Payment, one way or another (dreamless and darkness)

Letting out a light groan Lee looked up and down the street, he couldn't believe he didn't pay him. Shaking his head lightly he wasn't going to let it go, he came up with a plan, he would get the guys' sister until he could pay up. Lee did not do anything for free, he always had to get a gain out of it.

Shaking his head his crimson red hair shook a bit, even though it was already a bit of a mess it seemed to get a little misplaced more. He had his hands shoved into his dark blue jean pockets, his black t-shirt and jacket concealing him a bit in the shadows of the alley he was standing in. He was actually leaning against a wall, concealing his height of a few inches over six feet.

He was well built, though he had muscle built finely under his skin he was anything but a body builder, just someone that looked like you didn't want to mess with. His eyes were a deep brown, entrancing and usually lacking in emotion. Right now he had a cold stare on his features, emotionless and seemingly down to business. He shifted on his feet and let out a light sigh. She was supposed to come by soon, when? He was growing impatient. He had a knife in his pocket, and a gun in his waistband. He would first start with the knife, if that didn't work in getting her in the car that was only a few yards away, then he would use the gun to force her.

Sighing and running a hand through her long hair, Laura picked up her leather coat and pulled it on, the chocolate brown coat hugging her form perfectly. She had stayed at work late grading papers and she just recently finished. She picked up her computer bag and slipped her folders and papers into it before closing it and shouldering it. The young woman taught elementery children, something she had always done since she was little. Once she was sure she had everything, Laura grabbed her keys and headed out of the classroom. She knew that she was one of the last people leaving the school late in the day but she didn't care. The children were her life and she would do anything for them.

Laura stepped out of the teachers side door and paused with a sigh, taking a deep breath before pulling her coat tighter around her and beginning to walk towards the side of the large parkinglot. Her car was parked on the edge of the school property and she enjoyed the walk in the morning and evening. The wind whipped her brown coat around, revealing her black knee length skirt and cream colored turtle neck sweater with. She rubbed her arms with a shudder and walked a little faster.

She was kind of short with a petite build. She had a somewhat pixie like appearance, often earning her brothers torment or others teasing because of how small she seemed. Laura wasn't that strong but she was fit from running track in school. Her hair was waist length and pin straight, the color a natural blue black while her eyes were a rich caramel brown. She was always chipper, happy and warm, and she always managed to make others smile somehow.

( Laura )

Lee smirked lightly when he finally saw her coming out of the building. About time he thought to himself, pushing off the wall. In the dim light it was hard to tell that his skin had a light tan over it, he worked a lot outside with different things and all.

Pushing off the wall, he forced his smirk to go away, pulling out the knife. He was behind her now, his vehicle was hidden in the shadows, it being black wasn't that hard to hide. He moved quickly and quietly, making sure that she wouldn't hear him. The last thing that he would want is her to catch wind of him and run, he didn't feel like running after anyone, plus he might hurt her, he was still irritated with her brother, and the running would just add to his irritation.

Lee moved the knife and placed it to her neck, his other arm at the same time wrapping around her small body, moving his lips to be right by her ear, "Scream and you will be breathing through a hole." His voice was low and sharp, he meant business. "I have a vehicle close, are you going to make this easy, or are we going to have to do it the hard way?" He added after a moments pause.

Laura was silent and lost in thought but the moment she felt the knife against her pale thin throat, she gasped and her eyes widen as she becomes still. She could feel the mans lips agains her ear as he spoke softly and seriously. The young woman trembled fearfully as she swallowed hard and her grip on her bag tightened. She had been about to scream when he threatened her and she shook her head slightly.

Upon hearing his question about making it easy, she shook her head yet again before saying to him. "E-easy.... Just.. just don't hurt me, please." she pleaded softly. Laura closed her eyes and forced back the tears of fear that wanted to fall down her cheeks. She was absolutely terrorfied of getting harmed by the stranger. She tried to put more room between her throat and the knife in his hand.

She turned her head a little, trying to get a glimpse of her attacker but because her hair was down, she couldn't and that just made it even scarier. "What... what do you want with me?" she asked softly.

Lee was glad she didn't scream, and was glad she wasn't going to put up a fight, then he wouldn't have to use the gun. He pulled the knife away from her throat, placing it to the small of her back, his arm moving and grabbing her arm, starting to lead her to his truck.

Walking over to the passenger side he opened the door, "Get in." He said simply, ignoring her question about what he wanted with her, he might tell her later, but not right now. He closed the door behind her and walked over to the other side, getting behind the wheel and pulling the keys out of his pocket and putting the knife back in his pocket. As he started the truck he his the child safety lock button, making the pop-up lock disappear into the door.

Pulling out of the lot Lee kept his eyes on the road, emotion still void of his features, passing light revealed some of his features. He tried not to look at her, but out of the corner of his eye he scanned her, wondering how her brother would react and all.

Laura breathed a sigh of releif when the knife was removed from her neck but when it was pressed against her lower back, she tensed a little. She stumbled a little as he led her towards the truck before she finally regained her balance and she walked as quickly as she could.

She struggled to get into the truck because of how short she was and because of her heels, but finally she managed to climb into the truck. After he closed the door after her and he started walking around the truck to the drivers side, she was tempted to throw the door of the truck open and run. But she knew that if he had a knife there was a good chance that he would have a gun and she also knew that she would most likely fall on her face trying to run away from him.

When the lock disappeared into the door, she jumped and looked at it for a moment before glancing at him once more while pressing herself against the door of the truck. The entire time she was in the truck, she watched him warily and nervously. He hadn't answered her question and it scared her.

After a bit he gave in and made his glance at her noticeable. "I'll let you talk to your brother about the answer." He said finally, as he pulled into an empty lot, buildings that looked like they weren't in the best of shape. He cut the engine after parking and looked over at her. "I'm not going to pull the knife out, alright?" He paused and then added, "But, make so much as a squeak and I won't hesitate on doing more than just pulling it out." He warned.

Getting out of the truck he pushed the unlock button, to unlock the passenger door. He walked around and opened the door. When she was out he headed towards one of the buildings that was by the lot. Going into an alley way, a group of people that looked like teenagers were down the alley in dim lighting, cigarettes clearly burning from either their mouths or hands, they didn't seem to be paying attention to them at all. "I would suggest not trying to make a break for it, people 'round here would much rather rape you than help you."

He turned and walked to a door, getting a key out and unlocking the door, opening it up to a kind of apartment. The door opened into a small living area that was shared with a kitchen that was in the back, separated by a bar kind of counter. One the right wall was three doors, one door was shut and locked, another led into a small bathroom, and then the last led to a bedroom. To the left was two doors, one was a small laundry room and the other was a spare bedroom. He waited to have her go in first.

A look of absolute confusion filled her face and she shook her head slightly. "My... my brother?" she asked softly. She hadn't seen her brother in almost a year so she had no idea of his gambling habits nor of the large ammount of debts he owed to people. She looked around the lot as he shut off the truck and she nodded slightly and was about to speak when he warned her and her mouth closed quickly. Swallowing softly she bit her bottom lip and looked down at her lip fearfully.

Once the passanger side door was opened, she slowly and carefully climbed down with her bookbag and purse, shouldering both. She silently and slowly followed him into the alley, looking around uneasily and she sped up when she was told that the people around the area would rape her rather then help her. She had no idea how a person could live in such a place.

Laura followed him into the apartment and looked around slowly as she continued to follow him through the small living area/kitchen and into the laundry room. When he stepped aside, she knew he was waiting for her to enter first and she slowly walked past him into the room. After taking several steps into the room, she turned to face him.

He could tell by her voice that she was confused about how her brother worked in this all, well she would soon find out, he figured. When she went in he closed the door, clicking a lock in place. He didn't want her to be wandering around and possibly getting to a phone or something, and the room she only had a window that was high up and just big enough for maybe a cat to get through.

He walked to the couch and plopped down, letting out a sigh. Looking over to the clock he figured her brother wouldn't be up right now, or he would be getting ready for bed, he would call him tomorrow. Lee looked around the room, the place wasn't really dirty, but it really wasn't clean either.

His eyes finally fell to the answering machine that was blinking. He groaned lightly and reached over and pushed the play button. Most of them he deleted right away, a womans voice where the only words that got out of the mouth before he deleted the message was 'Lee' or "It's me'.

She watched the door close and she heard it lock. Slowly looking around the small room, she sighed and placed her bookbag carefully down on the floor before sitting down on the bed and she sat back against the wall with her legs drawn up against her chest as she stared at the wall across from her. When she didn't turn up for work the next day her work would deffinately be calling the cops, though she doubted that it would do any good.

Looking down at her bags, she pulled her bookbag up onto the bed and slowly opened it. Inside was her laptop and the work of the children. "To bad I don't have wireless internet." she murmured to herself as she pulled the silver laptop out of the bag along with the papers. Opening the laptop, she started it up with a soft chime before starting to enter grades into her computer.

Laura was very upset about the whole situation since the children she taught would be worried as well and she hated to upset them in any way. But no matter how upset she was and what her situation was, she always brought her children first.

Lee leaned back into the couch, letting out a light sigh, he couldn't help but drift off a little bit, his eyes sliding shut, it was a long past week. He was tired and could barely stand at the moment. His feet were up on the coffee table that was in front of the couch, his arms crossed over his chest.

When Lee came back around he looked over at the clock, it was nearly four in the morning. He let out a sigh and stood up, stretching out his joints and everything. He figured she would be asleep by then. He moved over to the kitchen and got a glass of water and a bowl of cereal. He walked over to the room, unlocking it and walking in. Lee placed the items beside the bed and turned to leave, not really seeing if she was awake or not, not really paying much attention.

He turned and walked out of the room, this time when he closed the door he didn't lock it, just pulling it closed behind him. He moved over to the couch again and laid down. The front door was locked, and even though he figured that it would only be a few hours, he decided to get some rest, opting sleeping on the couch other than in his bedroom.

Laura had finished with her work around midnight and she had packed all her things back into her bag before she fell asleep on the bed in the room. She was curled up on the bed with the pillow on the bed hugged to her chest. Her leather coat sat folded up on the floor next to her bag. When the door of the room unlocked and was opened, she began to wake up and she slowly opened her eyes as her captor entered the room, looking up at him in the darkness of the room as he put down the water and bowl of cereal. She rubbed her eyes with a soft yawn and brushed her long hair back from her face as he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. She took note that he didn't lock her into the room again.

Sitting up, she looked at the food and drink he left her before picking up the water and quickly drinking it down. After finishing the water, she picked up the bowl of cereal and she sighed before setting it aside. Grabbing her purse, she opened it and began searching for something. "Damn-it. Where is it?" she murmured as she looked for her insulin. She wouldn't be able to eat unless she had her medicine but she couldn't find it anywhere.

When she couldn't find her medicine, she moved both the empty glass and the bowl onto the small table in the room before standing up and walking over to the door. Laura slowly opened the door and stepped out, making her way out to the living room through the laundry room.

Lee wasn't in a deep sleep, just kind of relaxing and such. When he heard movement he didn't move or anything, just paused. It hadn't been long after he laid down anyway, and he figured she would wander out because he didn't lock the door, but what mainly caught him by somewhat surprise was that she was awake.

Without even opening one eye he said, "Up already, huh?" He opened one eye and looked over to the doorway where she was coming from. Sitting up and standing, in case she tried something, his eyes locked on her. He seemed a bit tense, and tired. He looked over to the clock real quick, in a few hours he would be able to talk to her brother and all, let him know now what was at stake and that he should get him his payment.

Lee looked back at her, his eyes moving up and down her, the first time he really took her in, in light. The living room light was still burning, he didn't feel like turning it off earlier. She was pretty, the picture he had gotten to make sure he got the right person did not do her justice at all.

Laura jumped when she heard Lee speak and she froze, looking over at him in surprise. She had thought he was sleeping. The young woman sighed softly as she turned to face him the rest of the way. "Yes, you woke me up." she said to him. "When you brought the cereal and water into the room. I'm not a very heavy sleeper." She crossed her arms over her stomach and shrugged slightly.

She looked around the living room as he stood up, quickly taking in her surroundings before looking at him again. "You're still not going to tell me why I'm here are you?" she asked him as she gazed at Lee. It was really starting to bother her that she had been kidnapped from infront of her work and she wanted to know what her brother had done and why she had gotten involved.

She lowered her arms slowly when she noticed him looking her up and down, arching an eyebrow curiously. "What?" she asked him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

His eyes went back to hers, his expression blank and he said simply, "You're cute, that's why." He let out a light sigh and sat back down, "Well, make yourself comfortable. I don't think I have to tell you that if you try and run you will highly regret it right?"

He looked back at her after looking around again, pausing and then saying, "Money." He shrugged his shoulders lightly. "Your brother hired me to get him a little more time with some loan sharks, he paid them back, but didn't pay me." His eyes were cold and serious, "To make sure I get my money I took a loved one, you, to encourage him." Lee moved his eyes up to the ceiling and added, "If you want to talk to him about it you can when I call him. Bastard changed his phone number on me and it was a headache to get his new one."

Shaking his head lightly Lee looked over at her, "Anything else you want answered, Laura," He paused as if thinking and then asked, "Laura's your name right?" He had a source that got information on her for him, he just wasn't sure about her name, he thought it was that, but he would feel a bit foolish if it wasn't.

She forced away the blush that wanted to form in her cheeks and she slowly sat down next to him with her hands folded in her lap. As he explained to her why she had been kidnapped, she kept an oddly blank face before frowning and glaring at the wall. "My brothers a moron." she said softly. "He's always getting into some kind of trouble that somehow gets me involved." She sighed and ran a hand over her face with a soft groan. "And I'd rather jump out of a window then talk to him. I haven't talked to my brother in almost a year. If he asks to talk to me, tell him I'm tied up somewhere."

She slowly looked over at him when he asked her about her name and she shook her head. "Yes, my name is Laura." she said before her stomach growled and she placed a hand over her stomach with a sigh. Closing her eyes, she slumped down on the couch and tried to relax a little.

Letting out a laugh his eyes brightened for a moment at her comment of her brother. "I'll tell him you're chained up in a bed." His tone was joking, him showing emotion for the first time since he kidnapped her. He shook his head lightly and the smile stayed on his face for some time before he seemed to force himself to gain control again. He stood up and looked down at her, "Don't like cereal?"

He had heard her stomach and he was also getting a bit hungry himself. "How about pancakes, or waffles?" He started towards the kitchen but paused, looking back at her. He would still call her brother but he would not make her talk to someone that she didn't want to talk to. At least when that person she didn't want to talk to was her brother.

She smiled gently while gazing up at him and she chuckled at what he said. "Oh, he'll love that one." she said softly and she shook her head. She gazed up at him as he smiled and she decided that he looked better when he smiled. After a moment, she shook her head with a soft sigh. After he gained control again, she watched him stand up.

"No, I love cereal." she said to him. "But I can't eat it right now. I can't eat anything at all. I don't have my medicine, so if I eat, my bloodsugar will get really high or really low and then I'll get really sick." She looked up at him sheepishly as her stomach growled again. "I have diabeties."

Pausing for a moment Lee just watched her and then lifted a hand and ran it through his hair, "Diabetes huh?" He paused and then shifted on his feet. "Stay here." He turned and headed towards the door, unlocking and going out he shut it behind him.

When he came back ten minutes later he tossed her a bottle of medicine, it was insulin. "A neighbor that owed me a favor has diabetes too. I'd rather you not die on my watch, from starvation or from illness." He headed towards the kitchen again, "Now, pancakes or waffles?" He paused and then said, "Though I'm don't know a lot about it, I had to ask them what medicine one takes so they can eat and not worry about blood sugar, they handed me that." He paused and shook his head, "I can pull a few strings and get you some more, but that has to go back to my neighbor by seven."

Laura caught the insulin easily before nodding slightly and standing up. She always carried the needles she needed to take insulin, so she didn't have to worry. All she was missing was the actual medicine. "Umm, pancakes." she said gently. Slowly she headed into the room that he had locked her in earlier. Kneeling next to her purse, she removed a syringe and headed back out to living room.

She walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table, setting the insuline and syringe down on the table. Removing the cap from the syringe, she inserted the needle into the bottle of medicine and filled the syringe. After removing the needle from the insulin, she lifted her shirt a little and ran a hand over her stomach with a sigh before giving herself the shot. "Thank you. For getting the insulin for me."

A soft groan escaped her when the needle pierced her skin. Once she gave herself the shot she recapped the syringe and threw it out while rubbing her stomach.

Lee nodded and looked over at her when she sat down at the table. He pulled out some items that he needed to make the food. He started mixing the ingredients and before long he started to make them. He might not have really looked like it but he was a decent cook, having cooked a lot when he was younger and what not for numerous reasons.

It wasn't long until he grabbed two plates with one hand, and the plate full of pancakes with the other hand. Placing the pancake full plate on the table between two chairs, and one empty plate in front of her, and another at an empty space at the table. Walking back he got syrup, butter, and forks, placing them all on the table within reach of the two places. "Help yourself." He said before taking a seat in the empty chair.

He pulled four pancakes on his plate and poured syrup over them before starting to eat, his eyes on the table in front of him.

Laura watched Lee cook the pancakes, her stomach growling again and she blushed again with a sheepish smile. She hadn't eaten since the day before at lunch because she never gotten home since she was working late. She yawned softly and rubbed her eyes before shaking her head with a chuckle as she sat back in her seat.

As he set the plates and food down, she smiled slightly before nodding and she pulled two pancakes onto her own plate. She put just a little butter on her food with a little syrup before beginning to eat. Laura ate in silence while gazing at the table. She didn't really know what to say to the man sitting across from her. After a little while she lifted her head and finally spoke to him. "What.... what's your name?" she asked him softly.