Taken Read Free

had told him this was a test of his mettle, which had nothing to do with the girl, ultimately. She had promised the girl would be fine. It was all very reassuring in theory. As he committed the act, though, theory jumped right out the window.
    The waitress began to come around when they were close to the Louisiana border. According to Jack's research into the effects of the sedative he had injected, he had expected it to wear off around that time. He was glad to hear her begin to stir, happy that he had avoided killing her with an overdose.
    She yawned quietly and tried to stretch, clearly unaware of where she was or what had happened to her; but when she realized she was bound, she pushed herself up into a sitting position in the corner of the sleeper, an icy glaze filling her eyes and remaining there.
    “Well, you warned me, didn't you, mother fucker?”
    The unexpected sound of the young waitress' voice startled Jack and started his heart hammering. He realized that in his haste to put Louisiana behind him, he had forgotten to tape her mouth shut as he had intended.
    “Warned you? What are you talking about?” he asked.
    Jack looked over his shoulder and smiled his most winning smile. “Good morning, sunshine,” he said, hoping to sound amiable, but his voice was tinged with unmistakable unease.
    “Don’t say my name ever again, asshole,” she said, still sounding groggy.
    “Where are you taking me?”
    He didn’t answer, and instead attempted to break the ice.
    “My name’s Jack.”
    She looked around the dim cabin interior as her eyes adjusted to the light, taking stock of her situation.
    “Oh my God,” she muttered, “You really are sick, aren’t you?”
    “I feel fine, actually,” Jack replied nonchalantly, and turned up the volume on the stereo.
    “ Where the hell are you taking me ?” the girl demanded again, her voice betraying no fear at all.
    “I am taking you to the Goddess. Don’t worry; you’re going to be fine.” He attempted to sound as though he was in control, but his voice still wavered slightly. He didn't feel like talking.
    The girl was flummoxed, and shook her head slowly from side to side.
    “Goddess?” her tone was incredulous, “What in the hell is that supposed to mean? And I’m not fine.  You hurt me.”
    “I did not hurt you. I've been very gentle.”
    “You kidnapped me! You drugged me!” she shrieked. “ People will be looking for me - I was right in the middle of a shift.”
    Jack glanced at her in the rearview mirror and smirked.
    “Nice try, but your shift was over - and you came on to me at the diner. I don't think anyone’s going to be looking for you at all,” he said, grinning.
    “You’re new at this sort of thing, aren’t you?” she asked sarcastically. Her eyes were fixed and cold. “I'm not just some stupid slut you can tape up and carry away, you know.”
    Jack decided that was the last straw. He had had enough of her mouth.
    “Listen close, little lady. I'll pull over right now and tape your mouth shut if you keep cracking wise. I did you the courtesy of leaving your flap-trap open, but if you don’t shut up right now then you’ll leave me no option.”
    He glared at her in the mirror hoping to drive his point home.
    “So what’s it gonna be, missy?”
    She quit talking and eyed him coolly, detached, an almost blasé expression on her face.
    “We have a long ride ahead of us, and I intend for it to be a peaceful one, so do like my sweet Dianne says: ‘don't open your mouth unless you have something important say.’”
    He glanced at her again and saw her weighing his words. He had not expected her to handle the situation so calmly. She displayed no sign of fear at all, only a look of steely resolution and a stolid “fuck you” attitude.
    She remained quiet for awhile. Perhaps the futility of her arguments had sunk in. Perhaps she was considering the sincerity of his promise not to hurt her, wondering how psychotic he really was. She