Something was wrong.
Mark felt it as soon as he woke up. He glanced toward the window. It was still dark outside. Then he heard a noise that shouldn’t be there. It sounded like somebody was moving around downstairs.
His flat wasn’t big, just half a story on top of another. The top floor only had room for his bed and some drawers, but it was enough to make the place feel bigger than it actually was.
Then he heard the noise again. Was somebody sneaking around in his living room? What kind of burglar would ever consider it worthwhile to break into his place? Or could it be some other nightly visitor?
Mark lived alone by choice and couldn’t remember inviting any of his friends for a sleepover the night before. His parents were the only ones who had a key to his place, but they were out of town for the winter. They always preferred to spend their winters somewhere warmer. Usually, they rented a place further south instead of spending their days traipsing through the snow and hurting their back when shovelling snow away from the front door. Mark would have done the same if he could, but his job at the local library wasn’t one of those remote jobs that allowed you to work from anywhere in the world.
His parents had invited Mark to stay at their house, but he preferred to have his own place. After all, he was 25, so he wanted to be independent.
There, the sound came again, and this time he heard footsteps. Someone was moving around down there, searching for something.
Mark crept out of bed, looking for a weapon he could use. All he could find was a wooden plank, but it would have to do. He cursed himself for not owning a baseball bat that he could have beside his bed. But it wasn’t something he could do anything about just yet. Mark walked down the stairs and headed for his living room as quietly as possible. Then he noticed a large dark form.
Someone big and dark was wandering around, pointing his flashlight at Mark’s things while he searched for something. Judging by the size, it had to be a man. Mark moved closer while he lifted the plank, aiming for the man’s head.
“Give me that!” another man said from right behind Mark.
Mark turned around in surprise and hit the other man right in the chest. The man made an angry growl, and Mark lifted the plank again. But this time, the other man wrapped his strong arms around Mark’s chest and lifted him. The man held Mark’s arms so tight that he could hardly breathe properly.
‘Oh fuck. This wasn’t good.’
“Get hold of his weapon.” The man’s deep voice was close to Mark’s left ear.
The plank was pulled so fast from his hands that Mark felt splinters enter his hands. He kicked at the assailant in front of him.
“Feisty little fellow,” the man holding him chuckled. He lifted Mark so high that he wondered how tall this guy was.
“Let’s see if he is just as feisty when we’re done with him,” the other man growled. He looked as if he was still angry after Mark had hit him with the board. He moved closer to Mark, and with a quick move, he pulled his boxers down his legs.
Mark yelped, but there was nothing he could do about it. He hadn’t bothered to put more clothes on before he came downstairs, and now he was completely naked. He kicked hard at the man, but the man must have expected the move as he was just out of reach.
“I bet he will calm down as soon as he has something stiff up his ass,” the man holding him chuckled.
‘Oh my god. Was that what they planned to do?’