Once they were gone and the door was shut, Neeka lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
The days were starting to mesh together, and although she didn’t know how long she’d been here, she knew it was too long for comfort. Wouldn’t her father have found her by now? Wouldn’t he have hired someone trained in searching for missing people? Was she even in the country anymore?
Her body, as well as her mind, was exhausted. It was always the same men who came by to either force her to eat or take her away for the blood draws. Sometimes they would give her a reprieve and wait a few days—or at least she thought they were days—before they came for her. Her time here was one long and endless cycle.
Her arms were riddled with track marks from their continuous injections and blood draws, and she didn’t even recognize herself anymore. The wounds weren’t even having time to heal because they drew her blood daily.
The flimsy plastic mirror they’d provided over the sink showcased her ashen skin and the large, dark circles under her eyes. She wasn’t any closer to finding out why she’d been taken than when she first arrived.
She heard her door unlocking again and pulled herself up on the bed.
Why are they back so soon?
The steel door opened, and her heart pounded wildly behind her ribs. But the person who walked in had everything inside of her freezing, had her hope rising, and joy that she’d finally get out of here coming to the surface.
Dr. Rye Vincent, one of her father’s dearest friends and her physician since she was a child, smiled at her.
She got off the bed, stumbled once, and ran toward him. I’m saved. Neeka couldn’t stop the tears that slid down her cheeks, couldn’t help the sobs consuming her. She wrapped her sore arms around Dr. Vincent, breathing out when he held her in a familiar embrace.
He just held her for several seconds, but then she pulled away, a steady stream of tears falling down her cheeks as she looked into his face.
He was an older man, with graying short hair and deep amber-colored eyes. She smiled weakly at him and laid her head on his chest once more, so thankful he was here. He’d finally take her home to her father. Neeka didn’t know how he’d found her, but she wasn’t going to think too hard on it. He was here, and she was rescued. That’s all that mattered.
I’ll finally be able to go home.
“Shhh, everything’s all right, Neeka. You have nothing to be afraid of.” He smiled at her again and wiped a tear off her cheek. “I’ve been out of the state while I gathered documents for my research, and If I’d known how they were treating you, I would have put a stop to it right away. They will be punished, don’t worry.” His voice was calm as he smiled down at her.
Dread, fear, and a torrent of other emotions slammed into her. She pulled away and knitted her brows in confusion. His words didn’t make sense. He spoke as if he knew that she’d been here all along. “I don’t understand.” She shook her head. “You knew I was here? I’m here because of you?”
“Yes, Neeka. I was the one who made plans to get you here.” He lowered his gaze up and down her body. “Look at you.” He clicked his tongue. “They will be severely punished for your state. There is absolutely no need for you to be running around barefoot and in a ratty hospital gown.” He took a step forward, and she took one back.
“What are you doing, Rye? Why are you doing this to me?”
He cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean?” he asked as if he were truly confused as to what she was talking about.
Her confusion rose, and she took another step back. He mimicked her move by coming forward a step. The back of her legs hit the edge of her bed, and she looked around again, knowing there wasn’t an escape because he was blocking her only way out.
He chuckled. “Neeka, dear, you act as though you are terribly surprised. You honestly don’t understand why you’re here?” He shook his head. “You know, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” He placed his hand in his overcoat pockets, taking on a relaxed stance.
“Of course I’m surprised. You were like family.”
“You truly don’t realize why you’re here?”
She didn’t move or respond.
“No worries. All will come to light soon enough.”
“What are you talking about? Can’t you just explain what’s going on right now?” She finally found her voice.
“In due time, darling.” He narrowed his eyes and moved his gaze along her body again. “First we need to get you cleaned and dressed properly. I’ve just come to the facility, so I wasn’t aware of your state or these horrid conditions they have you in,” he said softly, looking around the cell. “I’ll have one of my men bring your things to a more accommodating room. We can discuss everything within the hour.”