It was a cold rainy autumn evening when Tina stepped out of the office block to head home at last. She had stayed late, finishing off some work before leaving, because she wouldn't be back for five weeks. She had planned an extended vacation, intending to take some well earned rest and time to herself.
The train station was a few blocks distant and a ten minute walk from the offices. Throwing her long strapped bag over her shoulder, she tightened the belt of her coat, lowered her head against the weather and strode down the street. Due to the late hour, the streets were mostly empty; only a few other late night workers were making their way home through the miserable weather.
About half way to the train station she had to pass down an alley between two large stores. It was the same route she had taken every working night for the last seven years. She never considered it dangerous, never hesitated, even when at this later than normal hour the alley was dark.
With her head lowered to shield her face from the rain, she never noticed the van parked half way down the alley - or the man leaning against it - until she was almost level with it. Even then she didn't look up, didn't pay any attention. She was simply aware of the van and the man, but paid them no heed. A delivery van and a man alongside it were not unusual in the alley.
"Tina."
She had taken a few more steps before she realised the man had spoken her name. She hesitated, stopped, looked back over her shoulder.
"You're late. I've been waiting for you."
"What...?" She was too surprised to react; simply looked back at him, confused.
Too late she saw him coming for her, too late to fully dodge his attack. She tried, threw herself away from him, but he had momentum and surprise; his hand surged forward, grabbing for her. His fingers wrapped round the strap of the bag over her shoulder, caught on the lapel of her heavy coat. He yanked her towards him, but she threw her weight back, away from him, striking at him with her hand at the same time. She slapped his face, caused him to flinch and curse.
She pulled away with all her strength, managed to get her coat free of his fingers, and turned to run. But he kept a tight grip of her bag strap. The strap on her shoulder prevented her from fleeing, caused her to spin and lose her balance as she started to run. She spun, stumbled, and he was on her again.
She opened her mouth to scream, but the sound was struck silent as his powerful hand slapped her across the face, sending stars across her vision and pain through her jaw. She stumbled more, fell to her knees.
Then he had her. He grabbed her from behind, one arm round her neck, the other hand taking a firm grip of her arm and twisting it up behind her back.
She whimpered in fear and pain.
"Stay quiet bitch," he hissed in her ear. "Try to scream again and I'll break your fucking neck!"
He tightened the arm round her throat, as though to prove he had the strength to do it if he really wanted. He hauled her back to her feet and steered her towards the van. She struggled, but he laughed at her attempts to get free of him; he was far too big and strong for her to have any hope of escape.
He released her arm to open the back door of the van. But her limb had gone numb from the rough treatment and she had no hope of using the newfound freedom to try an escape. The back of the van was empty and dark. Even as she started in horror at the cold space of the van, he picked her up and threw her through the open door. She landed clumsily, fell and banged her head on the metal floor.
The shock of the impact knocked her senseless, and she descended into deep dreamless darkness in the back of her abductor's vehicle.
...
Tina had no way of knowing how much time had passed when she regained consciousness. Slowly she became aware of herself again, and her mind crawled out of the darkness.
She was on a plastic covered mattress; soft and comfortable enough, but on a bare stone floor. The room was gloomy, illuminated only by a tiny lamp glowing softly on the floor in the corner. Apart from the mattress and the lamp, and a small radiator on one wall, the room was empty; a stone cell with a single door and no windows.
Her coat had been removed, and her shoes. She was still dressed in her smart business suit, and her hair was still tied back in a ponytail. Her watch had been removed, as had all of the contents of her pockets. Though the room looked cold, the temperature was actually comfortable.
She looked at the door, wanting to get up to her feet and try it. But she knew it would be locked. She had been abducted, taken somewhere, and imprisoned. She sat on the mattress, her legs pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them, her head resting on her knees. She started to sob silently and tears flowed down her cheeks.
More indeterminate time passed. She sat cuddling her legs. She sobbed. She cried. Eventually the door opened. She didn't look up; she kept her face buried in her knees. Someone entered and the door closed again.
"Good morning Tina." It was the voice of the man from the alley. Her abductor. He spoke as though he was bidding good morning to a family member. Warm, friendly, everyday conversation.
Silence for a few seconds.
"I said good morning." There was an edge to the voice now, almost but not quite angry. "When I address you I expect a reply."
Tina kept her head down, refusing to acknowledge him or reply.
He sighed.
"Have it your way."
The next thing she knew she was toppling sideways across the floor, screaming in shock and pain as she was struck a powerful blow to the side of her head. She landed in a heap, stunned, to the side of the mattress on the hard floor.
"Let's try again shall we. Manners don't cost you anything Tina. Rudeness WILL cost you however. Because rudeness makes me angry. And I will take my anger out on you."
He stepped over beside her, knelt down close to her. She looked up, saw him clearly for the first time. he didn't look like a kidnapper, like a monster, whatever that was supposed to look like. He was large, powerfully built, and handsome. His clear grey eyes were shining and he was smiling. Not the creepy smile you would expect, but a warm friendly smile. He was unshaven, but the stubble just added to his handsomeness, rather than making him look unkempt.
"Good morning Tina."
"Morning," she said quietly as she lowered her eyes, unwilling to look at him any longer than necessary.
"That's better." He almost laughed. "Would you like some breakfast? You must be hungry."
He rose, opened the door and left the room, leaving the portal open. Tina looked up, momentarily contemplating the possibility of flight through the open door. But he returned only seconds later, pushing a trolley. On it was a plate with a full cooked breakfast and a pot of coffee.
"Here you go," he said cheerily. "I made you breakfast. Can't let you go hungry now can we? That would be no good." He looked at her and smiled.
Tina picked herself from the floor, started to rise to her feet.
"No no," the man said, waving at her. "Sit on your mattress. In fact, kneel on it."
She thought for only a moment before obeying, the shock from the previous blow still ringing in her ears. She obeyed to avoid any further abuse right now. If he was going to feed her, she should comply with his wishes to get food.
