Chapter 2

\~ Lin's POV \~

/A few minutes ago/

After I gulped down the tablet along with the water, I moved the empty plastic glass away from my lips and handled it back to the owner, thanking him. He simply nodded his head while he continued to move the medicines into a plastic shopper. "That would be a $137." He informed a second later.

Nodding my head, I pulled out my wallet from my hoodie's pocket, making it quick, knowing that Ren would insist on paying for them.

It was empty...

Mentally face palming myself upon recalling how my siblings had spared me this morning, I turned around towards Ren, having no other choice but to ask him for help when suddenly I felt a strong hand cover my mouth.

What the?!

Before I could comprehend what was going on, a pair of grey eyes suddenly came in view causing me to flinch. The owner’s features were covered with a black mask leaving half of his face to my imagination.

The guy moved his index finger over to where his lips might be, motioning me to keep silent. When I furrowed my eyebrows, ready to not listen, he pulled out a pistol using his other hand and aimed it up towards my right eye, giving me a clear warning.

Noticing that I was still not ready to listen, he then aimed it to the back of Ren's head causing my eyes to widen in fear and worry. I shook my head as the strong hand continued to force me to breath through my nose.

The masked person again, motioned me to stay silent before turning his attention towards Ren who was still busy on the phone, unaware of the situation.

The heck?!

REN!!!

My heartbeat was getting louder and faster by the second as chills continued to run down my spine. I knew i had to do something but what?

My hands continued to stay at my sides and weren't tied up or held by the person behind me in other words I could use them but i've got only one chance. I want to risk it and at the same time I don't wanna risk it.

Oh god!

My gaze was fixed on the masked man in front of me who continued to carefully make his way towards Ren with his pistol still aimed at his head. I waited for him to lower the aim of the pistol even for a second and luckily when he did, I took the risk.

Immediately, whipping both of my hands towards the other guy's palm, I dug my nails into his hand, moving it away from my mouth only for a mili second and called out Ren. But my voice came out muffled when I felt another hand squeezed my mouth shut.

Why you—!

The bastard behind me tightened his grip over my mouth and pulled my body backwards, making me lean uncomfortably over the counter causing me grimace in pain. I now stood on my tiptoes which made the stomach cramps worst. But before I could pull my body forward, I felt something press against my temple.

My body froze.

Whatever it was, it was clearly bad news.

I looked back up when I heard something drop on the floor with a small clack which was then followed by Ren's yell. "The hell?!" He finally turned around towards us, angrily, only to meet the muzzel of the pistol.

An emotion of confusion rushed over his face but disappeared instantly when his eyes met mine. His eyes narrowed.

"Ya chubby! Filthy. Hands. Off!" Ren said through gritted teeth, his hands turning into fists.

I felt the bastard behind me, pull my head back a few inches, clearly planning to use me as a shield just in case my brother tries do something.

My upper back was starting to ache as my shaky elbows continued to supported my body, preventing it from falling over the counter.

My elbows wouldn't last much longer if I continue to stay in this position.

"Look here, boy." The man in black, raised his aim towards Ren's temple but Ren paid no attention to him. His eyes were fixed on the bastard's hand on my mouth, fighting the urge to cut it off. "I said, look—!"

"EYAA!!!" The bastard behind me screamed out in pain when I suddenly pierced my teeth into his palm's skin. The moment he snatched away is hand, on a reflex, I took the opportunity to run towards the exit along with Ren who now head-butt the other confused guy, making him stumble backwards and crash into one of the shelves.

We ran through the gate and down the empty street knowing that we have only a few seconds before the guys decide to catch up. Ren kept looking over his shoulder towards me, checking if I was doing okay which I clearly wasn't. My weak legs were literally dragging my body through the street.

I knew it was time for me to pick up the pace but the sudden stab of pain halted me on my tracks and I bent down in pain.

Shit! Why did my periods have to start today of all days?!

"Lin!" I hear Ren call out but I was too much in pain to look up at him. The heavy footsteps became louder in the next two seconds until a pair of white sneakers came into my view. "It's the cramps!" I said, through my teeth. It seriously felt like my organs were being torn apart one by one as needles continued to stab my ribs. I took a deep breath. "Just give me five seconds."

"Make it two." His gaze obviously fixed on the pharmacy behind us. "Time's up." He informed the next second as I heard a creak of a door opening from behind us.

Taking a deep breath, I forced my body up straight and headed towards the car with Ren who was already five feet ahead of me. I noticed him pull out the car keys from his pocket and click the unlock button causing his car's headlights to flicker in response.

To my relief, Ren was in the car in no time, retrieving the engine but before I could let out a sigh, I felt something scrape my knee from the side, making me wince but I didn't stop. The shouts of the two men continued behind me but I ignored them.

Ren leaned over to open the door for me just in time for me to hop in. "Go!" I ordered, trying to catch my breath as I slammed the door shut.

The next two minutes happened so fast. Ren driving away from the pharmacy into the dark street. Us giving out a sigh of relief. A white car appearing before us. Ren turning the steering-wheel only to crash into a huge pole.

I remember losing consciousness for a few seconds before regaining it only to see an unconscious Ren in the drives seat, stuck between the air bag and the seat. His head and along with his right ear were bleeding.

He's hurt...

I tried to lift head up but couldn't. I couldn't feel my body. From what I could tell, my upper half was hunched over while my head rested on the dashboard. I had an enormous headache that limited the amount of thinking I could do while my ears continued to ring. To my surprise, I could no longer feel my stomach cramps for some reason.

"R-Ren...?"

I couldn't hear my own voice. But I didn't spare it a second thought and continued to try to lift my body or at least my right hand but all my efforts were in vain.

I tired to think of something but got nothing. I couldn't move a muscle or hear my voice. I don't even know if any voice is escaping my lips or not. I felt hopeless. No — I was helpless .

"H-Hey!" I tired once more only to let out a coughing fit the next second. It was then that i realised the smoke that had gathered around us.

S-S-S-SHIT!

An emotion of fear washed over me and I started to panic. I started breathing rapidly but that had made matters worst. I had inhaled too much smoke which then resulted in me coughing non stop.

I wheezed as my eyes scanned around the car, trying to find... what?

I wasn't sure myself.

It didn't take long for my vision to become a blur but I no longer cared. I was too busy coughing my guts out and when I got a chance to breathe, I glanced at Ren once again before everything drifted into darkness.

..............

"He.....Up....."

"Ya! C.....you.... me?!"

I hear distant voice but I don't know from which direction it is coming from.

Wait! What? Voices?!

I can hear?!

I shot my eyes open only to regret the decision the next second when the bright light hit my eyes.

Wow, that stung.

Rubbing my eyes with my right hand, I slowly lifted my body away from the hard cold ground into a sitting position, only to feel a server back ache hence I couldn't straighten my back and was slouching over.

Slowly opening one eye, I looked at my unfamiliar surroundings. "Whe—?"

"Had a good sleep?" Asked the familiar voice to which I whipped my head towards my right earning a hell of a headache the next second. Wincing, I raised my hand to my temple and pressed it while slowly turning my head. I stopped when I made eye contact with a pair of hazel eyes. My heart skipped a beat.

"Hey beautiful." Ren's lips slipped into a lopsided smile.

Oh god!

Tears gather in my eyes, almost making my vision blurry again as I continued to stare into his hazel eyes. "Idiot!" Lifting my body up into a standing position, I reached out both of my hands, ready to hug the life out of him. "Do you know how—?!" But soon came to a halt when I felt something restraining my legs, stopping me from taking another step.

Looking down to my feet, I felt my eyes widen at the sight of a thick chain tied around my left leg.

What the?

Confusedly, I looked over towards Ren, ready to get some answers from him only to see him shrug at my reaction. "The chains won't budge at all. I tired to break them but it's no use." He said lowering his gaze, not wanting to meet my eyes. "I myself woke up a few minutes ago and found myself chained just like you. I found you unconscious on the floor and tried to walk to you but the chains wouldn't let me so all I could do is call out to you but you wouldn't respond until now."

My eyebrows furrowed as I continued to listen to him silently, trying to figure out what was happening. I looked around once more, studying my surroundings.

We were in a room... no, more like a basement that was lit up by a two lightbulbs. There were no windows, no fans, no air conditioner. We were surrounded by dozens of large boxes that were piled up, one above the other. There were a few metal rods thrown in the small spaces between the boxes.

Wait!

Metal Rods!

"Ren! We could use the metal rods to break the chain!" I informed, looking around for at least one rod which could be within our reach.

"Tried that. Didn't work." He shrugged again, immediately catching my attention to see him holding up two rods in his hands. "The rods are weak and they break immediately." He tossed them away, a little frustrated.

He was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, his chin rested on the palm of his left hand. The bleeding from his head and ear had been dried up and was now stuck like a glue on the right side of his face.

"Did you scream for help?" I asked, sitting back down on the cold floor when I started to feel a little dizzy. I was getting a little frustrated about him being too calm but i guess in this situation it's the best thing to do so I let him be.

"I didn't."

"Why?"

"We're tied up by a chain, in a basement with huge boxes...." He said, now looking straight at me. "Do you still think it's a good idea to scream? To tell our captors that we are awake?"

"No, I guess not." I agreed with him. There is a 100% chance that our captors would be the two freaks from the pharmacy. Or maybe it could be someone else.....

But the main problem is... what do they plan to do with us?

I couldn't think straight as a million thoughts ran through my mind. But they vanished in an instant when I heard a small creak.

A door?

Me and Ren exchanged looks, remembering seeing no doors in this room. "Behind the boxes?" Ren asked in a low voice.

"Cou—!" Before I could say a single word, I felt the floor below me shake a little before a specific portion on which I had been laying unconscious on, slowly started to decreased under like a lift.

My eyes widened and I immediately got to my feet and tried to move away from the portion only to be pulled back by the chain around my leg.

"Lin!" I heard the chain around Ren's leg rattle as he tried to run towards me but his efforts were clearly in vain. "God! Damn it!" He cursed as his chain rattled violently this time but i didn't look up to see what he was doing. I was busy trying to get the chain off my leg which got tighter but I didn't stop.

"It won't budge!" I said, through my gritted as I started to panic. My breathing became rapid and my hands got all sweaty. "Please..." I whispered to myself, tears welling up my eyes as I gave the chain one last pull before letting out a small scream. The chain was piercing my skin, a few inches from crushing my bones.

Unknowingly, my turned my head to look over my shoulder, towards Ren who opened his mouth to say something but stopped suddenly. I noticed his eyes widen.

Creak....

"LINDA!!!" I was met with the fear that those hazel eyes held before the floor underneath me instantly pulled me down with it, breaking our eye contact.

In the next two seconds, my body came in contact with the floor with a loud thud. Wincing in pain, I slowly lifted my head up to see a...

An audience?

Hundreds of people were seated before me, all wearing a white mask but the overbearing attention directed towards me was crystal clear. Some were whispering, some were snickering while the remaining gazed on.

I felt *****.

My heart was dying to burst out of my chest as my breathing once again became rapid. My body froze on the spot and didn't listen to me when I tried to lift myself off the ground.

"Just as I had promised, we have two special treats for you all and as you can see one of them is her." A feminine voice announced on a mic, grabbing my attention. I turned my gaze away from the audience and towards my left to see a brunette dressed in a black suit, standing a little far away from me. She paid no attention to me and continued. "We found her unconscious on the street not too long ago. So we decided to take her in and let you guys give her a new home, a new life. And now without further delay. Let's start the bidding!"

The what?!

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