snap at him.
“Now I understand why your own dad wants to get fucking rid of you.” His words hit me hard. I love my dad more than anything, and I know he loves me, even if he has made mistakes.
“My dad never wanted to get rid of me, and even if Lorenzo doesn’t come for me, I’m going to get out of this fucking hole, and when I do, you better be running.” I know, when faced with danger, being fearless is what I need. If I weren’t that, I would grow weak, my mind would enclose on me, and the worries and doubts would eat away at anything left.
“That’s great and all, but until the moment comes, do you think you could possibly keep your yap shut?”
“Fuck, no, I can’t,” I all but snarl, and then I scream. High-pitched scream, not because I think someone might hear me. No, I’m merely screaming to annoy him.
“Shut the fuck up!” he growls, then disappears from my view.
“Nope. I think the world would love to hear my voice.” Then, I scream again, not caring that my throat already hurts.
“Fuck…” he growls and throws something down to me.
I jump back as a ladder tumbles down the side of the hole. Is this real? Is he really giving me a way to get out?
Hesitant, I stare at the rope ladder, knowing it could be a trick. No, it has to be a trick. He wants me up there to hurt me, and I have no way to stop him from it. I have no weapons, and my self-defense moves look like a toddler walking with an open cup.
“You coming up to show me your kick-ass moves, or are you staying in the hole?” Is he actually giving me a choice?
Instead of saying anything, I walk toward the ladder and grab one of the round wooden pieces. I tug on it roughly, making sure it is secure.
As I pull myself up, it becomes apparent how weak I am. My limbs hurt, and my muscles ache from the simple act of climbing this ladder. I’m exhausted, physically, and mentally. I want to go to sleep and not wake up for days, but I know I can’t. I need to make it out of here first. I need to fight a little bit longer.
Gathering all the strength I have left, I push myself to continue up. Small step by small step, I come to the top. The brightness of the sun burns my eyes for a moment, making black spots cloud my vision as a ball of anxiety rolls around in the pit of my stomach.
Gripping the topsoil and feeling the grass blades against my fingers sends a shiver down my spine. I feel as if I can finally breathe. I allow a sigh to escape my lips as if I might finally be free. Free. I want to snort. It’s such a dumb thought because I know I’m anything but. I’m not even close to being free, simply because I made it out of this hole.
“She arrives,” the asshole in a black mask says, and again familiarity hits me. I know him, I just don’t know where from. His feet are less than a foot from my hands, and suddenly fear grips me by the throat as my mind works through every scenario possible.
What if he pushes me back down? I clamp my jaw closed, forcing the thought away. If this fucker pushes me...
The man steps back, allowing me to move upward on the ladder until I am almost out. Leaning forward, I pull myself out of the hole and through the dirt and grass, but there is nothing to hold on. My foot slips from the top step, and I start to slide back down.
A shriek rips from my chest as I dig my fingers deep into the dirt. For a moment, I think I’m going to fall back into the hole, breaking my fucking neck for sure. My heart stops, and pure terror paralyzes my body.
In a flash, the new guy lunges for me and grabs my arms. He pulls me up like I weigh nothing, and releases me in the next instant. I slump to the ground, trying to catch my breath.
As relieved as I should feel, my muscles ache, and fear lingers as I find myself in a compromising position on all fours. I pull myself from my knees, getting my footing ever so slowly.
“Oh, no, you don’t…” Asshole smirks as he