Sapte || Surrender

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Beep...beep...beep. A loud foreign noise interrupted her sleep.

She ignored it, keeping her eyes closed. She felt like death.

Beep...beep...beep. It kept on.

My alarm doesn't sound like this, she thought. Where am I?

She opened her eyes to deal with the noise and realized she was at her apartment, in her bed. The day was bright, and she put her arm over her eyes to block out the light. Mila was not a morning person. Something heavy hit her in the face, and she opened her eyes - it was the watch. It all came flooding back to her.

It hadn't been a dream, and it was the watch Alec gave her that was beeping. It was like a super chic version of an Apple Watch. She annoyedly tapped the screen a few times to silence it. When it didn't work, she pressed the button on the side. It read noon and that she had one new video message. She swiped the screen to open it.

"Good morning, Mila," Alec's face appeared on the screen. Mila drew in a sharp breath. "I know last night was a shock for you, and I figured you might need a little time to come to terms with the situation," he said.

"Which is why I want to give you until sunset today to get some things out of your system before adjusting to your new life. Eat a burrito, enjoy a movie alone, or go for a bike ride. These are some things you won't be able to do for a while, so make it count. I don't care what you do as long as you follow my rules... Most importantly, you'll need to break up with Evan."

Mila's heart dropped. What a nightmare. The message continued:

"On your table I've left you enough cash to enjoy your day, I'm keeping your credit cards and IDs indefinitely. Just in case you're doubting my ability to make good on my promises, I've also left you a present on your phone. When you come to me at the end of the day, everything will be resolved."

Resolved? She thought. What does that even mean?

"Remember my rules," he reiterated. "I'll be watching."  The video ended.

She needed to find her purse and phone to see how much damage he had done. Jumping out of her bed, she immediately saw her purse sitting on her royal blue couch table next to a maroon envelope, her phone, and faux book box where she kept important odds and ends. She opened her tiny black party purse to find only her Nordstrom debit card. However, she wasn't totally dismayed until she opened the box.

"Fuck!" She yelled in Portuguese. "Fucking shit!" Her passport was gone. Without it, she had no form of ID, and her ability to travel was completely halted. Alec was three steps ahead of her.

She began to panic when she noticed her cell phone screen flashing. She had 11 missed calls, 5 voicemails, and 10 text messages. Her mom, dad, Alicia and Evan had all been trying to get in contact her while she was sleeping. Her texts read:

-- Evan Young -- 1:30 a.m.
Hey babe, how was your night? I'm so sorry I couldn't make it, but I'm feeling better now.

-- Melia Black -- (Mom)-- 8:30 a.m.
Hey honey, call me. Alicia's mom just called and let us know Alicia's been in a car accident.

-- Melia Black -- (Mom) -- 9:15 a.m.
Called you again, call me back as soon as you get this.

-- Evan Young -- 9:30 a.m.
Your mom and brother have been texting me all morning asking where you are. Alicia's been in an accident, but it looks like she's going to be alright. A few broken bones. Call them when you can. I know you're busy so I'll see you for dinner at Elliott's.

-- Evan Young -- 9:32 a.m.
Meet you at 6:30 at the Louise Bourgeois statue in Waterfront park. We can walk to the restaurant from there. It'll be a nice evening for it.

-- Joseph Black -- (Dad) -- 9:44 a.m.
Call your mother.

-- Alicia Cummins -- 10:03 a.m.
Hey Mila, this is Mike, Alicia's boyfriend. She was in an accident last night. She's ok, but we wanted to let you know.

-- Mateo Black -- (Brother) -- 10:35 a.m.
Call mom. Something happened to Alicia, she was in a wreck or something. Her mom called the house. Also, mom and dad are freaking out because the bank says their retirement savings have been depleted? They are trying to be cool, but I can tell they are worried.

-- Mateo Black -- (Brother) -- 10:37 a.m.
Also, do you have mom and dad's HBOGO password? I lost it again and need to watch the last two new GOT episodes.

-- Melia Black -- (Mom) -- 10:40 a.m.
Where are you? We've been trying to contact you for hours. Call back immediately.

----------

This was what Alec had been talking about. The 'present' he had left her. The realization hit her hard. He did keep good on his promises, that much was clear. He was displaying his power by fucking with her friends and family.

She started mentally prioritizing her calls. Dialing Alicia was first on her list. The phone went to voicemail and she left a message. She then called her mother.

"Mila!" Her mother yelled at her. "Where have you been all morning? Did you get our messages?"

"Yes mom," she replied. "I'm really sorry it took me so long to respond, I was sleeping in. Remember, I am on pacific time." It was something her family often forgot. "Are you guys ok?"

"Are you ok?" Her mother asked sounding concerned. She must have picked up on my tone, Mila thought.

She brightened up, "Yes, mom, I'm fine, I'm just really concerned about Alicia. I called her back, but she didn't pick up. Did her mom tell you what happened?"

"Lord," her mother sighed heavily, more of her accent coming through. "Poor Jill, she's worried sick. I talked to her for a bit because, you know, we've been through it once before with you. It's like reliving it all over again. Alicia wasn't drinking or anything, she just lost control of the car while driving through an intersection." Mila put her hand to her lips.

"Was she hit?" Mila asked.

"Fortunately no," her mother replied. Mila knew she was making the sign of the cross on the other end of the phone.  "She's alright though. Very, very, lucky. She spun into a light post and smashed her car up a bit, but she managed to come out with only a broken leg and a concussion."

Mila sat quietly, her friend's blood was on her hands. More than that, Alicia could have died.

"Mila Bee, are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes mom," she said, mustering up her convincing voice again. Mila wanted nothing more than to break down and tell her everything. How Alec was responsible for what happened to Alicia, and what he'd done to all of them. Normally, she couldn't hold water from her mother, let alone a secret this big, but she had no choice. She wanted to be a child in her mother's arms, and told it would be ok.

She moved the phone away from her for a moment to collect herself. Before she lost total control, she changed the subject.

"So, what's this Mateo tells me about the bank?" Mila asked.

"Oh, Mila, your father is beside himself!" Her mother said, sounding distraught. "This morning he went to the bank to deposit some money. When they returned the statement, it said the account holding our retirement fund is empty! It's completely disappeared Mila. We don't know what's going on. We're hoping it's a fluke, because it's everything we have."

That bastard, she thought while clenching her fist. Alec knew how to hit where it hurt. Her parents didn't make a lot of money. Their retirement was everything to them, and they were so close.  Hearing her parents so distraught was painful, and the thought of them being forced to work for the rest of their lives was unbearable.

"Mom, I'm sure it was just a fluke with the bank. When it opens Monday, you and dad can get it sorted out," she tried to assure her mother. "I don't want you guys worrying too much."

Alec's words came to mind: "When you come to me at the end of the day, everything will be resolved." This is what he was talking about. He would leave her people alone and give the money back once she surrendered herself at dusk.

"Thanks Mila Bee, you always know how to make me feel better," she replied. "So how are you doing? How's work, and Evan?"

The question felt like taking a bullet, and Mila could so not go there right now.

"Hey mom, I actually need to get to the office and finish some work this afternoon," she rushed her off the phone. "I'll talk to you later, ok?"

"Ok," her mother replied. "Love you! We're really proud of you!"

"I love you too, mom." They hung up.

She could feel the tears coming again, but continued to hold them back. It felt like all she did lately was cry. She decided she could text Evan later. She desperately needed to get in the shower and think about what she was going to do. Her dress from the night before was still on, blood and all.

Moving to her bathroom, Mila slowly turned on the shower - her body aching from her battle with Alec. Courageously, she glanced at herself in the mirror. She looked horrible, but not nearly as bad as she felt. Bloody and bruised from the night before, her expression completely shaken. Mila began undressing, undoing the clasp on the back of her neck, letting it fall to reveal her stomach.

Odd red marks on the fabric inside her dress caught her attention. At first she thought it was blood, but realized it was too bright red to be so. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was lipstick. It didn't take long to find where it came from. Lifting her arm and turning to her side for a better look, she gazed in the mirror.

Someone had written on her side in lipstick. It was pretty smudged, but she could still make it out.

Gum wall today at 2 p.m. Safe. Know he's watching.













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