“Let me out, let me out!” I scream up at the kidnapper.
But he doesn’t answer.
I feel the walls closing in on me. It smells like dirt and moss and bugs.
“I can’t be in here—I’m an indoor kid, please!”
The wooden trapdoor above me slams shut, raining dirt and dust and gross things on my hair.
That’s when I know.
I’m really screwed.
***
I stand as much in the center of the pit as I possibly can, awayfrom the slimy, muddy walls.
I have finally braved the muck to get my purse so that I can call for help.
Too bad the kidnapper took both of my phones.
“I’m not here. I’m not here,” I whisper to myself. “I’m with Graham in his penthouse, and I’m going to take a bath and get pizza, and I’m going to make him read mePride and Prejudice.”
I can’t feel my toes.
How long can he keep me in here? Days? Is it two days without water or five?
“Probably should have figured that out before I got kidnapped, right, Lulu?”
Lulu stands on my feet.
I could sit down, but then my pants would be damp and muddy.
At least I’m wearing my tennis shoes. If I was wearing my ballet flats? I shudder thinking about the dank, muddy damp seeping into my shoes.
Now I really wish I hadn’t called Graham a kidnapper in front of his family. That was in no way as bad as this.
I work at the duct tape on my cold hands, but I can’t get it off. It’s stuck on me just like I’m trapped in here.
***
I have given in, and I’m leaning my back against a slimy wall.
The damp seeps through my jacket.
I’m going to have to sit down soon, I think.
I wish I’d packed a snack. The one time in my life I didn’t bring food with me.
When I get out—ifI get out. No, it’s definitely awhen—I’m getting pizza and one of those bagels with extra cream cheese.
My stomach growls.
Lulu, who is shivering against my legs, starts barking. Is my kidnapper coming back? Is he going to take me out of here? And if he does, am I just going to be in a worse situation?
I haven’t actually let my thoughts go that dark, because I mean, I can’t stay here forever, right? Someone will come get me eventually, right? Graham’s going to know I’m missing.
But I basically called him the devil. He’s probably blocked me.
