Page 2

One

Stuck in a claustrophobic nightmare, Olivia groaned in pain as she scanned the back of the van.

No one had ever hit her before, and her teeth chattered with fear.

Her friends sat huddled together in the gloom, either staring blindly ahead or sobbing.

Their cheeks were wet with tears and mascara ran in lines down to their chins like grotesque clown masks.

The stink of mildew and old leather thickened the air, making it hard to breathe, and beneath her, a filthy rusty floor scratched against her legs.

Grime caked the tinted windows, allowing only small slivers of moonlight to peer through, but made it light enough to see.

Not that she could do anything. The zip ties binding her hands dug deeply into her flesh.

Her numb hands throbbed and her stomach ached.

As the van bounced and rattled over the uneven road, each jolt sent a fresh wave of fear through her.

Debris littered the floor. Leaves from falls long ago sat in drifts along each side mixed with discarded wrappers, broken glass, and an odd assortment of filthy torn clothing.

Olivia wanted to speak to her friends but was too scared to say anything with the driver so close.

Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation.

Where was he taking them and what was his intention?

They were going deeper into the forest and darkness seemed to close in around her.

The man was whistling now as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

The sound sent shivers down her spine. How could they escape this maniac?

In a squeak of brakes and a grind of metal, the van bounced to a stop so suddenly it sent everyone sprawling across the filthy floor.

Struggling to her knees, Olivia looked from one to the other and kept her voice just above a whisper.

“Do as he says for now, but if there’s a chance to get away, run for your life.

Don’t wait for anyone. The sooner someone knows where we are, the sooner we’ll get out of this mess. ”

“He’s got a gun.” Madison struggled to rise from the floor. “If one of us runs, he’ll shoot us in the back. He’s probably one of those serial killers we’ve all been warned about. We mean nothing to him. I figure we do as he says and maybe we’ll be rescued.”

The back doors of the van creaked open, and moonlight glistened on the weapon in the man’s hand.

Using the side of the van, Olivia staggered to her feet.

Behind her she could hear the others doing the same.

She stared at the eyes of the man, like black coals in the sockets of the balaclava. “What are you going to do with us?”

“Whatever I want.” He chuckled and pointed the gun at them. “Get out of the van.” He waved them along a pathway that led to an old abandoned mineshaft.

Shivers ran down Olivia’s back as she gaped into the black depths of an open maw.

As they stepped inside, tripping over the old railway lines, it was as if the darkness had swallowed the moonlight.

She sighed with relief when the man aimed a flashlight down the hole.

They staggered onward, moving down a slope into the unknown.

Cold bit into her flesh as a moaning wind whistled past them, bringing with it the stench of damp and decay.

They shuffled past a thick metal gate, along another passageway, and then turned into a lighted area that looked like some type of office, with a desk and shelves.

Along each wall, open doors led to six small cells.

Outside the cells, she made out a large shower cubicle, a pile of towels, and a metal rack containing clothes.

She swallowed hard at the sight, hoping she wasn’t hallucinating.

What was a shower doing at the bottom of a mineshaft?

One by one, the man locked them into the small, cold cells and asked them their names.

It was so dark Olivia couldn’t see her hand in front of her face.

The sound of metal doors clanging shut echoed through the cavern.

Terrified, she trembled and turned toward the door, seeking the only flicker of light.

She peered through the bars on the top of her door.

The man had one hand on Madison’s shoulder.

Her friend stood like a zombie, round-eyed and frozen with fear. What had he planned for her friend?

“You’re perfect for my needs.” The man stared down at Madison.

“Take off your shoes.” He stared at her, his mouth twitching into a sinister smile.

“You’re a very special girl. We’re going back down the tunnel.

I’m taking you for a little ride.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her away into the darkness.