My best friend, Alicia, had been missing for 2 months and 13 days. The police were useless- I get why they wanted to question her boyfriend first, but by the time they were finished, the trail was long cold.

 

But I'd done it. I'd found her. I found the house where she was being kept.

 

Now to watch and figure out how to get her out.

 

I peered into the windows. Looked like a normal house. I didn't see anyone, so I moved quietly around to the alley way between the house and the one next door.

 

I peered in through the basement window and had to stifle a gasp.

 

I still didn't see anyone, but there was a chair with several straps attached to it, obviously meant to restrain someone. On a small table next to the chair, there was a pair of wireless headphones, some sort of goggles, and half a glass of water.

 

What the fuck was being done to Alicia?

 

"I knew you'd come for me!"

 

I looked up at the source of the familiar voice behind me. It was Alicia!

 

I jumped up and gave her a huge hug, telling her I was going to get her out of here, only to feel a needle plunge into my arm. I released her just in time to see Alicia taking her finger off the plunger.

 

"Wh- what?" This didn't make sense. I could feel the drug already starting to take effect and swayed on my feet. "Why, Alicia...?"

 

My words were already slurring.

 

"Excellent work, my pet," said a voice behind me. I tried to look, but my head wouldn't move. I realized that my eyes wouldn't open either.

 

Strong arms caught me as I lost all strength in my legs. It hit me that this man's voice was familiar as well.

 

As the man picked me up and started carrying me, my mind struggled to place the voice. If only I could get a look at him... I worked with all my strength to open my eyes and see who it was who had taken Alicia. Who was carrying me goodness knows where. I was finally able to open them just a sliver and the name came to me.

 

Kevin. A guy I'd met online. We'd gone on a couple of dates, but he had given me really creepy vibes and I'd ghosted him. I guess my gut had been right, not that it mattered at this point. I was completely helpless, at his mercy, and my best friend (who he had kidnapped!) was helping him for some reason.

 

I got distracted from my captor's identity as I caught a glimpse of where we were. We were in the room with the chair. I knew that once I was strapped into that chair, it was game over. He'd do to me whatever he'd done to Alicia. I tried to struggle out of his arms, paying no heed to the fact that if I was successful, he'd drop me down the stairs to the basement. Breaking my neck might be better than whatever he had in store for me anyway. But my body wouldn't cooperate with me regardless; all I did was let out a low moan of dismay.

 

With Alicia's help, Kevin had me strapped into that chair in under a minute. Why was she helping him?

 

"It was rather unfortunate that my hired lackey picked up Alicia here from the bar instead of you, as I'd intended, but I thought we could make this work. As you can see, she is now my willing pet, and she helped me understand that you'd stop at nothing to rescue her. So really, it was a matter of time until you came to me, and I've been able to enjoy your friend here for... well, about two months and one week since she broke. Call her a little bonus prize."

 

The drug must have been very short acting, because I was starting to find my strength again. Not that it mattered now that I was restrained. I struggled and shot the two of them a look of disgust as Kevin stroked Alicia's face, talking about her like an animal or a doll.

 

"Ah yes, clearly we have some work to do to get you cooperating. You'll be mine soon enough. My pet, why don't you finish getting Therese here sorted for me while I get the audio and visuals prepared?"

 

"Yes, Sir!" Alicia sounded excited about being given an instruction, a task. She held my head up slightly and gave me a few sips from the glass of water. "Don't worry, there's nothing in it. We just need you to keep hydrated!"

 

"Please... Alicia... why are you doing this? What's he done to you?" I croaked as she strapped my forehead down to the head rest. I renewed my struggles, but only succeeded in using up my only slightly regained strength.

 

Alicia kissed my cheek and put the goggles around my eyes. For a moment, I couldn't see anything at all, but spirals began to slowly appear in my field of vision along with words flashing too quickly for my eyes to process them. I tried closing my eyes, but somehow I could still see the spirals, even with them closed.

 

The last thing I sensed of my surroundings was Alicia's voice in my ear saying "Don't try to resist- it's too powerful. But don't worry, either- it feels fantastic. I'm so excited for you to experience this! I love you."

 

She placed the headphones on my ears and condemned me to whatever they had planned.