My hands were tightly tied behind my back.

The men pulled us out of the car, leading us into an old, worn-down warehouse. They led us down some stairs and through a long hallway, which had another flight of stairs at the end-these going up.

The muscular man opened a metal door, tossing me inside.

I landed on my side, struggling to push myself up with my hands behind my back.

Melissa stepped into the large, empty room.

The men shut the door, locking it from the outside.

I stood up, struggling to get out of the painfully tight rope on my wrists. "Mel, can you help me with this?"

She didn't move.

"Please, baby."

She walked over to me slowly, untying the knot in the rope.

It dropped to the floor.

"Thank you." I rubbed my red wrists, turning to face Melissa.

She was scared.

"Mel, I'm gonna get us outta here. Okay?"

She broke down in tears.

I pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back. "It's gonna be okay, baby. I promise. We'll get outta here. Okay?"

"What if we don't, Jackson?"

"We will, baby. I promise. We're gonna make it through this."

"I hope you're right."

"I am right."


We were quiet for a long while, thinking to ourselves.

Melissa sat on the ragged twin bed, silently crying.

All of a sudden, the door opened.

A man stepped inside. His name was Frankie. He walked over to Melissa taking a seat next to her. He wrapped his arm around her, placing a hand on her knee. "What's wrong, baby? Your boyfriend, here, got you into some trouble? You know? It's all his fault that you're in here." He glared at me for a moment, then turned back to Melissa. "I wouldn't be surprised if you break up with that trailer trash. He could get you killed. You need someone stronger, smarter, richer…better. Someone like me." He leaned in to kiss her.

I pulled him back by his shirt, throwing him onto the floor. "You stay the f*** away from her!"

He pushed himself up, coming at me, tackling me to the floor.

I rolled on top of him, punching wildly.

After a short moment, the other three men rushed in, pulling me off of Frankie. They started punching and kicking me.

I threw a glance at Melissa.

She got the hint, slowly sneaking toward the open door.

Frank angrily kicked my lower stomach.

"Ahhhh!" I couldn't help but scream.

Melissa paused a moment, staring at me, pained.

I was kicked again by the furious Frankie. "Ahhhhhh!"

I wanted Melissa to run-to get out of here and bring help back for me…assuming it wasn't too late.

But she stood her ground, staring at me, tears in her eyes. She let out a whimper.

Eddie heard this. He hurried toward her.

She started running, but it was too late.

Eddie grabbed her by her hair, throwing her onto the bed. He called to the others. "C'mon, guys. That's enough for now."

He headed out the door, the other three following behind him.

I lay on the floor, coughing up blood, clutching my lower stomach.

Melissa rushed toward me. She was frantic. "Jackson, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, Mel. Just give me a minute." I could barely speak.

She sat next to me, rubbing my arm, comforting me.

After a moment, I forced myself into a sitting position.

Melissa pulled me into a hug, letting go when I winced.

I gripped her arms. "Mel, next time you get a chance, you gotta run. Okay? You gotta get outta here. Don't worry about me. You can bring help back for me."

"But what if they…"

"They won't kill me, Mel. They think my dad will come looking for me. He owes them a lot of money. And they're gonna get their money's worth outta me. So you gotta get out when you can, okay?"

"Yeah." Tears fell from her eyes. "I will."

"Good." I gave her a kiss.

"Need some help up?"

"Please."

She stood, then reached out her hand.

I took it, trying my hardest not to scream out as she pulled me to my feet. "Thanks." I slowly walked toward the bed, taking a seat, and leaned my back against the wall.

Melissa sat next to me, resting her head on my shoulder.

I wrapped my arm around her and kissed the top of her head.


"Come here," Eddie commanded.

Hesitantly, I did, pulling away from Melissa. I scooted off the bed, walking slowly toward Eddie.

"Got something for you," he said.

I stood in front of him now.

He put something around my neck, then held up a small remote in his hand, pressing a button.

I fell to my knees as twenty volts of electricity shot through my body.

The men laughed.

"Anytime you get into trouble…" He waved the remote in his hands, pressing the button.

I put my hands on the floor, still on my knees.

"And if you misbehave…" He looked at Melissa. "He gets punished. Got that?"

She stared in horror.

Eddie pressed the button. "Got that?!"

I was on my side now.

Melissa nodded her head quickly. "Yes."

"Good."

The men headed out of the room, laughing as Eddie pressed the button continuously.

I was laying on my back when the door closed.

Melissa rushed toward me, trying to get the shock collar off. "Jackson, I can't get it."

I was still twitching. "It's okay…Mel. I'll be fine."

She was crying. "Why are they doing this?"

"I'm sorry, baby."

"For what?"

"It's my fault you're in here."

She was silent, trying to hide her anger.

"I'm so…sorry."