Taxi

I’ve always hated it when we fought.

My husband Ricky and I were fighting again. All because of the same old, stupid reasons. He’s really protective of me. But sometimes I wonder, is he really? Or just selfish?

Earlier, he had said I wasn’t being careful of my body again. I’ve always tried my best to be what he wants me to be. What else could he want from me?

We’re newlyweds, but we’ve always fought over this.

“I’m trying my best, honey. Things just happen!” I told Ricky as he drove the two of us home after a party.

“It wouldn’t have happened if you were more watchful of yourself. Why did you have to talk to that guy for a long time, anyway? Fucking pervert,” he replied.

“It was an accident, okay? He didn’t mean to do that,” I said.

“Why are you on his side anyway? I bet you did it on purpose. You liked it, didn’t you?”

Anger rushed into me. I felt like I was going to explode with so much rage. “Do not ever accuse me of that, you jerk! I didn’t do it on purpose, and I never liked it! I’m not on his side. I’m on my side! What are you gonna do now, huh? Leave me? Hurt me?”

“I’m not gonna hurt you. Never. I promised you that. I –”

“Then what? You gonna hurt him? Why didn’t you? You had the whole fucking party with you. If you’re so mad at him, why didn’t you hit him? Did you chicken out? Tell me!”

Ricky was silent. Maybe this time he got my point.

“Look, Mandy,” he said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you or accuse you. I just wanted you to get my –”

“You want me to get your point? I do. I always do. What about mine, Ricky? What about me? You never listen to me. You always just listen to yourself. Always you. You, you, you. You always get your way with me; it’s okay. But could you please listen to me for just one time? No, you can’t. Because you’re selfish!”

Ricky was speechless. I was left speechless too. I felt sorry for the both of us. Maybe I was too offensive.

Maybe I was. He stopped the car in the middle of the road. We had to go through a dirt track in the middle of a forest to get home.

His eyes became red, like he was about to cry. He’s such a crybaby.

He then looked me straight in the eyes. I could see that he was serious. He was furious, but he’s also sorry. I could also see that he loves me.

His eyes say everything.

Then we heard a thump coming from Ricky's side of the car. They were two men. They looked big and strange.

“Maybe they need a ride,” I said.

“No, they look like they can’t be trusted. It’s too dangerous,” Ricky replied.

“You’re so paranoid,” I said, irritated.

“Mandy, don’t open the –”

I ignored Ricky and leaned over to open his window. As soon as it was open, the man outside quickly drew out a gun and pointed it at Ricky.

“Take the girl to the backseat,” the blonde man with the gun tells his brown-haired partner. He unlocked the car doors.

The brown-haired one opened my door and pointed a gun to my face. It felt as if time suddenly stopped. Terror conquered my body. My life could have ended anytime with one click of that gun.

“Get out!” the brown-haired guy said. I realized that it was the second time he’s said it. He pulled me out forcefully.

“What are you gonna do, you fucking bastards? What do you –” Ricky never finished his sentence. The blonde guy hit his face.

“No!” I screamed, crying, looking at Ricky’s bloody face.

“Shut up, bitch!” the brown-haired guy said. He dragged me to the back of the car and pushed me into the backseat. He sat next to me as the blond positioned himself in the front seat beside my husband.

They closed the doors.

“Tie her up and tape her mouth. I don’t want screaming in the middle of my masterpiece.”

Masterpiece? What was he talking about? What did they want?

“By the way, I’m Julian Quinn, and that’s Lucas Ames, my assistant.”

“Hi,” said the malnourished man beside me.

“What do you need? Our car? Our money? Please, just take it and leave. Just don’t hurt us,” I begged. The two men laughed. They’re sick.

“You’re getting it all wrong, sweetheart. We don’t need your cheap garbage. We need you. The both of you.”

“Huh?” I said. Horror struck me harder.

“Look, you two just cooperate, okay?” Julian said.

Lucas tied my hands and feet. I tried to fight back, but he was too strong and I was too scared. Then he covered my mouth with duct tape.