My heart was pounding so loudly, I was sure that Trevor could hear it. His own heartbeat was racing. The silence that filled the room was growing more uncomfortable. Trevor continued to hold me tightly. I don't know how long we had been standing like this, but hopefully it would end soon. The ring of a cell phone echoed in the trailer. Trevor groaned loudly, pulled away and answered,
"I'm in the middle of something. What do you want?" A few moments of silence.
"How about you fuck off? What gives you any power to order me the fuck around?" He sighed loudly.
"Fine, you fucking fuck. I'm on my way." He angrily hung up and returned his focus to me. "Mother fucker." Murmuring under his breath, reached over, lightly kissed my forehead, turned towards the door and yelled,
"Ron! Get your ass over here. I got work to do!" I touched my forehead in slight disgust.
A few moments later, Ron appeared. Breathing heavily, nodding, he waved at Trevor.
"Hey...Hey T. Heading out?"
"Good, you're not fucking deaf yet. Watch Lily, be nice to her, or I'll ring your fucking neck. Understand?" Ron meekly nodded. "Good, good. I'll be back soon. If I find out either of you," Trevor pointed to the both of us, "are fucking around, hurting each other; there will be fucking consequences." Ron and I both nodded quickly as Trevor walked out.
As soon as he left, we glared at each other. Ron was the first to speak out,
"If you want to leave anywhere, you are to give me two days notice and even then I can't promise that we can go, because I'm a very busy and important person." Ron gestured to himself.
"Sure, sure. So important that you can't let someone get fresh air. Aren't you supposed to be nice to me?" I retorted, leaning onto the counter.
"You're not nice to me."
"Trevor didn't tell me to be nice." The smirk on my face grew into a grin. At the mention of Trevor's name, Ron obviously twitched. I have this… really weird idea. "Anyways, I'm not always going to want to go outside, so don't worry. Although Trevor," Ron shifted uncomfortably, "obviously treats you like a dog, you have my word that I won't." I put my hand in the air as if swearing an oath.
"Well I'm sure you're word is worth shit." The grin on my face remained.
Oh, I'm sure it won't be soon.
Ron set a large microphone onto Trevor's table, adjusting it side to side, fitting it between many other pieces of equipment I couldn't identify. I leaned on the counter, watching him hurriedly work, look at his watch and then back again at the equipment, making a few adjustments here and there. When he was satisfied with his work, he stepped back.
"Whatcha doin'?" I inquired. He shot me a glance, brows furrowed with irritation.
"I, unlike you, am a free thinking mind, and am kind of enough to pass that onto the public. I have a podcast and I speak to other freethinkers or those who are trapped under the man and want a way out. I speak to them, call out to them and lead them out of the herd so that they too can be freethinkers."
"But if you pulled people out of one flock, aren't you just herding them into another? You know, if you make everyone a freethinker, aren't they just following your voice of quote on quote reason?"
"That's not how it works."
"How do you know? How many people have you herded out of that flock and into yours?"
"Because when a number of people become freethinkers, they become freethinkers. They aren't part of any group or anything."
"But you're clearly giving them a label, so that already puts them a group, and therefore are all being hurdled into a single direction that you have given them." I stood up straight. "I mean, how do you know that the government isn't just messing with you and having people call you or talk to you so that you aren't going to the public?"
"Trevor's heard my podcast."
"Oh? How do you know that was Trevor?"
"He's told me in person?"
"And you don't think Trevor is a liar?" I lowered my voice. "Maybe you're so off the mark and bad at what you do, they feel sorry for you. So they're watching you to make sure you don't hurt yourself. I mean, I've heard you are a bad shot. Not at the top of your game. People could be watching your back." Ron shivered where he stood. He clenched his fist and said through gritted teeth,
"I can promise you that no government is watching me. I'm a man living off the grid."
"How do you know that? They can track just about anyone with anything. Maybe you're right in their backyard and you don't know it."
"Stop!" Ron yelled. "You're just trying to make me paranoid!" He quickly glanced at his watch,
"And now I'm late for my program! If you even think of interrupting me, I am going to tell Trevor."
"Sure. Sure. I'll be as quiet as a mouse. Trevor would approve. Coffee?" Ron angrily nodded, as the cup I handed him was yanked from my grip.
"I'm going to hurt you if there's salt in here again." No promises.
"Sure. Sure."
Here we go.
After Ron's program ended, he turned towards me proud as ever.
"You hear that? People want to talk to me. Thank me for freeing them from the clutches of oppressing forces."
"I mean good on you for doing the community a great service. Trevor must appreciate it. Coffee?" Ron passed me his cup. As it was being filled, I asked,
"How many times a week do you do this podcast?"
"About twice a week." I handed his coffee cup to him.
"Wow, twice a week for almost three hours people hear your voice non-stop. That must be the reason for the number of increased accidents in the area on those days." Ron shot me a disapproving look as I continued,
"I'm kidding." I mean not really. "What's next on the list?"
"What do you mean?" Ron looked at me curiously.
"I mean, what else do you do around here when Trevor's not around? Last time we were a little busy trying to plan meals for him, well I mean I was. You were a little busy putting my clean plates all over the floor."
"And you were too busy rigging that chair to think of something interesting to do."
"What can I say? I was on a tighter leash then. How's that knee by the way? Now I can go outside with the minor set back that I'm handcuffed to somebody who left a cockroach on my counter. Now we got a hole in it."
"It's doing just fine. Thanks for asking. Says the person who underfilled my coffee cup."
"Good to hear it. You were the one to shove my things in cabinets too high for me to reach. A little hard to concentrate on things to do when you can't find your things."
"You moved a chair as I was going to sit down and I ended up hurting myself."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, I clearly remember you missing that chair. You were so far off the mark of actually sitting in it, I'm surprised you didn't crack your head open."
"I'm still pretty sure you moved that chair."
"Accusations from a man who says he's a freethinker. Accidents happen buddy. It's about time you realized that." I raised my coffee up. "I'm sure Trevor understands it to be an accident and that's okay. Coffee?" He nodded again as I reached for the pot.
"Fine, changing the subject. What did you used to do when you were bored?" As I filled his cup, I replied,
"Well I took nice long walks. I went out to the grocery store because it's fun to see what's on sale. I drew, listened to music. Maybe played some games. I did lots of stuff." After being filled, Ron retracted his cup, taking a sip and asking,
"You can draw?"
"Not well. I can't draw people, I'm an abstract artist."
"Doesn't seem like much of a talent. Do you have any talents?"
"Do you?" I retorted. Ron sat offended as I took a long sip from my coffee cup.
"I can shoot a gun."
"Not well I hear."
"I am very good at finding business."
"Just not lately right?"
"Great at public speaking."
"Ehhh, how are you ratings?" Ron sat silently in thought. Guess it's short pickings. "I heard you're paying alimony. That doesn't exactly spell top of game to me." I hid my facial expression with my coffee cup by taking a sip. He looked at me in disgust.
"Oh so you know?"
"Sure do. You bitch about it enough to Trevor. Coffee?" Ron held the mug out for me to grab. I refilled it quickly. Handing the mug back, I watched Ron shift uncomfortably in his seat. Before either of us could break the silence that had developed between us, his phone rang. He answered it with some enthusiasm,
"Yes Trevor? Of course. Of course. Yes T. Okay. Yeah I know. I'll get right on it. Ba-" Ron moved his phone back into his pocket. Seems like Trevor hung up on him.
"Well, I have things to do. You know, being an important person and all that. Unfortunately you have to come with me to do those things."
"Oh?" Now I was very curious as to what these 'important' things were, but I was pretty sure I was going to be in the dark about it.
"Yeah, so let's go." Ron approached me with the handcuffs. Out of all the things I have to do, I have to embarrass myself like this. "Because I have to drive, I need your left hand." We realigned ourselfs, the cuff on my left and on his right. It fit around tightly, a frown growing on my face.
"Let's go." I sighed.
As we approached a large airfield, another vehicle came into view that was parked outside. When we stopped, I recognized Wade and Floyd outside talking. They both turned their heads as Ron and I got out. I had to stand up, try and walk out of the drivers side so that Ron wouldn't have to take off the cuffs. Floyd immediately jogged up.
"Lily! You're alive!"
"Floyd! You're alive too. I'm surprised Trevor hasn't lost his patience with you yet, but he has with me." I raised my hand up to show the handcuffs.
"Oh gosh, Trevor has you stuck like that? That's awful!"
"It is! I hate this guy!"
"Hey! It's only when she's outside." Ron interjected. I shook my head, keeping my attention on Floyd.
"How's it been going?" Floyd frowned.
"Not too well. Trevor orders Wade and I around like animals all the time. I had to give him a leg rub earlier today. It was much uncomfortable. We also are stealing from my place of work so there's that too." I returned his facial expression.
"Man, neither of us can catch a break."
"You probably won't ever." Another male voice, a bit high pitched was heard behind us. A man, around probably the age of early forties, overweight, glasses and a cane wobbled quickly towards us. "You have no idea who you're dealing with or what they've just done." Floyd and I looked at each other curiously while Ron interjected.
"I'm going to have you to leave, this is private property."
"Oh private? It won't be soon. Trevor has got himself in deep." My eyes widened. Whatever he did, it must have been serious. Wade approached the man,
"Okay well, Trevor will… deal with it I'm sure." Wade reached out, gently touching me man's shoulder as if trying to push him back. The man raised his cane and gave him a whack on the shoulder.
"Ow!"
"Back! Do not touch me!" He hit Wade again who quickly hopped back to get away from him.
"And you!" The man turned towards me. "You are beyond unlucky. Unfortunate you were kidnapped and stuck here, worst news is you're probably stuck here forever."
"What? Why? How do you know that?!" I felt my brow furrow.
"Cause Trevor is probably never going to set you free, and he's got the FIB on his side." Ron started to pull on the handcuffs. Feeling my hand being pulled back, I pulled against it, keeping Ron in place.
"What do you mean he's got the FIB on his side? Are you sure you're talking about the right person?"
"Trevor Phillips? Yeah, we are. He must have convinced them that he'll work for them without complaint if they do nothing about you, because FIB have pulled everything down about you being a missing person and aren't even watching you anymore. Now they don't care whether or not you're killed, just as long as Trevor works." I could feel Ron getting more and more antsy as he tried to pull me back with him.
"Ron! Stop it, I'm trying to figure something out. What you know about me- does he know?" My heart dropped scared of what he might say.
"He hasn't inquired yet, but I have." He put his hand up to me. "But, we can keep that between the two of us." I sighed in relief. Oh man, that was terrifying. Who the fuck is this person? The sound of a helicopter behind us made Ron pulled on the handcuff one more time, making me turn around so that I could watch it too. It carried a large yellow object below it, which, as it came into closer view, was a submarine. The confusion could be seen on my face as the submarine was dropped first, a few meters away from us and the helicopter landed beside it on the opposite side. The top hatch opened and Trevor's head appeared, screaming,
"Woooo!" He turned towards us, a huge grin on his face. The man with the cane
started walking towards him, yelling,
"Do you know what you've done?! The wire is going fucking crazy!" As Trevor climbed down the submarine, he replied calmly,
"Oh, and good to see you, too!" He jumped down the last step to the ground and approached the man, "What's it been huh? 10 years?"
"After this, the government won't care how long it's been. They're gonna put you and everyone you ever knew on their kill list. And you!" The man turned towards the end of the submarine. Michael and Franklin appeared walking around it towards us. "I thought you were smarter than this!" Michael with equal confusion on his face stopped next to Trevor and asked,
"What did I do?"
"Stealing a super weapon to sell to the Chinese!" I could feel the rest of us stop in our places. I looked at Floyd who was visibly hoping he was back in his home, minding his own business and Wade who was still rubbing his arm from this man's beatings. Ron stood, stone face, silent. Wow, no words can describe how fucking terrifying it is that Ron is treating this like a daily occurance.
"Damn T. This some nuke or some shit?" Franklin asked.
"I thought you said you talked to him?" Michael's voice had a tinge of irritation, bordering on anger. Who ever this guy is, he seems close to the two of them.
"Yeah I did!" Trevor defended himself. "Okay? Kind of. I mean, he was all woozy and shit. It doesn't matter, alright? It's done. We got it." Trevor motioned to the sub.
"Well we could put it back." The man suggested. "Drop it in the sea. By the time they get a salvage operation together…"
"No!" Trevor interjected.
"Oh, so you want a drone circling your trailer?"
"Drone?!" Ron questioned. Trevor glared at Ron, who immediately quieted down. His nervousness could be heard in the handcuff chain that was between us, shifting from side to side.
"We'll get you another score, Trevor." Michael suggested. Trevor paced back and forth, growling and groaning, before he approached Michael, pointing a long finger in his face.
"You owe me!" He turned towards Wade. "Wade, get in that chopper. Listen to whatever this fuckin' moron has to say."
"Okay!" Wade yelled, running off, Floyd following closely behind.
"Alright, on that note I'm outta here. See ya, Lily." Michael said, walking away from the rest of us. I waved at him. "You won't be seeing me back here in a long time."
"Hey!" Trevor called after Michael. "We need a score! Remember!" I could hear Franklin's voice following Michael into the distance,
"Man, I thought I was done not gettin' paid for this licks."
"Hello?!" Trevor screamed. "Me too!" Michael and Franklin entered a vehicle, driving off as Trevor ran his head into a wooden pallet that lied on the side of the hangar. I jumped back in shock. He rammed his head a couple more times against it, leaving small specks of blood. He started cursing, almost incomprehensible between his banshee like screams. His phone suddenly rang. A menacing grin etched its way across his face before answering,
"Ah. Brother O'Neil. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. You're the guy stealing contracts. You had too many brothers! They needed culling. Aren't we all? We live and we die, that's our curse. Hey, you want to expedite the situation, come fucking find me. Vespucci Beach, Los Santos, you inbred hillbilly fuck." He hung up the phone abruptly, before turning towards the hangar and throwing his phone towards it. He was breathing heavily as he turned towards Ron and I.
"Ron, we're heading back home. I'll drop you off, borrow your vehicle and fucking leave. I'm a little busy dealing with our former business partners." Ron nodded and replied,
"Of course Trevor." Ron and I quickly approached the vehicle, a truck similar to the bodhi, about to step onto the bed, but out of nowhere, Trevor stopped the both of us.
"Ron! What's the rule about my things in the back?" His voice was seething with anger.
"You only put things in the back that you don't mind losing?"
"So then why is Lily going into the back?" Ron looked hurt, looking at me and then back at Trevor.
"What about me?" Ron whimpered.
"What the fuck did I say? Uncuff Lily and get in the fucking back!" Ron quickly fished out the key from his pocket and uncuffed me. He frown deepened as Trevor grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the passenger door. As he shoved me inside the truck, Trevor yelled,
"I said. Get. In. The. Back." Ron quickly hopped into the back, as Trevor ran to his side and started the truck.
Hopefully it's a quiet ride there.
