Jane's POV
A few hours after
My lungs were doing their best. My legs were tired. And yet, I had only ended up going deep into the darkness.
The road stretched in both directions, but I had no idea where the fuck I was supposed to go. I could see a few cars pass, but none stopped.
If I make it to the nearest store, or shop, there was a good chance that I can call for actual help. But who were those people who had kidnapped me?
My hands were still cuffed behind my back, while the insides of my mouth felt dry. I knew that if I didn't get some water soon, I wouldn't make it.
The men who chased after me, ran in the wrong direction. The chase was cut short when they readily gave up. I watched as they drove away, cursing.
"Thank God," I thought. "Just what had I involved myself in?" I wondered.
Corin called the cops. I recalled Professor Hank's words. That bastard. But what has Corin got to do with all of this?
Corin's father was rich. She was rich. She was pretty. She was busy. She had a social life. There's no way Corin would be doing things unless of course... They were threatening her with something. But who? And why her?
Too many questions, too little answers. I slowed down. I followed the road. A few miles had barely been scaled when I spotted a bar. Classic.
Two bouncers stood, guarding the entry. The place seemed secluded. A long queue of girls in mini dresses awaited. The men had a separate one.
The parking was just down the road. Neon red lights flashed from the board. It illuminated the road in front of it in the shade of period blood.
Jinny's Bar & Bistro.
The board's light had worn out. So only the INN BAR was illuminated.
Cleaver tactics. Or poor maintenance.
Given what had happened in the short course of a wild day, this was my best bet. Also, didn't bars come up with a security detail?
Someone might find a way to free me from the awful handcuffs.
I mustered the courage and strength to walk up to the bouncers. I was pretty aware that I was only wearing my pajamas. And my shirt had a hole from the bumpy car ride. And that I was not wearing a bra.
I did look like a fugitive. And as luck would have it, my hands were fucking cuffed.
"Hello?" I was breathless and looked like an idiot, but this was my only shot.
The bouncer turned my way. I looked at him.
"Can you please call the cops for me? I am stuck. I was kidnapped by a few guys. I had no idea-"
"Sit there," the guy said monotonously.
I had no idea what he was talking about. Sit where? There was nothing to sit on.
Just when I least expected it, something hard hit the back of my head. It made my vision faint, and I fell to the ground with my hands on the back.
My muscles ached. I realised my feet were just as sore from walking, and the shoes that I had worn in haste had a hole each.
"What's this behaviour?" I was surprised.
"I told you to sit. So fucking shit there," his voice was raspy.
For a bouncer he looked like he didn't have a brain. Tall. Bald. Dressed in black. Big muscles. A shitty attitude. Wait. That's just exactly how they are supposed to be though.
"What do you want now? Can you just call the cops? Please. I have had the shittiest day today," I didn't have enough water in my body to make tears.
Neither did I think that my eyes could take it.
"This is a standard procedure. The cops are coming to get you," he says.
"You look like a criminal who escaped asylum. We cannot handle you like normal people," he shrugged as I struggled.
"Cannot you see that I can't fucking move, dude?" My supposed yell was barely a whisper.
"Sorry. Protocol," he holds the walkie talkie to his mouth.
"The weasel has walked right to us. Tell boss we have secured her. Fire those bastards. Copy that," he says, and my eyes grow wide.
"Don't be so alarmed. We have been waiting to get you for a long time now," he smiled and I could see the light dancing in my eyes.
"What do you mean?" I asked, while my heart skipped a beat. He crouched on his knees, moving forward.
"Look, kid. I am sorry and I don't know what you did. It was supposed to be all set up but then everyone was running out of time," he tells me.
"I have no idea. Trust me. I haven't done anything! Then, why me?" I was horrified at whatever this was.
"Everyone who goes through this always questions things like that. Once you see what Lord Fassano has planned out for you, it will be fine," he says.
"Planned out for me?" I asked, and he nodded.
"Look, I am not allowed to talk to you. They will probably tell you more about it. Now I want you to close your eyes, and go to sleep. Will you do that for me?" He asked.
I gulped. My throat was dry. My skin felt cold.
"I don't want to sleep," a tear trickled down from the corner of my eye.
"Please..." I prayed.
He snapped his fingers. Where the bar stood, now only a run down busstand was there. There was no queue. No people. Just the two of us.
His eyes gleamed into a shade of golden. He didn't look human.
"Who are you?" My voice was barely above a whisper.
"Shhh. Sleep, and you will find out," he says. And all of a sudden, my eyes grew heavy. I couldn't help it. The world turned dark.
I felt myself turning to my inner being. The voice in my head turned brittle. And then, there was something else.
I am sorry, little girl. It was wrong for me to possess you. It's not your fault. I will find another one. You might be fine without me. Find it in your heart to forgive me.
The shrill feminine voice talked calmly.
Who are you?
I, am Vanya Catherington, from the House Of Versailles. Your world was my escape. But now, my presence has caged you.
This is farewell. I shall find Lewis on my own now.
Then, there was silence.