by Nyxie Marrs
Obviously now isn’t the time to fight him. As soon as we pass James I kick my legs up, landing my foot under his chin and forcing his head back into the wall. He goes down. I wondered if Paul here would let me take James out. He seems to not care that I’m making this a fair fight. Like he thinks that’s a win for him.
“You bitch.” James says under his breath.
It doesn’t satisfy me. Paul doesn’t move us away, he stands here not caring what I do. I thrust my heel into James’ throat, slamming his head against the floor with as much pressure as I can place against him. Paul laughs and keeps me here, watching me, hell, letting me kill James with little effort. Given their attitude towards each other, I figured Paul wouldn’t mind. He probably would have done it himself. He doesn’t realize he’s next.
When there’s no more quiver in James chest, Paul moves us further into the house. No. Where is he taking me? I thought I’d battle it out right here. Downstairs. He grips my arms tighter like he knows I’m about to escape. I kick my legs and push against every object in my way. Shit, it’s not working. I relax every muscle in my body trying to make this harder for him as he pulls me upstairs. He continues to restrain my arms with the tightest grip I’ve ever felt.
Chapter 51
Talia
“I don’t hear anything.” Elara whispers to the women in here.
“Should we go? Obviously this one isn’t getting up.” I say as I open the door to my cell and nudge him with my foot.
“Let’s do it.” Elara steps outside our hell. “Does anyone need help? Because we need to go. Now.” She sounds a lot stronger than she has before. Seeing her sister must have ignited her. Vega's confidence and strength got to me too. Watching her take out this man definitely put hope back in my heart.
The eight of us who are in here tiptoe out of our jail. “Oh.” I say as I grab a cloth and tie up this man for my own peace of mind, then walk out the front door with the rest.
The fresh air pains my lungs, I can’t get enough in. The crisp smell of the trees, the dirt, even the cold has a smell and I’m enjoying it. The first fresh breeze I’ve felt on my face in a long time only makes tears drip from my eyes. I never thought I’d see this world again. Thanks to Vega, we can live.
Once we’re in the trees, I look back to see Elara hesitate to move forward and away from that hell. I place my hand on her trembling shoulders. We all need to move forward.
“We have to find those detectives.”
She sniffles and nods as tears fall down her face. “I feel like I’m leaving her here to die. You heard her speech. No one says those things unless they’re about to die.” The shiver in her body worsens. At first I thought the fresh, cold air was chilling her, but it’s the thought of her sister trying to fend off that last man that’s making her shakes occur. Her stare is distant as she watches the house, I’m sure hoping Vega will be right behind us.
“Elara. The sooner we find those detectives, the better.” I know that’s true, but we don’t even know where we are right now. Or if anyone else knows where we are. It could be hours or days until someone finds us.
I get a shaky nod from her as we walk to catch up to the others. I can see a few of the women shiver from the cold, but we all move as fast as we can. Their frail bodies swiftly move further away from that dungeon of death. I hold on to Elara. I don’t want her to turn back, I know she wants to. Part of me does too. I also feel like we’re leaving Vega there to die, but we need help.
Chapter 52
Miles
After talking to Red, he’s right. I should wait for them. I pull over on the side of the road a little ways away from where I need to be. This waiting is killing me, I really want to get in there as fast as I can. It’s beyond dark out here and I can barely see down the road. This is the perfect time to move in without being seen. I stand outside my car so the second Red gets here, I’m running in.
The moment I saw that woman’s body at the crime scene, it tore my heart out. She looked a lot like Vega, and my mind shut off. I’m surprised at how strong Anya held it together, also shocked she let Red tag along with me. What’s taking them so damn long? I run my hand through my hair as I take in deep breaths.
A few more minutes go by and I hear twigs break behind me, and slightly further down the road. Shit, did they find me? Do they know I’m here? I draw my gun and prepare to be ambushed. There’s no way in hell someone’s going to sneak up on me.
I take a look around and head towards the noise. This isn’t going to happen. I hide behind a tree as I hear the movement close in. When a person passes by me I put my hand out, grazing the bony body walking by. A woman screams with terror as loud as she can as she turns around from my touch, then falls to the ground.
“Miss, miss. No. No. No. I’m sorry. I’m a detective.” I holster my gun and pull out my badge, like she can see it through this darkness.
I touch her arm trying to help her up, and her body shakes. Her thin arm pulls away from me and she curls into a ball on the ground. I hear a few more cautious step approach. Fucking Vega, she did it. A sense of pride fills me, and a feeling of ease knowing everyone escaped relaxes me. Now we can focus on catching the men responsible.
“Who are you?” A weak voice came from behind me. I stand up to meet a woman a foot in front of me who looks a lot like Vega.
“Elara?” Hell, I’m surprised. She takes a step back into the shadows and out of arms reach.
“Who?” Of course I can understand her skepticism. Another woman stands behind her.
“How many are there? I’ll call for an ambulance. Where’s Vega?” I look around, but I only see a few more thin bodies gather around as I call Red.
“She freed us. Sacrificing herself.” Elara says through sobs.
“Red.” He answers his phone. My mind can’t comprehend what I just heard.
“What do you mean she sacrificed herself?” I ask these women.
“Miles? Who are you talking to?” There’s an urgency in his voice. After hearing those words. I’m sure he can put it together.
“Red. We need a lot of emergency medical attention. There’s.” I pause and get a rough count. “Maybe eight women. They will be at my car. How far are you?”
“Who? Miles, what the hell’s going on?”
“I’m going in for her. I’ve got to save her, Red. I’m having the women stay by my car. Make sure the ambulance comes in quiet. I can’t alert those men.” I hang up and I put my hand on Elara. “Where is she?”
“She aggravated him. In order to let us escape. Last we saw, he dragged her upstairs.” The woman next to her replies as Elara’s body shakes harder.
“I’m detective Miles Castor. I hate to do this, but I’m going to leave. My car is right down the road. I have to save her.” I hand Elara my keys, and head in the direction these women came from.
Vega is too damn unpredictable. She saved those women at her expense. I rush my steps as quietly as I can until I come upon a house. It feels like hours, but it’s only been minutes since I started my way here. There’s the car. I’m at the right place this time.
I prowl to the window and peer in, but I don’t see her. I don’t even hear her, my heart quickens. There are no movements through these windows. I do see two bodies on the floor. That’s my girl.
“You bastard.” I hear weakly come from upstairs through tears. That’s Vega. What is he doing to her?
“You’ll regret that bitch!” He screams. At least she’s fighting.
I get inside, taking cautious steps as I hear a few creaks under my feet and quickly check both the bodies, I don’t need any surprises. Both of these men are gone, good girl. I make my way to the stairs and very slowly climb up. I pray the wood under my feet won’t make a noise of any sort with each step I take. I let out a shaky breath as I reach the second story. Worry is pushing through my body so much that I can’t take in a full breath.
I hear a few slaps, a couple of grunts, and a huge slam making the walls shake. At f
irst I thought she was kicking ass, but those grunts of pain are hers. My blood runs cold and I hurry my steps to the end of the hall, just in time to see him kick her as she leans limp against the bed.
I can’t stop on what appears went on in here, all I see is my mystery woman in trouble. I raise my gun while his back is turned.
“Hey.” I growl. He turns to me with his hand raised, ready to strike her again. The second we make eye contact, I fire off three rounds into his chest. It doesn’t satisfy me, but he falls onto his face and blood begins to pool.
I rush to Vega and look her over. Her clothes are torn off, she has a lot of cuts, and scrapes. A rope is tightened so tight around one hand her fingers are turning purple. The other has deep rope burns and numerous shallow and deep cuts cover her skin.
“Hey. Vega?” I quietly say as I run my hand over her matted hair. Pushing her hair away from her face and taking in her wounds. There’s bruising already forming and more blood streaks across her face and through her hair. How long was she fighting this man? She doesn’t move as I run my hand over her head as her limp body leans against the bed.
“Vega, hey.” Nothing. No movement, no sounds, no sign of consciousness comes from her. I check her pulse, it’s weak, but there. I wrap my jacket over her, push her into me, and call Red.
“You get the women safe?” I’m trying to keep my voice steady and strong. I can’t have her hear my worry.
“We’re waiting on the EMT's to show up, we can only do so much. It’s going to be a while given how far out we are. You find her?”
“Yeah, Red. I found her.” I’m near tears as I cradle her. I can’t break down right now, she needs me to remain strong.
“Miles?” Yeah, I’d be concerned about my tone and response too.
“She needs immediate medical attention. She’s not responding, and I don’t feel comfortable enough to move her out of here.” I wrap my arm around her, holding her as tight as I can. “She’s cold, Red. I can’t do much to help her right now.”
“First one to show up I’m sending them there.” I know those other women need help too, but I’m glad he’s taking her condition seriously.
“Take care of the rest too. Keep them warm. Vega took out two men, I took care of the last one.”
I hang up and wrap my arms around her, bringing her against my body, trying my best to keep her warm. “Vega. What did I say about being unpredictable? Damnit. It scares the hell out of me.” A few tears escape me. “Elara and the others are safe now. You did it.” I kiss the top of her head as her limp body rests on me and her chest barely rises, fluttering with each inhale and exhale.
It must have been an hour until the ambulance shows up. I've held my fingers on her pulse the entire time we wait. I watch her barely take in oxygen as I hold her. I’m helpless. I can’t do a damn thing to help her. I’m not letting her out of my sight.
***
Red and Anya sit next to me in the waiting room as I anxiously watch those bay doors remain still. Willing a damn doctor to burst through and tell me she’s fine, that I can take her home.
“Miles?” Anya asks sweetly as she grabs my hand, breaking my concentration. “She’ll be fine. She’s tough.” She says as tears brim her eyes. Red rubs her arm, being very cautious about his action. Anya has been jumpy to say the least, all Red can do is assure her she’s safe now. I’m surprised she’s not concerned about his touch with how she’s nervously checking her environment every few minutes. Like someone is going to jump out and grab her. That fearful look makes me worry more for Vega. Thinking about what she had done to save those women.
I nod at her statement. It’s no secret how strong Vega is. Which is why seeing her unconscious and limp body back there made me think the worst. Seeing that strong woman unresponsive is the worst thing I’ve seen in my life.
It’s the only response I can do until I see a doctor rush into the waiting room looking around. I jump out of my chair and met him in a second. I need information.
“You wanted to know when Elara Carson was stable. She’ll be in here, all of them actually, for a minimum a week to recover. A few of the women are in extremely bad shape. But you can talk to her.” Damnit, I was hoping he’d have information on Vega. We’ve spoken to a few of the women already, and I didn’t like what I heard from each one of them.
“How’s Vega Carson?” I ask as he turns away. He stops at my question before he could take a step towards those doors, but his shoulders tighten up to his ears. Turning his body just enough to look at me. His rigid stance worries me more.
“She’s not my patient. She’s with another doctor.” I look to Red who nods as I go meet Elara officially, and he gets started on the last few women for their statements.
I knock on the door and she weakly answers.
“Hi, Elara. How are you feeling?” I say as calmly as I can. Her thin, frail body made me question how she had the strength to walk out of there, and she isn’t the worst one.
“Better. I’m sure you can imagine.” Her weak voice barely makes a sound, and she’s keeping her eye contact minimal. “Have you heard about Vega? These people in here won’t tell me a damn thing.” There’s a small strength peeking through that unsure voice. Then her expression turns into the saddest I’ve seen. Her teary eyes focus on me and a tremble takes her body. “Did she get away?” That soft voice on the edge of tears nearly makes me crumble too.
I nod. I try to find the words to say, but there’s no way in hell I’m explaining to her the condition her sister was in. She can’t hear that right now. I can’t say anything until I know more.
“Well?” A small glimpse of strength came out behind her small aggressive word.
Elara looks kind of like Vega and definitely has some attitude. “I’ve asked, they haven’t told me either.”
She scoffs. “I figured since you’re a detective looking into this, they’d let you know faster than they’d tell me.” She looks around the room and to the door like she’s expecting the doctor to come in here any second and let her know how Vega is. Damn, do I want that to happen too.
“You’re a lot like her.” I can’t help but think about Vega and her brash attitude. Or the way she questioned me on everything. How she refused to listen and did her own thing no matter what. Then that very same attitude fading, and near lifeless as I held her at that crime scene. I can’t tell Elara how bad of a situation she was in when I found her. I can’t.
“Okay.” That skepticism definitely makes me worry. “So who are you to her? I see that look on your face. Did my sister get a boyfriend while I was tortured?” Is that an attempt at a joke? She didn’t sound too serious, but I can’t think clearly right now.
Straight to it, it is. “I have no idea who I am to her, but I’ve been taking care of her since I found her and her risky under cover, rogue plans.”
“Uh. No. No one takes care of Vega. If anything, Vega takes care of others, and not nicely.” A small chuckle emerges.
“You know, she said that same thing. While she stayed at my house after she was drugged at a bar. My status with her is only something she can answer. I’ll let you know when the doctors give me an update. You should rest.” I pat her arm. She captures my wrist before I can pull away.
“Vega mentioned someone named Anya? Said she’s a friend? Said if anything happened, I should talk to this Anya.” Her voice lost her strength. A sadness pushes through as she seems lost in her thoughts.
“She is here. With Red. You want to talk to her?” She nods and I leave to get Anya in there. It must have been important if Elara is willing to meet a woman Vega briefly mentioned.
What the hell kind of talk did Vega have with these women? All of them Red and I have spoken to made it sound like Vega didn’t plan on making it out of there. I am going to have a serious talk with Vega.
I’ve been back in the waiting room with Red for a few hours. There’s been several attempts at a conversation, but with my short answers, there isn’t one to b
e had. It’s straining my thoughts the longer I wait. The more her seemingly lifeless body flashes in my mind. The misery I’m going through and heartache settles deep within me, hitting me more with each passing moment. When I look up from my depressive thoughts, a doctor comes out.
“Mr. Castor?” I nod and stand up. “Ms. Carson had some internal bleeding. We had to perform emergency surgery to stop the rupture.” My heart sinks even more and I want to kill that man all over again for harming her. I need to go in there and wrap her in my arms, make everything better for her right now.
“She’s stable now. Has a few cracked ribs, deep bruising as you can imagine. We found a small amount of bleeding on her brain, so we’ll have to monitor her for a while. Unfortunately she’s in a coma at the moment. We have to wait for her to wake up so we can get a further assessment. You can see her as soon as we get her settled into a room.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll be interviewing a witness. Elara Carson. I’ll be in there if you could let me know what room she’s put in. Thank you.” It’s been the only way I can go in and see Elara. Most of the time when I’ve checked on her, she was resting. Now I’ve got to explain to her what kind of condition Vega is left in.
“Miles.” A deep voice grabs my attention. Dante comes out of a room I pass by. I hadn’t spoken to him. I basically ignored him while everything happened. Of course, he was also busy with his sister and helping the other women.
“Yeah?” I say with irritation as I stop and glance down the hallway. I’m anxious to see Elara right now, I don’t need to be held up.
“Katie told me what happened. What Vega did. How is she?” What do I say? We’re in the damn hospital, no one in here is okay.
“She’s, uh. Not good, Dante. Not good. I’ve got to tell her sister how not good of a condition Vega is in.” I try to keep my answer as brief as possible, I need to see Elara and then wait for Vega.
