Caged (Caged series Book 1)

by Destiny Hawkins

  I took a deep breath, almost getting angry from telling him no more than once, “I’m fine on my own, Cameron,” I grabbed onto the strap of my book bag and was about to turn around when Cameron grabbed my arm.

  “What’s going on with you?” he asked.

  I stared down at his hand gripping my arm and almost hit him, but instead I just jerked away, “Nothing. Stop asking that, man.”

  “Yes, it is something wrong with you,” he was showing me anger for the first time, “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but ever since you and Lorena stopped talking, you’ve been acting like a dick to everyone! I at least thought if you weren’t talking to her you’d maybe…”

  “What? Talk to you?”

  Cameron calmed down as if he were somewhat hurt, “Yeah, Rose. Talk to me. The guy who has had your back since you got here, the one who’s been trying to get your attention. Me, but you’re blocking me out too, huh?”

  Even though I felt bad, I had to keep up my act, or else I’d get soft, “I’m sorry man. You’re just a really good teammate. I don’t see you as anything else.”

  Cameron nodded his head while biting his lip, and turned around to walk away. I stood there and watched him walk through the exit of the school and thought to myself that this was for the best.

  Abigale was the only one of the three that wasn’t so pushy to get through to me. She would text every now and then to check up, or help with work for our homeroom class, but that was it. Abigale understood when someone wanted to be left alone, and didn’t press the matter.

  Miss Shy, on the other hand, had been watching me closely. It reminded me of the time when I first arrived at Wintry High, and she would watch me like I was some sort of lab rat. I thought that she was just like all of the other counselors that I had, but she proved to be different. She was kind, and actually cared about me. That was why I had to cut her out just like the rest. Once I stopped going to our daily sessions, she would start having security search the school for me. I knew that my current behavior had been worrying her, so now she would try and force me to see her. Even when the security did find me, I still didn’t talk to her. She would sit and wait for something, and one time, she even snapped at me. When she realized that I still wasn’t giving in, she sent me out after reminding me that this attitude would make me lose it all, but I already knew that. That’s what I’ve been trying to do....lose it all, and be alone.

  I sighed and sat up while thinking back to when I first arrived at Wintry High. My goal was to blend in, and start over. I wanted a second chance at life, and to leave everything behind, but I guess I can’t get everything that I want. I don’t think I ever really got what I wanted...

  My door cracked open and Shannon stepped half way inside my room. “Hey.”

  I just looked over at her, and almost felt guilty for the way I’ve been treating her, but then I remembered all those times I was left hungry or alone, and the guilt faded. “What?”

  “Your counselor called me, Miss Shy? What’s going on with you honey?”

  “None of your damn business, Shannon,” I sighed and turned away because I didn’t want to see another sad face.

  “I just don’t understand,” her voice cracked, “I thought we were okay? I thought things were getting better, Rose.”

  “They aren’t, and we aren’t okay. Get out,” I said, still not looking at her.

  “No!” Shannon stepped all the way into my room. “Tell me what’s going on with you! You wanted a clean start and you had it, now you just want to throw all that away? Your grades, your friends, me-”

  I grunted and got to my feet, “You!? How could I push you away, if we were never close, Shannon?! What’s wrong with me is not yours or anyone else’s business! I don’t give a damn about a fresh start,” I started walking towards her. “I don’t give a damn about some stupid grades, wrestling, my friends, or you!” I stood in front of her breathing heavily, “Now get out.” I don’t know if she got tougher, or if I just got weaker, but she wasn’t afraid like she used to be. She stood with her chin held high and looked me in the eyes.

  I felt as if I was losing this battle and yelled at the top of my lungs, “Get out!” But she still didn’t budge. I looked down, trying to hide my tears, feeling weaker than what I already was. How would I ever be able to face Arnold after letting myself break like this?

  For a moment, all I wanted to do was let go and cry on my aunt’s shoulder, but instead, I rushed past her and left the house. She didn’t follow me, and I was glad that she didn’t, or else I would have fallen apart.

  After walking for about fifteen minutes, I found myself cold and alone, and wondered if this is how it would be for the rest of my life. I hoped that one day this would all end, and I would find myself with new problems that could be easily solved. Problems that were just challenging enough, but nothing compared to what I’m dealing with right now. I pray that I could be normal one day, if not now.

  I walked on the back streets a little while longer when I saw the park me and Lorena walked on once before. We were attacked by a thief that day, and Lorena took him out with a rock to the head.

  I waited for a few cars to pass before I crossed the street and then started to take a walk. I shivered in the cold and began to jog, to build up some body heat. Wrestling season was almost over and I would finally be done with all this training. For once, I really didn’t want to wrestle because it was too hard to focus on that kind of thing right now.

  Halfway around the trail, I slowed down to catch my breath. Once I crossed this street coming up, I was going to start jogging again and go home, but my plans changed when a car with bright headlights zoomed around the corner and almost hit me. Luckily I jumped out of the way in time, but when I fell I hit my head on the curb and became dizzy. I didn’t feel the throbbing in my head until the ringing in my ears stopped.

  I rolled onto my back and looked up at the little stars in the night sky, but then they were darkened by a tall shadow, “Arn....old?” Something cold and sharp rested against my neck and I was confused about what it was until I felt a sting on my skin.

  For a second I saw Jessie’s face, but then it went dark again. One minute I would see her, and the next it would just be darkness. I guess that was just an effect of hitting my head.

  Jessie was breathing hard over me, and I could feel her hand shaking. She was debating on whether she should kill me or not, and I knew that this was the perfect chance to try and get away from her, but it was too hard to move.

  “You should pay,” she whispered. A second later she pulled the knife away and slammed it into my leg. I let out a loud scream, and grabbed the area around my wound. At the moment, the only thing I could do was cry, but slowly, I was falling out of consciousness.

  “This isn’t enough,” Jessie’s voice shook. She ripped the knife from my leg, “I should kill you.”

  “Then...do it...” I opened my eyes just enough to see the confused look on her face. I was waiting on her to end my ongoing pain and send me to hell, but she didn’t. I don’t know what she did next because a second later my vision was gone and there was nothing but darkness.

  * * *

  "You get out there and win me another fight alright kid?" Arnold said.

  "Yes, sir."

  Arnold opened the door and all the cheers hit me at once. I walked down the aisle with Arnold behind me, and then onto the open floor. Across from me was another girl my size. She wore the same look that I had on my face. It was a look of determination. If she did well, then maybe she would be allowed to go home. Win enough fights, and you get your freedom.

  A tall man in a black shirt stood next to us with his hand in between our bodies, “Fight!!” he lifted his hand and we attacked.

  The fight ended with me being pulled away from the girl after I wrapped my hands around her throat. I was going to kill her, just like Arnold wanted me to. He wanted me to eliminate the competition, so that it would be easier for me to get to the top. I was alrea
dy well known by many, and popular with the other fighters because I’ve been undefeated for a while, which made me and my owner rich.

  I looked down at the girl’s pale face and for a second thought that she was Winee, causing me to fall back on my bottom. The girl’s owner that ripped me away picked up his girl and rushed her out of the arena.

  I was pulled to my feet by the man in the black shirt and was announced the winner, but I really felt like I was the one who lost. Arnold was not happy about my win, because I didn’t get the job done. I didn’t kill her like I was supposed to, which means that I may be fighting her again. I didn’t eliminate the competition.

  I looked from him and to the crowd that was cheering for me. They were all happy about my win, because most of their bets were on me. Once again, I had made the audience happy, all except for one.

  A dark skinned girl, not that far away from Arnold, was glaring down at me. She looked as if she wanted to jump into the arena and kill me for what I have done, but she didn’t. I guess she was my opponent’s friend, because usually, the other fighters don’t care about what happens to the loser.

  After I was announced the winner, Arnold took me to one of the back rooms to unwrapped my hands and get me changed. He ripped at the wraps angrily, yanking my sore arms over and over, but I didn’t complain. I don’t think he was that angry, because I still won the fight and his money, I just didn’t get rid of the girl like he wanted me to.

  “I’m sorry,” I said looking down. Arnold lightened up on his yanking and looked up at me, “I’ll do better next time.”

  Arnold sighed and gently unwrapped my hands, then he pulled out some clean clothes for me to put on, “I’m going to get my money and will be back to get you.”

  “Yes, sir,” I nodded and Arnold left the room. Arnold was careful about where he left me because anyone could steal me and make me theirs. A lot of the owners wished that I was their fighter because of my discipline and determination. I had to win as many fights as possible if I wanted to get away from Arnold, and now that Winee is gone, I want nothing more than to get away from all of this.

  I looked down at my scratches, and hoped that my opponent was okay. She looked incredibly pale, just like Winee did after I had killed her.

  There was a knock on the door and I opened it, thinking that it was Arnold, but instead it was the dark skinned girl from earlier.

  “Oh, hel-” The girl charged at me full force and sent me crashing down to the hard floor. She was a lot stronger than the last girl, and I couldn’t just push her off as easily, “What are you doing?!” I said as I blocked her ongoing punches, “Sto-” her fist smashed into my cheek, making me see small white dots everywhere.

  “Why didn’t you stop!?” She screamed.

  Fear that Arnold would come back and see me losing came to mind, and I got back into action. I regained my strength and pushed her off of me, then I got back to my feet and kicked her while she was down.

  “Stay down,” I said, while she was trying to get back up, “I said stay down!” I kicked her in her ribs again, but that didn’t stop her. She stood straight up and charged at me. I’ve seen her fight before and it was nothing like this. She wasn’t trying to prove her skill or strength to me, she was angry. I hurt her friend, someone close to her, like Winee was close to me, and like Fike and Cleo were close to each other. The ones that share the same pain, same hard work, and same loneliness tend to become the best of friends. They are almost inseparable because together they understand how one another feels.

  “I’m gonna kill you!” The girl screamed with tears in her eyes. She pulled out a small knife and came at me with it, swiping the air as I dodged her repeatedly. I eventually backed up out of the room and into the dim hallway where I was hoping Arnold would be walking down soon.

  “She’ll be okay!” I yelled, “They stopped the fight before I-”

  “She’s dead!” The girl cried, “You killed her! She’s dead.”

  I felt myself freeze up and I couldn’t move. I knew my goal was to take my opponent out permanently, but hearing the words...

  The girl slashed at my arm, but stopped when she realized that I wasn’t trying to move out of the way. When she came at me again, it went into my stomach and I fell back onto the wall.

  “Jessica!” I heard someone yelled. It wasn’t Arnold’s voice, but the owner that ran onto the arena from earlier.

  “Sir...I-” The man grabbed Jessica by her arm and looked down at me frowning. He had no intentions of saving me from bleeding to death.

  “We have to go, did anyone see you come back here?” He asked.

  “No, sir-”

  “Come on,” he yanked her away and down the hall. Jessica still looked back at me as if regretting what she had just done.

  I sat there, slouched on the floor against the wall with a knife sticking out of my belly, and thought of my parents. Maybe now that I was going to die, someone would come save me and take me away from here, but no....the person that saved my life was Arnold, and as soon as I recovered, he threw me right back into the ring.

  Chapter 30

  I woke up in the hospital the next morning. The first person I thought of was Jessie, and how she stabbed me. This wasn’t the first time that she’s done it, but the second, and it was all because I took someone important from her. Jessie acts the way that she does because of me and what I did, and I can fully understand why she hated me so much now.

  “You’re awake,” Abigale said. She sighed with relief.

  I turned to her and then looked around the room. “Where’s my aunt?”

  “Just left out to go to the restroom. She was here all night and never left your side. Guess when I showed up, she could finally relieve herself,” She chuckled.

  I couldn’t find the energy to laugh. “How did I get here?”

  “Someone was walking, and saw you passed out in the snow. They called the ambulance to come and pick you up. They were also kind enough to try and stop the bleeding in your leg.”

  The door opened and the doctor walked in, “Good, you’re up,” she said with a smile on her face, “How are you feeling?”

  I took a deep breath, “Fine, mostly. Is my leg okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s fine, actually. You didn’t lose that much blood because of a kind citizen, but you do have a bit of a concussion.”

  I sighed. The last thing I needed was to be feeling dizzy half the time when I already have so much to worry about. I needed my head to be intact.

  “So, no wrestling, no fighting, no training,” the doctor said, “You need to just relax until you are healed.”

  My Aunt walked in and rushed to me for a hug. I welcomed her into my arms, so glad that I could see her again. Jessie could have killed me last night, leaving my aunt all alone.

  “I’m sorry,” I said as she pulled away, “about what I said to you. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay baby, I know you just have a lot on your mind,” she smiled down at me with tears in her eyes, “I’m just sorry I didn’t make you stay in last night. I could have lost you, sweetie.”

  I gave a slight smile and then looked to the doctor, “So when can I leave?”

  “Well, today,” She looked towards the door and two men walked in. One familiar, and one a stranger, “these two men want to ask you a few questions, and then you can check out and be on your way. Just remember what I told you,”

  I nodded, “I got it.”

  The doctor nodded back and exited the room.

  “Rose, you’ve grown taller,” the older man with the grey beard said.

  “Detective Roy,” A big smile formed on my face. He was the cop that led me out of Arnold’s house the day that they found me. Every now and then he would check up on me when I was a kid, and once tried to send child services to take me away from my crack head aunt. Although she’s not like that anymore, I can still tell that Roy doesn’t like her.

  “This is Detective Carter,” Roy said, “Can we have a moment, young
lady?” He asked Abigale.

  “No problem, I actually have to go and talk to Cameron before he has a heart attack. He was worried about you when I told him.”

  “Well, let him know that I’m okay,” I said laughing.

  “Will do,” Abigale left the room.

  “Hello, Detective,” My aunt greeted. She liked Roy as much as he liked her. Not at all.

  “Shannon,” he nodded to her, then turned to me, “so, Rose, can you tell me what happened last night?”

  “Um...I was stabbed, sir,” I answered. I wasn’t sure if I should tell on Jessie, or take care of her myself. Giving her up would make my life so much easier with everything that has been going on, and I was in no position to run into another encounter with her. Plus, there was still the black car that I had to deal with, and I couldn’t be worrying about someone looking for revenge.

  “We can see that, but what happened?”

  “Well, my aunt and I got into an argument and I left the house. I walked to the park down the street and went jogging, and then Jessie-”

  “Jessie is the attacker’s name?” Detective Carter wrote in his notepad.

  “Yes. She tried to hit me with her car as I was crossing the street and I moved out of the way in time, but I fell and hit my head.”

  “And then?”

  “I was dizzy, but I could still see her face a little. She first- she put the knife to my neck, then she stabbed me in my leg.”

  “Did she say anything to you?” Roy asked.

  “Yeah. She said that it wasn’t enough.”

  “What wasn’t enough?”

  “Stabbing me in my leg, sir. She said that she should kill me.”

  Detective Roy sighed, “And her name is Jessie? Do you know her last name?”

  “No, but her real name is Jessica, she has dark skin with brown eyes, and long black hair. She goes to my school. My teachers would know who I’m talking about. Ask Miss Shy.”

  “I have her number,” My aunt pulled out some paper and wrote it down, then handed it to Detective Carter.