A scream.

A scream was all they heard as they were bundled into a cold black van. Nobody could be sure who it was that screamed, but Nina was almost certain that it was Mara, who was still howling in pain from her twisted wrist.

"Shut up!" a voice that was almost certainly Rufus growled. The screaming continued, the only sound in the complete silence. Then. . .

SLAP!

Nina froze. Had he just slapped Mara? Terror clouded her judgement as she clung tightly to Fabian's hand.

"I'm scared," she whispered. And she truly was. What would happen when word got out about their disappearance? Would there be a search? An investigation? A rescue? Would word even get out?

And another thing. Nina was pretty sure Joy had been in the room with them when it happened, but she couldn't for the life of her work out where she had got to.

Maybe she escaped.

An escape? Nah, there would be no escapes. Rufus was thorough. He made sure his men searched pretty much the whole room before they left. Except. . .

Could Joy have hidden under the table? They hadn't searched there, at least not while Nina was looking. Maybe Joy could get help?

"Me too," Fabian whispered back, and Nina snapped back into reality. This was the end. There was to be no escape, no rescue, no nothing. Only pain and bitterness.

…...

"What's going on?" Joy asked, but was met only by a 'Sssh!' from Bet and a glare from Shaiden.

"Shut up or we'll be given away," Shaiden hissed.

"Sorry," Joy mouthed, but the blonde simply turned away.

"Now, I can just about see him," Shaiden said.

"How do you know it's a him?" Joy whispered.

"He has the build for it. A woman is more petite, whereas he has broader shoulders. See for yourself."

Joy peered round the corner. The person in question had blonde hair, slightly long at the back, a red t-shirt and deep blue jeans. Shaiden was right, the build was one of a males. It reminded Joy of someone, but she couldn't remember who.

"I'm going in," Rielle said, but Shaiden held her back.

"No, I am."

"Why do you get to?"

"Who made you queen?" Bet piped in.

"I just get to, okay? I've been working the longest, you guys are barely out of training. So shut your pieholes and wait here!"

Rielle scowled as Shaiden elegantly walked out infront of the boy.

…...

I find shelter in this way
Under cover, hide away
Can you hear when I say
I have never felt this way
Maybe I had said something that was wrong
Can I make it better with the lights turned on

…...

Jerome put his arms around a whimpering Mara. They were still in the dark, but you could slightly see a faint red glow on her cheek.

"Jerome," she murmured.

"I'm here," he said.

"I know you are," she buried herself further into his shoulder.

"I'll always be here for you Mara. We'll get out of here alive, I promise."

And Mara really wanted to believe what Jerome said, but something deep down inside of her told her that they'd never make it out.

…...

The boy looked up as a beautiful woman appeared in front of him.

"Hi," he said breathlessly.

"Hello there," she said in a silky voice, before twisting his hand behind his back and pinning him up against a wall.

"What the. .. ?"

"STOP!" Joy burst out. She recognized that boy. It was Mick!

"Shut up Mercer!" Shaiden spat, twisting Mick's arm until he screamed.

"Stop it Shaiden! He's not the enemy! He's my friend!"

"Listen to her!" Mick pleaded.

"Is this true?" Shaiden asked him.

"Yes! Yes, just let me go!"

Shaiden released him with a sigh.

"My name's Shaiden. This is Rielle and Bet, and we're here to help you."

Mick held out his hand.

"I'm-"

"I don't care who you are, or what you're doing here, but we leave first thing tomorrow."

…...