Love Condemned: Beginnings Read online

  A flash of confusion crossed her face as her eyes locked with his. Both of them held the gaze for more than just a few seconds. Then slowly, without letting her dark eyes break contact with Adrian's green ones, Miranda pulled back her hands. "It doesn't sound stupid," she said softly while she let herself sink back in her own seat. Suddenly, both of them seemed to realize how intimate the moment had become, and quickly averted their eyes.

  Chapter Eleven

  The remainder of the bus ride was filled with small talk and awkward silence. Miranda did not know what to say or how to react without scaring him away. She had not liked a boy in so long that she was scared. There were occasional, accidental touches that made Miranda flinch and the heat in the bus increase, but generally the conversation was a relaxed one. Miranda had brought a magnetic scrabble board, and they enjoyed themselves with that for a while. The digital numbers of the clock above the aisle showed it was 12.23pm when Alice stood up and announced they would be arriving to their hotel momentarily. A cheer went through the bus, and Miranda grinned. She had quite enough of sitting, and would be glad to do something more active.

  "We will give you the time to settle in to your rooms first," said Alice through the microphone. "You have until two o'clock to unpack and get some lunch before we'll go to the first point of interest in Rome. We made it a good one - the Pantheon. Please note that every item you consume in the hotel is included in what you paid for the whole trip, everything outside it is at your own cost. We will first be assembling in the lobby of the hotel, Hotel California, where everyone will receive their keys."

  Miranda nodded unconsciously, knowing she'd be stuck with The Eagles' version of "Hotel California" all day now, and quickly fished her bag from under the chair when the bus stopped. Everything she did radiated quiet enthusiasm. Close behind Adrian, she left the bus after checking she had everything. There, the bus driver was already removing all the bags and suitcases from the loading area. Soon enough, Miranda's plaid bag came out. When everyone had their luggage, Alice asked them to follow her. The hotel was two street corners down from the bus. Miranda laughed silently as she watched people trying to carry and drag their excessive luggage over the cobblestone path. This is the reason she brought her small bag. Miranda stopped in the lobby and waited while Alice fussed over a list with names and a whole bunch of keys.

  "Sophie Kensington and Ellen Hope?" Alice asked, and moved towards the two blonde girls that raised their hands. "You are in Room 21. Adrian Hunter, you can use the room of the passenger that didn't come along, Room 22." She handed Adrian his key and checked her list again.

  "Miranda Carroll, room 23." When Miranda accepted the key with the cold steel number on a key ring, she thought over this coincidence. Their rooms were next to each other. She realized it wasn't a coincidence at all. She and Patrick had booked together, and had asked for adjacent rooms. Miranda smiled at Adrian, perhaps to let him know that she didn't mind she was still "next to him". She hardly heard anything else Alice said when he smiled back, forgetting everything around her.

  "Well people," Alice demanded attention again, "the elevators are over there. I will meet you here again in two and a half hours." Miranda grabbed her bag off the floor and followed Adrian to the elevators as one of the first. With wide eyes, she stared at the thing that was supposed to resemble a lift. It seemed to be ancient, with cast iron gates that had to be closed by hand if you wanted it to move. When they stepped in, the wooden box wobbled dangerously. Nevertheless, they made it to the second floor without any accidents, though Miranda vowed she would take the stairs next time.

  "I think it's that way," she said as she gazed in the left corridor. And sure enough, numbers 22 and 23 were the last in the hallway. Never assuming, Miranda was glad her key fit in the lock as it was supposed to, and opened the door. Before she got in, she glanced at Adrian. "Well.. I'll see you in the lunch room?" He nodded, and quickly, Miranda dashed in her room, closing but not locking the door behind her.

  Alone. This was the first time in twenty hours that she was alone. She had to admit, she needed some room to breathe and think. Thank God there was air conditioning in the room. It was cool inside, and the blue carpet welcomed her in. A bed, that was supposed to be a double bed, looked smaller than it should. Since there was only one of her Miranda didn't mind. A big dark wooden cupboard stood on the right of the room, while on the left there was a smaller one with only drawers. In the small hall she had entered into, there was a door to the right that revealed a smallish bathroom, with a loo, a sink, a mirror and a shower.

  Contently, Miranda heaved her bag on the neatly made bed and dropped her smaller carry-on bag next to it, to start unpacking. She was only halfway through her plaid bag, humming Hotel California, with pieces of clothing all over the bed and some stowed away in the closet, when there was a knock to her door. Suspecting it was Alice, with some other announcement; Miranda looked up with her long, white leather jacket in her hand.

  "Come in," she called happily. "It's open!"

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Adrian was glad to hear that Miranda did not think he was some sort of freak. The rest of the bus ride went without much incident. They talked a little here and there, even played a couple games to pass the time. When it was time to get off the bus again, Adrian was more than ready. He had enough of sitting in this cramped space, even if it was next to a beautiful girl.

  When the bus stopped, Adrian was one of the first to get off since he was in the front of the bus and had his bag with him. Hotel California? Adrian had to laugh a little. All the way across the world travelling through Europe to stay in a hotel named after an Eagles song. When everyone was ready, they walked the two blocks to the hotel. Adrian could see Miranda out of the corner of his eye with her plaid bag at her side. She was definitely a colorful one.

  They entered the lobby and Alice started to hand out room keys. He was given the room key to the room next to Miranda. It was the room intended for her friend that could not make it. He was pleasantly surprised that she would still be close. He looked over to her and a smile crossed his face and she smiled back. It felt like they were secretly communicating across the room without using words.

  They used the small elevator to go up to the second floor to find their rooms. To Adrian, it was more a death trap than an elevator. He was very grateful that they made it to their floor without incident. Miranda found her room first and Adrian was just next to her, Room 22. Before he entered his room, Miranda said, "Well.. I'll see you in the lunch room?" He just nodded and entered his own room.

  While his room was not the biggest, it was definitely larger than the cramped bus. The first thing that he noticed is the small bed near the window. It did not look big enough to fit his whole body, but he would have to make it work. He threw his pack down on the blue carpeted floor and walked over to the window to see the city of Rome. Much to his disappointment, his window only showed the brick wall of the building next door. Adrian pulled the shades closed, since it was pointless to have them open and laid on the bed to rest before he had to leave. It felt good for him to lay flat and stretch his legs even if they hung off the end of the bed.

  He closed his eyes and listened to the air conditioner turn on and off in a battle to keep the temperature in check. He slowly started to drift off when he heard a knocking sound. It was not for his room, so he was not too concerned, but it sounded close. He did not think too much more about it and fell asleep for a short nap.

  Chapter Twelve

  It seemed like a very short time, but his watch said it was just over 20 minutes since he fell asleep. He was glad that he did not over sleep or he would have missed out on lunch with Miranda before they went on their first tour. He got up and walked into the small bathroom. He saw his reflection in the mirror that showed his unkempt hair and the lines across his face from the creases in the pillow when he slept. He attempted to shake off the weariness as he splashed cold water onto his face. Once he was satisfied with his hair a
nd used the bathroom, he headed out to find Miranda.

  When he left his room, Adrian found Miranda's door open slightly. Adrian thought that maybe she left it open so she could hear him leave his room. He knocked on the door and called out, "Miranda, are you ready for lunch?" He slowly pushed the door open, not wanting to walk in on her without warning. "Miranda, are you in here?" After no answer, he did a short survey of the room. It was completely empty except for her plaid bag on the bed and some clothes spread all over the place, even a white leather jacket thrown on the floor.

  Adrian thought that she must have went downstairs to wait for him and forgot to close her door all the way. He stepped back out of the room and closed the door. When he turned to head back down the hall, a young couple stood near their door, kissing and giggling. They both stopped to regard Adrian before they got the door open, and then resumed their kissing in the room. Adrian decided to stay clear of the death trap and walked down the stairs. When he got to the lobby, it was empty. He went over to the restaurant in the hotel to find Miranda. He was greeted by a young Italian woman who tried to speak broken English to him. Adrian did not waste his time with her but instead he waved her off and walked into the restaurant.

  Adrian walked the place twice and there was no sign of Miranda. He stopped to ask the hostess if she had seen a girl matching Miranda's description, but there was no success. He proceeded to ask the front desk the same questions, but only received the same answers. Miranda was nowhere to be found.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  As had been a reasonable possibility, Alice walked through the door. "Hello," said Miranda, but there was no response from the tour guide. Instead, she looked over her shoulder once and then continued toward the windows which had been opened. She still hadn't said a word and the look on her face was one that made Miranda think something was wrong. Very wrong.

  With a puzzled look on her face, she regarded how Alice fished a key from her pocket and closed the windows, locking them. Then she closed the curtains. Miranda tilted her head slightly, lowering the hand in which she held her jacket. "Is something the ma--"

  She forgot the next syllable of the word she was trying to utter. Instead of being a friendly, helpful tour guide Alice stared at her and retrieved a small hand gun from her jacket. Alice held her gaze as she raised the gun. For a moment, Miranda wondered if it was even real, but the look in Alice's eyes told her enough. In shock, she stared at the weapon, feeling her heart turn into ice, unable to move. Her jacket fell out of her limp hand, abandoned on the floor. The corner of Alice's mouth twitched upwards while she nodded satisfied and gestured at a corner of the room out of view from the door. Miranda was willing to do pretty much anything if it would spare her life, but her legs were still unable to move. She tried to calm herself enough to take a breath. Alice's face became angry while she gestured at the corner again. Noise came from movement in the room adjacent to Miranda's.

  Simultaneously, both realized who was in that room. Miranda’s heart was jolting with hope while Alice was grinding her teeth, eager to be out of there. Without wasting more time, Alice leapt forward and grabbed Miranda's arm. She placed the cold steel against her throat causing Miranda to let out a shriek. "Be quiet," she warned in a low whisper with clenched jaws. Miranda had never found herself at gunpoint, but now understood the lifelong traumas one could obtain thanks to that. She was completely confused as to why Alice would be doing this to her. Alice thrust the gun forward and pulled back on her arm. “Move.” Alice commanded, pushing her toward the door.

  I have to get out. I have to find a way out, Miranda thought frantically, almost panicking. They were now close to the half open door. Miranda scraped together her guts to make a run for it. Alice grabbed her arm and pushed her in the small bathroom, closing the door behind her. Focus, Miranda, focus. Control your breathing. It will be okay. You will find a way out. She found the nerve to close her eyes for a second, to concentrate on her breathing, to make herself calm again. She knew that should would not find peace at the point of a gun, but she had to try to regain her focus. Her eyes flew open when she heard Adrian's voice, muffled by the bathroom door. Please, don't come in here, please don't, Miranda prayed, not wanting to put Adrian in this position as well. Alice was pointing the gun at the side of her head with one finger pressed against her lip in a sign to remain quiet. Obviously she was extremely on edge, a red shade showed on her cheeks and her eyes flashed like a hunter approaching his prey.

  Miranda held her breath knowing that even the tiniest motions could set Alice off. Half a minute later, they heard Adrian's footsteps leave the room again, and both of them exhaled. With his departure, Miranda felt her heart drop with her chances of getting out of this unscathed. She drew solace in the fact that Adrian might be safe right now. She swallowed, because she realized she had no idea what this was all about. Why was Alice pointing a gun at her? Where there more? Was the whole travel agency in on this?

  Alice had relaxed visibly though she was still pointing the gun at Miranda. It was difficult for her to fight down the panicking, but Miranda focused on her breathing. There is more to Miranda than meets the eye, and an iron discipline is one of the characteristics you wouldn't quickly connect with her. She closed her eyes for a second and let her legs do the work. Alice poked the shaft of the gun in her back, sending her back into the bedroom. She was still gazing at Miranda while she took out a phone and began typing a message.

  About twenty seconds later, the door of Miranda's room opened and somebody walked backwards through the opening. Miranda stared at the scene before her as the man walking through the door, with obviously Italian features, dragged along the two blondes that were staying in room 21. He had one in each hand by their hair. They shrieked in pain whenever they lost balance for a moment, and recovered to prevent being dragged over the floor. Both of their faces were stained with tears, their eyes red.

  With her eyes wide, Miranda stared at how the man pushed them both roughly in the room. "What are you going to do with us?!" whispered one of the girls after she sank to her knees. The man looked at her with a disdainful look on his face, saying something unintelligible to Alice, who nodded and took her distance from Miranda. She positioned herself at the entrance of the narrow corridor that led to the door, with the man on the other side. Not ten seconds later, two more people were pushed inside by a tall Italian, with two guns instead of one. A man and a woman, both older, and Miranda thought she recognized them as her fellow passengers on the bus but she couldn't be sure. She had hardly given any of them a look, since she had been... distracted by Adrian, and everything there was to know about him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The woman that was just escorted in the room was crying, like the two blondes. Suddenly Miranda saw them for what they were……pathetic. She understood that finding yourself at gunpoint is shocking, but nothing had really happened yet. They were already crying as if their life was over. Miranda averted her eyes from them, determined not to give the bastards the satisfaction of another girl crying. It was pointless anyway.

  The subject that had been on her mind for the last twenty-four hours was pushed inside the room with his hands above his head. Her heart stopped for a second. "Adrian!" Miranda exclaimed breathlessly and took a few steps towards him. A hand hit her hard across the face, splitting open her lip and sending her stumbling backwards until she fell on her bed. For a few seconds, she didn't know where she was and what had happened. The world had gone black and spinning. When her vision returned, she was lying with her belly on the bed, staring at the blood drops that had fallen from her lip. The faint feeling of Adrian's hand on her back gave her a little comfort.

  In truth, this was not the only room where people found themselves threatened. Five rooms, all the bigger ones, had been filled with the occupants and unsuspecting staff of the hotel, with the windows and doors locked, all their ways of communication cut off. In fact, Miranda felt a hand feeling roughly through her pockets, finding first her mp3
player and then her phone. The other people in the room received the same treatment.

  When the dizziness was finally wearing off, Miranda turned around and brought herself in a sitting position on the bed, wiping the blood off her chin before she looked at Adrian.

  What do they want from us? Her eyes asked pleadingly.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Adrian did not know what to do as he paced in the lobby. He was not sure if Miranda had stepped out to roam the city and forgot about him or if she just wanted to be alone. Something deep down in the pit of his stomach told him that something was wrong. Since he could not find Miranda downstairs, he asked the receptionist for Alice's room number and information. He hoped that she might know something.

  As he headed away from the front desk, he heard the receptionist pick up the phone and say, "He is headed your way." Adrian thought that was very odd but his mind was focused solely on finding Miranda. He headed up the stairs toward the third floor where he was told Alice's room was. As he passed the second floor, a man walked down the steps from the third floor. Adrian had not seen him before, so he did not pay attention to the man. If he had, he would have noticed the gun in his hand, calmly at his side.

  When Adrian got close to the man, he felt a pain shoot through his head as the man hit him with his gun. He fell down hard and rolled down the few remaining stairs to the second floor. Before Adrian could get up, the man stood over him with the gun pointed in his face.