These Bright Lights Have Always Blinded Me

Okay. Where did he go? This is not the best time for the German guy to disappear on me. Now I have to worry about not only Chelsea, but now Tom because he managed to get himself lost. Damn it!

I walked around aimlessly around the seventh floor when I heard my phone ring. I grabbed it and looked at the caller I.D. to see that it was Monte. I grabbed it and flipped it open. “What man?” I asked.

“96! Now! Call Frank!” Monte replied.

“Ehm, I’m confused,” I said.

“Just talked to Ali. That’s Ronnie’s room number! I’ll meet you up there. Call Frank!” Monte replied before hanging up.

Okay? Then it dawned on me. That’s Ronnie’s apartment number. I dialed Frank’s number and listened to it ring.

“What is it?” Frank asked.

“We found out Ronnie’s room number. It’s 96 on the very top floor. Monte’s on his way up there and I’ll meet you there. I just have to find Tom. He disappeared,” I replied as I ran towards the elevator.

“On my way. And hurry up. We can’t afford to have Tom missing and Bill in hysterics,” Frank said when I heard a “Was?!” in the background, “Fuck. I’ve got to go. I’ll meet you up there. I’m calling everyone I can. Bye.”

I hung up and reached the elevator.

(Meanwhile…)

Ouch. It’s dark and I don’t like it. Oh wait. My eyes are closed. I should face-palm myself. Yeah I know American lingo. Thank the cool people I hang out with.

I went to just that when I noticed that my hands were tied behind me. That’s when I discovered that I was tied to a chair. Okay? Was die Hölle is going on?

I opened my eyes to see that they were blindfolded. Okay I’m confused. What the freak is going on? And what happened? All I remember is walking around, finding Chelsea, and--

Suddenly I remembered that I had found her. I started struggling in my chair, trying to break free, when I heard a whimper. I moved around a little more when I heard a terrified Chelsea quietly beg, “Please Ronnie. Not again. Please don’t hurt me.”

I heard her quietly sobbing when the door opened. I pretended to be knocked out still as it closed.

“Baby doll? Why are you crying?” I heard him ask with mock concern.

I heard the blankets move around when, more aggressively, Ronnie asked, “I said, why are you crying?”

I heard skin collide with skin and Chelsea whimper again, but the crying stopped. “Good girl. Now, we’re going to play a game. Do exactly as I say, and I won’t hurt you. Disobey me, and I’m going to do whatever I want to you, okay?” he asked.

It was silent when Ronnie said, “Good. Now answer my question for me: has he been up yet?”

I heard movement when Chelsea asked, “Who?”

“Why the dread-locked guy in the chair baby doll!” Ronnie replied.

“Tom?” I heard her ask when she said, “Tom! What did you do to him?”

“Oh, so he has a name now?” Ronnie asked, “Well, this will make this double fun.”

I heard foot steps advance away from me when Chelsea begged, “Tom get up! Please Tomi get--”

I heard skin collide with skin again. “Shut the fuck up. You don’t want anyone hearing you, now do you? Because if they do, Tom over there gets to die. After I have my way with you. Oh, and he gets to watch. Seeing as it looks like you care about him and I don’t have Max here,” Ronnie said.

Damn him. When I get the chance, I am kicking his ass. Fucking bastard.

“Please Ronnie. Don’t,” she begged. I hated hearing her beg like that. All fearful and whatnot.

“Don’t what?” he asked, “Kill him? Make him watch as I have my way with you? Tell me baby doll. I’m itching to know.”

She whimpered when he said, “Well, I’m getting a drink. Better not try to escape, because I’ll make sure you won’t be able to.”

I heard him walk away and the door open and close. After a few minutes, I heard hesitant feet hit the ground and walk over to me. “Tomi?” I heard her painfully and quietly ask. Her hand landed on my shoulder and she whispered, “Tomi get up. Please get up.”

“I am up. Just keep your voice down,” I whispered.

She quickly threw her arms around me, hissing in pain while doing so, and gave me a hug. She quietly started crying and her body was shaking. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m here. Frank and everyone’s on there way as well. You’re going to be out of here. I promise,” I assured her. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure if they were. But I had to tell her that.

She stopped hugging me and asked, “Would y-y-you m-m-mind c-c-closing your eyes for a m-m-moment please?”

I nodded and closed my eyes. I felt her take the blindfold off and kept my eyes closed when she whispered, “Okay. Y-y-you can open them now.”

I opened them and immediately regretted it. She looked awful. Her light brown hair was matted in places, probably from blood, her blue eyes, usually so full of light, were dull to the extreme and red and puffy from crying, and she was covered in cuts, bruises, and blood from head to toe. Well, what I could see anyway. She had a blanket draped over her shoulders and wrapped completely around her body. “Ach mein Gott. What did he do to you?” I asked.

Her eyes started watering up. She squeezed them shut and a few tears fell down her cheeks. “I don’t wanna talk about it,” she replied quietly.

There was a knock on the door and Ronnie said, “Baby doll, I’ll be right back. I’m going down the street to get something special. Wait here and I won’t hurt you. If I find you in any other room but this one, you’ll regret it.”

I heard him walk away and the door close when Chelsea said, “Quick Tomi. Get me out of here.”

I nodded and said, “I’m still tied up though.”

She nodded and walked behind me. She started to untie my hands when I felt my wrists freed from their bondage. I put my hands in front of me and rubbed my raw wrists. Ouch. I looked at Chelsea and said, “Come on Chels. Let’s get you out of here.”

She nodded and I stood up, Chelsea following slowly after me. I wrapped my arm around her and said, “Come on. I’m getting us out of here.”

She was silent as I led us to the door. I opened it and we quietly walked out of the room. We were halfway to the door when we heard, “And just what is it that you two think you are doing?”

I heard Chelsea quietly panic next to me, burying her face in my shirt. I looked over and saw Ronnie sitting on the couch, vodka bottle in one hand and a cigarette in the other. “Well, answer me,” Ronnie replied.

“We were just leaving,” I replied, “It’s been nice meeting you, but, as you can tell, Chelsea’s in pain and needs to seek medical attention.”

Wow. I just sounded really smart there. Score one for Tom.

Ronnie sighed and sat his cigarette in the ashtray on the end table. He stood up, vodka bottle in hand, and walked over to us. “Well Tom, I’m afraid I can’t let that happen. You see, Chelsea’s mine. She always has been and always will be mine. No matter who dates her. Not even my best friend. So, I suggest that you let go of my baby doll and leave,” he said.

I shook my head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I’m not leaving her here with you. Who knows what you’ve done to her.”

He looked at me and looked over at Chelsea. “I haven’t done anything to baby doll, isn’t that right?” he asked her.

She stayed quiet, her body shaking against mine. “I said, isn’t that right baby doll?” he asked menacingly before grabbing her hair and pulling her away from me and onto the floor. Why I didn’t have a better hold on her, I have no clue.

She hit the floor with a thud when Ronnie looked at me. He just shook his head before pulling out a gun and grabbing the barrel. He smirked, Chelsea freaking out, before hitting me upside the head with it, everything going black in an instant.