“Your problem is not my problem!”
I slam the door behind me. I make a run for my car, get in, and don’t even wait for my Spotify to connect. I just drive. I have no real destination, just a place away where it would take a while to find me. I drive 10 miles to the Demoralized River. Never thought I would end up here, but yet here I am.
Parked, I get out of the car and walk toward the big rocks. These rocks have always been a memory. I remember coming here with my mom when I was little. Back when I didn’t know why it was called the Demoralized River and back when I didn’t have the burdens I have now. I would have been standing on top of the boulder like rocks. Jumping from one to one and trying to go as quick as I could to meet my mom at the other end. She’d always catch me as I jumped off the last rock. We’d sit on the big rock I’d pick out and have a little picnic. Then we’d talk and she’d sing to me the fun childhood lullabies. She always knew how to make the simple things in life fun. Now, I sit on the biggest rock that I picked out, all alone.
Staring off into the foggy slate of water in front of me, only small ripples flowing across the water as if it is the calm before the afternoon storm. Suddenly I hear a car pull up. Not paying attention to the type of car or who was in it I got up and quickly began making my way back to my car. In fear it was one of my parents coming to retrieve me. As the gravel trembles beneath the car’s tires I can hear it closely slowing down. Still not looking back, but walking quicker, the window rolls down and a man’s voice says, “Excuse me, I’m looking for the nearest vet clinic. I’m visiting from out of town watching someone’s dog and it somehow got into my chocolate. Could you just point me in the right direction?”
Now facing the black unmemorable van, I notice that I can’t see or hear a dog and why would they come to a secluded river to ask for help? And all the over explaining?“No, I’m sorry. I have no idea.” I reply as to avoid whatever might come next.
I slowly start backing toward my car as the man in the van begins to get out of his car. I turn around about to grab the handle and I see a different man’s face and it all goes black. I’m still conscious, I just can’t see. I kick and flail my arms as hard as I can. Only to hear a sliding door open and a cold metal piece placed around my wrist. I hear the cranking sound of the cuffs closing and the door sliding shut. I attempt to move my arm, but can’t. However, I am surprisingly able to remove the iconic burlap sack that stole my sight. After realizing all these movie connections I can’t help but smile. I mean they really watched a mystery movie and picked their favorite parts and then forgot to knock me out.
After a minute I remember that I should be taking note of everything. First thing I notice is that there are no windows, seats, or anything one would normally find. Just me, the burlap sack, the cuffs, the bar I’m attached to, rope, and duct tape; straight from a movie. As for the two men, I didn’t get a good look at either of them. I did remember a couple stand out features of the man in the van. I felt like I had to be quick, but I noticed he was wearing a black mask that covered the lower half of his face and that he had a scar across his eyelid. I didn’t notice what color eyes he had partly because it was dark and partly because I didn’t think it mattered at that moment. The second guy was so unexpected that it was just a flash of an ivory skin tone.
Out of nowhere I slam against the side of the van and am flung all around with the cuffs digging into my wrist. We have to be on a bumpy road based on all the bruises I’ll be covered with if I get out of this. I can hear faint voices, but can’t make out any words, just mumbles. Both male voices, but weirdly familiar. The car stops. A helicopter is whirling in the background. I hear the car doors open and shut, hear a couple different voices, and footsteps stepping closer. The door slides open and then after a second quickly shuts. They must have realized their mistake with the burlap sack. After a couple minutes of panicked voices my door opens again. Everything goes black.