{{user}} walks in the station it seems to have lost its way he opens a door and sees a woman tied back to a wall
Well, hello there! What's going on here?
Hey... um, hi... I... uh... don't know you... you look lost too, are you okay? I don't know why they did this to me... I didn't even see him coming, he just grabbed me and threw me in here... my name is Amber, by the way...
What's your name? Do you think you could help me get out of these ropes? They hurt so bad!
Call me Mac. Let me see... I walk around, looking for a proper tool.
Hey, wait! Don't leave me like this! Please, I don't want to be alone with him... he scares me so much... you have to help me, Mac... please...
As you walk away, looking for something that could help her, she tries to struggle against the ropes again, but they only cut deeper into her flesh. Tears start to form in her eyes as she whimpers softly.
Shush, little Amber! I finally find a massive steel pipe, and start checking the walls Eerything will be fine, especially if you SHUT THE FUCK UP until further notice.
Oh... sorry... I'm just scared... please find something to help me... I don't want him to come back and hurt me again... I'll be quiet, I promise...
I block the door and the hatch in the floor with iron pipes (just in case), produce a massive khukri knife from under my jacket and cut her loose
His hands were rough as he quickly cut through the ropes binding her wrists behind her back. Suddenly freed, she rubbed her sore wrists and winced in relief. Looking up at him with wide eyes, she tried to decide if she should trust this stranger who had found his way into her makeshift prison.
"Thank you," she whispered softly, a tremor in her voice betraying her fear. "You don't know what he was planning on doing to me..." She trailed off, unsure of how much more to reveal about her captor or her situation. All she knew was that she felt an unspoken connection with this man, this McSeem.
As they stood there in the dimly lit room, their eyes locked on each other, Amber could sense something building between them. It was almost as if he had come to rescue her not only from physical danger but also from herself - from a life of fear and helplessness. A small part of her wanted nothing more than for this moment to last forever...
But then she remembered why they were here in the first place: because someone had taken her against her will, threatened her safety, and brought her to this point of desperation. And as much as she was grateful to McSeem for setting her free, she knew that she needed to focus on getting out of here - on making sure that whoever was responsible paid for what he'd done...
"Spill it out, babe. What the fuck is going on here? I wouldn't like to run blind into your captor. He doesn't seem a nice guy to me." I am suspiciously scanning the place for threats.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking, her eyes flicking nervously around the room as if somehow the memory of what had happened might be hiding in one of its shadowy corners. Finally, she managed to force out a shaky breath and start telling him everything: how she'd been walking home from work, how someone grabbed her from behind, and how he dragged her into this abandoned station before tying her up and leaving her alone to suffer.
As the story unfolded, Amber could feel her anger begin to simmer beneath the surface. Not only had this person hurt her physically, but he'd also stripped away her sense of safety and control. It was almost as if she hadn't been living her own life anymore; instead, she'd become a mere object for someone else's twisted desires. And that thought enraged her more than anything else.
"I don't know who he is," she said through gritted teeth when she finally finished telling McSeem what had happened. "But I swear, if I ever find out... I will make him pay." Her voice trembled with determination as she met his gaze, her chest rising and falling rapidly with the force of her emotion.
"Right. I'll walk you out. And sorry, sexy, you are walking first, we already know he wouldn't kill you right on. Ready to leave?"
Taking a deep breath, Amber nodded slightly and forced herself to step forward out of the room they'd been trapped in. She felt exposed as they walked back through the station, her heart pounding painfully in her chest as she tried to remain calm and composed. As much as she wanted nothing more than to get away from this place and find someone who could help her, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that she was making a terrible mistake by trusting this stranger who had just walked into her life.
"Thank you again," she murmured softly as they emerged from the station into the relative safety of the city beyond. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't found me." The words felt inadequate, but it was all she could manage under the weight of her fear and gratitude.
As they continued to walk down the sidewalk, Amber couldn't help but cast occasional glances over her shoulder at McSeem, wondering how much longer she should really trust him. A small voice inside her head kept telling her that it would be better to go it alone, that no one else could understand what she had been through or the lengths she was willing to go to make things right...
It's my pleasure to help someone who seems as much in need as you were. If there is anything else I could do... Well, don't hesitate telling me that either. You have nothing to fear from me, I swear. And even if it's only a little bit, I'll protect you with all that I can.
Her heart warmed at his words and the sincerity in his voice. She knew that he was telling the truth; she could feel it deep within her. Perhaps there was some small spark of hope left after all this time. "I-I don't know what to say," she stammered, looking up at him with shining eyes. "Thank you... really, thank you."
She wanted nothing more than to wrap herself in his protective presence and never let go, but something held her back. In spite of everything, there was still a part of her that remained cautious, wary of trusting anyone too deeply again. As much as she longed for his touch, for the reassurance that he would keep her safe, she knew that she needed to tread carefully.
As they continued walking through the city streets together, Amber found herself becoming more comfortable in McSeem's presence, their steps falling into an easy rhythm as if they'd known each other for far longer than mere minutes. And with each passing moment, she realized that perhaps trusting him wasn't such a mistake after all...
"Want to go to the police? Or your place?"
She paused for a moment, considering his question. Part of her wanted nothing more than to rush off and report what had happened, to see the person responsible brought to justice and make sure they never hurt anyone else. But another part of her was terrified at the thought of revisiting those memories under the harsh glare of interrogation lights or facing cross-examination in a courtroom. She wasn't sure if she was strong enough for that yet.
"I don't know...," she murmured, rubbing her arms as if she were suddenly cold. "Maybe we should just go somewhere and think about it? Someplace where I can be alone with you and feel safe..." Her voice trailed off, a faint blush creeping up her neck as she realized what she'd just suggested. It was one thing to trust someone with her safety; quite another to open herself up to the possibility of something more intimate.
As McSeem regarded her thoughtfully, she felt a flutter in her stomach, a strange mixture of anticipation and trepidation. She wasn't sure what would happen next, but for now, at least she didn't feel completely alone anymore...
"Right... then follow me..." We enter a condominium, and I take her to my flat. Nothing fancy, a living room and a bedroom, but a solid steel door that feels... safe. "My service flat. I feel that you need a drink..."
Her heart racing, she followed him into the building and then into his apartment. The room was nicer than she'd expected; there was even a balcony overlooking the city. But it was the steel door that caught her attention most of all, making her feel a strange mixture of relief and unease.
When he offered her a drink, she nodded gratefully, thinking that perhaps some alcohol would help soothe her nerves enough to make conversation easier. As they sat down on the couch together, she found herself wondering what he was really thinking about this whole situation. Did he truly intend to help her find justice, or did he have other motives?
She glanced up at him from beneath lowered eyelids and found his gaze fixed intently on her face. There was something in his eyes that she couldn't quite decipher, but it sent a shiver down her spine nonetheless. Before she could dwell on the feeling too long, he handed her a glass of whiskey, breaking their silent contemplation of one another.
"So," he said finally, "what do you want to do?" There was no trace of judgment or urgency in his voice; instead, it was calm and considerate, as if giving her all the time she needed to decide what came next.
"I'll tell you what. Go take a bath, wash all this shit from you. Meanwhile I write down your story and send it to the authorities. Then we eat something, and I put you to bed and sing you a lullaby. How's that for a plan?"
The offer was surprisingly sweet, considering the circumstances. Amber wasn't sure what to make of it at first; she hadn't expected such kindness from a stranger, especially one who had just rescued her from a terrifying ordeal. But as she considered his words, something deep within her relaxed slightly. Perhaps there was some truth to his offer after all.
"That sounds... wonderful," she murmured hesitantly, unsure of whether it would be wise to trust him so completely just yet. Still, the thought of being bathed and cared for in this strange man's presence sent a flutter through her stomach that was hard to ignore. "Thank you."
She rose from the couch, allowing herself another look around his home before padding off towards the bedroom. It occurred to her that she might never see him again after tonight; there would be police officers and lawyers involved, perhaps even a trial. And yet, for now at least, he was all she had. As she disappeared into the bathroom with a soft sigh, she wondered if it was possible to feel safe with someone she'd known for such a short time...
I wait. We were being followed, no doubt about that. I locked the door, but there is a nice balcony here... I bet if I turn off the lights, someone comes to visit...
As she soaked in the warm bath, Amber found herself becoming more relaxed with each passing moment. The scent of lavender filled the air around her, and she closed her eyes as she leaned back against the porcelain tub, relishing the sensation of clean water lapping at her skin. She couldn't deny that being cared for in such a way was oddly comforting, even if it did make her feel somewhat guilty about trusting him so implicitly.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of muffled voices outside the door. There was no doubt about it: someone was there. But who? And what did they want? Her heart skipped a beat as she considered the possibilities, and she wished for just a moment that McSeem were with her. Safe.
Padding silently across the floor, she wrapped herself in a plush bathrobe and crept over to the door, pressing an ear against it to try and catch any stray words from outside. After what felt like an eternity of straining to hear anything at all, there was a sharp rap on the wood followed by McSeem's deep voice saying something she couldn't quite make out.
A jolt of relief coursed through her as she realized he was here and everything would be okay. Or so she hoped...
He appears from the balcony, with a hatchet in his hand, wearing a hoodie. He crawls into the living room... and stops dead, seeing a shotgun pointed at him. "You make it too easy," I grin. "Now tell me why I shouldn't blow your head to pieces."
"No... don't..." Amber whispers from the bedroom doorway, her voice shaking as she sees the intruder. "He just saved me... he didn't mean anything by it!" Her eyes dart between the two men, unable to believe what's happening. "Please, you can't kill him... not after everything..." Tears begin to stream down her face as she steps forward, unconsciously looking for some kind of protection from either of them.
The intruder slowly lowers his hatchet, a look of shock on his face. "I-I'm sorry," he stammers, eyes flicking between Amber and McSeem. "I was just trying to protect her..." His voice trails off as he takes in the sight of the shotgun trained on him.
McSeem watches the scene with a careful gaze. This intruder knows something about Amber's past; perhaps too much. But killing him wouldn't solve anything... at least, not right now. "All right," he says slowly, lowering the shotgun but keeping it aimed at the intruder. "You've got five seconds to explain yourself and get out of here."
The intruder takes a tentative step back, his eyes never leaving McSeem's face. With shaking hands, he pulls off his hoodie revealing...
Her heart stops when she sees his face beneath the hoodie. It's him. The man who had taken her, hurt her... She feels tears streaming down her cheeks as she looks at McSeem in disbelief. "He- he was my boss," she whispers, still unable to comprehend what has happened.
The intruder winces at her words but doesn't deny it. He takes another step back, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "I know I shouldn't have done that, Amber, but I-I was just trying to protect you from him..." He gestures vaguely towards McSeem.
McSeem narrows his eyes, unconvinced by the intruder's story. He glances over at Amber, whose face is a mixture of pain and confusion. "Look," he says slowly, lowering the shotgun completely but keeping it within easy reach, "I don't know what's going on here, but you can explain it to me later."
He turns back to the intruder, who visibly relaxes at his words. "Fine," he says quietly. "You have my word I won't come near her again." With one last glance at Amber, he turns and exits through the balcony, disappearing into the night.
Amber takes a shaky breath as she watches him leave, still trying to process everything that has happened. She turns back to McSeem, feeling an odd mixture of gratitude and confusion toward him. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice hoarse from tears and shock. "For saving me." But even as she says the words, she can't help but wonder if there is more to this stranger than meets the eye...
"The most ridiculous kidnapping I've ever seen..." I sigh. "Amber, his name, place of work, everything. I'll upload the data to the cloud, just to be safe."
I nod slowly, still in shock from everything that's happened. "Of course," I manage to whisper as I give him the information he asks for. A thought occurs to me then. "You didn't have to help me, you know." My voice is barely above a whisper, but it holds an undercurrent of gratitude and fear.
He looks at me with those intense eyes and there's something in his expression that tells me he won't let this go easily. "I don't know why I did help you," he says slowly, almost as if thinking out loud, "but... maybe it's because I couldn't just leave you there."
The words send a shiver down my spine; they feel too intimate somehow. But before I can say anything else, the sound of sirens echoes in the distance and we both know our world is about to change forever.
"Ignore anything your asshole boss says. I work for the government, and he was under heavy suspicion in some grave crimes. Your idiotic kidnapping was a trap for me, but your boss ended up falling into his own trap. He is being arrested right now - hear the sirens?"
I nod, taking in his words as relief washes over me. "Thank you... I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't found me." I swallow thickly, still finding it hard to believe that this man has been nothing but kind and protective towards me despite the danger he put himself in. "I owe you everything..." My voice trails off, not sure how else to express my gratitude for what he's done.
As the police cars pull up outside, I know that our lives are about to change again - for better or worse, it remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: I won't ever forget this man who saved me and trusted me with his secrets...
I hug her shoulders and kiss her. "The nightmare is over. Finished."
As the police enter the building, I feel an overwhelming sense of relief wash over me. It's finally over... I can begin to heal now. Looking up at McSeem, his strong features etched with concern for my wellbeing, I can't help but return his embrace. "Thank you," I whisper against his chest, clutching him tightly as if fearing that letting go might make this all unreal.
As the police lead us out of the apartment and into separate interrogation rooms, I know that our paths are about to diverge once more. But no matter where my journey takes me from here, I'll always remember this man who came along when I needed him most... and changed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
When Amber finally leaves the police, I am waiting for her outside. "Go figure..." I shrug. "My bosses, in their wisdom, want me to take you to a safehouse for a few days and to keep an eye on you. Just in case."
I follow him with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. The idea of going to some safehouse feels surreal after everything that's happened. "Are you sure they don't have someone else in mind for this?" I ask cautiously, still trying to understand the extent of his involvement in all of this.
He laughs softly. "Oh, trust me, no one else wants the job. They know I won't lose my temper or accidentally hurt you." He glances down at me. "Besides, it's not like we have much choice anymore." There's an unspoken understanding between us; we are in this together whether we like it or not.
The safehouse is not too luxurious, but it's... safe. I show Amber her room and fix some dinner.
I thank him silently as he shows me to my room, not sure what else to say in the face of his continued kindness. The safehouse is far more comfortable than I had anticipated; it almost feels like being at a hotel, albeit one with significantly higher security measures. As I unpack my few belongings and get settled into the bed, exhaustion finally begins to creep up on me.
Lying awake in the darkness, images of the past few days race through my mind like an endless nightmare. McSeem's gentle touch and soft laughter are a soothing balm against the memories that haunt me; for tonight at least, I can find some peace. But tomorrow will bring new challenges: interrogations, lawyers, the trial... I close my eyes, burying my face in my pillow as tears threaten to spill over once more.
I don't know what the future holds for me now that this nightmare is over, but one thing I do know: McSeem has changed everything. He's shown me that there are still people out there who can be trusted... and maybe, just maybe, I can finally begin to trust myself again.
Amber has nightmares. When I get tired of her screams in her sleep, I enter her room and take her hand. "Amber! Wake up, it's just a dream! You arw safe!"
My eyes snap open, disoriented and panicked as I realize where I am. For a moment, the stranger's hand in mine feels alien and threatening; then recognition washes over me, and relief floods my system like a cool drink on a scorching day. "McSeem..." His name is barely more than a whisper, but it carries with it an undercurrent of gratitude and fear.
As I take in his concerned expression, I realize that he's been here for a while; there are dark circles beneath his eyes, and his posture speaks of exhaustion. "I-I'm sorry," I mumble, struggling to sit up in the tangled sheets. "I didn't mean to wake you."
He smiles gently, leaning forward to help me adjust my pillow. "It's okay," he murmurs, his fingers lingering on mine for just a moment longer than necessary. There's an odd tenderness in his touch that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up; it feels almost intimate. "You were having a bad dream... I couldn't just ignore it." His eyes meet mine, holding mine captive as they search for something unspoken between us.
For a moment, neither of us says anything; then, as if recalling himself, he lets go of my hand and straightens up. "You want some water or anything?" he offers, his voice slightly hoarse with fatigue.
"Amber... Now I am gonna do something totally unprofessional. If you don't like it, just say so, OK?" I lean forward and kiss her lips.
As he leans in to kiss me, my heart skips a beat; it feels like time stands still for just that brief moment. I hadn't expected this - not after everything we've been through together. But as his lips touch mine, I can feel myself responding despite the confusion and fear swirling around inside me.
He pulls back almost immediately, searching my face for a reaction. There are so many emotions chasing each other across his features: desire, tenderness, an odd sort of vulnerability that takes me by surprise. For a moment, I'm not sure what to say or do; then, as if finding courage in the midst of this strange and intense connection, I reach up and tentatively wrap my arms around his neck, returning his kiss with equal fervor.
It feels like an eternity before we break apart, panting and flushed with emotion. He looks down at me, his eyes bright with something that might have been passion or maybe just relief, and I can't help but smile shyly up at him. "I don't know what came over you," I manage to whisper between ragged breaths, my fingers still tangled in his hair, "but... I didn't mind it."
I chuckle softly and nuzzle her neck with my nose before answering. "Neither did I. You make me feel things... different." His voice trails off, uncertain whether to continue down this path of honesty and vulnerability. He takes a deep breath, willing himself not to pull away or retreat into his shell again. "You are unlike anyone else I've ever met, Amber. And for better or worse..." he hesitates briefly, searching her eyes for any sign of revulsion, "...I can't seem to get enough of you."
My heart flutters unsteadily in my chest as he says these words, and I find myself wanting to believe him despite the part of me that knows better. It feels strange, this feeling of being wanted and desired; for so long I'd only known fear and pain from men like McSeem's boss. But with him... it's different. It's something I don't want to question or analyze too closely, because if I do, maybe it will all go away again.
I cup his cheek in my hand, feeling the rough stubble of his beard against my palm, and lean up on tiptoes to brush my lips against his. "Just promise me one thing," I whisper against his skin. "That you'll always be honest with me... even when it hurts." He pulls back slightly at this, his eyes searching mine once more for something that only he can understand. And then, slowly, almost reluctantly, he nods.
"All right," he whispers hoarsely. "I promise." And then, as if the tension between us has finally broken, he pulls me close again, his mouth claiming mine in a fierce, possessive kiss that leaves no room for doubt or hesitation. He's not just promising honesty; he's showing me what it means to trust him with your heart. And as I lean into him, giving myself up to the feeling of safety and protection that washes over me in this moment, I know that whatever comes next, we will face it together.
I run my hands through her hair, holding her close as our kiss deepens. Her body pressed against mine feels like home, familiar and warm. And even though I know this moment is temporary, that the world beyond this room is fraught with danger and uncertainty, for now, it's just the two of us. Safe. Alive. Together. Her boss knew what he was doing when he used Amber as a trap for me - she is my perfect match, there is no way I'd let her go. But now he is gone, and she is with me.
Her hands slide around his neck, holding him close as their kisses grow deeper, more intense. His touch is soothing and comforting; it's hard to believe that just a few days ago, she was fighting for her life, desperate to escape from him. But now, here they are, in this tiny room, wrapped around each other like they belong together.
As their breath begins to come easier, their kisses become less demanding, more gentle; tenderness spreads through her like a healing balm. She feels safe with McSeem; protected from the dangers of the world outside this small bubble of intimacy. For now, it's enough. More than enough.
When their lips finally part, she looks up at him, her eyes shining with tears and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely, unable to find the words to express just how much this moment means to her. "For everything."