Chapter Three.
Abductions
Alys Crawford, 35, Seattle.
"Another?"
When I nod and Sean places another cup in front of me, I don't even pay attention. For all I care, there could be water instead of bourbon in that cup, and I wouldn't even notice. Every day, it's the same thing.
I come here, I drink, I pass out.
Sometimes, I can stop before I get too drunk and pass out, and manage to find my way home. When I do pass out, well, there isn't much that can be done. I usually wake up right where I passed out, with a blanket over my shoulders, a courtesy from Sean.
The old man pretends that he doesn't care, but as always, I see exactly who he is. Someone bitter, someone cynical, someone with nothing to lose. Someone like me.
Besides, I come here every day.
Anyone here would probably think that a bar like this was no place for a lady, that someone like me should be at home, taking care of her husband and her children. Men have looked the wrong way before, and some have even tried to make a move.
Men always seem to think that whenever a woman is alone, drinking, she's either looking for trouble or for men. I don't want either.
I just want to be left alone, to drown in my own misery. But for some reason, people can't understand that.
"You should go home, girl. It's getting late."
I don't have a home. I did once, though. It's nothing but a distant memory now, but it was real. Too painful to remember, but it's long gone now. Because of me. Because of what I did.
It's better to drown in alcohol than to remember.
"I don't have a home," I say, taking another sip of my drink. The alcohol is like fire on my throat, but it's a good feeling. It feels like the more I drink, the better I feel. "Besides, It wouldn't be the first time I stayed past closing time, anyway. I know you don't mind."
He doesn't mind the extra money on his pocket, that's for sure. It's a win-win situation. He provides my drink and lets me drink until I want, and I give him the extra money he needs to pay the rent for his house.
Everybody wins.
"Well, you better find some place to crash tonight, because there are some important people coming here tonight," He shrugs. "Maybe they'll finally buy this place, and I'll be free of people like you."
But Sean, dear, you are exactly like me.
When he notices that I don't say anything else, he leaves, probably to find someone else to bother.
Good. Now I can finally finish my drink in peace.
There aren't many people left. Just me, Sean, a couple of older men playing snooker and a teenager, sitting alone, lost in his own thoughts. He doesn't belong here. I don't belong here.
It's true, I don't. I belong with Emma and Ketta, with my girls, with my family. I don't belong here, sitting alone at a bar and drinking myself to death.
You are here because of your choices, remember that.
It was one time. The more I try to remember, the more it hurts. We had been fighting, I don't even know why anymore, and she said it was all my fault. That I did nothing for our family, and that our daughter would be so much better if I was gone from her life.
That I was worthless.
I don't know what happened or why I did it, but for a moment, Ketta's words brought me back to my past at the community home. You're worthless. You're nothing. You should have never been born.
All I took was one bad move, one mistake, and it was all over. One minute we were fighting and in the next one, Ketta was on the ground, crying. Emma was at the door, big eyes shining with tears, wondering why mom and mommy were fighting.
I don't hate Ketta for what she did. Not all, because I know that if I was in her place, I would have done the exact same thing. I only have myself to blame for everything that happened.
I hurt her, I hurt the woman I loved, while our daughter watched.
I'm a monster. I deserve to be punished.
I only notice the boy when he sits down next to me, drink in hand. He's older than what I thought; with wavy brown hair, blue eyes, and the hint of a beard appearing on his chin.
He doesn't belong here. Boys like him belong at a party, drinking with friends and looking for the wrong girl to spend the night with. He doesn't belong at a bar like this, reserved for criminals and self-loathing idiots.
That is why I come here.
So people will know that they should leave me alone, or they will pay the price. Just like Ketta did. Just like Emma did.
The men in here learned that they shouldn't mess with me, or they'll probably end up leaving this place with broken nose or maybe even a broken neck.
So what is this boy doing in here? And most of all, why is he talking to me?
"Hey," He says, when I don't even bother to spare him a glance. "I'm Noel. I noticed you were drinking alone, and I thought you might want some company. Drink alone isn't as fun as drinking with a friend, right?"
Oh. If I was someone else and if we somewhere else at the moment, I would have said that the boy was genuine. That he actually wanted to talk to me, and maybe even be my friend.
But we aren't. And at a bar like this, there is only one thing that he might want.
"I'm not interested in your company, boy, so you can go back to your table and finish your drink," When he doesn't move, I sigh, finally looking at him. "Look, I don't want any trouble. I'm just trying to finish my drink, so I can leave and find somewhere to crash for the night."
The boy, Noel, takes another sip of his drink. "Seems we have that in common. Do you happen to know some place that would take in someone that recently got out of jail? I'm afraid they would think I would murder them in their sleep. People are as paranoid as that."
Got out of jail, ah? It seems I was wrong. Maybe he does belong here, after all.
"Out of jail, yeah? What did you do? Hit your dog and blamed your little sister for it?" When he laughs, I can't help it but smile. It's been a while since I've smiled and this is nothing compared to my old smiles, but it's a start. It's something.
I can hold on to that little something.
"Yeah, yeah, something like that. What I did doesn't matter, it's what I'll do now that I'm out of that place that matters. I don't want to waste anymore time."
"So, what are you doing in a place like this, pretty boy? A bar like this one isn't a place to be when you don't want to waste anymore time."
He takes another sip of his drink, and I realize that I might be starting to understand who he really is. Someone who did something bad in the past, payed the price for it, and wants to start over for good. He's a lot like me, now that I think about it.
Except I don't have the courage to admit I want to move on.
"Trying to find my courage to do what needs to be done. They say alcohol is liquid courage, you know? I think I read that in a book somewhere. Besides, I'm trying to do the right thing for once. " He smiles, but this time, it's genuine smile. Not a fake one or one to try and get my attention. A real smile.
I wish I could smile like that.
"What about you, chuckles? A pretty lady like you shouldn't be here, you should be-"
"Taking care of my husband and children. I know, I know. I've heard that one before. Turns out I actually decided to take care of myself today." Yes, he might seem nice and all of that, but I won't tell a stranger everything that is wrong with my life.
If I wanted to talk about my life, I would have payed a psychologist. A lot of people think that was what I should have done, even before my entire life went wrong.
Someone raised in a community home, without parents or family or friends, would clearly need the help of someone that has more money than they can count.
Instead, I joined the military. I remember how everyone hated my decision back then, but I didn't care. My foster family threatened to throw me out, so I made their decision more simple and left as soon as I could.
They weren't my real family. I didn't have their blood, so of course I could never be compared to their real children. I might have lost a family back then, but I don't regret my decision.
I would have never changed my decision for them, or for anyone else. Even I had known Ketta and Emma by then, I would have done the same thing.
It was my life in the military that made me who I am, and without it, I would have been lost a long time ago. It was my time in the military that taught me how to be strong, how to look at bad situations and see an opportunity, and how to survive in a mad world like this one.
"You didn't even tell me your name yet," He says, fixing his brown hair with the free hand that isn't holding his drink. "I bet it's something old and nice, like Mary or Katherine. You look like a Katherine."
I hold back a laugh. Katherine or Mary? Well, I suppose they are nice names, but they are common. Every corner you turn to, you will probably find a Katherine or a Mary in there.
Not an Alys, though. It's why I like my name. It's one of a kind, just like me.
"Alys. My name is Alys. Happy now? Hopefully that will be enough for you to finally let me finish my drink." It's sad, because if I were someone else, maybe this could have worked out. I could have been friends with this boy and finally have someone to talk to.
But I can't. Caring and trusting only end with pain and a broken heart, and that is something that I'm not sure I'll ever be able to face again.
"Well, I suppose it was nice to meet you," I look around, noticing that everyone has left by now. Noel and I are the only ones left, besides Sean. It's time to leave. "I'll see you around?"
"Yeah," I nod, finishing my drink and standing up. "We'll see each other soon, I bet." With that, I turn around and start walking away. It's easier this way. I've never been good with goodbyes, anyway.
That is when I see them.
At first, I don't really pay them any attention. Three men, all dressed in black, talking to Sean at the entrance of the bar. I'm walking away, when the middle man's eyes find mine. "Miss Crawford, if you would be so kind as to come with us."
Shit, shit, shit.
My first thought is that Ketta finally made it through with the divorce, and now I'm going to jail to pay the price for every bad thing I ever did. My second thought is that I need to run.
You don't spend so much time in the military without learning a few tricks.
Using all of my strenght to push Sean away from the entrance, I run as fast as I can, but it's too late. One of the men grabs my arm, with an iron grip, and doesn't let go.
That's when I see Noel. "Hey, you leave her alone! She doesn't want to come with you." They don't answer him. In fact, they don't even seem to notice him. All they care about is me. "
When the man doesn't let me go, Noel seems to get even more angry. "Hey, are you deaf? I told you to let her go."
One hit is all it takes. Noel's limp body falls down, and he doesn't move again. "Take him with us," One of the men says. "He saw too much. Besides, the boss might need one more."
But before that, I see Sean. Not moving, not helping. He knew. All along.
Before I'm able to react or even try to help Noel, he brings a needle down on my neck, and everything turns black.
Genevieve Kalantar, 30, New York.
It's a good day.
I know most people don't appreciate a simple fact like that one, but I do. It's one of those moments of clarity, where I can finally relax and be who I want to be.
A good day, indeed.
It's not the life that I always wanted, yet, but it's a start. I'm away from my family, from the asshole who wanted to call himself my husband, and I'm finally free.
Free to start making my own choices, and free to be whoever I want to be.
While walking down the street, I try to remember my plans for today. Meet Kelsey now, go to photograph school later and then go to the party.
I see Kelsey as soon as the cafe comes into view. She's sitting at the nearest table, wearing a dark blue dress and the shoes that I gave her for her birthday. They are black and simply fabulous.
Of course, I don't want nothing but the best for my best friend.
Although, I suppose that Kelsey is a little bit more than a best friend. She's my sister. She saved my life and for that, I'll never be able to repay her.
I just have to try and be the best person I can, for her.
"Lady Kelsey," I kiss both of her cheeks, but when she gives me a serious look, I burst out laughing and give her a tight hug.
Honestly, I like having a little bit of fun, from time to time, but it's not worth losing a hug from my best friend over that. Life is so short and time flies, so I try to enjoy everything. "I was worried when I woke up this morning and you weren't there."
"I had to get ready for my date," She smirks. "Besides, you know how long Miss Calloway takes to do something nice out of mess that is my hair."
I put the most serious face I have, and give her a small smile. "You know, Kelsey dear, no one can have hair as flawless as mine."
"Bitch!" She throws one of her napkins at me, but I dudge just in time, and it falls down. "You know, Gen, if I didn't know you I would actually be offended. You know how long I spend in the hair dresser."
"It's good thing that you know me better than anyone, Kelsey. But now, your hair doesn't matter. Tell me about your date. How soon can I meet him?"
This time, she looks offended. "Damn it Gen, I just met the guy, and you already want to take him from me? You know that if he saw you, you would never look at me again."
This is what I don't like. Kelsey is my friend, and whenever she is that insecure about herself, it breaks my heart. She's beautiful and any man that doesn't think that is either blind or gay.
Or maybe even both. Who knows.
"Kelsey," I say, and I take her hand in mine. She's my friend, my best friend and whenever thoughts like this cross her mind, it's my job to let her know it's not true. "You're the best person I know. If that idiot even thinks of hurting you, I'll be here to kick his ass. Besides, I know I don't anything to do with men, right now."
She sighs, but she keeps her hand on mine. This is what I love about the relationship I have with Kelsey. I know that she'll always be there for me, and that I will always be there for her. She saved my life and I know that the little things I do to cheer her up will never be enough to pay that debt, but it's all I can do to try.
Besides, being with Kelsey makes me happy. It's probably because I associate her with New York, with freedom and happiness, the same way I associate my family with being trapped and the abusive marriage that they wanted to place me in.
If there's anything I can do to make her happy, that's what I'll do.
She sighs, eating a cookie and taking a sip out of her coffee. "Gen, you know that you can't always be trapped in the past."
"I'm not trapped in the past, Kels, I just want to try other things. I came here to make a new life for myself and you know me well enough to know I won't rest until that's done."
"You do know you'll have to move on one day, right? I mean, look around you, Gen. This world is full of possibility. You never know what might happen."
I do exactly as she says. I look around us; from the clear blue sky, to the children playing with their mothers, and to all the beauty around us.
Honestly, Kelsey is right. Why the hell am I letting a beautiful day like this slip away, while worrying about someone who clearly doesn't deserve a single thought?
"You're right. This is what matters," I gesture to our hands, still together, a symbol of our friendship. "Not some idiot." A small smile appears on her face and I know that I have won, for now. That's the thing about Kelsey. I know that she doesn't do it because she means me any harm, but because she wants me to be happy.
However, it does get a little bit annoying whenever she tries to play match-maker for me.
I don't want to meet anyone. Of course, I want a family one day, just like everyone else. But, right now, I just want to focus on what I came here to do. I ran away from my family and the place I called home to escape from being married to someone I didn't love. But, deep down, there was always something else I wanted.
A good future. A good life. I always knew I didn't want to be reduced to some man's wife, carrying his children and taking care of them. I want more.
I want to be successful. I might not know what I want to do just yet, but I'm getting there. I have to believe that I'm getting or otherwise, all of this would have been for nothing.
I can't let that happen.
"So, where do you want to meet, after your date?" I might just go home and change into a good dress, while Kelsey goes on her date. "At home?"
When I first arrived at New York, I was living in a shelter. With no money, no job, there was no way I could ever afford a house. I was just happy that I had escaped from Texas and from Rahaul, most of all.
All hope was lost, or at least, that was what I thought. When I met Kelsey and we became friends, she got me a job as a bartender and a house. From there, I started to build my life.
All thanks to her.
She nods. "Yeah, once we're done with dinner, I'll go home." She lowers her voice, but winks. "Or if everything goes well, I might not even come home today."
"Ew. Stop acting like that," I make a vomit gesture and turn away from her, calling the bartender closest to us. "My friend is not a whore. My friend doesn't believe in going straight to that in the first date."
When he gets closer to us, I ask for the bill. It's not much, only Kelsey's coffee and her cookies, but I insist on paying for this. Tonight, when we get to the party, she'll pay for our drinks.
It's only fair.
"Maybe you don't know me at all." I burst out laughing, because that is so not true, but the man gives me a weird look. Oh well. Let him look. I don't care.
They might look at me and see someone unstable, but I don't care. I know who I am. I'm not about to let someone's opinions change who I am.
I give him a five dollar bill, and kiss Kelsey on the temple. It's not a goodbye, it's a see you soon, so there's no need to make it a big thing. "I'll see you later, Kels. Have fun!"
She winks, and blows me a kiss. "But not too much fun, right?"
"And then you say I don't know you at all."
The walk home is quiet, but I don't care. Those are good moments, where I can relax and actually think about what I want to do for the rest of the day.
Right now, I just want to take a warm bath, and go back to sleep. Waking up without Kelsey in there scared me, and of course, I couldn't sleep until I saw it my own eyes that she was okay.
He could have gotten in at night, just like last time, and he could have taken her. Rahaul seems to like to take things that matter to me, because I also destroyed his thoughts of a perfect marriage and family, when I ran away.
Last time I saw him, he had left dead flowers in our apartment, with no message, but I know what they meant. It was the promise that he'll come back soon, and that it wasn't over.
It's all about waiting, right now.
When I get home and open the door, I can finally breath a sigh of relief. No sign of Rahual or his traps, just another good day. I walk over to the couch, taking off my shoes.
Maybe, I'll just go back to sleep...
I don't know how long it is or how long I was asleep, but when I hear the door bell ring, I wake up. It's not Kelsey, clearly, since she has a key.
It's him. It has to be.
I run over to the kitchen, picking up a knife. If it's him, I'll handle this once and for all and when Kelsey comes back from her date, I'll be able to tell her I finally got rid of our problem, and we'll celebrate.
Tonight, for real.
However, when I open the door, I see that I was wrong. It's not Rahaul, or even Kelsey. I see it was. Instead, three men stand outside our door, each of them larger than the other.
"Miss Faith? It's a pleasure to meet you. If you would be so kind and place the knife down, we need you to come with us."
They think I'm Kelsey. Right. Because there is no record of me actually being in here or living in here, so that's why they think I'm her.
Whatever they want with her, she doesn't know about it. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone in a date with a man that she met two weeks ago. Most of all, she would have told me.
Would she?
Her words from before come back to me, but I quickly brush them off.
She's my best friend. She was only joking.
I have to be brave, right now, for her. Because no matter what, I'm not letting the bastards take my best friend away, for something that she doesn't even know about.
"I'm not Miss Faith. But that doesn't seem to matter, does it? You're not taking me or my friend anywhere." I'm suprised at how strong and defiant my voice seems.
I'm not letting them take away my friend. Whatever I wanted to do to Rahaul, I'll do to them. No matter what happens.
The man seems confused. "Step aside. We know that Miss Faith lives here. This is the adress that we have for her. She is here."
"And who made you think I would step aside?" I'm not. I already made that decision. I'm not going back on it, no matter what happens.
"This," And with that, he take out a gun and points it at my abdomen. "Now, whoever you are, let us pass through and do what we came here to do."
"No."
"What did you say?"
"I said no." He turns to the man at his left. "Hold her, while we get the other one. And once we're out of here, we'll take care of her."
Take care of me?
I don't try to run. But before I am able to move, the larger man grabs me. I try to fight, punching and kicking the air with everything I have. I manage to hit the man on the knee, and for a moment, he lets go.
I'm not letting them take my friend. My best friend. My sister. My Kelsey.
I don't think. I let the survival instinct take over, and I bury my knife on the man's belly. He falls back with a cry, blood falling down from his wound.
"There's no one here. Take her instead. It will be enough punishment for this."
I'm sorry, Kelsey. I'm so sorry.
I fell a sharp pain on my neck and then, everything is gone.
Lilya Walker, 24, New Mexico.
I hate this.
Most people would be happy to go home after a day of hard work, to rest and be with their loved ones. It's all that gets them through the day, knowing that it won't last forever, and that it will be worth it once they are reunited with their family.
It's different for me. The club is where I belong and the people in there are my family, and if I ever got the choice, that would be the place I would call home.
But sadly, people like me never get to choose.
I stuck the key into the lock of the apartment and turned, taking a deep breath. It will all be over soon. I just need to get Flipper and soon enough, I'll be back at the club. I'll be safe. I'll be at home.
She's sitting on the couch and, as always, she has a glass in her hand. I don't even bother asking what it is, bourbon or whisky for sure, because all of it is the same.
It's poison. Just like her.
"You." My mother doesn't even look at me. She takes another sip of her drink, and reaches for the bottle to replenish her cup.
"Me." I answer, placing my keys on the table and reaching for my bag. If she wants to play it this way, so be it. I stopped caring a long time ago.
"Be careful with your courtesies, girl. People might think you got your rudeness from me." When she realizes that I'm not planning on answering, she continues. "I didn't think you would come home today. I was about to throw away that nasty creature of yours. He makes too much noise."
When I was a little girl, I used to dream about having a mother. About having a family. Someone to play with, someone to tell me they were proud of me, someone to tell me that they loved me.
Instead, I got a drunk for a mother and a drug-addict for a father. Just my luck.
It used to bother me, but most of all, it used to hurt me. Seeing all the happy children with a mother and father, while I was alone and had nothing, hurt like hell. However, even if it did hurt me, it also made me want something else.
I knew I had to be something great, something better, no matter what it took. I swore to myself I would never become something like my mother or even my father, because I would be better.
I didn't want the life of a drunk. I wanted it all. To see the world, to know everything about it, and to taste food from all the corners around the world. I wanted to meet new people, to fall in love with the wrong guy, and to regret it all on the next morning.
I wanted to live. Truly live. But, in order to live, I needed to make something out of myself.
"Flipper is not yours to throw away," I stated. "If you ever lift a finger to hurt him, you'll have to deal with me." I know she's not scared, but I don't care. Flipper is so much better than her, and he's only a dog.
Shame on you, mother.
When she doesn't answer, I turn away, walking straight for my room. Once I get Flipper and the rest of my belongings, I'll be able to return to the club, without having to worry about him.
I don't like to leave him here, I really don't. Who knows what she might do, one day, just to get back at me? But I have no other choice. Until I find a house for the both of us, he'll have to stay here.
I'll have to stay here.
As soon as I unlock the door to my room, Flipper looks up from his toy, eyes shining with happiness. Someone people might think it's pathetic that a girl's own dog has more love for her than her own mother, but I don't care.
One day, it will all be worth it. One day when they hear my name, they'll remember the girl who made something out of herself, and not the whore's daughter.
It's all I want. To be able to walk down the street with my head held high, without having to fix my eyes on the ground whenever someone speaks my mother's name.
And I'll get it. One day.
"Hey boy," I whistle, while kneeling. "Come over, it's okay. I'm here, no one is going to hurt you now." I whistle again, and he comes running over to me.
I don't understand how people could ever hurt dogs or any animal at all. I might keep Flipper locked in the house all day, with only a small space to eat and play, but he still loves me. He'll always love me.
He still barks whenever he sees me, his eyes still light up with joy whenever I ruffle his head or throw his toy and tell him to go and catch it. If there was anyone at all that deserved my anger, it was the woman sitting on the living room, and not my Flipper.
"You want to go and see Niko?" At the mention of Niko, Flipper's eyes light up, and his tail swishes against my leg. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on, then."
I motion for him to follow me, and he does. Flipper always liked Niko, and that was one of the many things that we had in common. Niko was my friend, maybe even my best friend, and the bartender at the club. We fought, yes, but who never fought with people they loved?
For better or for worst, he had been there for me. We managed to keep an healthy relationship, mixed with a lot of healthy flirting and some heavy fights, but it was good enough for me.
Maybe, if I had meet him in a different life, things could have been different. But if I let my emotions take over my judgment, I will end up like my mother. A drunk, a whore, and giving my children the life my mother gave me. I can't let that happen.
I'm meant for more. I have to be.
"You are going out again?" She asks, looking up from her gossip magazine, a defiant scowl on her face. She wants to make me angry, but I'm not giving her the satisfaction. Not now, not ever. "Oh and you are taking the beast with you. Wonderful."
The thought of becoming like her terrifies me. Of living a life with no purpose, no meaning, just living for the day and what it gives up.
I don't want that. I want to be a part of something.
Even if I'm not sure what it is just yet.
Something good, something great, it doesn't matter. All I want is to be a part something and to know that when the time comes, I left my mark on the world.
"It's not like you care, but yes, I'm going out again." She laughs, but I notice how she attempts to keep one eye on me and the other on Flipper, like she's afraid that out of no where, we'll attack her.
I know her. Even if I hate to admit it, I know her. I know she's paranoid, and I know she'll always look carefully when she meets someone knew. I got that from her, I suppose. "Well, you didn't meet a man, or you wouldn't be taking the beast with you. Unless your new boyfriend has some weird tastes."
"No, I didn't meet anyone. But then, I'm not looking for a man in every corner like you, mother dearest." I realize what she is going to do seconds before she does it.
The glass flies from her hand and crashes into the wall behind me, and if I hadn't moved just in time, it would have crashed into my head.
That bitch.
"You listen to your words, little girl and you listen to them very well. I am still your mother, and the next time you talked to me like that, will be your last." I should have expected that, but I don't care.
Hell, I'm not a bad person. I don't believe in hurting people unless they have hurt you before, like she did with me. It's only payback, for all the times she called me a mistake and for all the times she said she should have killed me before I was born.
Compared to that, what I just said to her was nothing.
"Very well, mother. I hope you drown in your drink." With that, I turn away and head for the door, with Flipper by my side and my backpack at my shoulder.
As soon as I'm out the door and out of her sight, I let the tears fall. I hate that she still has a hold on me, that even after all those years, she is still able to make me cry.
I hate that I'm weak. I hate her. I'm not one of those people that thinks love only holds you down, but in my mother's case, it's true.
No matter how much I grow up, no matter how hard I try, I'll always be the little girl waiting for a hint of her mother's love.
I just want to be free. Free from her, free from all of this, and free to start a new life.
Is that too much to ask?
Flipper keeps walking by my side, looking as happy as ever. Sometimes, I wish I could be just like him. Worried only about having fun, about eating and sleeping. No worried about the future, no worries about who I want to be and who I can't be, under any
"Are you happy, boy?" I know he can't answer, but sometimes, talking to Flipper is the only thing that can calm me down. "I know you are. You are a good boy. My good boy."
He throws himself at me, barking, with his tail swinging wildly behind him. People might look, but I don't care. If they look, all they will see is the love between a girl and her pet.
I just have to get to the club and everything will be alright. I'll play my music, and I'll nothing more than the DJ who actually has some talent in playing her music.
I'll be alright. I have to believe in that.
The walk to the club is quiet, and with Flipper by my side, I start to feel better. One day, I'll be over all of this and I will never have to see my mother again. I'll have a good house, a good job, and everything I studied for will be worth it.
I have to believe. Because if I don't, I'll only fall into the darkness, and let it take over me and I can't let that happen. Flipper needs me. He might be only a dog, but he needs me, and that is what matters.
I have to fight for him.
When I get to the alley that leads to the back door of the club, where Niko will probably find a nice place for Flipper with food and water and toys, as soon as I go to work.
Flipper sees them before I do. His tail stops swinging and his barking stops. Three men, all dressed in black, wearing the most fancy sunglasses that I ever saw.
They are here for me. Why? I don't know. But as soon as I see them take their guns out, I know they are here for me. "Hello, Miss Walker. You need to come with us."
I scowl. "Why should I? I don't know you. For all I know, you could be terrorists or something. My mother always taught me to never talk to strangers."
They don't seem to pay any attention to what I say. "You need to come with us, Miss Walker. We can do this the hard way or the easy one." And with that, he points the gun to Flipper.
Oh hell no. That idiot did not just do that.
"Flipper," I call, with hot tears starting to cloud my vision, when I just realize what is about to happen. Love is about sacrifice. Love is about sacrificing yourself for the people you love. "Go to Niko. Go, boy, go."
He looks up to me, eyes shining with curiosity. "Go. Get out of here, go." He stays right in front of me, not moving for a second. Loyal until the end. This is why I have to save him.
I can't kick him. I could never. "Go, get out of here, go!" I repeat, raising the tone of my voice. I never screamed at him, and there was a reason for that. The look that Flipper gives me makes my heart break into a thousand pieces.
Shame. Sadness. Anger.
"GO!" This time, he runs. Afraid of me. For the first time, he's afraid of me.
I hate it.
He runs, and doesn't stop until he gets through the door of the club. He's safe, I think. No matter what happens, he'll be safe.
"That was a smart choice, Miss Walker," He says, placing his gun back in his belt. "No one has to die tonight, if you do as I say."
"Sure." I'm not dumb to think I could run away, or that I could even try to take on all three of them. They're older, stronger, and they would kill me with just a simple move of their hand.
But I can go down fighting. I will do it.
He begins walking towards me, but as soon as his hand reaches for my arm, I send my fist flying into his face. He grunts in pain and falls backwards, clutching his nose, the blood trickling between his fingers.
I try to swing my other fist at the next man, but it's useless. With one move, he twists my wrist, and pain takes over my entire arm. I never broke a bone in my life, but I'm pretty sure my wrist is broken.
"Make an end." The man says, taking something sharp out of his pocket. "This one will give us a good show, once we fix her wrist."
I never get to see what it is.
Hi. Here you have it, the first three tributes. This chapter we heard from the tributes when they were being taken and next one, we'll hear from them when they wake up. By the way, I know that it wasn't clear, but they won't remember anything. At least, not for now...
We will see each of the tributes twice, one time in here and the next one later.
Thanks for all the reviews so far, I really appreciate it! :D General thoughts on the tributes would be nice and for the submitters, let me know if I did your tribute right!