DANIELS, NATALIE ELIZABETH

]when my world is falling apart and there's no light
to break up the dark that's when i look at you.

27 | HETEROSEXUAL | HAPPILY MARRIED | ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER | LOCAL | KATIE CASSIDY

Natalie E. Daniels,

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you're seated with your hands twisted behind your back, wrapped in a coil of coarse rope, your legs are attached to the chair's front pillars and you wince as the forced sleep begins to fade. your body aches but you are hypersensitive to everything, including the pain in the back of your head. your eyes squeeze tighter, your teeth grind together as you begin your blind struggle. scraping your bottom against the chair, trying to rock it, making the most futile attempts to break the knots from your indented skin. you think back at that moment to what led you to this moment, this place, this very chair at this very time and you panic with each flashback that occurs. natalie had an uneasy feeling all week. she hadn't been able to quite put her finger, but didn't think too much about it. she thought maybe she was just being overly sensitive or paranoid. she had nothing to worry about or be afraid of. this wasn't bronx, this was los angeles so there was nothing that particularly posed any danger, but she just couldn't shake the feeling. she thought maybe she was just over thinking things because that was a thing she tended to do. she didn't think to mention it to sebastian because it wasn't a big deal. it was just a feeling and she had no proof. but maybe she should have trusted her gut feeling. the feeling of being watched and followed. for an entire week, everywhere she went, she would see a shadow from the corner of her eye or she could feel someone lurking in an alley, but she never saw anyone, so she thought that maybe she was just seeing things. but she wasn't. it had been her turn to get the groceries today. the store wasn't too far from their home, so she didn't think a car would be necessary. she had just picked up the things on their list when she saw the van screech in front of her. she remembered looking around her for anyone witnessing this, but it was dinner time. there was no one around to see anything. "help! someone help me!" she screamed, hoping that maybe there would be someone, anyone around to hear her. at first she hears nothing. and then footsteps. steps are heard and you pick your head up, even though your vision is blocked. you can't see anything but you can smell the strong cologne and you hear the steps growing louder heading right for you. the blindfold is torn away with no regard to your physical pain but you can see now and you don't know where you are but you try and get a good look around. the light burned her eyes when he ripped the blindfold off aggressively. she had to shut her eyes tightly before slowly opening to adjust to the lighting difference. she looked around in a panic, hoping to find some form of exit strategy. there was just one door. she assumed that's where he came in from. she glanced around, trying to force her turns despite the restraints on her. they were in a basement, she could tell, but it was cemented. she looked up at the pipes that were currently dripping dirty water down on her. what was this place? why was she here? who was this man? "guess you want some water or an aspirin?" natalie scoffed, rolling her eyes as she gritted out a "i don't want anything from you." sure, she was in pain. the rope rubbed against her wrist and ankles roughly, but what hurt the most was the ache in the back of her neck. she assumed it was from her assailants knocking her out. she wanted the aspirin desperately, but she wasn't going to give in. she could handle a little pain here and there. as if she hadn't had broken bones before from fighting her older, bigger brothers. plus, this certainly couldn't be as bad as being in labour. she glared at him, "what do you want form me?" "we will get to that later, for now, we are going to talk about you.your head keeps pounding and your struggles have no fully died away and so, the man puts a hand on your shoulder and gives it a tight squeeze that makes pain echo through every joint, muscle and ligament in your arm "stop." his voice holds a warning, a threat and you do stop - for now. "so tell me the bare minimum about you." what did he mean later? she wanted to know now. what did he want with her? you hiss in pain as he squeezes her shoulder to stop her movements, forcing her to stop. she listens to him for now. she says nothing to him at first. why would she comply? why would she do anything he said? she was not going to let him feel superior because he wasn't. she wasn't going to give him the control he wanted. but after a moment, he loses his patience. he grips her cheeks between his thumb and index finger, digging into her skin. "tell me about yourself." he said gruffly this time, squeezing even tighter to prove how serious and impatient he was. she glared at him, shaking her head out of his grasp, "my name is natalie elizabeth daniels and i am twenty seven years old." she paused, shifting in her seat, trying to get used to the feeling of having her hands tied behind her back. it was uncomfortable and annoying. "i work as an kindergarten teacher here, but i was born in florida and moved to new york for school. " she pauses again, unsure if that was sufficient enough, but he just looks at her like he wanted her to continue. she didn't want to say anymore about herself, just in case. she didn't want them to know about sebastian or evelyn. she didn't want them in danger. "umm… i was born on november thirtieth…" she trails off when she sees him shaking his head at her. he shakes his head at you, releases your shoulder and takes three steps backward, tapping his finger. "too much information. does it really look like a fucking care about your birthday?" you are confused as he wanted to know about you and that seemed like a crucial detail. "moving on. are you a good boy/girl? cause obviously you pissed someone off - know anyone who could have put you in that chair?" she shook her head at him at first, but then she thinks about it. "well my mom, stephanie donovan… but…" it was unlikely though. her mother was a mediator, and sure, she made many enemies, but none that would put her in danger. she shook her head, a firmer no. it wasn't her mother. stephanie donovan was a corporate mediator. she didn't deal with civil matters. it wasn't her. "it can't be cain or brad either" her father was an nhl coach and brad was an anaheim ducks player. it was a rough sport, yes, and it demanded a lot of their attention, but it was definitely not the kind of occupation or lifestyle that would make someone want to put her in this situation. and it definitely wasn't mark or mason because one was a surgeon and the other was a graduate who just got drafted into the new york giants. that only left one person…. sebastian. she didn't think it was possible either because he had left that life behind him. way before the two of them had met, but… wasn't there a saying? she didn't know, but she knew that you don't just walk away from gangs without consequences. was this what it was all about? people trying to get to sebastian? she shuddered at the thought. "i don't know." she said, finalizing her answer with a lie. "hmm, none of that rings a bell to me but who knows? he laughs at your pain and maybe you feel something rising up along side of the fear, a small flicker of fire burns in your eyes but he's quick to knock it away and he pops a hand across your cheek. "don't start being defiant now...unless that's who you are. tell me a little about who you are...inside." she felt the burning sting as soon as his hand left her cheek, but she made no sound or cry of pain. she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of him knowing he had hurt her that much. she shook her head, "no." she disagreed firmly. that wasn't who she was. never was unless she had to be as an absolute means to an end. and this was obviously one of those situations. "i am protective." this was a trait that had grown up around the donovan household. despite the constant separation between the family of six, they were extremely tight knit. they were all extremely protective over one another. of course, it was more so of her and her mother. the two of them were the only women, but she was the only sister/daughter of the donovan clan, therefor the most protected. however, that didn't mean that she wasn't equally protective of those she cared for. her family meant the world to her, that included her own family. "i am also hardworking and pretty determined when i want to be. but i am mostly nice, i guess you can say." people often associated the word 'nice' as a negative trait because in this society, that's not something you want to be. nice people get taken advantage of. they were rare and it wasn't often you see people like her. the kind who open doors for people or people who genuinely cares about your problems. "i've been known to have my girly moments, but i guess that depends who i'm around." sometimes she fussed too much over her weight, and sometimes she spent way too much time trying on different outfits because none of them just seem to sit right. but then she could also be a bit of a tomboy when it came to sports. she wasn't a big fan or watched any games religiously, but she could easily converse about sports with anyone. guess having three brothers paid off. "i am extremely maternal and caring - especially when it's someone i care about that's hurt." it wasn't necessarily a trait she had developed since becoming a mother, but that has certainly helped and progressed. she was the friend who was always the designated driver. she was the sober one at parties who took care of her sorority sisters. she cleaned up the messes after parties, and made sure no one did something they would regret the next morning. she cooked chicken noodle soup for you when you're sick and she tends to your injuries even if it's just a paper cut. she was a worrier. and since becoming a mother, she has become even more maternal. she was always making sure the kids in her class were dressed appropriately for the weather before she dismissed them for recess or lunch, and that they always had a healthy snack during class time. "i guess you can also say i'm down to earth and outgoing. i'm not saying i'm a liar, but if i'm given the chance to sugarcoat bad news, i probably would." she only did this so she could spare people's feelings. she didn't like being the bearer of bad news. i mean, who did? but because she was such an empathetic person, sometimes breaking bad news to people just puts her in an equally depressed or angry state. natalie tried to think of more personality traits as she started her struggles once more, trying to be subtle so he doesn't notice, but he intimidates her. she didn't want to get caught in fear of him noticing. he was obviously a no mercy kind of man. he hadn't hesitated in hurting her, and she couldn't guarantee that he won't again.  you are getting worked up, he's riling you up and you know it but you can't help but feel a little confused by everything that is happening. "have they always been there for you, your entire life been around these people or does your story branch off somewhere?" "my family has always been there for me, yes. through thick and thin." she knew that no matter what, they would always be there for one another. no matter how much of a pain in the ass brad was, she would never give up on him. "they have been around for most of my life. i grew up with them after all." it hadn't always been easy with such an athletic group of people. her father, brad and mason always had something they could bond over. their lives revolved around sports. then there was her mother, mark, and herself on the other hand. three completely opposite people. her mother was a mediator and mark, who was now thirty one, is a surgeon who also has his own family. she had to admit she wasn't the biggest fan of her sister in law though. what mark saw in his wife was completely beyond natalie's comprehension. "sometimes it was really tough for my mom and i because my father, brad and mason were often gone for long periods of time." and even more so when they got older. her father was hardly home because he was always training, going to the games, talking stats, prospects, and upcoming seasons. his job was four seasons long. brad and mason, on the other hand, was often training intensively with their coaches throughout their childhood. every summer they went to their respective camps. brad would go to hockey camp and mason would go to football camp. "mark is the eldest, brad and i are the middle children, and mason is the youngest. mark is currently thirty one, brad is twenty eight, and mason is twenty four." growing up with three boys was never easy. especially during her high school years. because brad and her were so close in age, it wasn't a surprise that these two got along the most with one another despite their contrasting personalities. however, brad took the word overprotective to a whole new meaning. any time that she was caught talking to a guy in the hallway, brad or one of his extremely close jock friends would chase the poor boy away. "i had a relatively normal childhood, and my high school years aren't as awful as others. after high school graduation, i moved to new york to attend nyu, and then after some hazing, i got into a sorority house." things got easier when she left florida because she was no longer the donovan girl. the bigger perk was being able to socialize with anyone she wanted without having her brother and his minions chasing them away. it was liberating. "being in a sorority house was definitely a change because i never thought of myself as the popular type, but that's what i was." random people knew who she was, and often even said hi to her and used her name. people she's never seen in her life. maybe it had to do with the fact that she was in one of the more known sorority house. they were known for their parties and their pretty girls. but it was most likely due to the fact that people found out she was the daughter of an nhl coach. her popularity skyrocketed when brad got signed to the ducks. boys left right and centre were trying to get to know her so she could introduce them to her brother. then there were the crazy girls who threatened her to give them her "hot brother, the hockey player's" number or contact information. "people just tended to gravitate towards me- especially the guys. to them, i was known as the forbidden fruit because i was constantly rejecting guys." it was then that people started calling her a prude or a tease. she knew that she was pretty, maybe not as stunning as her sisters, but she was definitely a close contender. still, due to her familial relations, she was always suspicious of people's motives to get close to her, thus never trusting guys enough to really date them.  you get another hit to the face, this time directly to your lip and the skin splits, leaving a small trail of blood that you cannot lick or wipe away. you don't understand what you did wrong. "too fucking boring. so any lovers involved in this history or your future?" you flinch as he comes closer to you. "you are quite a beautiful/handsome girl/boy. surely you are not on the market.." natalie winces at the impact, her brows creasing at the copper taste on her tongue. she fumes for a minute, but she continues her history before he had so rudely interrupted. "i met corey in my sophomore year. he was a soccer star who truly seemed to be interested  in my at first, but as our relationship progressed, the more it seemed like he only cared about the homework i did for him." there was a bitter tone in her voice, but she continued anyway because this was not the end of the story. it was only just the beginning. "our sorority had a mixer with a frat one year. i wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it because let's face it, i wasn't a big partier, but it was mandatory that i went because or house was the host." she cracked a small smile at the memory, shaking her head a little, "i was talking to a few of my friends when i saw him walk in. this guy that was obviously cocky and arrogant. just the kind of guy i hated. i gave him a once over, turned to my friends and frowned in distaste. however, i remember them abandoning me when they saw him making his way over. i thought 'great. another asshole wants to get in my pants.' except, instead, he went with a completely different approach." at that moment in time, when she first heard him, she didn't know whether to laugh or slap him in the face. maybe a mix of both because honestly, what kind of person did that? "he came up to me and told me that i would be his future wife, so i should at least grant him a coffee date. i thought he was crazy." he probably was at the time. crazy, stupid, and ridiculous. "i thought he was insane to think i'd marry him, but then our conversation eventually turned into a haggle for a date. so, eventually, i promised to go get coffee with him and if he still couldn't convince me to like him, he owed me a brownie and we could talk about why i don't like him. and somehow he had convinced me to go out for dinner with him that same week and the rest was history even though i had been involved with corey." despite what people thought, she had never cheated on corey. the two of them had never really talked about going exclusive or really established what kind of relationship they were in. they dated, but they had never sat down and talked about it. "i broke it off with corey not too long after. i still tried to play hard to get with sebastian anyways though. it was more interesting that way. the chase was always fun, but the result of it was even better. i married my best friend, my soul mate." he had been right. who knew an arrogant snob like him would predict that the two of them would actually get married and have a beautiful daughter together? "we were twenty two, straight out of university when he proposed. it was a cheesy one too. see, he's a side photographer despite being an advertiser. he always has his camera around him and he took pictures of everything. so he gathered some pictures, spread them around town, and made me do a mini scavenger hunt to all the places we've been to for dates. the pictures eventually led me to the gym of where i was starting as a teacher's assistant." he had then placed the pictures on the floor so that it spelt "will you marry me" with him down on one knee at the end of the question. it was definitely a heart swelling, knees buckling, lips smiling kind of romantic. "after a short while, i had my daughter, evelyn ruth daniels. she means the world to me. i would do anything for my little baby girl. i don't get to see sebastian or evie as often as i would like, but when i do, i always try to make it worthwhile. being a kindergarten teacher is exhausting, but coming back home to these two always brings my energy back up. they're the light in my dark tunnel, figuratively speaking." she didn't know what she would do without them. they were her anchors. sebastian was her person, and so was evelyn. "she was born on december 22nd. it was a really cold day and an extremely long one at that for me. i love my daughter to death, but giving birth must have been the most painful thing i have ever experienced. it was such a busy day at the hospital, but it was just that time of the year, y'know? i was in labour for twenty three hours. i had pretty much screamed until my voice was hoarse. and that wasn't even the worst of it. there were complications in evie's birth and required a c-section, so they pretty much had to give me even more morphine." it had been terrifying for her at the moment, being told that there were complications and they had to do an emergency c-section. she thought that maybe only one of them would make it because the doctors sure seemed to make it sound that way. however, luckily, both of them have made it through. "it was worth it though. the pain, the screaming, being in labour for almost an entire day. it was all worth it because the second i held her in my arms.. it was an indescribable feeling. and the look sebastian rewarded me with when he saw me holding her. well it was priceless. " she grinned fondly at the memory. she never grew tired of telling the story of how her and sebastian came to be. it was definitely not something you heard of everyday. some thought she was an idiot for not slapping his arrogant ass silly, but she thought she had made a smart decision by engaging him into a more in depth conversation. it had obviously paid off. "anyway, we moved here about three years ago for his job, and then i found a new job at the local elementary school." when she finished, she had expected the man to ask more questions but he said nothing for a while. then he cracks a smile at her. one that sent shivers down her spine.  "bet you are really curious about this all..." he is taunting you again but you keep the anger down, you just nod because you can't deny how curious you are about why you are even in this chair, in this place. "well that's all the time we have now, let's get someone else in here...what was her/his name that you mentioned before? your eyes widen as you realize a beloved person was here also, somewhere nearby and would be put into the same situation as you. the fight begins but is quickly lost as a prick to your neck makes your eyes grow heavy and you drift off into a forced sleep. her eyes widened and her heart raced in fear. she struggled against her restraints more furiously now. the chair rocked violently, and she saw him retreating, but she shouted after him anyway, "leave him alone! he's suffered enough! stop!" she panics because she knew how much sebastian didn't like talking about his past. how much it effected him. of course they have him. but she sure as hell would do whatever she could to stop it. "come back here asshole!" she shouted, but she felt the prick to the side of her neck before she had said anything and as soon as the curse word left her mouth, she could feel the darkness surround her as she drifted off into the forced sleep.

RUBY| PACIFIC| 22 | NONE OTHER YET

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oh haaay ruby <3 good to see you again! and another lovely, sweet lady of yours C: i'm super sleepy so pardon nonsense rambles here xD just go do ya claims gurl