FF: Hostage [NOTE- page 34] *discontinued* - Page 14

Part 3

***Prem's POV***

Shit, shit, shit. I honked angrily as a couple of pigeons flew overboard. As I sat there in traffic, I tried to calm my breathing. That's it Prem. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. OK now that I got breathing in order, maybe I should think about what I had just done.

I had kidnapped a girl. I mean, I won't get in too much trouble will I? I mean it's not like I'm doing this for myself, another life depends on how quickly this girl's father agrees to my demands. I glanced over my shoulder to see the unknown girl slumped on the ground, asleep from exhaustion. No wonder she was tired, she spent a whole hour kicking me in spot's I would have rather she didn't.

By sunset, I pulled up to an empty street, parking in a dark driveway. As the car slowed down, my heartbeat altered. The easy part was done, now it was time for the intimidating. Sighing I got out of the car and walked around to where the girl was, in the back seat, so deep asleep you would think that she had been knocked out. Opening the back door of the care, I scanned the street, but all was quiet, after all it was well after midnight most people were fast asleep.

Leaning over, I went to grab a hold of her and let go just as quickly. Shocked I stared at her. I don't know what it was, but there was a spark, it just burned desperately. I stared at her, her who obviously had not felt….that…whatever it was. Shaking my head, I leaned over again for another try. Hesitantly I poked her shoulder. Nothing. OK she was safe. Slowly, I nestled her in my arms, her petite body a perfect fit against my frame, her head lolled over to rest on my shoulder. I looked down at her, a smile tugging at the corners. OK this felt type of….good? Wait no. Prem, I told myself sternly, she is just a girl. Just a girl. Never mind the fact that she was….umm? What was the word? Wait. Who cares what the word is? Because bottom line is, I am not attracted to her. 'Yes you are.' said a smug voice inside my head. Stupid conscience. I forced the thought out of my head as I walked up the steps, pushed the door open and walked into semi-darkness.

"Mmm-hmmm…."

I looked down to see her murmuring in her sleep, her eyebrows meeting in the middle, crunched up, as if she was feeling something, something real. She squirmed in my arms as if trying to make herself comfortable in whatever situation she was facing in her dream, whatever it was. Then out of no where, she grabbed the front of my shirt with such force I lost my footing and fell back onto the couch, she, whoever she was, and still nestled safely in my arms.

The fall had no effect on her; she was still lost in her dreams or by the looks of it, nightmares. Gently, I lowered her on the couch. As I made to get back up, she made a desperate grab for the front of my shirt, pulling me so close; an inch was all that separated us. My breathing heavy, I glanced up at her, all other thoughts chased wildly from my head. Her fair complexion, with long, loose hair, sprinkled out, making a fan on the couch pillows behind her. Her eyes were hidden from me with long, thick eyelashes, her demure looking lips which she was gnawing on gently with her teeth, pearly white all of them. Looking closer, I stopped a laugh. One of her front teeth had a tiny little chip in it, my right, her left. Looking down at her petite frame, my eyes were drawn to something, something that caused my laugh to die in my throat as I gazed, only sub conscious of what I was doing at her hands.

They lay there, folded almost in a prayer stance, taunting me, wanting me. Not thinking about what I was doing, I reached out, testing myself, my limits. I can't lose to her, at least not on the first night. My fingers grazed the ends of hers, causing her to involuntarily shiver in her sleep, at the same time opening up her hands, allowing me to take her hand into mine, which nestled its way into the deepness of my palm in a way I didn't possible. My eyes pulled away from our entwined hands to her face, a face that had registered fear earlier in the night, but now held a peacefulness I had never witnessed before. I felt myself getting dizzy, stifling in the heat, although there was no warmth in the room to speak of. It all started with her, ended with her.

I started. Pulling my hand back again, I stared at her, disbelief etched all over my face. She did it again. Twice, she had shocked me, and in less then my knowing her for what a couple of hours, I had already found myself losing. Losing myself, losing it. Shaking, I got up, my feet wavering. I stared at her for another second or two, before whipping around and stalked out of the room, locking her in there. No way was I risking another…whatever that was.

After securing that door, I walked over to the dingy phone hanging off the wall. Screw whatever this girl was, or what she did to me. I was doing a job. For Preet. Still shaking, I dialled the cell number of Preet's doctor. As it rung, I paced the small foyer area, impatiently waiting for the idiot to pick up. "Come on!" I muttered under my breath. Sighing, I shook my head. This was useless. Just as I was about to hang up, the doctor picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Prem, Prem Juneja?"

"Ohh Prem, was just going to call you up! How are you? And your mother?" inquired the man, out of breath.

"Forget about me, I'll have the money to you in a week, I just have to – uhh – discuss a couple of details with my source. How's Preet?"

"Ahh Prem that's good to hear! You know very few people meet up to the challenge of getting money for their loved ones, many just you know, give u-." The idiot was ranting.

I interrupted, no in the mood for his blabbering. "Preet? How is he?"

Silence on the phone. I heard the doctor take in a deep breath, and told me in hushed tones. "No improvement yet Mr.Juneja, he is on life-support. The good thing about it is that we don't need to worry about him right now! The machines are doing their job! You just bring in that money and we will get straight to fixing up your poor brother k?" The cheeriness was evident in his voice.

"Goodbye." I stammered into the phone, knowing if I talked to him any longer, I would be the first human being to commit murder through the phone.

*** Ranvir's POV***

I pulled up to the driveway of the house I had just left Heer in that morning. Glancing at my watch I stifled a smile. Only 9pm. I told Heer I would be here at 7pm so only 2 hours late. Not bad Ranvir, I gave myself a pat on the back. I looked around, waiting for Heer, impatience creeping up my back.

I gave a double take. The house has no lights on. I frowned. Now that was weird. Usually Heer would already be running down the steps, fixing an earring, yelling at me for being late, but today it was quiet, all quiet. Eerie? Yea I guess you could call it that.

I got out of the car, went up the steps and tentatively rang the doorbell. Nothing. I peered in through the window, making out the dark outlines of the furniture. I guess Uncle had a late meeting or something but Heer? She should be here.

"Heer?" I called out. "OK this isn't funny, come on Heer, get in the car."

Nothing. Absolutly nothing. Where was she?