When Rick got home, there was a woman he had never seen before sunbathing in his back yard. She was sitting in the lawn chair with her back to Rick so she did not know he was there. Rick was a bit perplexed to say the least, not to say that he minded. He had always fantazied that something like this would happen and here it was, true. She had long brown hair and was wearing a very respectable two piece bathing suit. Rick didn't know how to approach this situation so he did the only thing that came to mind, he cleared his throat.
Rick was about to turn forty with a slight paunch and greying hair. He knew what the ravages of time would do to his body so he tried to keep in shape as much as possible, jogging a couple of miles every morning followed by an intense workout in the basement on the universal weight machine. Rick had a decent job, making decent money with lots of friends but the right girl just hadn't come along yet. Sure, he had lots of dates and lots of lady friends but none that he really wanted to settle down with. To be honest he thought, he enjoyed his bachelor life just fine.
Rick's mind was going a hundred miles an hour, trying to figure out who this woman was but for the life of him, he just couldn't figure it out. When she jumped up out of the chair and came running toward him, he still drew a blank. Suddenly, she runs up to him, puts her arms around him and says, "uncle Ricky, how are you? ". It suddenly came to him and he drew her in with a big hug and a kiss and replied, "Jessica, it's been so long, i didn't recognize you ". Jessica was his neice from his older sister and he hadn't seen her since she was 3 years old as they lived in Australia.
"Jessica ", Rick said, "it is so nice to see you, what are you doing here? Where is your mother?"."Didn't you get my letter? " she asked. Obviously Rick hadn't else he would have been a bit more prepared for this. "No" he replied slightly confused now. Jessica went on about how she had received a job offer here in Seattle and knowing her Uncle Ricky lived there thought that she could camp out in his house until she got settled in.
After a long conversation catching up on family, Rick excused himself and went in to change into something more casual and returned with a couple of cold beers. Jessica had returned to the chair and was sunning herself again when Rick returned. He pulled up a chair beside her and handed her the beer which she took with delight. "I've been thirsty ever since i got off the plane " she said and then took a long swig. Rick let her enjoy her first swig before saying "I'm so happy to see you again Jessica, you are most welcome to stay here as long as you want. Let me show you to the spare room and I'll put a few steaks on the barbie, as you call it". Rick loved to hear Jessica talk, her accent was so pronounced.
Jessica was 23 years old and had just finished Unie as she called it, with a degree in Commerce. She had landed a job with the local investment firm and insisted that she would only stay as long as it took to find an apartment in town. Rick replied that she was more than welcome to stay as long as she wanted as the house was big and lonely.
The next morning, Rick awoke to the smell of bacon. After performing his morning routine, he dressed and made his way down the narrow steps of the century house and found Jessica at the table with a cup of coffee and the morning paper. "Morning uncle Ricky", she said, "I hope you don't mind but i made breakfast. " Of course he didn't mind only wishing that she wasn't his niece. After a very satisfying breakfast and leaving the spare key with Jessica, Rick hopped on his Budnitz FTB29 and made his way to the office. Rick was not one to overindulge but his bicycle was his baby. Weighing in at just 4.4 pounds with a bullet proof internal transmission and massive 29 inch tires, people stopped and took notice when he drove by. For the life of him, he couldn't understand the need for a bulletproof transmission but it certainly was a conversation piece. Coming in at just over $8,000, he has justified the purchase as saving on gas, parking and a host of other expenses. However, he never let the bike unattended for fear it would take legs and walk. At the office, the bike enjoyed special status on the far wall.
It was a short ride downtown to the bank where he was the manager. His mind returned to Jessica, hoping that she would find whatever she needed in the house. Mind you, she had started out well, making a superb breakfast that Rick still savored over. She said that she had a couple of weeks before she needed to start work and would take the time to settle in, find a place and do what was needed. At lunch, Rick called the house but there was no answer. He wondered where she could be but quickly dismissed the thought as he knew she had a lot of things to do, especially coming from Australia.
Jessica settled in nicely and Rick enjoyed having company in the house, it made for a less lonely existence, having company to share his meals with. Rick should have clued in that there still wasn't a letter to announce Jessica's arrival and his calls to his sister in Adelaide went unanswered. Even messages he left on the machine weren't returned, but he quickly dismissed these and figured his sister was out traveling as she often did.
Two weeks passed and still no letter or word back from his sister. However, Jessica was the quintessential house guest who was absolutely no trouble at all and most times, he didn't even know she was there.
It was a Thursday when Rick returned from work a bit earlier than usual. It was such a nice day that he had decided to quit early, change into his riding clothes and head off into the foothills for a bit of off-road biking. The weather was clear and warm with no chance of showers today. Rick immediately sensed something was different when he stepped foot in the house. He stood there for a minute but couldn't quite put his foot on in, something was off but what was it? He wondered if Jessica was home, called her but received no response. No, it was all in his overactive mind he surmised. He quickly ran upstairs to change but stopped at the top of the stairs when he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eyes. He turned but before he could react, the lights went out. He could almost hear his skull crack from the blow to the side of the head.
When Rick came to, he had a pounding headache and couldn't comprehend what had happened. He tried to sit up but then came to the awful realization that his hands and feet were bound to something. It was pitch black with not the slightest hint of light so he didn't know where he was. A feeling of dread immediately filled his stomach, what is happening he asked himself. Different scenarios went thru his mind. Was this related to his job at the bank he wondered? Were they after the safe combination! It didn't matter because the safe required two people with different combinations to open it, and neither knew both. No, the bank was safe he thought, but then he added, he wasn't! Then his thoughts went out to Jessica, worried that she might be in danger when she returned home. Where is she?.. he thought to himself. He went to cry out but thought better of it, thinking that whoever did this to him might still be in the house, if that's where he still was. It was so dark he thought, his head ached and his mouth was parched. How long had he been here he asked himself and then thought that it couldn't have been too long as he wasn't hungry. His mind kicked into survival mode, testing his binds, feeling around as much as he could to figure out where he was.
His hands were tied together on the other side of a smooth metal pole, "I'm in the basement" he thought to himself. It must be night out, but it was too dark to tell. Whoever did this to him must have covered up the small windows. He just lay there for what seemed like an eternity, trying to come up with a plausible explanation for what was happening. There was nothing, then he drifted off to sleep.
Jessica finally made her way back to the house late that day. She had been out getting a car. It was a small van with no windows in the back, the type that delivery drivers used. It was a nondescript van, brown with a few dings here and there, the type of vehicle that didn't stand out in a crowd. The sun was just setting when she finally walked up the steps to the house. Rick's bike was leaning up against the house, Jessica thought to herself that anyone could have stolen the bike so she brought it in the house. She would have to have words about this.
The house was dim and quiet when she entered and made her way to the kitchen, opening the fridge for a cool beer. She had just sat down when she glimpsed movement in the living room. She got up and walked into the room when suddenly she was grabbed from behind, quite roughly she thought. She tried to turn but was prevented from doing so and then she felt his lips on her neck. Revulsion was the first thing that came to mind, "Oh Billy, stop" she whispered . Billy let go of her and she turned to face a young pimple faced young man. "How many times do I have to tell you not to do that, it creeps me out" she added in a soft voice. "Where is he?" She added. Billy pointed down the stairs, "I hit him with the baseball bat" he chuckled, "went out like a light". "Did you get the van?" he asked. Jessica looked at him with disdain and nodded yes, while giving him the finger as well. "I hope you didn't hurt him Billy McAlister or I'll clock you one. You know the rules, we're not supposed to hurt him". Billy wasn't her most favorite person and she hated being near him. She had known Billy since grade school and he had red flaming hair, a pierced nose and sported several tattoos, just the type of person that would stick out in someone's mind.
Rick awoke hungry and thirsty, thinking it was either late at night or early morning. He tested his bonds again and they were still there he thought to himself. He felt them with his mouth and tongue, they weren't rope he thought but zip ties. He wondered if he could somehow chew through them and free himself. Then what?.. he thought to himself, the only way out was through the kitchen. He had heard the floor squeek several times and knew someone was up there, how many he could not tell. Well, he had to try he said to himself.
After several attempts, he managed to stand, holding onto the pole for balance. He was still light headed from that wack on the head and took a few deep breaths to ward off the nausea. This is the pole that supports the main floor he thought to himself. During the house renovations, he had noticed excessive settlement and had placed this jack here, among others to support the main floor. A thought came to him just then and he felt up the pole. There it was, right where he had left it. It was the lever used for turning the screw on the jack. Rick tested it but it held firm. Rick remembered when he put the jack in place, the force needed to lift the floor back up. There was no way he would be able to loosen it given that his hands were tied and he couldn't get the much-needed leverage. He sat back down, dizzy from the slight exertion, he needed to think. After a short rest, Rick got up again. He braced himself the best he could, grabbed the lever and put everything he had into it. It moved slightly, or had it? Was it just his imagination he thought. Once again, tired from the exertion, he sat down to rest. Ten minutes later, he got up again, braced himself the best he could, grabbed the lever and put everything he had into it. It moved, this time he was sure, he managed to turn it a quarter turn. Suddenly reinvigorated, he moved his hands and started turning the lever. Escape he thought. How to get out and call the police was going through his mind. The lever turned a whole turn and he could feel it getting progressively easier. Freedom was just a minute away he thought. He knew exactly where the tool bench was and was going over in his mind his to cut his binds. Just then, he froze. The door to the basement opened and a dim light tried it's best to light up the large basement area. Rick dropped to the floor and tried to assume the same position when he awoke.
It was 2 o'clock in the morning when Jessica asked Billy if it was time to go. Billy looked at his watch, shrugged his shoulders and said "well, it's as good a time as ever, let's get this show on the road". Billy went into the kitchen and retrieved his backpack. From it, he took out a black balaclava and put it on. Then he took out a pair of handcuffs and started for the basement. He turned the light on but only one very dim bulb lit up in the far corner of the basement, just the way he wanted it. He wasn't taking any chances that some recognizable feature of him might stand out. He made his way to the pole where Rick was tied up, it was difficult to see anything in the dim light. When he saw the light come on, Rick slumped to the floor, feigning sleep. He would use everything in his power to gain the advantage, somehow he thought.
Billy descended the stairs slowly and carefully. That one light bulb wasn't doing much to illuminate the basement but then, that's the way Billy had arranged it. He made his way slowly to where Rick was lying on the floor, kicking him when he arrived. That'll wake him up he thought. Rick felt like his rib cage cracked. He yelled in pain. "Good, you're up" Billy said in as coarse a voice that he could muster. Billy helped him up and in a very methodical manner, put the handcuffs on Rick all the while cutting the zip ties without giving Rick any chance of retaliation. He then cut the foot ties and guided Rick up the stairs. "What do you want with me?" Rick asked. Any, and all questions he asked were met with a mute silence.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Billy stopped him and slid a hood over his head. Rick's heart dropped, fearing the worst and not knowing why this was happening.
Rick was guided outside and he heard the van doors opening. He was led inside and seated facing the back. Billy closed the doors and got in the side door, sitting directly behind him. He whispered not to move or try anything funny, otherwise he would get another wack on the head. Then he whispered something in Rick's ear that gave him shivers up his spine. "Don't worry" he said, "it's going to be over sooner than you think and you won't feel a thing". He heard the van start and back out of the driveway. At this time of night, everyone was asleep and nobody would see the van leaving. He was doomed he thought. It seemed like forever that they were driving around, Rick had lost all sense of which direction they were going. Facing backward with a hood over your head didn't help matters either.
The van stopped, and Rick had a sudden feeling of dread. Billy got out and a minute later, the rear doors opened. He felt a soft hand on his arm, unsure of who it was or where he was being led. "Where are you taking me? What do you want?" he asked but was met with silence. On they walked for what seemed like an hour but was probably only a few minutes. He heard a door open and was led inside, told to sit down and be quiet. Then he heard whispers from the other side of the room but couldn't make out what was being said. He sat there quietly for at least 10 minutes, according to his internal clock, wondering what kind of torture they were planning. Everything imaginable was going thru his mind, it was racing at 100 miles per hour.
Suddenly he felt a presence near him. Was he imagining it? He felt hands on his shoulder, then a whisper in his ear, "don't move, don't say a word, I'm going to take the handcuffs off now". The voice was a woman's voice but he didn't recognize it. The handcuffs were unlocked and removed. Then she put both of her hands on his shoulders and said "don't move, this isn't going to hurt a bit". Was that chuckling he heard? The hood was removed quickly and bright light flooded into his eyes, causing him to squint. Then he heard a loud chorus of voices sing out "happy birthday Rick! ". For a minute, Rick couldn't comprehend what was going on until his eyes adjusted to the light and he saw the big banner "Happy Birthday Rick" with a logo underneath. The room was full of his nearest and dearest friends and front and center was Jessica and his sister whom he hadn't seen for the longest time. She came up to him and gave him a big kiss and hug and whispered in his ear, "I hope you enjoyed your gift from Extreme Kidnapping".
