by K. T Fisher
He leads us into the clubhouse and to his room where he has his laptop set up. He clicks a few buttons then looks to me for the number. He types it in and the screen shows a large map, slowly zooming in closer every few moments.
I groan when I realize the area it’s closing in on isn’t the clubhouse, it’s somewhere further away. The dot keeps stopping then moving. Justice clicks some more buttons and opens up a Google earth image. It’s somewhere on the far side of Severed. It’s moving away from us all the time.
It can’t be. There’s no way Eve could have left the clubhouse, and she’s on lockdown for fucks sake! I call the gate and shout at Ice to get his arse in here now. He’s one of the guards on gate duty this afternoon.
I ask Teresa if she has Elle’s phone number and she shakes her head. “She can’t be on her way to Elle’s though,” she says. “Elle lives in the other direction.”
Justice is looking at his phone and starts clicking numbers on the first screen again. This time when the screen zooms in it’s on a static dot. A static dot in the same direction Eve is heading. What the fuck?
A few more clicks, and the Google earth image changes to show us the new location. It’s an old warehouse.
Shit.
My heart falls as I think my worst nightmare is about to come true. There’s no good reason for Elle to be in an abandoned warehouse that Eve is heading right towards. There’s only one explanation – Satan. I roar out, smashing the lamp from the desk in front of me. Teresa flinches. I look at them both, it’s obvious they haven’t quite worked it out yet, then Justice swears loudly as he realizes what he’s looking at.
“Oh shit, no!”
Teresa pales visibly. “Wh...What’s going on?” She stammers.
Justice explains to her what the screen is telling us. While he does that I get Ink on the phone and give him the address Justice has written down, arranging to meet him there. I hang up and dial Cowboy and relay the same message to him before hanging up.
Ice hurries into the room, we go through the visitors this afternoon but I’m none the wiser.
“The laundry truck.” Teresa’s voice is so quiet, I almost don’t hear her. I look at her, my confusion obvious on my face. “It’s the only vehicle she could have snuck out in. The timing is right as well.”
Shit. It’s really happening. For some reason Eve left the safety of the clubhouse. It’s got to be connected to Elle.
I ask Justice to keep monitoring both phones and to keep me updated, then ask Teresa to go fill in Prez and ask him to get a team out there to the warehouse as soon so he can. I can’t wait any longer, I’ve got to get out there now and find my woman.
Ice doesn’t know what’s going on but immediately states that he’s coming with me. He lets me know that if it’s anything to do with Eve he will do all he can. I thank my brother and we both head out to our bikes. Ice shouting at a few of the other guys to join us as we pass through the clubhouse. Prez will sort out the rest. I can’t wait for them though, I need to go now. I pause at the gun room on the way out, grabbing a couple of extras.
Hold on baby, I pray. This shit ends tonight.
If Satan’s there, he’s a dead man. Only one of us is going to come out of that warehouse alive.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Eve
The taxi drops me off at the end of the lane. He didn’t want me walking down here on my own but I assured him I’d be fine before he drove away.
I snicker to myself. Fine?
The last thing I am going to be tonight is fine. Pulling myself straighter I move down the lane. He obviously heard the car as he’s leaning nonchalantly against the open door, the light from the room behind framing his silhouette. The closer I get, the more his resemblance to Gabe hits me.
How can life be so cruel? It’s given me the man of my dreams, and yet that face will be the last one I see as my life drains away. I silently beg a god I’ve never believed in for help. If he can’t save me, and I doubt right now that anything, including God could, then I ask that it happen quickly.
The closer I get to the doorway, the more my steps falter.
When I’m almost within his reach, I see the shit eating grin Satan is wearing. I also notice that even though he and Gabe are identical, they’re very different too. Gabe doesn't have the evil look about his face or the permanent scowl ruining his features. Satan oozes evil. Gabe is a dangerous man when it comes to those he loves, but Satan doesn't care for anyone.
Satan's clothing is covered in blood, as if he's taken a shower in the stuff. Fuck, there’s so much of it. It’s spattered over his face and clothes. Please don’t let it be Elle’s.
He grabs me roughly by my arm, yanking me toward him. His fetid breath warm against my cheek. I cry out as he licks the side of my face. The sick fuck is lapping away at my tears and by the sounds of his growl he's fucking enjoying it. I try to force myself to stop crying. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction.
He drags me into the dimly lit room. My eyes dart around frantically, searching for Elle. There’s a body slumped on the floor over by one wall, but it looks lifeless. No! I can’t have sacrificed my life for hers in vain. He’s leading me over to where Elle lays. I see the chain. It’s thick, and the shackle on her wrist looks solid. No matter how much she struggles she won’t be able to get free. Her wrist looks small inside the shackle, but it’s bloodied and raw from where she’s fought against it. Her clothing is torn in places and dirty, but looks to be intact, her jeans still fastened. My eyes are taking it all in as Satan grabs another chain and shackle, securing me to the wall next to her. She’s not moved in the time it’s taken us to walk over here and chain me up. What have I done?
It becomes clear to me that even if Elle is still alive, and I hope to god she is, that she won't be released. Both of us are going to die in this dark and dirty place.
Satan laughs hysterically as he looks at me. Oh god, I think he’s lost it. He was dangerous before, but now he’s a madman. He moves back, admiring his new toy. That’s all I am to this monster, a shiny new toy to play with then destroy. I shouldn’t have come. I should have known he’d destroy Elle regardless of whether or not I showed up.
“Well, it's about fucking time, Eve. You’ve led me a merry chase I have to say. It’s going to be so sweet killing you.” He pulls his phone from his pocket. “I was going to have my fun with you then send your corpse back to lover boy, but it’s going to be so much more fun to get him here and let him watch while I fuck you every which way. I'm just dying to cut up that pretty cunt of yours”.
He laughs hysterically again. There’s a flash as the camera on his phone captures an image, then he taps away on his screen.
I realize I’ve really fucked up. Coming here was supposed to keep Gabe safe, it was supposed to free Elle. I’m the world’s biggest fool. Me coming here has put everyone in danger. How could I have been so fucking stupid?
“Make yourself comfortable Eve; it will take my dear brother at least an hour to get here.” He snickers loudly. “If he bothers to check his phone that is. Poor Beth held on for him you know. She was so strong; she put up a real fight.” He’s smiling at whatever sick memory he’s replaying. “Then she realized he wasn’t coming to save her and she lost all her fight. So disappointing.” He looks back to me, a greedy expression on his face. “You’ll fight me though, won’t you Eve?” He smiles.
If I fight, then this sick fuck wins. As much as I want to, I can’t fight back; I won’t give him that satisfaction. He will revel in my pain and struggle; I have to take what he gives me and not show too much emotion. The more I give him, the more pleasure he gets out of all this. But he’s sent for Gabe. As much as my death will destroy him, I can’t let him watch it. I have to do something now. Somehow, I have to taunt him into killing me before Gabe gets here. I rack my brain for anything I can use against him. I have no weapons, I’m chained to this wall for fuck sake, and the only tool I have left is words. I need to use them cleverly if this is
going to work. But how?
Elle moans, stirring at the side of me. Thank god she’s alive. She lifts her battered face to mine, a silent no forming on her lips. She looks defeated. Satan smirks even more when he sees her expression.
“I’ll leave you girls to say goodbye to each other.” He laughs again. “You’ve got a few minutes while I go get some more of my tools. Make the most of them.” Just before he leaves the room he turns back to us. “Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up properly later. You’ll be together for eternity when you meet back up in hell.” He’s laughing hysterically as he leaves the room.
***
Gabe
We cut the engines on the bikes; we can’t afford to let him know we’re almost there. Cowboy and Ink both joined us on route. With me, Ice, and the guys we brought along, there are ten of us. I pull out my phone to see if there’s any news from Justice or Prez and see there’s a new message from an unknown number. I can’t go through this again. Cowboy sees my hesitation, when he sees what’s on the phone screen he snatches it from my hand, opening the message himself as he quickly walks away from me.
“Fuck!” The word escapes his mouth before he can stop it. Ink groans beside him. Whatever they‘ve seen isn’t good.
“Tell me.” I growl.
Cowboy passes me the phone back instead, shaking his head. It’s a picture of Eve; she’s chained up like a fucking animal. There’s someone slumped at the side of her, I’m guessing that’s Elle. The message tells me I’ve got an hour to get here and watch my girl die. If I don’t get here in time he’ll draw her death out so it’s even more painful than if I was watching. I want to crush the phone in my grasp. That fucker is a dead man. He’s dying tonight; I’ll make fucking sure of it.
Ink is on the phone to someone, checking where our back up is I guess. I look back at my phone and something strikes me. He’s given me an hour. He doesn’t think I know where Eve is until now. That’s an hour he’s going to regret giving me, and I’m going to use it wisely.
I call the guys together, laying out my plan. My last instruction is clear. They can hurt Satan, but they can’t kill him. I want to be the one to put a bullet between that fucker’s eyes. Cowboy and Ink look pissed, but they agree. We’ve got about fifteen minutes before Prez and the guys arrive so we set off down the lane, quietly and stealthily. We need to check out the building, find the best way in, and the best way out for the girls.
I grip my gun tightly. Tonight I’m going to set Eve free from the nightmare she’s been living since I met her. I’m going to take my girl home and never let her go. First though, I’ve got the fucking devil to kill. Bring it on.
***
Eve
Elle’s barely responsive. I’m worried about her. There’s a bad gash on her head. I think she may have a concussion; she’s sure as shit in shock as well. I reach for her hand, patting it and murmuring quiet words of encouragement. I tell her we’ll be fine, our men will find us. I hope she can’t hear the lie in my voice. Our men can’t find us because I was a stupid cow who didn’t think it through. I rushed into a decision I shouldn’t have made, and it’s going to get us both killed. I should have gone straight to Gabe. He’d have known how to save Elle. But no, I didn’t fucking think.
Elle doesn’t respond. Her eyes stare off into the distance, watching the door Satan left through. I know when he’s back because she stiffens; wincing at the pain the movement causes her.
He’s whistling. The fucker is whistling a Disney song. “Whistle while you work.”
He places a tool pouch on a table, pulling the table closer to us. I spot the glint of metal, the reflection from the weak light bulb overhead sparkling off the sharp edges of a pouch full of knives. I grit my teeth. I’ve seen what Satan can do with a knife before. I’ve heard how he brands his women. I’ve also heard what he does when he’s had enough. I shudder at the thought of a sharp, cruel blade being inserted there, of the unimaginable pain, of enduring that pain as your life’s blood slowly seeps out of you.
I turn to Elle, she’s not watching him. She’s gone back into that safe place inside her head I guess. I wish I could go there, but it’s not happening for me. I’m transfixed instead by the glint of the blades. Satan is taking them out one at a time, sharpening them, cradling them like babies for fucks sake. I start to shake. I can’t help myself. I find myself wishing he’d just ended it with a bullet that day back in the store. So many people have died because he didn’t. Their blood is on my hands. The tears I’ve held at bay start to fall slowly down my face.
Elle’s eyes move slowly towards the door. Has she seen something? I know time has passed slowly, but there’s no way it’s been an hour. The MC is almost an hour away, even if Gabe read the text message straight away it’s too soon for him to be here. I dismiss it as something she’s imagining instead, especially when her eyes light up. There’s only one thing that puts that light in her eyes and Ink’s not going to be coming here.
There’s a rustling noise, I can’t quite identify it, or the direction it came from. Satan must have heard it as he looks round the room, his head turning in all directions before coming over and grabbing Elle. He holds the gun between her eyes.
“Come out you fuckers, I know you’re there. Move slowly to the center of the room and put your guns down on the floor. Kick them over to me.” He’s gone mad. There’s no one there. He clicks back the safety catch on the gun. That’s when I see them. For a moment I think I’m hallucinating, like Elle.
From each of the other corners of the room they appear, Ink, Cowboy, and my Angel. Now I know I’m hallucinating. Their hands are held high, their guns on show. They advance towards us.
“Put the fucking guns down now!” Satan screams. I watch in disbelief as the guys lower their guns to the floor, before backing away again slowly, hands back in the air.
I let out the breath I’ve been holding. Don’t they realize they can’t trust this crazy fucker? He turns away from me a little and I take my chance. If the guys won’t save me, I will.
I leap to my feet, wrapping the long chain I’m fastened to around his neck and pulling tight. He drops the gun he was holding, turning quickly, he smashes his fist in my face. Shit! He broke my nose. It all happens so quickly. One hand reaches for the back of his jeans and then the next second, there’s a gun pointing at me, at my head.
“You crazy bitch!” He screams. “You’re fucking dead.”
There’s a loud bang, a woman’s scream and the thump of a body hitting the floor. My ears are ringing from the gunshot, it was so close. I can’t see Angel. I scream for him, but my mind can’t handle the stress anymore and I black out.
Epilogue
One month later
???
There’s no conversation in the room, just the steady buzz of the tattoo gun. The CD player is quietly playing one of my favorite songs by Imagine Dragons ‘Demons’.
I’m getting the tattoo on my hip. I thought long and hard about what I wanted; there’s a reason behind every element of this tattoo.
The words surrounding it is one of my favorite quotes; it represents the huge changes that have occurred in my life these last couple of months. I never thought my life would change so drastically.
The tattoo gun stops. It’s done. I suck a deep breath in, inhaling that peculiar smell that’s only found in tattoo shops. It’s like burned ink, but it’s a sweet smell, one I’ve grown to love.
I look at the sketch of my tattoo I’ve been clutching in my hands. In the center there’s a skull. That represents death, more specifically my role in a man’s death. We all pulled the trigger at the same time so I guess we’ll never know which bullet was responsible. All that matters is a man died because of me, and I need to remember that. The words above and below the skull represent my life, before and after his death.
Every Saint has a past, every sinner has a future.
Killing a man is a sin. I have to live with that knowledge. But even a sinner li
ke me deserves a chance, and that’s where the future comes in.
Woven in and out of the skull are roses. They represent my strength. Beautiful to look at, but watch out for that thorn, it bites. I may be beautiful, but I’ve got an inner strength I’ve kept hidden. No more. I’m not afraid to show my strength anymore.
Ink
I put the tattoo gun down on the table, and then wipe the tattoo over with my cloth. It’s red and angry but looks great against her pale skin. I’m so fucking proud of Elle. I thought I’d lost her that night in the warehouse. I almost lost it when that crazy fucker held his gun against her head. Eve surprised us all by trying to strangle him with that chain. He surprised us even more when he pulled the second gun.
Angel screamed when Satan turned the gun on Eve. The stupid fucker always carried a backup gun, but he should have known we would too. I think we all drew at the same time. It sounded like one very loud shot, but in reality there were four of us. We all shot him, but only one of us hit the sick fuck between the eyes, the killing shot.
