Inevitable (King Crime Family 2)

Quietness surrounds me. The only sounds I hear are the chirping of the birds, and my own heartbeat. Where the hell did they go? Someone always stays up there. They haven’t left me alone once.

“Hey, fuckers, why so quiet? Are you making out up there or something?” I scream, hoping for some kind of reaction, but I’m only met with more silence.

“You are all a bunch of cowards. You think you are a man because you can keep me in this hole?” I continue on, my voice holding so much anger and hate.

Minutes pass, and realization kicks in that they really did leave me alone. Fear wraps around my throat, making it hard to breathe. Did they leave me to die? No, that can’t be true. They are just playing more mind games. They are up there, I know it.

“Answer me, cowards. I’ve taken on bigger fucking men than you. You’re all sad excuses of the mafia, FBI, or whatever the fuck it is you do…”

More quiet, great. I huff out a breath just before I hear the new guy’s voice. “You are really fucking mouthy…”

He has no clue. “Come down here and say that. We’ll see how mouthy I can be…” I’m baiting him. Looking up, I find him standing at the edge of the hole, looming over me like he holds my life in his palm.

“I figured after weeks in here, I’d find you broken. I guess I was fucking wrong.” He chuckles. I’m certain he hasn’t been here before, but there is also something familiar about him. The mask he is wearing is muffling his voice, but I’m certain I know that voice.

“No one will break me, especially not cowards like you all,” I snap at him.

“Now I understand why your own dad wants to get fucking rid of you.” His words hit me hard. I love my dad more than anything, and I know he loves me, even if he has made mistakes.

“My dad never wanted to get rid of me, and even if Lorenzo doesn’t come for me, I’m going to get out of this fucking hole, and when I do, you better be running.” I know, when faced with danger, being fearless is what I need. If I weren’t that, I would grow weak, my mind would enclose on me, and the worries and doubts would eat away at anything left.

“That’s great and all, but until the moment comes, do you think you could possibly keep your yap shut?”

“Fuck, no, I can’t,” I all but snarl, and then I scream. High-pitched scream, not because I think someone might hear me. No, I’m merely screaming to annoy him.

“Shut the fuck up!” he growls, then disappears from my view.

“Nope. I think the world would love to hear my voice.” Then, I scream again, not caring that my throat already hurts.

“Fuck…” he growls and throws something down to me.

I jump back as a ladder tumbles down the side of the hole. Is this real? Is he really giving me a way to get out?

Hesitant, I stare at the rope ladder, knowing it could be a trick. No, it has to be a trick. He wants me up there to hurt me, and I have no way to stop him from it. I have no weapons, and my self-defense moves look like a toddler walking with an open cup.

“You coming up to show me your kick-ass moves, or are you staying in the hole?” Is he actually giving me a choice?

Instead of saying anything, I walk toward the ladder and grab one of the round wooden pieces. I tug on it roughly, making sure it is secure.

As I pull myself up, it becomes apparent how weak I am. My limbs hurt, and my muscles ache from the simple act of climbing this ladder. I’m exhausted, physically, and mentally. I want to go to sleep and not wake up for days, but I know I can’t. I need to make it out of here first. I need to fight a little bit longer.

Gathering all the strength I have left, I push myself to continue up. Small step by small step, I come to the top. The brightness of the sun burns my eyes for a moment, making black spots cloud my vision as a ball of anxiety rolls around in the pit of my stomach.

Gripping the topsoil and feeling the grass blades against my fingers sends a shiver down my spine. I feel as if I can finally breathe. I allow a sigh to escape my lips as if I might finally be free. Free. I want to snort. It’s such a dumb thought because I know I’m anything but. I’m not even close to being free, simply because I made it out of this hole.

“She arrives,” the asshole in a black mask says, and again familiarity hits me. I know him, I just don’t know where from. His feet are less than a foot from my hands, and suddenly fear grips me by the throat as my mind works through every scenario possible.