**Chapter 16: Bound and Helpless**

The man tossed Ashley onto the floor of his van, the metal floor cold and unforgiving against her skin. She landed with a thud, her body aching from the rough handling. The man's eyes seemed to gleam with satisfaction as he reached for a handful of cable ties on the floor. Without a word, he began to tie Ashley's wrists and ankles, the plastic digging into her skin as he cinched them tight. Ashley struggled, but it was no use. The ties were too tight, and she was bound too securely. The man finished, then stood back to admire his handiwork. Ashley's eyes welled up with tears as she realized the extent of her helplessness. The man seemed to be savoring the moment, his eyes lingering on her bound form. He took a step closer, his hand reaching for a roll of duct tape on the floor. Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she realized what he was planning. "Please, don't," she begged, her voice shaking with fear. "Don't tie my mouth, please." The man hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he debated what to do. Ashley took advantage of the momentary distraction to ask, "How do you know Ryan? How do you know me? Tell me." The man's expression didn't change, but Ashley detected a flicker of interest in his eyes. He seemed to be weighing his options, deciding how much to reveal. "You're involved with Ryan, aren't you?" he said finally, his voice low and menacing. "You're carrying his child. That's all I need to know." Ashley's eyes widened in shock. How did this man know so much about her life? What was his connection to Ryan? The man took another step closer, the duct tape hovering over her mouth. Ashley's heart racing with fear, she begged again, "Please, don't. I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just don't hurt me." The man's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, searching for something. Then, he nodded, a curt movement. "I'll tell you," he said finally. "But not yet. First, we need to get to a safe place. Then, I'll tell you everything you want to know." Ashley's mind reeled with questions, but before she could ask any of them, the man reached out and covered her mouth with a piece of duct tape. The sticky surface pressed against her skin, making it hard to breathe. Ashley's eyes welled up with tears as she realized she was completely at the mercy of this stranger. The van's engine roared to life, and Ashley was jolted forward, her bound body bouncing against the metal floor. She closed her eyes, praying that Ryan would find her before it was too late.