by Tina Maurine
I checked my battery and had never been so glad to see that it was still at 84%. One lesson I’ve learned is that no matter what, never leave the house without a fully charged cell phone. I stretched my fingers and began to compose…
SUBJECT: RE: ARE YOU SAFE TO:
IsaacJoesephMatthews@pacificlakescommun itycollege.us.net
FROM:
RheaVelvetKenzee@pacificlakescommunityc ollege.us.net
HI MR. MATTHEWS. YES, I AM STILL WHERE YOU PUT ME. DID YOU MAKE IT WHERE YOU WERE HEADED? THANKS FOR THINKING OF ME. I LET
MY ROOMMATE KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND SHE NOTIFIED THE PORTLAND POLICE. I’LL KEEP YOU POSTED.
~RHEA~
SUBJECT: RE: PO PO NOTIFIED TO:
EmmoryVanessaJane@pacificlakescommunit ycollege.us.net
FROM:
RheaVelvetKenzee@pacificlakescommunityc ollege.us.net
EMMORY,
THANKS FOR GETTING THE POLICE INVOLVED.
KEEP ME POSTED.
AS FOR US, I DON’T HAVE THE ENERGY OR CARE RIGHT NOW TO ADDRESS THE MESS YOU TURNED OUR SISTERHOOD INTO. DON’T BERATE ME WITH DRAMA FILLED EMAILS. I’M DEALING WITH TRYIING TO STAY ALIVE.
~RHEA~
P.S. PRETTY MUCH FEELING LIKE SCREW THE NEXT SEVERAL SONG PROJECTS WE WERE WORKING ON. YOU MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR THAT I WAS DISPOSABLE TO YOU.
SUBJECT: I’M FINE…SEE? <3
TO:
EliValenSnohe@pacificlakescommunitycolle ge.us.net
FROM:
RheaVelvetKenzee@pacificlakescommunityc ollege.us.net
ELI,
YOU’VE GOT TO STOP WITH THE INCESSANT EMAILS—YOU’RE RIGHT, IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE A GIRL RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, EVEN IN AN AIR DUCT. HAHA
SORRY I MADE YOU WORRY. THE ONLY REASON I DON’T THINK YOU ARE CRAZY, IS IF I DIDN’T HEAR BACK FROM YOU, I’D PROBABLY LET MY MIND GO THERE TOO…WORRYING I MEAN. I DOUBT I’D SEND YOU LIKE FIVE OR SIX EMAILS THOUGH. :-P
SO, THERE’S NEW DETAILS. WHILE I WAS TAKING A SHORT
NAP I OBVIOUSLY MISSED THE GUNMEN BRINGING HOSTAGES INTO THE LAYOUT AND DESIGN CLASSROOM. I ONLY KNOW THIS BECAUSE I’VE HEARD FEMALE VOICES—THEY DON’T SEEM TO BE PART OF THE GANG.
ALSO, I GOT AHOLD OF MY ROOMMATE AND SHE NOTIFIED THE PORTLAND POLICE. SHE SAID SHE
CALLED SEVERAL NUMBERS AT THE COLLEGE AND THEY WERE ALL BUSY.
SO, YOU KNEW WHO I WAS HUH?
THAT’S COOL. I JUST WISHED I PAID MORE ATTENTION TO WHO WAS IN THAT CLASS. I MEAN I KNOW I’VE SEEN YOU BUT TELL ME SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE YOU STAND OUT TO ME.
AS FAR AS HOW MY NAME WAS CHOOSEN—WELL, MY MOM HAD ME AND LEFT RIGHT AFTER ON DEPLOYMENT. I ACTUALLY DIDN’T HAVE A NAME SO MY GRAND-MIMI NAMED ME RHEA AS IT WAS THE MOTHER OF THE GODS. SHE THOUGHT IT WOULD GIVE ME A FOOT-UP SOMEHOW. YOU KNOW, HAVING SUCH A STRONG NAME. WHICH THEN IRONICALLY SHE CONTRASTED WITH VELVET—SOMETHING SOFT. SO, BASICALLY I AM YOUR ALL AMERICAN OXIMORON. HAHA.
WHAT ELSE? WELL, I AM FROM ISREILI DESCENT. MY PARENTS WERE BORN IN NY AND I WAS BORN IN CALI. ON A NAVAL BASE. MY MOM HAD MET MY DAD OVER SEAS IN BAHARAIN, AND HE DIED ON A SPECIAL OPS MISSION. IT WAS SO COVERT THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY NO RECORD OF IT. ALL I HAVE AS PROOF OF MY DAD IS A FEW PICS AND
LETTERS HE SENT TO MY MOM WHEN THEY WERE APART. I CAN TELL YOU THIS THOUGH, WHAT THEY HAD…WELL, IT’S EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. IT WAS PASSIONATE, INTENSE, AND A VERY REAL AND SUPPORTIVE LOVE.
UGGHHH! I CANNOT BELIEVE I AM TELLING YOU ALL OF THIS! HIT ME UP.
~RHEA~
I hit send before I lost my courage. It took a lot from me to trust someone I barely knew with the intimate details of my past. A past that I guarded so strongly because I didn’t want it tainted in any way. I loved my parents and feel cheated that I’d lost both of them to their duty for their country. What about their duty to me?
My attention was drawn from my reverie to the classroom. Voices were speaking in hushed and nervous bursts.
“It doesn’t matter why they split us up. What matters is that they did.” A scared female spoke in a worried voice. “Before they blindfolded us, did anyone see their faces or how many of them there were?”
“I’m pretty sure there were like ten of them. We were rounded up by a crew of five, then we were taken down to the first floor where there were two others and then those three who seemed to always fight came in. Did you see that big guy they called Spider? He’s like a genetically modified beast.”
That got a good amount of chuckles from the group.
It was good to hear that they still had the ability to laugh
after what they’d been through. It was also good hearing some details about Spider.
“Hey, I have an idea!” The same girl spoke and her excitement had me on the edge of my seat. “We should take details seriously and each of us should be in charge of the details of one of our captors. That way we don’t have to remember everything, just the facts about our slimy gun wielding terrorist.”
“That’s a good idea Beth.”
There was a brief pause before she responded, “Thanks Ryan.”
I wondered if they had become friends out of necessity like Eli and I had, or if they were already friends before this. It wasn’t long before the tone of the conversation had turned more easy-going and at times through the rest of the hour it even came off as jovial. From what I could tell, there were at least twelve people in the room, maybe as many as twenty one or two, but it was hard to make out the differences in the voices.
At times throughout the hour I had even forgotten briefly what my role was; it was almost like I was a caged animal observing everyone at the zoo. I could go so far as to say that I even felt safe in my cage.
Chapter
-5 Hours
My phone vibrated and the home screen flashed on. The time blared 2:14.
Hickory Dickory Dock. The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck 2 and down it ran, Hickory Dickory Dock. Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Tick Tock…
I seriously felt like I was staring at the clock, just watching the minutes and hours flip by.
A blinking blue light.
Oh Yay! I seriously had to work on being less sarcastic. I heard the classroom door bang open and heavy boots stomped their way up the stairs to where I assumed the hostages were tied up.
Were they even tied up?
“Okay fuckers! Which one of you didn’t give up your phones?” I recognized Mercy’s voice, and boy was he pissed. “I gave explicit instructions on what it would take for you to stay alive!” I heard a desk fly down the stairs. “Okay, maybe you’ll talk?” I heard a female whimper…then a sharp cry. “Oh. Poor baby, did that hurt? How about if I give you over to Spider to talk?”
“NO! NO! What do you want to know?” The scared girl somehow managed to squeak out a nervous response that hinged on terror.
“Crush, get over here and hold this bitch for Spider.”
I heard what sounded like someone making their way through the hostages, there were grunts, ‘Ows’, and numerous cries like someone was purposely punishing those he came in contact with.
“Hey, Mercy—what color bra do you think this sexy mamacita is wearing?” There were crude laughs from two
men, which I could easily assume came from Mercy and Crush.
“Hey, Spider-man, let’s take bets? What do you say…” It sounded like the voice of reason, Crush, but then why would he do something so careless? “Well, how about we take bets from everyone and…”
“Yeah! Damn fine idea fucker. I’ve got it; the winners get to keep their clothes on and the L-L-Losers get to meet with mine and Mercy’s hands?” Spider let out a sinister wolf howl while the other two men laughed.
“I’ll talk, I’ll talk! I told you that I’d talk. What do you want to know?”
“Fuck, Mercy—what did you ask her? Do you even give a shit? I don’t know about you but I’d much rather see some tits.”
God that laugh was getting so annoying. I cannot stand that guy!
“Knock it off, Spider
. If she’s willing to talk then get the info from her. Stay focused on the main objective. Any straying from the main plan, and shit’s gonna hit the fan.”
“Right, Boss.” He redirected his attention to the girl. “Okay little mamacita, what’s your name?” He laughed lewdly.
“E-E-Elizabeth.”
“Eh. Eh. Eh…stupid fucking stutter. What are you Auh. Auh. Auh-fraid?” It sounded like that got a laugh out of Crush as well with his snide mockery.
“I swear, Spider, if you don’t get the answer’s I need and quit fucking around, you’ll be downstairs and I’ll bring Jester up here.” I could hear some mumbling—boy Spider is a real pain-in-the-ass.
“So, Beth,” it was Crush that spoke up. “Please just give Mercy the answers that he wants. He wants to know
who has a phone, or a tablet, or any device that can connect with the police.”
“Fuck, Crush—now they know that police were contacted. Nice job!” Spider bit out the angry riposte.
“Both of you—ENOUGH!” I heard Mercy dole out a smack to someone and a couple of hostages cried out— clearly afraid. “I’ll do this myself.”
I heard the hefty fall of his heavy boots on the wooden floor, stopping before someone who was whimpering.
“Hey, you don’t have to be a bully—let go of her hair. She already said that she’d cooperate with you.” A shrill female voice piped up.
“Spider, Crush—take her downstairs.” That’s all it took and she was removed. Evidently Mercy showed no mercy, and didn’t take to well to any hostages showing dissention. The classroom door slammed open, banging on the wall and closed softly behind the two men who’d left with the poor girl.
“Alright love, now that we’re alone, I need some details…the kind that I know you have and aren’t very forthcoming with.” There was a slight shuffle; I figured it came from the girl Beth.
“Sir,…”
“Call me, Mercy.”
“Mercy, I can speak for everyone in this group. You put me in charge with Ryan to collect everything. We did and turned them all in to you. Really there’s nothing.”
“Bullshit!” He immediately got on a walkie-talkie
and called Jester to come up. “Here’s how this is going to go. If I don’t get the truth from you guys before Jester gets up here in the next minute, then he’s going to strip search you—then cavity search you. Is that understood?” The
seconds tick-tocked by until the door down in front of the classroom.
“What’s up, Mercy?” It was a new voice—a nasally drawl that sounded backwoods-ish.
“Strip them down. If you don’t find any devices, cavity search them. I’ll be back.”
Mercy’s heavy footsteps sounded less severe the farther from the vent he got. Then he left. The hostages were left alone with this ‘hick’ Mercy called Jester. My stomach tightened as I began listening to that asshole Jester have the men and women undress—completely. I couldn’t listen to the sobs and cries anymore and averted my attention to my newest emails.
SUBJECT: I’M WORRIED ABOUT U AND DON’T WANT 2 FIGHT
TO:
RheaVelvetKenzee@pacificlakescommunityc ollege.us.net
FROM:
EmmoryVanessaJane@pacificlakescommunit ycollege.us.net
RHEA,
PLEASE LET’S NOT FIGHT. I WAS WRONG, REALLY WRONG. I CAN’T SAY SORRY ENOUGH, BUT I HATE TO EVEN THINK…WHAT IF WE’RE FIGHTING AND YOU DON’T MAKE IT. I COULDN’T LIVE WITH MYSELF. PLEASE FORGIVE ME AND LET’S CONTINUE TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER.
*EMM
I sighed and opened the next in line; also from Emmory.
SUBJECT: TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK
TO:
RheaVelvetKenzee@pacificlakescommunityc ollege.us.net
FROM:
EmmoryVanessaJane@pacificlakescommunit ycollege.us.net
RHEA,
I HAVE THIS STUFF JUST KIND OF FLOATING AROUND IN MY HEAD. YOU’RE MY FAVORITE CRITIC. LMK
The morning was full of beauty. The sky a rainbow hue.
The rain had stained the pavement, but I’d just no effin’ clue.
I was full of selfish joy, the narcissistic kind.
I’d punched you in the gut, but I’d just no effin’ clue.
….no clue my love that you’re dealing with a storm.
…no clue my love that you’d be fighting for your life.
…no clue my love that you were my bestest of friends,
until a shot rang out…rang out…staining my selfish heart.
FAR…<3
WELL, THAT’S WHAT I HAVE SO
*EMM
I rolled my neck trying to ease the tension, a silent stream of tears made their way down my cheek. I have such good friends—after all, wouldn’t I have responded in a similar way if Emm had sent me a message like the one that I’d sent her? And those lyrics! She has mad talent and I’d be a fool to throw her away…like she did me.
I sat in the tight, dark, suffocating air duct and had myself a good cry. I tried to be quiet, but I cannot say for sure that I was. I allowed myself to feel everything that had happened to me so far, and more importantly…everything that was happening to the poor souls outside my vent. I cried and silently cursed that bastard Jester and the man who had joined him not long after Mercy had left, the two of them violated the hostages with brute force and wandering hands, screams and cries assaulting my ears. I hugged my knees tightly and gently rocked myself…desperately trying to comfort myself.
Chapter
-4 Hours
It seemed like the horror on the other side of my vent had been going on forever, but when I checked my phone it only read 3:10.
Six hours? Has it really only been six fucking hours?
Dear God, please help me stay strong. Lord, please help those in the other rooms stay strong. Please…
I carefully shifted my weight from one butt cheek to the other, shifting my hips ever so slightly so as not to make
a single noise, trying to get the blood flow back into my legs. The men on the other side of the wall must have left the classroom seeing as how now the ‘others’ had gone quiet. If
I strained my ears with all my might I could catch a couple of voices whispering in panicked and scared rushes. I listened for just a minute before the shear effort of trying to decipher the cryptic syllables I heard took their toll on me and the threat of a headache precariously teetered.
I rolled my neck in gentle circles trying ever so silently to get a good stretch in while I still had the chance. I bent the slightest forward before my shoulders caught on either side of the duct. I loosely and ever so slightly jounced my knees, trying just to get the lactic acid to flow out of my weary muscles. I’m getting dehydrated, I need water. I thought, panic rearing its ugly head again. My legs were starting to cramp up from being cooped up in such a small space.
What I wouldn’t give to be outside running in the rain! Screw running and it could even be sunny and hot just so long as I made it back outside…again…someday.
I angrily swiped at a traitorous tear that snuck its way down my sweaty and dust-smeared cheek. I shrugged my shoulders trying to relieve the onslaught of tension my
thoughts had caused, the terror of the last hour had caused, and focused on opening and closing my fingers into tight fists and then stretching them open until they hurt. It had been a couple of hours that I had been too afraid to take a deep breath, or make a sound let alone move. My eyes were adjusting to the lack of light coming through the filter.
They must have turned the lights off this time?
I was struggling trying to keep what was going on in my head and the terror that was happening all around me compartmentalized. I had to keep a grip on reality.
You’ve just got to hang on Rhea. Stay strong. You can do this.
My phone vibrated, and I decided focusing on emails would snap me from my dreary state and help me redirect my attention toward the positives.
SUBJECT: SO, HOW GOES I
T? TO:
RheaVelvetKenzee@pacificlakescommunityc ollege.us.net
FROM:
IsaacJoesephMatthews@pacificlakescommun itycollege.us.net
RHEA,
OKAY, I’VE BEEN THINKING…AS ONE TENDS TO DO IN A SITUATION WHERE ONE IS STUCK ALONE WITH ONE’S SELF FOR SIX HOURS AND COUNTING…
WHAT I CAME UP WITH WAS…THAT I WOULD KICK MYSELF IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO YOU
OR MYSELF WITHOUT ME TELLING YOU HOW IT IS.
SO, HERE IT GOES…
BUT, BEFORE I DO…YOU ARE GETTING AN ‘A’ IN THIS CLASS FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN THE TREMENDOUS EFFORT THAT YOU PUT INTO YOUR PROJECTS, THE SINCERE VOICE THAT YOU USE DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS, AND YOUR TALENT. SUFFICES TO SAY THAT YOU ARE CUT OUT FOR THE ADVERTISING WORLD.
THERE.
NOW, WHERE I WAS HEADED… RHEA, WE HAVE BEEN
CONFINED BY THE PARAMETERS OF OUR STUDENT/TEACHER RELATIONSHIP FOR THE PAST TWO…PERHAPS CLOSER TO THREE YEARS. I HAVE WATCHED YOU GROW AS A STUDENT AND A TALENTED COPYWRITER, AS I GREW MYSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR AND PERSON. YOUR TIME IS NEARLY UP HERE AT PLCC. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS? WHERE ARE YOU GOING FROM HERE?
I GUESS WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS…
I LIKE YOU. A LOT.
