This is my entry for the 1,000 Prompts, 1,000 Dollars Writing Contest!
DON'T MESS WITH THE GEEK
DON'T MESS WITH THE GEEK
I was kidnapped today. Just nabbed off the sidewalk.
You’d probably like details, wouldn’t you?
I’m Aislin (Ash-lin) Blake. I’m seventeen and a geek. Great. Now I sound like I’m in an AA meeting. Hi, I’m Aislin Blake and I’m a geek. Except being a geek isn’t a problem for me.
Strangely, I was more worried about getting to Prom tonight, than being kidnapped. Tonight is the night I make Lucas mine. Lucas and I have always been neighbors. Two years ago he took his dog out to the front yard. Wearing only boxers. Hulk boxers. I decided right then that he’d be mine.
Problem: boys make me nervous. Problem: I don’t have much going for me. I’m only five foot four, scrawny, with no figure whatsoever. Sandy blonde hair. Hazel eyes and a mass of freckles across my cheeks and nose. Exactly what guys are looking for. Not.
To calm my nerves, I went to the library. I was on my way home when I got nabbed. This van came squealing up next to me and two massive guys jumped out, grabbed me by my arms and dragged me into the van.
I was nervous sitting in a van, with crooks and blindfolded. I asked them who they were and what they wanted with me. One of the crooks backhanded me and told me to be quiet. Thanks to him, my cheek was throbbing.
I tried, but failed, to be quiet. “Did you know the human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood thirty feet?” I asked. Good god. Why did I have to put that particular image in their heads?
“No, but I’d like to see that.”.
Unfortunately, my mouth kept moving. The one crook backhanded me again. I yelped. This time, my brain and mouth seemed to get the message.
The van pulled to a stop. I was hauled out and led forward. Doors opened and closed. Soon I was shoved onto a chair and the blindfold was yanked off. I blinked. We were in a warehouse. Aside from the chair I sat in and a table several yards across from me with a laptop and a duffel bag, it looked empty.
Mr. Grumpy narrowed his eyes and scowled. “Where are the files your parents discovered at Renald’s house?”
My brows scrunched together. “What files? My parents own a car dealership.”
Mr. Grumpy’s scowl deepened. “Don’t mess with me. You know full well your parents are spies.”
I bent over laughing. That was seriously funny. My parents. Spies.
“Answer the question.” Mr. Grumpy snapped.
Before I could, a phone rang and he answered it.
I heard a familiar voice. “Where is our daughter?” My mom demanded.
“Tell us where the files from Renald’s are, Blake.” Mr. Grumpy snarled.
My mom sounded desperate. “We don’t have them.”
“Don’t play me, Blake!” Mr. Grumpy snapped. “I have something you want.”
There was a deep sigh. “Aislin, do you have your backpack with you?”
“Yeah.”
“Take out your flash drives. The one that doesn’t belong has all the files from Renald’s.”
Mr. Grumpy motioned to follow her directions. I pulled the ring of flash drives out, spotting the flash drive my mom talked about. Donaldson pulled me up.
“Donaldson!” My mom’s tone was sharp. “My daughter’s location?”
“First, I make sure they’re the right files.” He guided me to the table. “Copy the files onto the laptop.”
With Donaldson focused elsewhere, I got to work, smothering a smirk. They wouldn’t know what hit them.
“You done?” Donaldson questioned.
I nodded, opening the files so he could see. His lips turned up. “That’s them.”
When Donaldson turned, I unplugged the flash drive, slipping it in my pocket. I listened while Donaldson gave my mom the address where they could find me and then hung up.
Donaldson reached under the table, coming up with four tin cans. That smelled like gasoline. Donaldson handed two cans each to the other crooks and they scurried off. Reaching in the duffel bag, he pulled out a roll of wire. “All right, let’s finish this.”
Donaldson snatched my wrists before I could jerk them away. He quickly wrapped them tightly with the wire. I whimpered as it bit into my skin. “You promised.”
He laughed. “I told your ma she could find you here; what condition you’d be in. The Blakes are always getting in our way. You are going to be a message.”
Donaldson led me to a ladder to the rafters. “Up.” He ordered. And up we went. I winced as a broken piece of pipe sticking out near the rafters dug into my bruised cheek.
What was I supposed to do? I wasn’t strong or brave. The characters I read about in books, saw in movies and in games – they were brave. I was nothing like them. Donaldson tied the wire to the rafter beam and then patted me on my sore cheek. “It’s been fun, brat.” Then, he pushed me. I tumbled off the beam and jerked to a stop. I cried out. Donaldson scaled back down the ladder and strolled across the warehouse floor, to the other two crooks waiting at the door. “Light it up.”
My heart hammered as they lit and dropped matches to the floor. They disappeared while fire whooshed along the floor. I whimpered, tears rolling down my cheek. I could feel the heat floating up from the warehouse floor. I was going to die. I was never going to go to Prom. I was never going to get Lucas.
Suddenly my eyes froze on another beam a little over a yard from the one I was tied to. I had to at least try. No, I thought, Yoda’s words coming to me. Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.
Grabbing the wire above my wrists, I pumped my legs. I started swinging back and forth. Clenching my jaw, I threw my whole body into it. Sweat dripped down my back. Breathing became difficult.
I sighed as my legs hooked on the beam. My limbs trembled. I inched my hands up the wire, until I could wrap my arms around the beam I was tied to. I heaved my whole body onto that beam and lay there, watching the fire dance below me.
My fingers worked at the knot Donaldson tied. Finally! The wire was free of the beam.
I stood on shaky legs, ignoring the crackling fire right below me and inched my way across the beam, to a window. I reached the window and glass shattered around my foot. I heard sirens. Red and blue lights lit the sky. Leaning out the window, I winced at how high I was.
One figure ran in my direction. “Jump!” The man shouted. Closing my eyes, I took one last breath before leaping. I cleared the fire, but collided with the man. Strong arms surrounded me as we tumbled backwards.
Sitting up quickly, I scooted to the side. A big smile slid across my face. The man sat up and looked over at me. Broad chest, bulging biceps. Strong cheekbones, straight nose, cleft chin. Blonde hair curled over his forehead and caramel colored eyes stared out at me. Crap. He was hot. Out of my league. Too old for me. Not Lucas.
The man frowned. “Are you okay?”
My head bobbed up and down. “I made it!” My voice sounded hoarse.
“Uh-huh.” His eyes studied me and he cursed. I can only imagine what I looked like. “Come on, kiddo, let’s get you checked out.” He said as he helped me up. He guided me to the ambulance lifted me onto the stretcher. “Hey, Jerry, some help?” The man asked the paramedic. While Jerry got to work, I heard familiar voices.
“Aislin!” My mom rushed forward, my dad behind her. Her eyes widened. “They’re going to pay for that.” Her eyes narrowed on my wounds. She whirled around and everyone started talking. I caught on that they weren’t happy about the files missing and that they’d have to get them back.
I interrupted, telling them to relax because I’d registered Donaldson’s laptop with a tracker. All they had to do was look the registration number up. On top of that, I’d installed a virus, which would completely fry the system. I handed the flash drive to my mom, to assure them that the files were still safe.
After a couple beats, everyone started scurrying around. When I heard I was to be sent home, I raised my voice in protest, reminding my mom about Prom. My protest then turned into an argument about whether or not it was safe with Donaldson loose. She finally gave in when I pointed out that Donaldson probably wouldn’t look for me at the banquet hall.
Minutes later, I was in Mystery Man’s SUV. I smiled out the window. Heck, if I could take on three crooks and a burning building, I could take on Lucas. He didn’t stand a chance.
THE END
You’d probably like details, wouldn’t you?
I’m Aislin (Ash-lin) Blake. I’m seventeen and a geek. Great. Now I sound like I’m in an AA meeting. Hi, I’m Aislin Blake and I’m a geek. Except being a geek isn’t a problem for me.
Strangely, I was more worried about getting to Prom tonight, than being kidnapped. Tonight is the night I make Lucas mine. Lucas and I have always been neighbors. Two years ago he took his dog out to the front yard. Wearing only boxers. Hulk boxers. I decided right then that he’d be mine.
Problem: boys make me nervous. Problem: I don’t have much going for me. I’m only five foot four, scrawny, with no figure whatsoever. Sandy blonde hair. Hazel eyes and a mass of freckles across my cheeks and nose. Exactly what guys are looking for. Not.
To calm my nerves, I went to the library. I was on my way home when I got nabbed. This van came squealing up next to me and two massive guys jumped out, grabbed me by my arms and dragged me into the van.
I was nervous sitting in a van, with crooks and blindfolded. I asked them who they were and what they wanted with me. One of the crooks backhanded me and told me to be quiet. Thanks to him, my cheek was throbbing.
I tried, but failed, to be quiet. “Did you know the human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood thirty feet?” I asked. Good god. Why did I have to put that particular image in their heads?
“No, but I’d like to see that.”.
Unfortunately, my mouth kept moving. The one crook backhanded me again. I yelped. This time, my brain and mouth seemed to get the message.
The van pulled to a stop. I was hauled out and led forward. Doors opened and closed. Soon I was shoved onto a chair and the blindfold was yanked off. I blinked. We were in a warehouse. Aside from the chair I sat in and a table several yards across from me with a laptop and a duffel bag, it looked empty.
Mr. Grumpy narrowed his eyes and scowled. “Where are the files your parents discovered at Renald’s house?”
My brows scrunched together. “What files? My parents own a car dealership.”
Mr. Grumpy’s scowl deepened. “Don’t mess with me. You know full well your parents are spies.”
I bent over laughing. That was seriously funny. My parents. Spies.
“Answer the question.” Mr. Grumpy snapped.
Before I could, a phone rang and he answered it.
I heard a familiar voice. “Where is our daughter?” My mom demanded.
“Tell us where the files from Renald’s are, Blake.” Mr. Grumpy snarled.
My mom sounded desperate. “We don’t have them.”
“Don’t play me, Blake!” Mr. Grumpy snapped. “I have something you want.”
There was a deep sigh. “Aislin, do you have your backpack with you?”
“Yeah.”
“Take out your flash drives. The one that doesn’t belong has all the files from Renald’s.”
Mr. Grumpy motioned to follow her directions. I pulled the ring of flash drives out, spotting the flash drive my mom talked about. Donaldson pulled me up.
“Donaldson!” My mom’s tone was sharp. “My daughter’s location?”
“First, I make sure they’re the right files.” He guided me to the table. “Copy the files onto the laptop.”
With Donaldson focused elsewhere, I got to work, smothering a smirk. They wouldn’t know what hit them.
“You done?” Donaldson questioned.
I nodded, opening the files so he could see. His lips turned up. “That’s them.”
When Donaldson turned, I unplugged the flash drive, slipping it in my pocket. I listened while Donaldson gave my mom the address where they could find me and then hung up.
Donaldson reached under the table, coming up with four tin cans. That smelled like gasoline. Donaldson handed two cans each to the other crooks and they scurried off. Reaching in the duffel bag, he pulled out a roll of wire. “All right, let’s finish this.”
Donaldson snatched my wrists before I could jerk them away. He quickly wrapped them tightly with the wire. I whimpered as it bit into my skin. “You promised.”
He laughed. “I told your ma she could find you here; what condition you’d be in. The Blakes are always getting in our way. You are going to be a message.”
Donaldson led me to a ladder to the rafters. “Up.” He ordered. And up we went. I winced as a broken piece of pipe sticking out near the rafters dug into my bruised cheek.
What was I supposed to do? I wasn’t strong or brave. The characters I read about in books, saw in movies and in games – they were brave. I was nothing like them. Donaldson tied the wire to the rafter beam and then patted me on my sore cheek. “It’s been fun, brat.” Then, he pushed me. I tumbled off the beam and jerked to a stop. I cried out. Donaldson scaled back down the ladder and strolled across the warehouse floor, to the other two crooks waiting at the door. “Light it up.”
My heart hammered as they lit and dropped matches to the floor. They disappeared while fire whooshed along the floor. I whimpered, tears rolling down my cheek. I could feel the heat floating up from the warehouse floor. I was going to die. I was never going to go to Prom. I was never going to get Lucas.
Suddenly my eyes froze on another beam a little over a yard from the one I was tied to. I had to at least try. No, I thought, Yoda’s words coming to me. Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.
Grabbing the wire above my wrists, I pumped my legs. I started swinging back and forth. Clenching my jaw, I threw my whole body into it. Sweat dripped down my back. Breathing became difficult.
I sighed as my legs hooked on the beam. My limbs trembled. I inched my hands up the wire, until I could wrap my arms around the beam I was tied to. I heaved my whole body onto that beam and lay there, watching the fire dance below me.
My fingers worked at the knot Donaldson tied. Finally! The wire was free of the beam.
I stood on shaky legs, ignoring the crackling fire right below me and inched my way across the beam, to a window. I reached the window and glass shattered around my foot. I heard sirens. Red and blue lights lit the sky. Leaning out the window, I winced at how high I was.
One figure ran in my direction. “Jump!” The man shouted. Closing my eyes, I took one last breath before leaping. I cleared the fire, but collided with the man. Strong arms surrounded me as we tumbled backwards.
Sitting up quickly, I scooted to the side. A big smile slid across my face. The man sat up and looked over at me. Broad chest, bulging biceps. Strong cheekbones, straight nose, cleft chin. Blonde hair curled over his forehead and caramel colored eyes stared out at me. Crap. He was hot. Out of my league. Too old for me. Not Lucas.
The man frowned. “Are you okay?”
My head bobbed up and down. “I made it!” My voice sounded hoarse.
“Uh-huh.” His eyes studied me and he cursed. I can only imagine what I looked like. “Come on, kiddo, let’s get you checked out.” He said as he helped me up. He guided me to the ambulance lifted me onto the stretcher. “Hey, Jerry, some help?” The man asked the paramedic. While Jerry got to work, I heard familiar voices.
“Aislin!” My mom rushed forward, my dad behind her. Her eyes widened. “They’re going to pay for that.” Her eyes narrowed on my wounds. She whirled around and everyone started talking. I caught on that they weren’t happy about the files missing and that they’d have to get them back.
I interrupted, telling them to relax because I’d registered Donaldson’s laptop with a tracker. All they had to do was look the registration number up. On top of that, I’d installed a virus, which would completely fry the system. I handed the flash drive to my mom, to assure them that the files were still safe.
After a couple beats, everyone started scurrying around. When I heard I was to be sent home, I raised my voice in protest, reminding my mom about Prom. My protest then turned into an argument about whether or not it was safe with Donaldson loose. She finally gave in when I pointed out that Donaldson probably wouldn’t look for me at the banquet hall.
Minutes later, I was in Mystery Man’s SUV. I smiled out the window. Heck, if I could take on three crooks and a burning building, I could take on Lucas. He didn’t stand a chance.
THE END
LINKS, LINKS, LINKS!!!
Here is the link to the prompt I chose (#9) http://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/free-creative-writing-prompts-action.html
Here is the link to the prompt I chose (#9) http://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/free-creative-writing-prompts-action.html
Here is the link to the contest http://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/writing-contest.html