The Book

Ch. 1

*Beep Beep*

“Hey lady! We’re here, that’s going to be $15” says the NY taxi driver

Elaina shaken from her trance grabs a $20 bill from her wallet, glances around her surroundings one more time before quickly exiting the cab – “keep the change” “no no noooo” says Elaina as she stands on the corner of 5th and Broadway dumping the contents of her Louis Vuitton purse on the sidewalk. Completely unaware that passer by’s are staring at her in utter confusion.

“Hey are you ok” – says a concerned neighbor

“DO I LOOK OK” Elaina snaps before noticing it is the concierge from her apartment building. She looks up at him with tears in her eyes and offers a sort of somber look as to apologize for her behavior.

“Come” says the concierge “Let’s get you inside its pouring”

Elaina hadn’t even realized it was raining she was so busy looking for The Book! The two of them gather her belongings and enter the luxury condo where Elaina lives.

“Louis, they’re going to kill me, I can’t believe I lost it OMG”

“Who, Ms. Hart, what did you lose?” – Says the concierge. Elaina realizing that she already said too much, issues a quick wave of the hand, grabs her Key fob and takes the elevator to her top level penthouse.

Once inside she grabs a bottle of her favorite red wine and plops on the couch. Bruno, her dog, joins her in her lap. “Oh Bruno moms a goner” says Elaina before downing half the wine straight from the bottle. “I’m such an idiot!” Elaina proclaims through her sniffles, that Bruno quickly licks clean. The two share a look before Elaina heads to her balcony. I should just jump she thought. Bruno runs out as if he heard her thought and begins to tug at her pant hem. Elaina knew what that meant but too afraid to go outside she calls for a dog walker to take Bruno out.

Five minutes later the doorbell rang, Elaina jumped forgetting she arranged a walk for Bruno. She opens the door and it’s the kid from the neighborhood who typically walks Bruno. Seeing the state Elaina is in the kid says “I got it” grabs Bruno’s leash and heads out for their afternoon walk. Before Elaina could make it back to her couch her phone rings. Her heart begins to beat out of her chest, she knows who it is and she has no intention on answering the call. Before she could press ignore the doorbell rings again. Elaina thinks, oh she must want Bruno’s raincoat. Elaina cracks open the door and begins to walk away but she is suddenly swept off her feet in one quick motion. Before she could scream for help she is gagged and instantly passes out.

Ch. 2

Confused and unfamiliar with her surroundings an impaired Elaina tries to make sense of what is going on. She knows They are too far to have gotten to her so quick, she only lost The Book this morning and how could They know already, she hadn’t spoken to them. Scared, wet and cold she finally is able to open her eyes and realizes she is on a roof somewhere taped to a pole. Only able to see what is directly in front of her because they taped every single inch of her body.

Elaina had been kidnapped before, that is in fact how she came into possession of The Book but this was different, this was rudimentary at best. She attempted to worm and wiggle her way out but there was no luck.

“Think Elaina Think” she says aloud

“Yes think Elaina” says a voice from afar

“Hello, wh-o is the-re, what-tt-t d-d-do you wanttt with me?” Elaina’s voice cracks with every word

Elaina feels a cold hand touch her shoulder from behind, she attempts to shove it off but no luck then *SLAP” the hand quickly connects with her cheek leaving a bright red mark in the shape of a palm. She immediately begins to cry “I’m sorry I don’t know how I lost it-“

“You mean this” says the strange voice throwing The Book at Elaina’s feet.

Unable to move her head she can only see the corner of the object but she knows right away what it is. “Where did you….what do you want?” says Elaina

There is a long silence

“See Elaina, you don’t know me but I know you. I know what you have been up to and I know exactly what is in The Book, might I say more than you even know yourself. And my dear sweet Elaina someone has to pay” says the voice

Another moment of silence passes

“I know that ever since you acquired that book your life has improved tremendously, hasn’t it? Don’t answer that your lies may infuriate me. I know that just 5 months ago Elaina you were sleeping on couches, in motels and wherever else you could seduce your way into. I know the fortune you received for keeping The Book but do you understand my darling…well I think not or you would not be here”

Elaina’s mind flashes back to her life before The Book, They promised her nobody would find out about her old life. Who is this person, what do they want Elaina thought.

“You want to know who I am huh? Do you know who They are Elaina, DID YOU EVER EVEN CARE OR WAS THE MONEY ENOUGH? The voice yells

“What money?” whimpers Elaina.

Hahhhaaahhaaa “WHAT MONEY?” Yells the voice “THE BLOOD MONEY YOU FLAUNT AROUND HERE WITH EVERYDAY BUYING LAVISH ITEMS FOR YOU AND THAT MUTT OF YOURS”

Bruno, thought Elaina. She loved that dog more than she loved herself. He had been with her since she was kicked out of her home by her junky mom and abusive stepfather. Bruno was her safe place in a world that was once so dark to her. She thought, well at least she is safe with Kelcey. Then it hit her

“Kelcey” whispered Elaina

“Took you long enough” said the voice

“But how –"

“How did I get you up here by myself, see Elaina you never cared enough to ask me about my life. I have been walking your stupid dog for over 5 months now and not once have you asked why a girl so young would be out here walking YOUR dog alone”

“It, I thought” stuttered Elaina, but before she could finish her sentence

“YOU DON’T THINK Elaina you just do as you please. Well lucky for me I am not alone meet my brother Aiden”

A tall heavy set man appears from around the corner with eyes that would scare a blind man. His gnarl was set to intimidation and his stench smelled of that of a man who hadn’t showered for days.

“Aiden and I have been fending for ourselves since They killed our parents Elaina and you have been keeping all their little secrets haven’t you”

Elaina was so confused. What is going on? She ransacked her memory bank to put the pieces together. It was November of the previous year Elaina had just spent the night in a motel one of her customers bought for her. She was getting ready to head back on the streets with Bruno before she was struck over the head with a lamp. This was the first time Elaina was kidnapped. When she came to she was in a dark room just her and Bruno. A voice over a loud speaker told her she had two options, she could die right then or she could take The Book which she was to never read the contents of and carry it with her ALWAYS. The voice also told her that in exchange for taking the book she would receive a monthly allowance of $20,000 so long as on the 5th of each month she met at an undisclosed location with The Book. She was to never ask any questions or tell anyone of this encounter if she did not only would they kill her but her mom too. To ensure she believed them they gave Elaina the head of her deceased stepfather with a note saying “You’re welcome, he can never hurt you again” This was enough to get Elaina to agree to the terms.

“ELAINA” yells Kelcey “that’s right it all makes sense now doesn’t it? You your wicked ties and all that blood money you spend carelessly”

“I didn’t know, they told me they would kill me and my mother, what do you want from me?”

Kelcey begins to cry uncontrollably, Aiden her much older brother wipes the tears from his sister’s face and lets out an angry grunt.

“ENOUGH!” Aiden growls “Kelcey go to her place and clean yourself up, leave her stupid mutt there and come back when you can hold yourself together, I will deal with her.” He tosses her Elaina’s key fob then turns his attention to Elaina.

“Open the book” he says in a voice that sends quivers down Elaina’s spine

“I can’t, They have the key, I know nothing about what is inside. Is it money you want?”

Aiden scoffs, and then looks at his watch. It is the 5th and about time for Elaina to meet Them. “They are waiting for you” he says.

Elaina remembers that it’s the 5th that’s why They were calling earlier, she had too meet them with The Book, her next $20,000 wire wouldn’t go through until she did. My mother she thought, I didn’t answer.

“Mommmm” cried Elaina aloud ..

Ch 3.