The Call

by Kathi Goldwyn

  “Do you know who it’s from?” I know, stupid question, but I have to ask.

  “It’s from an unknown number, and I don’t even know what it means. Maybe it was sent to the wrong person. Are you in trouble?” My mind’s reeling. I’m trying to figure this out, but my mind’s tumbling all over itself, trying to come up with something I can grasp.

  I go straight from worried to petrified. How do they know Marge’s number or even about me? Is it ‘them,’ or is it someone playing a prank? I just don’t have enough information. But what if… Naww, that couldn’t be. Why would they be coming for me? I can't figure this shit out. All I know is, What the fuck?

  “Did you text back?” I have this gnawing feeling in my gut that the text definitely has something to do with Alex. My heart just slips right down into my toes. Fuck me.

  “No, I didn’t. I just got it. Do you have something to tell me?” Marge looks at me, and with grit in her voice she says, “Jack, what’s going on?” I can’t share with her what I know, but it feels like she’s waiting for an explanation I’m not willing to give. I can’t just ignore this text.

  “I’m not sure if this is about me. I think you should text them back, see if you can get them to say something else. Maybe it’s a mistake.” I shrug, but I’m not feeling it. My heart races and I feel breathless. Could this text come from that asshole Norris she talked about? She hasn’t answered my texts. I’m so worried that this text is throwing me into a tailspin of anxiety.

  “Sure, I’ll text them back. But what should I say?” Marge chews on her lip.

  “Hmm, you could say ‘Who is this?’ Wait, say ‘What do you want?’ Let's see if we can get them to reveal what the hell they’re talking about. You know kids like to prank on adults all the time.” I just hope we get more information, maybe a clue as to who it is or what they really want.

  “Okay, I just sent, Who is this? What do you want? I hope we get something that explains that weird text,” Marge says, looking over at me, her jaw tightening. She’s grinding her teeth. Just then, I hear the blur sound of a text coming in on her phone. She grabs it and reads it out loud.

  “It says, ‘Tell your boss Alex is in trouble.’ Damn, Jack, who the hell is Alex? And why does this text refer to him?” I jump up and grab my stuff off the desk.

  “I don’t have time to talk. Let me know if you hear from them again. I’ve gotta go.”

  I’m terrified, and I’ve got to get out of here right this fucking minute. My stomach is tied up in knots, and my heart pumps hard against my ribs.

  I run out the door. I have to find Alex. I have to make sure she’s safe. My concern for her has grown to astronomical proportions.

  What the fuck can I do?

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Jack

  I run out of the office as fast as I can. I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do but I want, no, I need to find Alex. I jump in my car to head over to her place. I pray she can explain these cryptic messages and I find her safe in her apartment. I pray that’s where she is.

  I drive the car way too fast over to her place and grab the first free parking spot I see. I hop out of my car and run to her front door, pounding on it with my fist.

  I yell, “Alex! Are you home? Alex, open the door!” but there’s nothing. Not a sound comes from inside. I put my ear to the door, breathing heavily so I try my damnedest to calm down so I can hear through this fucking door. I finally just hold my breath and listen for a beat. I hear nothing—not a creak, not a rustle of clothing.

  My nerves are shot.

  I don’t see anything out of place, and after trying the door again, I run back to my car and slide quickly inside. Just as I’m about to slam the car door shut, my friend Tom walks up to me. “Hey, what’s the hurry?” he asks with his toothless grin.

  “I can’t find my girl. Did you see anything at all? Anything? Have you seen Alex today?” I look at him, fear exploding in my mind.

  “Umm, let me think…last time I saw her was this morning.” Shit! Well, maybe she’s working. “I saw a suspicious looking dude hanging around her place. Does that help?” His jaw tightens as the smile slips from his face.

  “What did this dude look like? Do you remember anything else?” I ask, praying I’ll get a lead. Any lead would be better than knowing nothing at all.

  “Yeah, I thought he was a total creep. He was dressed in a black hoodie and I remember he was on the shorter side, maybe in his late 30’s or early 40’s? Ugly as fuck. I remember he had a shaved head and his face had some scruff. I hope that helps.” Tom looks hopefully over at me, taking a deep breath in. “Oh, and he spit on me. Nice, right?”

  “Fuck! That shows what a fantastically wretched asshole he is! Thanks dude, it helps. I’ve got to go.” I slam the car into drive and head straight over to Rocco’s. Maybe she’s working tonight. On my way, I make a call.

  The phone rings once, and Jeremy answers in his usual casual way. “Howdy Jack.”

  I have no time for casual banter. “What are you doing? Can you meet me at Rocco’s right now? I need you to meet me there NOW!” I can’t help it, I’m feeling all sorts of fucked up and scared, really terrified. I need my brother. I pray Alex is at Rocco’s. Her name keeps screaming in my mind’s eye. Like it’s lit up in neon lights, ALEX blinks on and off.

  “Sure, I’m already in the neighborhood, and I’m on my way. What's this about? You sound upset, brother. What’s happening?” He urges me to talk, but I don't want to take the time. I have to stay focused. I have to keep my eye on the road or I’m going to get in an accident. My hands are shaky and sweat drips from my brow. I’m feeling out of control.

  “I’ll tell you when I see you, okay? And thanks, bro. Thanks.” It’s all I can say. We hang up the phone just as I pull into the lot at Rocco’s. I fly through the door and look frantically all around. I see Rocco’s tending bar, so I rush straight over to him.

  “Dude, where’s Alex? Please tell me she’s working!” Rocco has this lost expression on his face and my heart shatters.

  “No, not tonight. She hasn’t shown up yet. She’s on the schedule, but she never showed. What the fuck’s going on?” he growls. We look at each other. Rocco’s jaw grinds, his teeth clicking. He’s freaking out too. I feel myself go dizzy. I don’t know what I’m going to do now that I can’t find her.

  “Fuck!” I scream. I look over at Rocco and see crazy concern. He looks like I feel. His hair is mussed up and his face is tense.

  “Come here, dude. Sit down. Let me pour us both a drink and you can tell me what this is all about.” I can tell he’s trying to keep his shit together, but I think we’re both flipped the fuck out. I know I’m not supposed to say anything about Alex’s affiliation with the Cribs, but right now I don’t give a fuck. Not one fuck.

  Just then, Jeremy rushes into the bar. He comes straight over to me and Rocco.

  “Jack, what the fuck is going on?” Jeremy demands. He knows I rarely call with my problems, but right now we have to deal with the trouble dropped at our doorstep.

  “Alex. Alex is gone.”

  Jeremy looks between Rocco and me and says, “Okay, slow down. Tell us what happened.” he tries to sound reasonable, but I know he’s worried. A person doesn’t just disappear. He knows how much I care for Alex.

  “All right, let’s all get a drink and I’ll start from the beginning.” I take a deep breath, trying to center myself.

  I spend time explaining what I know. Rocco looks at me with mist in his eyes. He says, “Yeah, she just told me about that shit show yesterday, and then she got a text from that asshole, Norris. She said she had to go and I let her, goddamnit! I let her go out there alone,” he roars, sounding bitter as fuck. I feel his terror vibrating off him.

  Fuck me, shit just went from bad to worse. “That Norris dude? She works for him at TABOO. Jeremy, what do you know about that place?” I beg my brother. This is so fucked up, and I’m out of my mind with concern for Alex.

  I can’t f
ind her. I can’t let her down. I think the Cribs or that asshole Norris nabbed her. I have no clue why or how to get her back and begin to feel panic running through my veins. As sweat drips off my face, my hands begin to tremble. My heartrate goes through the roof. I’m scared to death for Alex. I pray she’s still alive. Oh my god, is she still alive?

  Rocco growls, ”Fuck, she’s in trouble. Big trouble. We need to figure out our next move, yeah? We’re going to have to find her and get her the fuck out.”

  “You think this Noris dude really has her?” Jeremy looks like a wrecking ball. HIs clothes are wrinkled, and I can see his hand tremble. Frankly, I feel like he looks.

  One way or another, I have to save my girl. I look from Rocco to Jeremy. We’re a team; thank god I’m not alone.

  Jeremy sounds grim. “Norris is an old gangbanger. He runs that card room, TABOO. I’ve heard he’s a monster.”

  Fuck! I’ve never been up against something so dark and briefly catch Rocco’s eyes. We’ve got to man up and take this dude on. I know its gonna get nasty up in here, but I have my team.

  Thank god I have a team.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Alex

  I wake up with a giant headache hammering inside my head. The pounding is a distinct blam blam blam! I want to rip my head off.

  “Ugh,” I groan.

  The pain is excruciating. I’m having a tough time clearing my thoughts, this hazy, blurry storm erupting inside. I’m lying on the cold concrete floor, tied down tight. The taut rope burns into my skin and I wiggle, trying to pull loose, but it’s lodged in tight as a drum. I have no idea how long I’ve been out, or how long I’ve been here, but my heart rate speeds up when I realize what’s happening—rat tat tat, like a hummingbird’s wings hitting my brain on a constant stream of fear. My heart can hardly keep up with the rapid beat beat beat. This creepy as fuck feeling crawls up my spine and flows over every inch of my skin like lava pouring down from the mountain top burning down everything in its path. I shiver darkly in my binds. I’m blindfolded and have no reference to where I am, but it’s freezing in here. The smell is musty, and panic pulses through my veins.

  I’m fucked.

  I’m totally freaking out. What the hell happened? After searching the recesses of my mind, some of my recent activities come back to attack my sanity. Why would Norris take me like this? I have no idea, and guessing only gets me so far.

  I search my brain, looking back on every detail, everything that has happened in the last few days. I try like hell to think it through, but my head hurts so badly I can’t clear my own injured thoughts, and really, I can’t think at all. My brain seems frozen by fear and my heart pounds in my throat. Holy hell, what did I get myself into? My nerves are fried.

  Did I do this?

  I take stock of my body. My clothes are still on, thank god, but my shoes have been pulled off and my feet feel frozen like icicles, nearly frozen to the sticky floor. My arms ache from being in the same position for god knows how long.

  “Oh fuck!” I groan loudly then try to stifle this need to scream bloody murder. I’m being held captive by that fucker, Norris. He’s a disgusting, vile creature who wields way too much power. He fucking kidnapped me, I realize with a sharp pain to my heart.

  My mind begins to race out of control and I try to stop myself from cursing the whole bible of curses. I worry if anyone knows I vanished? Rocco was expecting me at work, but I don’t know if my shift started or is long past due. For sure, he would know. Right?

  I scold myself. “Calm down!” But my heart races, and blood pours through my veins like ice. I’m a wrecking ball of nerves and frigid thoughts. My teeth begin to chatter.

  Jack, my sweet, sweet Jack. He’d know by now, wouldn’t he? What can either of them do? How would they find me in this...what? I fucking don’t know where I am, and I want to scream. I start to lose control. I can feel the scream bubbling up in my throat, but I try to hold it down. I don’t want to attract any attention now, do I? On second, thought maybe I do. Maybe someone will come tell me what the fuck is happening.

  The scream I’ve been holding back slips out. “Help! Help me!” Before I can stop, my mouth has a mind of its own. I howl an earsplitting scream. “Help! I need help!”

  I’m so freaking terrified right now. I start thinking about the Cribs. What do they want with me? I’m so low on their totem pole. I mean, who am I to them? A lowly server. A card dealer. I have no information; how did I get on their radar? Why did they take me? What do they want from me?

  Goddamnit! I need to dig deep before I lose my mind. Frayed thoughts keep attacking me. I know I’m in real trouble.

  I start crying, sobbing uncontrollably, and the tears won’t stop once they’ve started. I’m wracked with sobs and drenched in sweat.

  I’m so agitated my teeth chatter and sweat pours from every crevice of my body. I don’t know what the fuck, or why. All I know is I’m in danger of losing everything.

  Tears stream down my face and snot rolls from my nose. I use my shoulder to brush both away from my face. I know in my heart of hearts I need to get my shit together for the long haul. I feel out of control and totally lose it. I cry so hard my throat hurts and I feel like I might collapse in a puddle right here on the frigid floor.

  I’m lost, so lost. And no one will be able to find me.

  I might die.

  Oh, dear lord, I don’t want to die. Please don’t let me die.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Jack

  “I don’t know what happened, but I know Alex is missing.” I’m going to break right now. I don’t know what to do. I have my suspicions, and I’m freaking worried for her. Shit, what does the hero do at this point in the story? I don’t feel like a hero but a shaky mess instead. Terror-struck, I look between the two men.

  “What the fuck?” Rocco roars. He’s losing it. That’s all I need: this man losing his shit while I’m trying to figure out what to do. I know I need his help. I need him to calm the fuck down.

  “Jack, if you know something, you have to tell us,” Rocco pleads. He’s a much stronger man than I am. I’m falling apart. Maybe we both are. Fuck me.

  “Slow down, brother. Start from the beginning.” Jeremy sounds reasonable. His voice comforts me. I need that from him. He ran out of the house dressed in sweats that ride low on his hips. His hair’s a mess of light brown falling into his face.

  “Okay. First off, we need to keep all the info I share under lock and key. Get me?” I look between Rocco and Jeremy as they both nod. Rocco’s face is covered in a few days’ growth and his eyes darken with every word. I know I can depend on both of them.

  “Alex told me about her second job—you know, the one she disappears to three nights a week. She’s a dealer at TABOO.” I clear my throat with a cough. “It’s an illegal gambling house, I’m sure you both know. I started researching them. It looks bad, really bad.” I take a deep, stuttered breath and look down at the floor.

  “Well, we have to call the police,” Jeremey says, and Rocco and I yell at the same time, “NO!” That’s all we need.

  “Fuck, I knew it was bad, but she wouldn’t talk to me. She promised we’d talk more when she got to work today, but then she didn’t show up, and now I know she’s fucking in deep with this shit.” Rocco stumbles through all the words. He’s as fucked up as me.

  “She didn’t answer any of my texts,” I add. “I got it out of her finally, but it gets worse. My PA got a weird text today…It said Alex was in trouble. I don’t know what they want from me, but this is about ME!” I roar. I’m sure of it. This huge fucking mess is about something I can give them. I just wish I knew what it was so I can get Alex back.

  “What the fuck? What could they want from you, dude?” Rocco’s on edge; I feel like he’s about to freak on me. I’m not sure what this is about, but I hope I can deliver whatever it is they want. Somehow, I need to calm the fuck down. I take a deep, stuttering breath in.

  I hope my PA g
ot something back, so I text her to ask just in case she forgot to tell me, though I honestly don’t see how.

  Me: Did you get a text back?

  I pray she forgot, but I get a text back.

  Marge: Not yet.

  “Listen, no one else knows about this except us. Rocco, do you know anything about this gang, the Cribs?” I’m suddenly drenched with sweat. I can feel the sweat roll down my back and into my jeans. Even my ass cheeks are sweating.

  “Well, I haven’t dealt with them directly, but I know they’re evil sons of bitches. One of my employees got caught up in some bullshit, and they threatened his life.” Rocco looks between the two of us. “Do you think Alex is fucked? Do you think she’s still alive?” His hands start shaking. Yeah, this shit is for real. “He got out alive.” Rocco sounds hopeful. “But not before...”

  “Not before what? Tell us,” I demand. I want to grab him by the scruff and force it out of him.

  “He lost three toes,” Rocco finishes with a cough. He looks shredded. He’s pulling on his hair, and his hands are shaking. Oh my fucking god. This gang, they don’t play around.

  “I hope they haven’t hurt her. If they want something from me, they’d better not fucking touch one goddamn hair on her head! Maybe they’re just using her as leverage...that’s good, right? She’d definitely still alive then, right?” I try to reassure myself.

  “Have you ever met this Norris dude?” I look at Rocco. I know Jeremy hasn’t.

  “Actually yes. He came in looking for Alex just yesterday. I could tell he was a complete asshole. I told Alex not to deal with him.” Rocco looks like he wants to spit.