An Unexpected Threat

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Josh and I ended up speaking for just over an hour. He explained how we were at the 'Sidemen House' where he, Simon, JJ and Vik lived. Harry, Tobi and Ethan lived in separate flats in a block close by, but spent most of their time here. I grew to be comfortable in Josh's company, as much as I could when being kidnapped. He did not seem motivated to intimidate me, similar to Tobi. It eased me.

It was a text on Josh's phone that interrupted our chat.
"Boys are home. False lead apparently. Anyway I should go up there. Um, do you want any food or anything?" Josh asked awkwardly. He seemed unsure of how he should act towards me. But I appreciated his thoughtfulness.
"Yeah actually I'm starving. Also what's the time? Seeing as this basement has no windows and I was tranquillised I've lost all judgement of time".

"It's just gone 5am. You get used to having a fucked up sleeping pattern after a while" said Josh noticing my shocked expression.
But it was not shock. It was worry.

I'll keep you updated on where I am and I'll text you when I'm back at uni.

The last conversation I had with my dad made my stomach drop. He would be worried sick by now. If only I could contact him, perhaps get him to send help. I could see my phone was still in my jean pocket but could not reach it due to my cuffed hands. Josh looked at me with concern.

"Look I know this is all a bit much and it's all come as a shock, but honestly not all of us are that bad. Admittedly sure, Harry, JJ, Ethan and even Simon at times can seem monstrous...but it's just about knowing when to shut up and stay out of the way you know. I know the situation is not ideal, but it's the way things have to be." Josh tried to comfort me. But all I was thinking about was how to get my hands on my phone.

"Thanks Josh. Look do you think you could un-cuff my hands please? The metals been digging into them for hours, plus there's no way I can escape from down here" I pleaded, silently begging him to unlock the cuffs.
"Er I think that should be fine. Yeah we're gonna lock that door above the stairs so don't even waste your energy trying to get out. Harry insisted that we cuff you, something about how you're a prisoner so should be treated like one or some shit. Screw it, stand up and give me your hands."

I tried to conceal my relief and celebration as Josh unlocked the cuffs, freeing my hands from the tough steel. "Ahh" I sighed, rubbing my wrists, "thank you Josh."
"I'll be back with some food in a bit" he said, as he limped slowly up the stairs and left the room, locking the door behind him.

Okay quick fuck, I have no idea how much time I have so lets just do this before I'm caught.
I slid my hand into my jean pocket and took out my phone.
Fuck!
I forgot I had turned off my phone to save battery during the journey home.
Shit come on, why do iPhones take so long to fucking switch on!

My heart was beating fast and I began pacing as the white screen of my phone glowed in the room. I heard the floor boards creaking upstairs and my heart stopped.
I think someone's coming down.

And at that moment my lock screen appeared. I unlocked my phone, and began typing a message out to my dad. I had never typed a message so fast in my life. My phone started slipping out of my hands from the clamminess.

I heard shouting coming from above me.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU UN-CUFFED HER?" Whoever they were sounded furious. "WE HAVEN'T EVEN SEARCHED HER YET YOU FOOL."
It was not long before I heard footsteps outside the door. Keys began turning the lock.
But I had not finished my message. Just the word "help" would be useless and would only serve to panic my dad more. I had to fill him in as much as possible.

A wave of light flooded the basement. And there, stood at the top of the stairs giving me the most lethal glare, was Simon.
"Don't, you, dare Y/N."

I ran to the other end of the room distancing myself from him as much as possible before I was stopped by the wall. He reached me in seconds. Grabbed the phone out of my hands, whilst shoving me into the wall, trapping me. He looked at the phone in his hands only to then scream out in rage.

5:07am - message sent