he won't hurt you."
• I ran a palm over my forehead, nodding slowly after he finished. My heart hadn't stopped pounding but there was nothing I could do but hope that he never came back.
• "Thank you very much."
• "Alright. Let's get you settled in."
• ******
• Contrary to my expectations, I was checked into a double room suite. The ambience of the apartment showed that it had been freshly cleaned. It had a common area where my roommate and I could just relax and chat—if I was willing to talk.
• A smile creased my face at the sight of the full equipped kitchen. I could cook here all day. At least, there was one good thing to be grateful for.
• All thanks to my father, I had a comfortable roof over my head.
• All thanks to Mr Serial Killer, I'd sleep with one eye open.
• The Student Affairs Officer stood beside me, peering at the room. "I have to go now, but if anything comes up, do let me know."
• He'd helped me assuage my fears for a while and it was good to know that I could run to him. "Thank you for helping and good night."
• He left and I shut the door without hesitating.
• Finally, I was in San Francisco, but my safety wasn't even promised and I wouldn't dare call family. I was determined to see this through but how could I do that when my bags were missing?
• What would I wear after taking a shower?
• My eyes darted to the ceiling in a hopeless attempt to speak to the heavenly being I struggled to believe in. After all, my father didn't do a good job in portraying his qualities even though he preached to the congregation about him all the time.
• Won't you help me? I'm tired.
• I crashed onto the floor, stretching my body across the marbled floor. The parchness of my tongue reminded me that I hadn't drank anything or eaten all evening.
• My money!
• Oh, no. The five grand. It was gone as well.
• I hope I never get to see that demon again.
• Still on the floor, a hard knock on the front door jarred me still. My breathing ceased as I clasped a palm over my mouth.
• Luckily, I turned off the lights as soon as the officer returned to his office.
• I unraveled into a standing position, scurrying around noiselessly in search of a weapon that I could smash the intruder's head with.
• Act first, think later.
• He might be armed and strong enough to overpower me but I'd be damned if I didn't fight back with all my strength.
• A handy ceramic vase beside the sofa caught my eyes. I grabbed it, the knock on the door becoming more persistent and harder, each thump causing my heart to sink further.
• I moved swiftly toward the door, heavily overwhelmed by an adrenaline rush. I lifted the heavy vase above my head and when the knock came again, I framed my voice into a thicker note.
• "Who is it?"
• My question was met with silence.
• "If you don't answer I won't open this door, I swear it," My voice thunderous, concealing my fear.
• However, the silence stretched as though the other party couldn't hear me, but what came after sent me into a panic spree. I placed my ear against the keyhole, bags dropping onto the floor made my bladder fuller.
• I had to open the door because whoever was on the other side wouldn't leave, but what if it was Mr Serial Killer?
• What if I never got to tell the story because I listened to my head and acted on curiosity?
• With the vase firmly fixed on one hand, I twisted the lock open and lurched the ceramic against him.