Blood Bound

Chapter 1

Another X on the calendar. Exactly 34 days, 6 hours, 3 minutes and 2 seconds ‘til graduation and I am officially an adult. Hi, I’m Alena, 17-year-old senior, excited for the world to come and greet me. Today is the day of the last high school play that I will ever star in. I play the lead role of Sarah Ruhl from the play Stage Kiss . She’s an artist who thinks art captures all life and falls in love with someone she never expected she would. It is a good storyline I will admit, but not everyone likes the nerd at school getting the lead role.

They all prefer Sapphire, the most popular girl in school. Not that I care, she’s a brat and a bully. I will never understand the popular life. Her father is the inventor of Post-It Notes. For her birthday, boys put Post-It Notes all over her locker declaring their crushes on her. Eventually, she figures one out, goes out with them for a week, breaks up with them, and then moves on to her next boyfriend. She has dated almost every guy in our school except the nerdy boys. Some of them she’s even dated twice! Of course, she has a gorgeous toned body and long blonde hair. Me? I have wavy, frizzy, red-brown hair, so many freckles that my body is covered from head to toe, and big seafoam green eyes, just like my mom. Don’t forget I’m nerdy, a drama major, and a freakish reader.

The one thing that I never understood was that I was beautiful, more than Sapphire apparently. At least that is what everyone thinks. I know I have some good features, but am I really that stunning?

Every day, my brother Jeremy drives me to school in his brand new navy blue 2018 Jeep, while I blast music through my Bluetooth headphones. I have my license and I could drive, but my mother has never liked the idea of me driving by myself, and there are only two cars to split amongst us three, and that means the oldest get them. No matter how much I ask my mom for me to drive or get my own car, it is always a no. However, I did make the deal that I won’t ride the bus and Jeremy is forced to take me to school, which my mother all too quickly agreed to, something about trusting my brother over an old lady.

My family is wealthy, nearly as wealthy as Sapphire’s family actually. My mother has a huge paying job, not that she has ever told me. My mother doesn’t tell me a lot of things, much to my disappointment and annoyance. She always says that it’s not my business, but I know that there is something else she’s hiding.

My father, well, he died when I was a child. Murdered when he tried to stop an armed robbery.

Not that it matters to anyone outside my family. I am a loner. A nobody.

My brother parks the car and I jump out and say a quick goodbye. I run right to the stage theater on the west side of the school. My English teacher, Ms. Broner, is already waiting there for me to have our usual morning talks. Mostly we talk about who won the spelling bee on TV, or the latest gossip on our favorite book and TV show series Shadowhunters.

Morning Alena! Did you hear about how they killed off Malec? I was so hoping that they would get married! Ms. Broner says.

I know I am so disappointed! I reply.

RING! Stupid bell.

Sorry, Ms. Broner! Got to get to 1st block! I say running out the door.

Bye! She yells after me.

The bell rings right as I get in the classroom.

You’re late! Mrs. Yancey yells.

I’m not late, but it’s a waste of time to argue with her. Instead I just roll my eyes. She yells at me again as I take my seat. She is the only teacher I’ve had in my entire life who dislikes me. I don’t even know why! I always wonder how she is even married or has kids for that matter. They are sweet kids; I go over to babysit them once in a while. Mr. Yancey always pays well.

After what feels like only 10 minutes, I hear the bell.

RING! The first block is over.

The periods here fly by fast, sometimes not fast enough.

In our little town of Arran, nothing really happens that is history book worthy, or being put on the map. You can’t find Arran on most Minnesota maps, only the really close and detailed ones. The only thing special about this town is that there is a big forest and lake on the edge of town, a few clothing shops, and a malt shop across from the high school. Life here is simple and quiet, and I hate it.

I want adventure and life and everything that makes the world beautiful and so difficult to understand. I want a life unlike the one that I have been given, and living in Arran would never let that life come to pass, no town in the southern part of Minnesota would. I want to travel, to see the places where empires once stood, where music and art was created, and where people found out who they were. I want that to be me, but I guess I will have to just hold onto the music and art that theater brings me.

It isn’t long after school that we start our small rehearsal before the big show. Being the lead role is terrifying so the extra practice is great. It helps me to calm my nerves, which are in a frenzy because I have huge stage fright. However, whenever I start the play, the stage fright dissipates, replaced with wonder and joy. And that was what it was like as I performed for two hours until the play ended.

We pull up to the malt shop to celebrate, and also because we were all too tired to cook at home. As we sit down to eat, my mom goes on about how excellent I was in the play, and then starts crying because it is my last one. Jeremy tries to calm her so we don’t make a scene, but of course she does and he just gives up. I giggle as I watch the scene. My mom is the best mother in the world; I couldn’t have asked for a better one.

My brother is one that everyone crushes on. With that six pack and huge arm muscles, who wouldn’t? Of course, I always get grossed out when people, mostly girls, flirt with him. Even my best friend Ava. She has had a crush on my brother since the 7th grade.

She is laughing next to me at all of his lame jokes he makes. Not that I blame her. If I didn’t hear these jokes on a daily basis, I would probably laugh too. As if everyone crushing on him wasn’t enough, every day I hear his name in the hallways. When I said that I was a nobody, I wasn’t lying. I am not called Alena, barely anyone knows my name. They always refer to me as Jeremy’s little sister or the girl whose father died.

Ava is always there for me though. Sticking up for me when I am so annoyed that I want to choke someone. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through high school without her.

Eventually, Ava has to go for curfew and my family’s getting tired. We part ways and I give Ava a big hug, and then we are on our way home. I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Little did I know, this was the beginning of a chain reaction and the last time I would see my family for a long time. The last night I would be just a sweet, innocent little girl.

Chapter 2

I wake up to intruders surrounding my bed, both men and women. I can see seven, at least. One holds a knife to my throat.

Get up. If you scream, we’ll kill everyone in the neighborhood, a hoarse voice whispers in my ear.

I silently move, my body trembling with fear, from my bed. My body shakes so much that it takes all my concentration not to fall on my quaking legs, and not to get stabbed. I fell asleep so quickly last night, I still have on my same clothes. I slip on my tennis shoes, as he instructs.

Still with the knife to my throat, the same voice commands, Go out the back door. Make a sound and it will be your last.

Not wanting to die, I listen, my mind forcing my body to relax. I silently go out the back door, being careful not to make a sound. As soon as I close the door and turn around, I realize they want not just any girl, but they want me. Specifically me. Several of their men and women surround my house.

Move! one of the ‘gang’ members commands, as others push me to my kidnappers. They split off into small groups, each moving in a different direction. One group surrounds me as if I was going to escape. They keep a knife to my throat like I am going to run, seemingly killing me in the process. At first, when I woke up, I had no idea what they wanted me for. Are they going to use me for ransom? Sex trafficking? Sell me to the highest bidder? I’m not sure what to make of any of this.

They are dressed in all black with a purple symbol I can’t quite make out, but it seems like a circle with three lines going through the middle to each end with something else surrounding it. Are they a cult?

The thing that scares me the most are the weapons. Covering them from head to toe, are various types of weapons. From machine guns to combat knives to handguns. The man to my right even has a crossbow. Not to mention the full body armor protecting them from anyone who may decide to fire a gun and save me.

Before I even know what’s happening, I’m planted face down in the dirt. I cough against the dirt in my mouth. Sirens sound from the house, loud enough to wake the neighborhood. I hear orders being yelled, and trampling feet. Gunshots, then fighting. There goes my wish for no one getting hurt.

Get her out of here! Keep going until you reach the plane. I will take the men and be a distraction, my kidnapper tells a woman with short dark, black hair.

She yanks me up by my hair and tells me to move. I attempt to drag my feet as a sign of where I was being taken, until the woman threatens me with the gun on her hip. I stop my form of rescue and obey. We run until my legs give out. Up until this point, I have been holding back my fear, anger, and sadness. Now, I can’t stop the tears from running down my face.

My body is racked with tremors, my fear taking over all the rest of my emotions. All the night’s events flash before my eyes; being taken from my bed to this moment in time, crying on my knees. I try to think of a way out.

The only way I am getting out is through the girl with me now. I know I can’t fight her. Not because I am weak, but because she has several weapons and I wish not to die tonight. My other option is to convince her to let me go. I have nothing to go on except my sorrow. I decide to use that to my advantage. I may be a good actor, but nothing I have ever done before was as good as this. The weird thing is, I am not even forcing it. I just let my feelings rush in and then I let it all out. I cry my eyes out with everything I have.

Shut up! the dark-haired woman commands.

But I can’t. The tears won’t stop coming. And to be honest, I don’t want them to. Let her see my pain and my sorrow. Let her pity me so much that she might let me go. For a split second, I think of my father, and I cry a little harder and louder.

Is this her? a voice says coming up from behind me.

Yes. She won’t stop crying. Can you help me? the woman replies.

She offers me a black water bottle filled with something and I drink without hesitation, my mouth dry from running. I assume it’s just water, it tastes like it. It tastes kind of like the water you drink from the water fountain at school: metallic and disgusting.

In the long run, chugging down liquid from a weird looking water bottle, from a stranger—a kidnapper at that—at three in the morning in a forest, was not a very smart idea. I thought maybe if I really make it look like I am spiraling down into a deep pit of sorrow, she might even let me go. I think that’s why she gave me the water in the first place. She pities me.

I finish off the water right before she takes it away and shoves it in a pocket around her waist. I stand upright as they both take one of my arms each, and practically drag me to a fence.

Beyond the fence looks like an airfield, except this one looks like one of those really small ones, only for private jets and flights for the ‘rich’ people. They drag me through a hole in the fence and take me to a private jet. There’s no mistaking it for a commercial plane. This one is small, the size of three cars put together.

There are about two out of the four groups of the people that stand in front of the plane in a semicircle. They all look at me. I shudder from all the gazes. I am still in the clothes from the play. There’s paint all over me, but the worst part is my hair is all over the place with dirt in it. I even have a ketchup stain on my jeans.

I blush with either anger or sadness or embarrassment. Which one? I have no idea, but that is not what concerns me for long. All of sudden everything around me feels fuzzy. I feel sleepy and dizzy.

I feel funny, I pronounce.

One of them smiles as I start to sway, using the two people in the forest to balance me. Another one laughs as my knees give out beneath me. The woman and man from the forest catch me and lower me down onto the pavement. My eyes start to flutter shut and open again. I fight to keep consciousness. I start to question everyone.

What’s going on? Who are you? What did-d you give… everything goes black.

The last thing I remember is the woman’s voice from earlier, echoing in my mind. Just relax, go rest your eyes. You’ll need it for what’s to come. My eyes give up trying to stay awake, as I feel someone scoop me up in their arms and carry me onto the plane.

What’s to come? I wonder before drifting off to sleep.

As the plane is in flight, I open my eyes every once in a while, fighting to wake up, but am pulled back into darkness once again. In my darkness, I relive all of my life. Like the expression, ‘I saw my life flash before my eyes.’ It was as if I was watching a movie, but the scenes were my own memories. Everything from before my dad died to when I fell asleep. All of it just came and ran through my mind. But there was one memory that I don’t remember at all. A strange man standing before me and then my mom, holding me with red paint on her face, men dressed in black surrounding us.

Chapter 3

The next place I wake up does not give me comfort, despite its cozy amenities. The first thing I notice is the massive bed and comfy blanket that I am curled up in. The next is my head. It pounds like no headache I have ever had before. Is this what hangovers feel like? I try to sit up, but fail and fall back on the dozen pillows behind me.

I am in what looks to be a master bedroom, but much more exquisite. I have my own bathroom, closet, and even my own dining area; a huge desk and massive windows backing it. I try to see what’s outside but as I do…

You’re up! I was thinking you would be out for longer, exclaims a handsomely dressed man that comes through two double doors. You must be a fighter, like your mother. I think had my men not threatened the entire neighborhood, you would be going to school today, his voice is smooth and full of amusement.

Hello, Alena.

His eyes are the deepest of ocean blue, that stand out against his well tanned skin. His shirt defines the lines his muscles create. And the smirk on his face tells me of his confidence and authority.

How do you know my name? My voice is hoarse and sounds like I have been screaming. I swallow, trying to soothe the scratchiness I feel.

I know everything about you. Your name, your birthday, your school, even that tiny birthmark right behind your ear, he replies. I assume you have questions. I heard that you were asking a few before you passed out. Strong stuff we gave you, but clearly your family can take it.

What is it that you gave me?

Rohypnol, it—

I know what it is, I interrupt. Did you—,

His chuckle cuts me off, No. You mistake what I have you here for.

What do you intend to do with me then?

I simply want revenge on your mother.

What does my mother have to do with all of this? I question. Each answer is leaving me more and more confused.

You definitely are a curious one, he says. All in good time, love, but for now you need rest for tonight. Wouldn’t want you to miss dinner now, would we? He shuts down any room for discussion with his tone.

He walks toward my bed, and then I realize what I didn’t see before. The huge IV in my arm sapping some clear fluid into my bloodstream. That must be what was making me tired and weak.

You need your rest.

With that, he turns a nozzle and I begin to feel weaker than ever. It isn’t like the weakness before in the woods, this one is overwhelming but I am still aware of my surroundings.

I’ll have maids come right before dinner to prepare you. It’s time you meet my brothers.

Once again I try to fight sleep, but fail, giving in to my exhaustion. I fall back into darkness.

When I wake, I find two guards standing at each post of the bed. Both are broad and muscular. One is shorter than the other, with dirty blonde hair, and the other is tall with dark brown hair.

Then I notice the maids, one on each side of the bed, just like that man said earlier. I try to sit up, but still feel too weak to do so. One of the guards notices and comes to the machine with the weird sleepy fluid and changes it out with something else. As soon as the new liquid enters my body, I feel a huge weight lifted off my chest.

The maids move immediately, going into what I assume to be the closet. While the taller guard returns to his post, the other stares right at me with burning eyes as I try to sit up again. I eventually succeed without falling, but not without losing my breath. Then, the two maids return.

Each holds a fancy, dinner party dress. Neither maid looks any older than 16. One still has childlike chubby cheeks and beautiful, long, flowing, brown hair. It bounces as she moves, almost alive with as much adventure as her eyes. The other’s features differ only slightly. She appears to be a few years older and her eyes seem darker. They almost look like sisters.

Which one do you like best? Master says you must look fabulous for tonight! The red or grey? The younger, chubby-cheeked one says.

The grey looks lovely, I reply trying to sound as cheerful as possible. I may have been forced here, but that doesn’t mean I need to seem depressed in front of the young children.

I agree completely. Although I thought gold was your favorite color? The little one stated.

It is, I just thought you didn’t have it. I wonder how she knows that.

We do! Let me go fetch it—

No! No, it’s alright. The grey will do! I blurt out.

Alright! Guards, if you could go into another room; I have a feeling she won’t get dressed with you staring at her, The quiet, older one says.

Are you two sisters? I ask as the guards turn to go.

Yes! The little one pipes up.

Apologies for not introducing ourselves, the older one says. "I am Emily, and this is my little sister Lilly. She can get a little hyper sometimes. Our mother was a… friend of his before she died. He took us in and has kept us around to help. Mostly cleaning, but now we are to be helping you get ready," the older one, Emily, says as she works to help me get out of bed.

I stand up, wobbly at first, but I find my footing. They both work to get me out of my clothes, and into fresh undergarments.

How old are you two? I ask.

I am 9 and Emily is 14, says little Lilly, as they slip the grey dress on. I am surprised by the beauty of it. The dress is a darker cloud grey silk material, with swirling beading at the base. As it goes up, the beading turns into crystals, all the way up to the low neck. The neck is barely above my breasts, but I have no breath to complain. The dress is absolutely stunning. It is so light, I feel as if I am wearing nothing at all.

They fasten my hair into natural looking curls, and give me plain flats, the color of the dress. Thank God for flats. I don’t think I can walk far, let alone in heels. When they are finished, they nod with huge smiles and leave giggling.

As soon as the door shuts, I turn around and admire myself in the body sized mirror. I look like a princess. My hair is beautiful, matching with the swirls of my dress. There is even a small crystal beret in my hair to match the top of the dress. For children so young, I have to say I am impressed.

After a few minutes of admiring myself, the same pair of guards come in to lead me to the man I met before. Before, when I first woke up, I was thinking I was in a mansion. I even entertained the possibility of a castle, but it’s no