Ransomed

• Ben Dang
• Short Story
• 2013

Only the soft smooth steps of Robert Magee's tingling feet and the delicate breeze of the wind at the Majestic Fitzory garden were the only things that could be heard in the bustling city of Melbourne. It was beyond midnight, and it seemed everyone needed to go to sleep..He placed himself on a bench, chirpy in the moment of great nostalgia and quietness. The dim lights seemed like the fiery sun, and the buildings were dark empty space with an occasional star. Unknown to him, almost camouflaged in the eerie darkness were two hooded men.
"Is that the one?" Brad asked doubtfully.
"Don't care Brad, boss will be happy if he can get any money through these ransoms". Tim replied his eyes still fixed solely on Robert.
"Look at him!" He exclaimed,
"He's treasure waiting to be dug up!"
Slowly, they inched towards him. Robert meanwhile was still enjoying the moment. .Suddenly, a piercing pain, rocketed up his back, while his head was locking a covered by a piece of thick cloth. His breath searched desperately as he tried to stay conscious.
"Brad! Quick! I can't hold this crazy chicken forever!" Tim yelled angrily.
Tim dropped to the ground, a powerful strike shooting up his groin. He winced disgruntled. He determinedly swung his foot out stopping Robert clumsily tripped over. Tim instantaneously leaped onto his back, tucking his arms around his neck tightly, chocking him. Robert in a last ditch effort bit Tim's arm, causing him to fling in pain. Robert crashed with a loud thud into a tree.
" Quick, knock him out wimpy" he demanded, not impressed.
Brad reluctantly got out a cosh from his pocket and knocked him out.
"Some little nerd!" Tim huffed arrogantly.
"Aren't you hurt? I thought he was going to beat you." Brad said doubtfully.
He was too arrogant, to admit that it had actually hurt. "Thought he was smart?! IDIOT!"
"Shouldn't we check if he's OK? He does look a little errr... hurt. And the boss wouldn't be happy if we had a dead corpse in his office either." Brad said concerned.
"Who cares! He'll probably have his whole body broken or in a coma after the boss deals with him.Might even get a pay rise for this too." Tim Gloated in prowess and pride. "Well what are you standing there for? Somebody got to get him into the getaway car!"

Roberts eyes fluttered daintly, he struggled to see.. He could still could feel blood trickling over him.
"Help...." he winced.
He nervously huddled up as the figure slowly approached him. His face was covered in scars, like rain falls down from the sky. His hair had gone pale white and there was a menacing grin plastered on his face.
" Try all you want, but you'll never escape. You escape? You get the shotgun."
He slowly dragged out his gun and poised at him," OK? "
Death seemed like a real possibility. He wondered if he'd survive.
Probably not.