Chapter 43

• The van comes to a halt after a few minutes on the road. One of the men comes over to the back and opens the door. He lifts and carries me into an abandoned building, placing me on the ground once we get inside and enter a room. They don't bother untying me and just leave me on the floor. One sits on a couch that’s been placed against the wall while the other walks over to a cooler and pulls out two beers. He walks back to the other one and hands him a bottle. I watch them take a few sips before the one sitting removes something from his pocket, placing it on the small table in front of him. I can't see exactly what it is from here, but I watch him roll some paper and sniff the substance off the table. It's white, so I’m guessing it's cocaine. The other one joins him, both alternating between drinking and snorting for the next few minutes.
• I ignore them and look around, trying to find something to help free myself. Fear builds in me as I’m unable to find anything. I turn back to face the men who took me, and my eyes widen as I realize one of them is walking toward me. Once he gets to me, he crouches down to my level, with my phone in his hand. Why does he have it?
• "I’m going to remove the duct tape so we can unlock your phone, and you will not scream. Do you understand?" The man sniffles and rubs his nose. The drug must be going to his head. I just hope he’s not violent when he’s high. That won't be good for the baby or for me. I nod my head in response. He takes off the duct tape, and the second it's off I scream for help, but it’s cut short when he slaps me.