Softness. Silence. Except a small, rhythmic humming that reverberates through my body. My hands squeeze together the silky material in them as I twist my head around. My eyes flutter open as I immediately am forced to adjust to the minimal lighting. The lights bounce in and around the room, as the passing scenery chooses when to illuminate the generous compartment I was in.

But then I see the shadow of the man across from me, and it was no one I knew. My mind quickly recalls the events that had gotten me here. I jerk upright in the bed I had been sleeping in. No restraints had been holding me down but I still felt threatened. Automatically, the mystery man in the corner steps forward into my view and I am momentarily caught off guard. He cocks his head at me in confusion, slowly taking steps closer to me.

The light fully shows him now as I find myself staring into unbelievably intense, dark blue eyes contrasted by thick eyebrows and long, dark eyelashes. His hair was a sexy, disheveled black that was just longer than a crew cut, connecting to his five o' clock shadow that perfectly framed his square jaw and chiseled features. My gaze lowers to his muscles bulging underneath his black v-neck shirt, just begging to be let out. His large veins pop, standing out against his lighter skin tone. My eyes wonder back up to meet his brooding blues as his eyebrows begin to draw together.

"You shouldn't be awake yet..." He points his finger at me, his voice a velvety smooth deep baritone.

Still on the bed, I shake my head and slowly get up. He continues his slow march towards me, "Stop." My hand is up, showing a confidence I didn't feel. "Where am I?"

He snickers at me, sliding an annoyingly attractive smirk onto his face showing shockingly white teeth. "Now, I don't think that's important right now, do you?" He throws his hands up as his eyes roam the room, then me, as he comes to a stop. "Were all alone in this little room, on a train, in the middle of nowhere..."

"Wh-who are you?" my small voice manages to stutter out. I falter, stepping back against the bed, immediately aware I had nowhere to run to. My mind was screaming in confusion, begging for answers I had no inkling of. Yet I was peaceful, the most immediate threat was in front of me and somehow the only threat I felt was to my innocence.

Resuming his slow walk towards me, he held both his hands up, as if to say he really wasn't a threat. "I'm no one of importance, really." They were large, rough and calloused, most likely from some kind of hard labor. "The size of that bed though..." he winks at me.

"Seriously?" I voice my disgusted reaction a little too quickly, as I escape, darting to the side. Having successfully avoided his first approach, he swung around for another one. I was now facing the windows, watching as the rolling mountains and green grasses passed us by. But then his head blocked my view as he once again was way too close.

"Would you just stop, please?" I pause for a breath and he only smiles at me knowingly. "Your advances are pointless."

"Are they?" He seemed amused, "Didn't get that vibe earlier when you were checking me out." His eyes wonder down on me, a flirty smile forming. 

"I was sizing up a threat," I deny him while clenching my jaw. His proximity was beginning to affect me a little too much.

"If that's the case, what was your conclusion?" He holds his hand thoughtfully, yet mockingly on his chin.

I scoff at him, "Were getting off topic. Weren't you going to answer my questions?"

His eyebrows momentarily raise in surprise at my gumption, yet they soon recede into a frown. "Was I? Didn't realize I had to do what you say."

My lips press into a thin line, "We both know you don't." 

It didn’t occur to me I had been staring into his eyes until I watched them squint infinitesimally together before he leans in, a scant distance from my face. My gaze, almost instinctively, risks a peek down at his parted lips as he turns them to the side. I feel his breath on my ear as he whispers to me, “Exactly why I’m about to do the opposite of what you want, or maybe do.”

“What are you talki-” I say as I take in the numerous possibilities behind his words. But his lips cut me off as they crash down onto mine, demanding me. His hands that had been neutral earlier now wrap around my lower back, pulling me tighter to him. My own hands were finally beginning to catch up, even though my lips had somehow already been playing along.

Raising my arms I to his chest, I push softly then forcefully. But it doesn’t seem to work as I involuntarily grunt after several attempts. He takes all of this the wrong way though as his hands now squeeze my hips and lower to my backside. My mouth parts in surprise from the pain as I pull away, feeling the cold air on my lips before he claims them once more. His tongue delves inside, dancing with mine as I then promptly bite down on his lower lip.

“Argh!” he pulls his face away in surprise, his hands still holding true to my figure and barely any distance gained between us.

“Aw, did it hurt? Good!” I yell at him reaching around behind me to grab his hands and pull them off of me.

But he’s too strong and much faster than me as he takes my movements to his advantage, holding my hands behind my back. I struggle against him but all it does is make him happier, his cocky smile growing with each try.

“Let me go,” I say through gritted teeth. My eyes, that had been defiantly staring into his now lowered to his chest peeking through his low collared shirt.

His chest rumbled with a deep chuckle, "You're not going anywhere unless I want you to." I peeked up at him through my lashes, my heart picking up pace quickly. His eyes narrowed as he leaned to my ear, whispering, "And I don't want you to."

Deciding on a different tactic, I stop my fighting and arch my back into him, attempting to play him at his own game. “So, you’re one of those guys then, huh?”

He cocks his head to the side, suspicious. “A guy happy to talk to a pretty girl?”

Internally I roll my eyes, but externally I smile, “And a girl that’s happy to be in the arms of a big, strong, man…” I stare into his eyes, which wasn’t hard to do anyways, and take a peek at his lips.

Leaning in, I feel his hands loosen on my own, as he moves his grip. I had a small window as I attempt to duck under his arm and run. Standing up to full height, I scan the walls for a door. The room was ornately decorated with deep red wallpaper, large red curtains and gas lamps, explaining the lack of light in the room. The details of the room distracted me for far too long and I only found the door when I felt his arms slip around me from behind.

"You were saying?" He talks in my ear again.

I grunt, annoyed as I twist in his grasp. He continues, "I always get what I want."

"Well aren't you charming?" I retort.

"Ahh, yes. I'm prince charming," he laughs.

"You and I have a vastly different definition then."

"And you are very hard to please, aren't you?"

"Psh, all this time. That's what you've been trying to do? Please me?” I turn my head, angling it to try and face him. “Was that kiss your attempt at doing so? Didn’t work," I darken my voice to a more serious tone.

"Well, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it." His right hand moves from where he had held my arms to my waist, lingering on my backside. "And I don’t think you can either."

I let out a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. “Is that all this is?”

“What?”

“Is that where you’re taking me?” I lower my head tiredly in defeat. “Some… place where I can just please men?” A shiver extended from my spine involuntarily.

I feel him stiffen behind me, his arms releasing their grip on my sides, instead raising to my shoulders. He spins me around to face him, his expression a mix of shock, guilt, and worry, but also a trace of… determination was it?

“You are not going any place even remotely similar to what you’re describing, understand?”

He was surprising me, his words seeped genuineness and for a fleeting moment I felt I could trust him, actually believe him. “Ok…”

His left hand lowered to hold my hands, as his right raised to hold my chin to face him. “I won’t let anyone else touch you…”

Why was he saying this again? “Excuse me?” For some reason, his most recent words made me feel threatened. “Was that a promise or a threat?” I took a step away from him.

“What do you mean? How could that possibly be a threat?” He was exacerbated. “I’m trying to help protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection,” I say rebelliously.

His countenance falters ever so slightly, his jaw clenching. “Well then they chose you well…” his hands dropped mine as he turns to walk away slowly.

“Wait! What are you talking about? Who is they? Why did you take me? What do you want with me? Where are you taking me?" Every question I found myself stepping closer to him, and every step I found myself feeling more and more scared; the reality of the situation finally settling in.

He had stopped now, but still wasn’t facing me even though he answered me. "You were a simple, random, easy capture..." His voice sounds distant, rehearsed almost.

"What, why… Because I was alone," I say quietly, answering my own question as my gaze darts around the room, almost as if something in it will hold the answers I seek.

"Mhmm... We're on the way there still,” He continued answering my other questions. “A few more had to be gathered around and you were the first grab of the night. I've never seen anyone wake up before we got there though,” he finishes and turns around to face me, his expression unreadable.

"And where is there?" I nearly scream at him.

He clenched his jaw, "Stop that, OK?. I'm answering your questions aren't I? C'mon, I'm not the bad guy her-"

"Not the bad guy?" I ask incredulous, "So what then? Are you the good guy? Are you really going to be my prince, and whisk me away to some godforsaken castle in the middle of nowhere to have your way with me? Hmm?"

When he didn't respond, I only got worse, "You idiot! I'm not dumb. I know what this is, ok. You are the little weasel of a watchmen so you can guard me because you're too scared to go out there and get me yourself! Because you don't want to be the guy that actually ruins people's lives by taking them away!"

He clears his throat to speak but I cut him off. "But you know what? You are just as bad. Because currently, my life is changing. Because of you, and whoever is paying you. Or whoever your sick minded buddies are..." I trail off, feeling drained and tired.

He stayed quiet for several minutes, as if waiting for me to explode again. I face the ground, my eyes wandering over the intricate pattern weaved onto the rug. "Are you done?" I only scoff at him, barely moving from my spot on the bed. "Look, I didn't choose this; I'm not getting paid, and those guys aren't my friends. I'm-"

"Why bother even telling me any of this?" I couldn't help but ask. "I thought you would've hit me by now after that outburst..." Even I realized how crazy I had just sounded.

"Yeah, well, that's not my job. I'm only here for the ride back... I'm not even really guarding you," I was looking at him now, confused, as his hands gestured around the room. "Like I said, you weren't supposed to be awake. No one here on the train needs guards, because they're all knocked out,” he shrugs his shoulder nonchalantly, before continuing. “I only chose this room because I saw you..." his eyes flitted to mine momentarily before frowning and focusing on the ground again.”I wanted to - to make sure you were OK."

I swallow loudly, or so it seemed in the now silent room. "You...wanted to make sure I – I was OK?" I repeat his words.

"No," he plays with his hands as he promptly takes the nearest seat in the room. "Yes, I don't know. I just saw you and you looked vulnerable. Some of the guys here, they take advantage, ya know? They do things they shouldn't... I didn't want that to happen to you." He was shaking his head looking everywhere but at me.

I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of his words, at who was speaking them aloud. "So, you thought you would watch over me... so no one would touch me, right? And when I wake up, you can't get your hands off me?" a smile had made its way onto my face again as I begin laughing harder. "Then you kiss me? Tell me how you're the good guy again?"

He smiles sideways back at me, "I know right? I couldn't... help it," He chuckles, his smirk sliding on his face and he winks at me.

I roll my eyes, stifling another laugh. “I’m an idiot,” I say to myself, moaning aloud. Then put my head into my hands and try to sort my thoughts. "Just..." I let out a sigh, "I want to go home..."

The pressure in the bed shifts and I find myself leaning against a warm body. His hand is on my upper back, soothing me. My cheek rests against his shoulder before I remember myself. I sit back up, finding it harder to lean away from him on the old mattress.

I take in a breath, about to speak when he beats me to it. "Don't." I look at him, my mouth slightly open and my eyebrows pulled into a confused frown.

His mouth forms a weak side smile as he pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Don't push me away. I'm a good ally, trust me. I can keep you safe there."

"What does that even mean? Safe?" I shake my head, facing back towards the ground. "You won't even tell me where were going..."

"That's because you're technically not supposed to know, remember? You shouldn't be awake."

"But why does that matter!" I throw my hands up and stand up, beginning to pace around the room.

"Because this isn't your introduction."

I frown when he says nothing more, exasperated at his lack of an explanation. I then stop in front of him and give him a 'wtf' look.

He sighs, momentarily straightening his posture, "You can trust me, you know that?"

I bit my lip as I contemplate his words. Could I really trust him? For a fleeting moment earlier, I had felt I could… "Well, you've given me no reason to."

"Look, I meant what I said. I'm a good ally to have. You'll find out why soon enough. But this place were going to..."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I told you, just trust me. You'll find out," he spoke softly, yet confidently. His mannerisms were a sharp contrast to how he was earlier when I'd first woken up.

"Earlier... You said you would keep me safe, that no one would touch me... Is that really true?"

His smile returned to his face, as did hints of his previous behavior as he stood up. "I thought you didn’t like what I said about that.”

“Well, I want to know if you meant it.”

“Did you want me to?”

“It would help me to trust you.”

“Well, I’m not sure which answer you want…”

I let out a sigh, “Just, can I really trust you to… help me?”

“If you let me, I can,” he speaks and moves slowly and deliberately, his hands gently holding mine.

"What do you mean?" I was skeptical, as I pull my hands away and to my sides.

He huffs, "Well not like that..."

"Gee, you're right. I'm sorry! My god, why am I not opening up to the man holding me hostage?" I react instinctively, taking on a sarcastic defense.

He grinds his teeth, his gaze above me as he pulls me to his chest. "I meant, that if you let me help you – if you would just stop fighting me!"

"The second I stop fighting is the second I lose myself." I continue trying to step out of his embrace.

"Lose yourself, what are-" he now held me at arm's length.

"I lose myself if I stop fighting. Because then I won't have reason to go back home; to my family."

"That doesn't just happen when you stop fighting..." he seemed like he was beginning to understand as he released me.

"You wouldn't understand," I shake my head. "My family is..."

"Oh no," he was stepping away from me, shaking his head too. "I understand better than you think."

"Well," I hold up my hands. "Then try me. Help me to understand." I continue staring at his back and listen to silence as his response.

"Well... Have you decided yet?"

"Decided what?"

"If you can trust me," he waited for a response that I didn't have when he began speaking faster. "You're going to have to decide soon."

His hands were now on either of my shoulders as his gaze bore into mine, imploring me to believe him. "Wh-what do you mean? You’re making me nervous…"

His full lips pressed into a thin line, "Because we're almost there. The trains slowing down…”

"Well, I – I don't know…” I guess I’d have to now, right? “I don’t think I have a choice anymore.”

He nodded his head solemnly, "OK, I’m going to have to knock you out again. You can’t be awake for the next part. Turn around."

"Wait..." I grabbed his face on impulse. "Please," I study his blue eyes.

"I know," he nods his head once more.

Reluctantly, I turn around and feel a slight pressure on my shoulders close to my neck. My vision blurs and my head clears soon after fading to darkness.