Page 45 of Paradise & Vodka

"I'm not fucking waiting," I stated. "That guy just robbed us. He isn't coming back."

"Where are you going to go?" someone asked.

"The same way the driver went." I pointed in the direction.

"Do you know what's up that way?" a woman asked.

"No," I replied. "But I'm not staying here. I'm telling you, that guy isn't coming back."

"I agree," Ashleigh stated.

"Then let's go." I grabbed her hand and began to walk.

People started discussing what to do, and in the end, some came with us and some stayed behind. It didn't take long for a raggedy looking van to appear, coming toward us. If we were anywhere else, I wouldn't try to stop them because nonormalperson hitchhiked these days. But we weren't alone, and we were stranded, so I waved my arms to hopefully get them to stop. They didn't stop.

"Fuck," I shouted. This was definitely not how I wanted to spend our last day here.

I heard the screeching of tires, and I turned to see that the van had stopped. Reverse lights came on, and at that moment, I thought we were finally going to get somewhere. Until the van stopped in front of us, the side door flew open, and a few men piled out, placing a black bag over Ashleigh's head.

"No!" I shouted and reached for her, holding onto her arm with all of my might. She kicked and screamed, and I fought to pull her back.

Until a black bag was placed over my head, and I was thrown into the van.

I kicked.

I screamed.

I tried to fight, but the men overpowered me. They took my arms, bringing them behind my back and tying them together.

"Nick!" I yelled as I was thrown into the van and heard the door slam shut.

"Baby, it's going to be okay."

I didn't respond. I couldn't. The only thing I could do was shake as the tears rolled down my cheeks. I was relieved that Nick was with me but also terrified.

"Let us go!" Nick ordered.

There was no response other than tires squealing against the asphalt as they drove off. The movement made me fall against the side, and I felt a body touch me. I flinched.

"It's okay," Nick whispered, moving so his side was against mine. I didn't need to see that it was him. I could tell by his smell and thefeelingof him touching me. "It's me."

"What's happening?" I whispered, not able to find my voice.

"I don't know."

The van turned, and I went flying hard against Nick's firm body, landing on top of him.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"It's okay. Everything is going to be okay," he assured. I didn't know how he could be confident.

We sat up, and with each turn, we would go flying. I felt as though I was some sort of rag doll. My cell phone was in my shorts pocket, and it dug into my leg each time I landed on it. I wished that I could take it out and call for help, but my hands were tied behind my back, and I was almost certain the tsunami had knocked out cell service.

I wasn't sure how long we drove for, or where we were going, but eventually, we came to a stop. I heard the front doors open, slam, and then the side door slid open. A hand forcefully wrapped around my arm, squeezing and tearing me from Nick's side.

"No!" I shouted.

"Out," a man with a Fijian accent ordered.