I sit up, my body groaning in protest. The wicked bitch of the west has Lexi drugged heavily. I think she must have slipped me something too, my mind is sluggish, my senses dulled. We’ve fallen into a fucked-up routine. When Lexi and I aren’t asleep, we are brutally pushed for information on Ron, the club and oddly enough, Bree. Lexi was the first to start talking, thankfully she knows even less than I do. Lexi couldn’t last under the pressure and the pain. I am trying harder to keep my mouth shut, not that I really know anything, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. I have lost all sense of time. There are no windows in the room where we are kept, I can’t tell if it’s day or night, I exist in a void. On cold concrete floors with a dim lightbulb as our only source of light, the exhaustion, the hunger, it’s all-consuming. She had done a good job keeping us hungry, giving only small amounts of food to keep our stomachs from eating themselves, and even those are served what might as well be an eternity apart. They eventually changed their tactics and duct taped our hands in front of us so we could get some limited mobility, but they watch us so intently, a little too intently. I watch them back, observing their habits. I keep my ears as open as fucking possible to see if they slip and reveal anything. I didn’t have much luck with the exception of learning Elizabeth’s name and that she is definitely not working alone. It seems the hired help is kept in the dark almost as much as we are.

I know I need to plan my escape or find a way to contact Ron. Thankfully I learned to move pretty well despite the duct tape. Some of that courtesy of the other bully kids that I would share a foster home with. I only need the right moment to try.

Decision made, I wait until the guard leaves before making my move. I have little time. I squeeze my elbows together, raising them above my head before bringing them down sharply, the impact against my stomach is painful but effective. The duct tape snaps from the stress. Moving quickly, I put my hands together before jabbing them as hard as I can between my calves to break the silver tape around my ankles. I manage to unravel the strands that didn’t break before standing. I hear the muffled cries of Lexi. I look over at her, smirking, as I watch her weak attempts at trying to free herself. She regards me with pleading eyes. I take my eyes away from her before flipping her off and making my way to the door. It is well-known that I have no love lost for Lexi, and if I can save myself, I will send someone back for her. But that is a big if. I did just show her how anyway if she really wants out she’ll try it for herself.

Pressing my ear to the cold metal of the door, I listen for any sounds. I can’t hear any voices or footfalls. Not hearing anything other than Lexi, who really needs to shut the fuck up, I carefully try the handle of the door. I shake my head in disbelief as the knob turns and I slowly creak the door open. The fact that they didn’t lock the door gives me mixed feelings. On one hand, relief that they were stupid enough to leave the door unlocked, and on the other hand maybe that was a little too easy. I wanted to knock Lexi out for as loud as she is, even while gagged, but I resist. Sneaking out, closing the door behind me as quietly as I could with as badly as those hinges needed oil is a fucking miracle. Sticking to the shadows as closely as I can, I creep along the hallway. The walls are lined with locked doors and close to the end, I see a hallway that I follow. Eventually, it opens up into a larger area. It’s safe to assume that we were in the back of a warehouse from what I’m seeing.

“I don’t care!” Elizabeth’s words came from my left. Turning toward it, I see a door cracked open, causing a sliver of light to spill into the room. Moving carefully, I creep closer to the door to listen in on the conversation.

“I didn’t agree to work with you so you could back out now!” she screeches. “I promised you Ron so you better deliver your end of this.” She pauses, listening to something, she must be on the phone. “You will hold up your end of this deal, as agreed. If I get Ron here and you don’t kill him, so help me God!” I put my hand over my mouth trying to suppress a shocked sound. She really thought she could get to Ron that easily? I should have expected as much, but knowing that she for sure is working with someone else, means Ron could really be in danger. A tap on my shoulder causes me to jump, spinning around to see one of her goons, arms crossed over his broad chest, as he stares down at me. I take just a second to weigh out my options before I go for it. I lash out with everything I have. My first instinct to hit him where it hurts the most, causing him to double over with a groan. Taking advantage of the opening, I bring my knee to his face.

“What is going on here?” Elizabeth’s voice rings out in the midst of the scuffle causing me to look at the door. This proves to be a critical mistake as he takes this chance to crush me in a bear hug, trapping me against his chest. I kick, squirm, hiss and spit like a feral cat attempting to get away but his arms wrapped around me might as well be steel.

“Well, well.” Elizabeth looks me up and down. “Seems we have a runaway.” Her hired hand chuckles, I can feel the vibration of his chest. This is the kind of guy that has no issue hurting me, I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I study him as best I can while shooting Elizabeth with the most intimidating glare I can muster. I wince as Elizabeth jerks forward, grabbing a fistful of my hair, gripping it tightly, turning my head to an uncomfortable angle.

“You’re going to wish you’d never tried to escape by the time I’m finished with you, you stupid little bitch,” she snarls at me. I waste no time lashing out to kick her in the stomach. It’s not a very strong kick but it works. She yelps, falling back into the doorframe before giving out an angry scream,

“Deal with her. And for goodness’ sake, put her into a more secure room. I don’t want this again!” I refuse to show fear as I look into the eyes of the thug before he releases me and starts marching me toward my cell again. I know he wants a piece of me.

“Tony better deliver or I’m going to kill this little bitch myself.” Elizabeth’s words ring in my ear as I am dragged off down the hall. And there it is. The one thing I needed to hear.

I double over in pain as a fist connects with my stomach snapping me out of my thoughts. Blood trickles down my chin and it takes me a moment to realize the force of the blow caused my teeth to bite into my bottom lip. For just a few seconds, I truly wonder if I am going to die.

“Not so cocky now are you, you little cunt?” he whispers in my ear as he grabs me up into a full Nelson. I pretend to brace myself for another blow, waiting for his next move. He doesn’t have a lot of options if he wants to keep this hold. What I don’t anticipate is one of his cronies taking the opportunity to join us. He gets a kick to the knee as soon as he’s in range.

“Bitch!” he swears, as I attempt to bring my heel down on the toes of my captor.

“I don’t think so,” he chides stepping back, lifting me up until my feet dangle off the cracked concrete.

I take a risk and whip my head back, hoping to connect with his. I smile when I hear a sickening crunch and I am promptly dropped onto the ground. My hate for Elizabeth only grows as I fight for my life. I don’t know if I’m going to get out of this, but I will die trying.

“That’s enough, for now, boys,” Elizabeth says holding her hand up to get them to stop. I’m momentarily grateful when I see the giant fist aimed at my head pause in mid-air.

“It’s time, Kella. We have a phone call to make.” She pulls out a phone with a chilling smile and slight flourish. She makes a show out of dialing a number and pauses, waiting for it to connect. I take the moment to strike, lunging at Elizabeth. Goon one frantically jerks my arm, but not before I grab her hair. I yank her head closer and punch her right in her bitch face. I am pulled off by someone, I’ve lost track at this point, who promptly brings his knee to my ribs, dropping me to the ground. That’s definitely a broken rib or two. Totally worth it.