Chapter Four: John Boy and Eric

The vehicle breaked suddenly, which sent me flying across the darkened space until I hit the wall.

'Ouch' I felt something sharp graze my hand, immediately I know it's bleeding.

I can't think straight. Nothing is in proportion to how it should be.

The large doors at the rear of this carriage opened with a clang. I shuffled up towards the wall that separates the drivers cabin to this large lofted area.

The man was wearing all black, including a mask, so his face wasn't in sight.

The light made my eyes close and my bleeding hand shield them protectively. He stood still staring in my direction, as I do not move closer.

'She's in here!' he shouted to another person.

'What have I done?' I found myself saying calmly.

There is no answer. I am too frightened to repeat what I say.

The male climbed the leap up to this carriage and walked slowly over to me like an owner trying to capture his dog. I remained still, looking away from him as I began shake.

'Come here Misses' he said demandingly.

'What have I done?' I repeated myself, stubbornly moving back.

'You'll find out' he said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet.

Still in my heels I found it unbearable to walk. My legs feel weak and my bones frail. I cannot go further.

The disguised man dragged me out of the vehicle and pulled me onto the floor to allow gravity to bring me down with a thud. Even though I fell, strong hands still hold up my arm. It jolted my back and pain ran up my spine.

'Come on' he sighed, pulling me awkwardly.

The light was so bright outside, but I managed to see a large house in the middle of the countryside.

Green fields and small winding country roads are the view, no sea nor cityscapes.

Trees and bushes stand tall, covering the highest floor windows of this mansion. The branches and thorns that are growing shade the area immensely making it more unclear of where we are heading to, but I can just make out the large scale of the house.

The building, I counted, was about three stories high and the exterior walls a grey stone with an arch to the porch of the doorway. It looks scary, like a haunted house on Halloween. Many windows, with closed curtains are dotted all over. The path that I am being walked on is meandering towards the house, making it more of a challenge to follow.

'Stop limping!' he orders me, but I can't.

From being thrown around, my feet are too fragile to walk any distance. However, I try and follow the rules as I am brought under the arched doorway.

The male banged on the door three times. I started shivering, even though the air was a nice warmth blanket considering the sun was still shining.

'Eric!' the male barked at the door, huskily.

He was still gripping my arm and the blood supply felt as thought it was being reduced, causing it go all tingly. I tried to wiggle my fingers, which are becoming blue by the second, but I found it difficult, as they are numb.

The door opens. I found myself wanting to run, but cannot. A small man waited at the door. He seemed familiar. With short brown hair, a large nose and bushy eyebrows. His back is bent with a hunchback and his fingers all ready glued by arthritis. He seems angry and very intimidating. Although, he must be in his forties he seems to be adding ten years on by his appearance and sense of fashion as he wears a shirt, tie and a pullover with high trousers up to his belly. I stared at him.

'Well, well' he says cunningly, stroking his long rounded chin.

His smile presented a large under bite and crooked tea stained teeth.

'Here you go' the man holding me said, willing to "hand" me over.

'Good work, John Boy' he nodded examining my face, 'It's a shame since she's pretty'

I rolled my eyes and look to the floor.

'So…' the man who was called John Boy began.

'Bring her in' the ugly male cackled.

I tried to resent the strong pull that this John person was using. My arm was too weak to be able to retain my winning battle and gave up. He laughed at my failed attempt. I was dragged in, tripping over my own two feet every second.

The house smelled like dogs and cats. I could hear barking and paws pattering on the floor.

'She kept asking what she was doing here!' John said.

'Oh well, that's one question,' the ugly man, stopped and turned around to me, pointing his long fingernail into my face and then shouted, 'you should NOT do! And something that YOU should already know!'

I swallowed as I watched the man, so called, Eric, glare at me. His eyes bloodshot and his pupils so contracted making him squint to be able to see clearly. I had no idea what I already knew…

He returned to walking again. I followed them through the large foyer, stripped from presenting wallpaper leaving the walls bear showing the plasterboard and laid with black shiny tiles. I was brought into a living area, three large sofas even though filthy looked very inviting.

Large narrow windows filled it with light, dust particles floated in the air and the dog barking grew louder.

There was a large plasma television up on the wall over the unlit, large opened fireplace, plastered in soot. I scanned the room looking for an answer to why I was here. Nothing, nothing at all gave a clue. We walked over the wooden stained floor and several muddy rugs until we reached an old door, which stood a step above the ground.

'It seems to me that this is the best place to put you' the Eric man said.

I breathed in, making a sob be heard as I did so.

'No need to cry' John Boy sighed, 'Don't worry, it'll all be over in a while'

Eric laughed as he opened the door.

The smell of damp, musty air filled my nostrils. It was disgusting, almost enough stench to make you vomit.

There were stairs in front as I was pushed in first, my John Boy pressing his hand against my back. I carried on down the swirling staircase, holding onto the cold brick walls either side for balance, as they were so narrow.

'Hurry up!' John Boy exclaimed.

'I'm trying' I muttered quietly.

'What did you say?' Eric's voice echoed off the high ceiling above the stairs.

'I am trying to walk as fast as I can, but my shoes are hurting my feet!' I said irritably.

'You shouldn't talk like that to Dad' John Boy whispered in my ear.

I closed my eyes for a simple second to regain my strength.

Finally reaching the floor, I saw that it was the cellar. Filled with many old furniture, boxes and unwanted items. Luckily, there were small narrow windows letting in limited sunlight, but at least I could see a little.

'What do you think?' Eric grinned at me.

I looked around feeling as though I could burst into tears. I held myself together.

Eric walked over to an old dusted rug and pulled it off the object. It revealed an old mattress, stained with paw imprints.

It was revolting, I was not going to even touch it, let alone lie on it!

'Here's your bed' Eric said, as he set it down on the floor.

'Its comfortable, if you don't mind bugs' laughed John Boy.

'Thank you' I managed to say, 'It looks very nice indeed'

'Don't tell lies' Eric shook his head, 'We know that you earn enough money to afford a luxurious mattress, probably hand made. This is meant to be torture!'

'Hey, why don't we just leave her in here now' John Boy said.

'Yes, we'll see you tomorrow and then you can explain your excuses' Eric snarled.

'If you're quiet, we may even lend you some of our leftovers, might be a bit stale and cold mind you, but better than nothing' John Boy smiled.

Eric grinned to his son and then lead the way back up to the ground level. John Boy followed and I was grateful to watch them go.

The door shut and I allowed myself to cry. Cry more than ever and sobbed as though there was no oxygen.

Where was help?

I sat down on the concrete floor and remembered I left my jacket in the vehicle. Why are they doing this to me?

I became cold as the men purposely turned on the air conditioning they have down here. This is unbelievable.

The hours fly by as I heard voices upstairs and blaring speakers as they watch their television.

The sun goes down and I am blinded again. No source of light is available and I find my self on the last of my patients.

I do something too much to the extreme for this condition. I walked over to the side of the cellar feeling a metal door, obviously locked.

I banged on it as much as I could.

'Martin!' I cry, 'MARTIN!'

My wrists become sore as I banged as hard as I could on this strong structure. All I want is help, I want to be taken out of here.

'Please Martin' I sobbed as I looked upwards as though he could hear me through miracle means.

There is no answer. Eric and John Boy are not even listening to me as I continue to bang.

'Help!' I shout, 'Help me!'

Eventually, I stop myself from this reaction and slide down the door. My voice goes silent as I fade into a sleep of some sort.