As I (we) walked toward work, a large black car suddenly screeched to a halt in front of me. Sensing danger, I tried to run back, but it was too late. A handkerchief was pressed against my mouth, and I was dragged into the car. The sharp smell of chemicals hit my nose. My consciousness faded, and I gave up resisting, falling into a deep sleep.

How much time has passed? When I woke up, both my wrists were bound with belts, and a gag was fitted in my mouth to keep me from speaking. Looking at the front seats, the two kidnappers were belting out a song along with the music. Their singing was strangely good, and I couldn't help but laugh internally.

"Where am I..." Peering out the window, the familiar scenery of the city center was flowing by. I thought human trafficking happened in much darker places, but I found myself strangely impressed that it could be pulled off in such an ordinary neighborhood.

Just then, a voice drifted back from the front.

"...? You awake?" "For real? Oh, you are. Mornin'~"

The two who turned around didn't have the cold eyes of the criminals I imagined. Instead, they looked at me as if we were friends.

"Man, you really are my type, even up close. Way better than in the photos." "I know, right? Super cute~"

My brain can't keep up. Photos? Acting on impulse?

"Ah, what a face~ You're thinking something weird, aren't you? We're not gonna sell you or anything~" "Yeah, exactly. It's just, you're the one we 'wanted.'"

Light laughter echoes in the car. But my bound arms and the gag make it impossible to take those words as a joke.

"So, why don't you try living at our place for a while?" "I bet it'll be fun, you know? We're actually pretty gentle when it comes to how we treat people."

I felt like this was the signal for the start of a nightmare life.