CAPTURED

Rachael hadn't known what to do. One moment they were staring up at the mayor as he melted and shrieked, then the building had exploded. She hadn't expected it, hadn't even considered the possibility that maybe, just maybe, it was them falling into a trap and not the other way around. Miraculously, the floor they were on survived with minimal damage as the rest of the structure above them tipped and fell into the streets. Smoke and dust clouded the air around them. They did not know where each other were, and then three silhouettes had come at Rachael from behind. There was no warning. No one in the Family had realised their friend was in danger, because they couldn't see anything. A hand had come over her mouth, and hands dragged her away. She was now long gone. Captured.

***

Rachael struggled in her bonds, her eyes blindfolded, and her hands tied tight behind her back and restricting her movement. She had no idea how long it had been. She remembered a scraping sound filling her ears as she was dragged away from the building. She remembered the cool steel against her hands and back. She remembered the murmurs of voices from nearby, and then she had fallen to the side as the van moved away. Now she was hopelessly lost. "Hello there, and please do not respond with General Kenobi. That shit has been bugging me whenever I kidnap someone. The mayor even fucking said it. Well, when you look at what happened to everyone else, it isn't exactly a shocker why I don't like it," came a rasping yet calm voice, and the blindfold was yanked from around her head.

Rachael's eyes focused onto the killer, and glared straight at him, the hate burning inside her. "You," she breathed, and the killer chuckled, "I'm not going to bother saying 'me' because frankly you are way too much trouble. I wouldn't have murdered over fifty…or was it sixty? I'm not sure. It doesn't matter to me. What does matter, however, is you." Rachael rubbed her wrists together uncomfortably, trying to wriggle free of the restrains around her hands, but it was no use. They were too tight. "What are you going to do to me?" Rachael whispered, scared as the killer giggled and leant back on the opposite side of the van. "Where are the others?" she demanded fiercely, trying to look strong and tough whilst feeling like she should drop dead in fear. The killer shook his head, smiling as he stared at her. "If it's any consolation, I do not have them…however the police have them in custody."

Rachael glared at him, "Let them go," she hissed. The killer shook his head, smiling gleefully. "But I'm right here. I didn't do anything. Who did you leave them with? Hm? Your people? Your father and his precious police? Assuming, of course, they are still loyal to him." Rachael tried to do something, anything, but she was still restrained. She tried hurling herself at the bastard, but he just observed her with amusement in his cold eyes. "What do you want me for?" Rachael mumbled, and the killer clapped his hands together. "Finally, some progress," he muttered, and Rachael barred her teeth in fury. "Well, you are the key to everything, to put it simply." Rachael stared at him, thinking about the madman's words. "The key to what?" she whispered interestedly, and the killer chuckled before cracking his neck. "Everything," he repeated.

Rachael clenched her fists in frustration, and again the murderer laughed. "You don't know anything about me. You don't know me. How could you think I'm some sort of key?" Rachael demanded, and the laughter stopped. Now the killer stared at her quizzically, as though trying to silently answer questions she was asking. "I do know you," he breathed, the lips twisting into a cruel yet loving smile, "I've watched you your whole life. Watched you live, breathe, grow older with time to the beautiful woman you have become today. I know you because I have been with you since the day you were born." Rachael thought quickly, her brain feeling like much as she tried to work out the biggest mystery of all. Who was he? Laughing again, the killer leant forward, gazing at Rachael with something like admiration in his eyes. "I've known you longer than Andrew…after all, I always drove you to my daughters house, didn't I?"

Rachael gasped, her eyes wide as the killer laughed again, the sound joyless and depressing. Yet he seemed to enjoy that Rachael now knew who he really was. One of the only people she had never connected to the murders. "Philip," Rachael whispered in both surprise and fear, and the killer nodded knowingly. "See, I am not a monster, Rachael. I am a human, the same as you. We both have different ideals, but we used to be close, at one point or another. I beg you to be on my side again." Rachael shook her head wildly, the feeling of dread and terror rising within her like a storm. "Is that a no?" Philp growled, and Rachael nodded. "That's a no fucking way!" she shouted, and Philip sighed, shaking his head disappointedly. "You know, I expected better from you," he whispered before drawing a knife from beneath his cloak. "Now, time to send a message," he hissed, creeping closer as Rachael struggled. Moments later, a scream ripped through the van.