Fourth Fight

by Mary Abshire

  Reaching the concrete, he headed for the table. Lights in the pool gave the water a soft glow. He set his towel and phone on the round glass top. He tapped the screen of his cell to check for messages from Annie. None appeared.

  Back at his apartment, he’d sent Annie a message to see if she could meet him to talk at the pool. He’d said he needed female company and she was the only one around. Of course he knew Sherri had returned, but only because Matt had told him. Since Annie believed he didn’t know Sherri was back, he played along accordingly. Annie’s response to his request came fast. She’d said she would love to take a late-night dip with him. He gave her fifteen minutes to meet at the pool.

  Andrew’s stomach grumbled while he slipped out of his sneakers. He hadn’t eaten much during the day. His concern for Emily kept his appetite nonexistent and anxiety level maxed out. After Matt had dropped him off at the apartment, he’d spent most of the afternoon jogging or exercising inside. He refused to return to the gym to give Annie an opportunity to spy on him again. He stayed active since sitting still for more than twenty minutes made him feel worthless. As for sleeping, he’d napped for maybe an hour and a half, but only from pure exhaustion.

  He stepped up to the pool and dragged his foot in the water. The temperature cooled his skin. Although he hadn’t planned on getting in, he considered it. He wanted information out of Annie, not her attention, but he couldn’t get the first without the latter. If he were wet, she’d likely stare at him the way Emily had. With a deep breath, he dived into the pool.

  The water caressed his heated skin as he swam. When he surfaced, he wiped his eyes and scanned the area. Annie hadn’t arrived yet.

  As he waded through the water, his thoughts returned to Emily. He’d enjoyed the time they had in the pool together. He loved how she clung to him. It only took a few seconds for grief to crush his heart and spirit. Life without her seemed so meaningless, dry, and flat out unappealing.

  He pulled himself from the pool and then sat on the edge with his lower legs and feet dangling in the water. Moisture slid down his body. The soaked bandage on his arm hiding the demon’s name and address clung to his skin.

  “How’s the water?” Annie asked as she strolled onto the concrete. She wore a white string bikini with flowers. The revealing scraps would catch the attention of most men, but he paid her no attention.

  Andrew stared at the shimmering water. “Feels good.” His dreary tone reflected his mood. He needed to snap out of it if he wanted to get information from the demon. “Why don’t you get in and find out?” he said in a friendlier voice.

  She dropped her towel on a lounge chair before she neared the pool. She dipped her toes in it. “Not bad.” She walked around the edges. “So, what’s going on?” She took a seat next to him and dropped her feet into the water.

  Let the role playing begin.

  “I was feeling … lonely. Since I can’t reach Carrie, I thought I’d talk to you,” he said.

  “I wish I had more news to give you, but I don’t.”

  Liar.

  “It’s okay. I was a little freaked out at first since she didn’t respond to my messages, but I know how she can be. This isn’t the first time she’s ignored me.”

  “She ignores you sometimes?” she asked, curiosity thick in her tone.

  “I don’t know where she goes or what she does. I’ve done something to make her mad, I guess.”

  “Did you do anything to piss her off?”

  He gave a slight shrug. “Who knows? I’ve been trying to keep our marriage together, but she’s so distant sometimes.”

  She put her hand on his thigh. “I didn’t realize you guys were having issues. You two looked so happy together.”

  Her touch lit a match to his anger. He remained calm, but as he stared at her hand, he fought the strong impulse to shove it away. “We needed this contract to get back on our feet. To be honest, we were going to separate if we didn’t. We’re trying to manage, but things aren’t working out.”

  “I had no idea.” She sounded a bit surprised.

  “I’ve tried to talk to her, but she shuts down. I think she just wants to get away, but I have to try. We had something special once.”

  She moved her fingers over his thigh, inching it closer to his groin. “Sometimes things don’t work out. If one of the parties isn’t happy, maybe it’s best to move on.”

  His ire morphed into nausea from her touch. If he didn’t get away from her, he feared he might vomit. “Maybe.” He slid from the edge and into the pool.

  Role playing in New York and Missouri had been much easier than the act he was giving to this demon. She disgusted him and infused him with rage like no other ever had. He craved to bring about her demise, but first he had to get information from her. He waded in the water and turned to face her.

  She lowered herself into the pool. “A bit cool.”

  “If you move around, you’ll warm up,” he said, keeping a distance from her.

  “I know something else that will warm me up.”

  “I’m sure you do.” He tried to sound flirty and faked a smile.

  “Oh, I do know of a way.” She moved closer to him.

  Andrew bolted his feet to the ground. As much as he despised getting near her, he had to do it for Emily’s sake.

  Annie came to stand in front of him. She put her hand on one of his pecs. “You have such a solid body.”

  “Well, I work out a lot.” The water hid his clenched fists.

  She slowly moved her hand down his chest. “Maybe you should spend time with another woman. You could be missing out.”

  Her touch made his stomach twist. “And I suppose you’re just the right one I should spend time with?”

  She moved closer. “Well, why not?” She sounded so innocent, but the wicked curl to her lips and gleam in her eyes revealed her trickery.

  Every fiber within him encouraged him to back away, but he held his ground. “I suppose I could. I am a needy man.”

  She rubbed her breasts against his torso while she dragged her fingers down to his shorts. “Now is as good of a time as any.”

  His reflexes kicked in and he took hold of her wrists. He couldn’t allow her to touch him any lower. The thought of her near his groin sickened him. He brought her hands above the water. “This is a good time, but do you know where Carrie is? I’d hate for her to show up if we were … busy.”

  He allowed her to put her palms on his chest again. “You don’t have to worry, she won’t show up here.”

  So she did know Emily’s whereabouts. Maybe he could get the information from her after all.

  He put his hands on her shoulders and slowly brought them down. “Where is she staying?”

  “She’s probably with Don having a good time.”

  It took all his effort not to shove her head under the water. He gripped her arms stronger, but not enough to alarm her. “How can I reach her?”

  “Why do you want to speak to her when you have me?” She traced her fingers over his abdomen muscles.

  “I need to talk to her. Can you at least tell me how to reach her?”

  The lusty look in her eyes hardened into frustration. “Is that why you wanted to meet me? To find out how to contact her?”

  His heart rapped faster. “If you know where she is and how I can contact her, just tell me.”

  “Would you fuck me if I did?”

  He swallowed what he wanted to say. “It’s a high probability.”

  She moved her hands lower. He snatched them before they reached the waistband of his shorts.

  “Fuck me first, then I’ll tell you,” she said as he lifted her hands.

  “I don’t think so. Tell me how I can get in touch with her first.”

  She sighed heavily. “You’re teasing.”

  And she was wasting his time. He’d try again, but if efforts failed, he would give up. He couldn’t continue to play games with the demon.

  He brushed her locks away from her face
and then brought his fingers down to her neck. She nearly purred under his touch.

  “Tell me how to contact her,” he said as he traced her collarbone.

  “I’d like to tell you, but she’s out of reach.”

  His blood burned hotter by the second. His fingers itched to wrap around her throat. “Just tell me.” He leaned in close as if to kiss her.

  “Don’t worry, she’s in good hands with Don.”

  Her words triggered a bomb inside him. He squeezed both hands around her throat. “Tell me where she is or I will kill you right now.”

  She gripped his wrists and tried to pull away from him. “Get off.”

  “I’m done playing your games. Tell me where she is,” he growled, tightening his grasp.

  She choked and gasped for air. The water splashed around them as she flung her arms and hit him. Hands locked on her, he backed her to the wall of the pool.

  “Tell me and I’ll let go,” he lied.

  When she nodded, he loosened his grasp slowly.

  She sucked in air as fast as she could. “She’s with Don and I hope he fucks her good.”

  His fury ignited in a flash. He clutched her throat with all his strength. As she choked, he realized he’d leave marks on her neck if he strangled her. He let go, grabbed her hair, and then shoved her head under the water. He refused to let her live another minute. It seemed clear she wasn’t going to give him any information. She just wanted to use him, have fun, and forget about everyone else.

  So much hatred coursed through him as he pushed her lower. She swayed her arms and tried to wriggle free. Water diluted her screams. Gripping her hair and one shoulder, he held her deep enough she couldn’t survive for long. It took a few minutes before her efforts slowed. When she stopped moving completely, he decided to let go.

  His heart pounded as he turned her lifeless body over onto her back. He hadn’t planned to kill her this way or so fast, but he didn’t regret it. In fact, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

  Her eyes and mouth were wide open. He stared at the corpse floating inches away from him. He waited with his hands up and ready to catch the demon. Crickets continued to sing their song while other bugs flew near the lights above the pool. It seemed as if he was waiting longer than normal, but then he’d never drowned a demon before.

  The dark shadow jerked up from the drifting body. The black fog stretched upward as if trying to get away. Andrew quickly reached it. The black matter burst into little dust particles. Some carried in the breeze and evaporated. Others fell in the water and dissolved. A dirty fluid trickled down Andrew’s palms to his wrists. He quickly doused his hands in the pool.

  One demon destroyed. One to go. He couldn’t stop now. Once someone would see Annie’s body, they would notify the police. Andrew had to move fast to get rid of the other demon in the house. And he didn’t care what it would take to get Christopher or Sherri to tell him where to locate Emily and the girls.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Emily took one painful step after another in her small prison cell. Her back felt torn to shreds. Even her spine felt as if it had been scraped raw. Blood had seeped from her wounds and had acted like glue, sticking her shirt to her body. Don had given her the man-size top before he’d left. She didn’t care that it stank of body odor since it covered her bare breasts and underwear. He’d also given back her boots and jeans. She couldn’t bend well enough to put either on, so she left them by the corner and used the pants as a cushion for her butt when she sat. She found it strange he’d given her the clothes, but she wouldn’t complain. She wished he had returned her wedding rings. Although her marriage didn’t exist, the bands still held value to her since Andrew had bought them.

  The swelling in her hand remained unchanged. She held it up to her chest to avoid a throbbing pain. The last two crooked fingers made her look disfigured, as if the size of her hand wasn’t enough. The bones needed to be reset, but there was no way she could do it on her own without passing out.

  Reaching the wall, Emily slowly turned around. Her skin stung horribly when it moved, so she tried her best not to stretch it. Of course, she did. There was no way to prevent it. No matter what she would do, her injuries were going to hurt for several days. She needed stitches, antibiotics to avoid infection, and painkillers, none of which seemed available any time soon. So the agony would continue and she couldn’t afford to let it bring her down, especially now that one of the girls had been taken away.

  Emily hated not knowing the time. The white painted windows hid the outside world from them, but they could still determine whether it was day or night. The room had darkened not long ago, two hours by Emily’s estimate. The florescent lights kept the room lit. The temperature had decreased a little too, but she still perspired from the heat and poor airflow.

  Pamela stood at the front of her cell. “Does it hurt?”

  Emily waited until she reached the end of her prison. “Of course it does. I have to learn to ignore it.”

  “Why?”

  Emily took one step to the side and then another to turn around. “To build up strength. To learn to deal with the pain. We have to get out of here.”

  She walked to the other side of the cell. If she made it out alive, the first thing she wanted to do was take a long shower and scrub with a ton of soap.

  “How are we going to get out of here?” Cheryl asked, sitting near the back of the wall in her cage. “There’s too many of them. And they have guns.”

  She was right, but Emily had a plan. If Emily looked weak and helpless, the men wouldn’t suspect she could fight. All she needed was to get one alone, knock him out, then take his weapon. She had two major obstacles though. First, she had to be out of the cell and that required a key. Second, the effort needed to knock a man out would likely tear open her wounds again and create a firestorm of agony. Even if she built up enough strength, her tolerance for suffering might not hold. Still, she had to try to escape.

  A clanking sound came from the front door. Emily leaned her backside gently against the wall. Clenching her jaw, she ignored the stings and heat branching out from her wounds.

  The door opened and a man stepped into the room. He was gripping Natalie’s arm and pushing her toward her prison. Her head stayed lowered and her locks hid her face. The Hispanic unlocked the empty cell before he shoved her inside. She ran to the corner and then dropped to the floor where she took a fetal position. Her sobs started within seconds. After the guard locked the door to Natalie’s cell, he left the room.

  Cheryl crawled to the side of her cage. “Natalie. Natalie, look at me.” She reached between the bars, but Natalie was too far away. “Natalie, move toward me.”

  “What happened, Natalie?” Pamela asked, standing near Cheryl’s cell.

  Emily hated to think what the guard had done to her. The thought of it made her stomach roll.

  “Do you think we can escape?” Jenny said, sitting in the corner near Emily’s cell. She’d been sleeping with her head leaning against the wall.

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  Pamela and Cheryl tried to talk to Natalie while she hid her head and cried. Jenny watched, but kept silent. Emily continued pacing in her cell. After five rounds, she increased her steps to help build up her strength. As time passed, the two gals gave up trying to cajole their friend.

  A sound came from the front door again. Everyone shifted their attention as another Hispanic walked into the room. Emily guessed it had been an hour since the last man had been in the room. The new guard wore khaki pants and a beige button-down. He was taller than the other guy, had shorter hair and a thinner build. He stopped in the middle of the room and swung the keys around one of his fingers. He looked at Jenny first before he appraised Emily. His dark eyes gave her chills. Once he’d finished, he moved his gaze to the other ladies. When he headed for Pamela’s cage, anger and fear spiked within Emily. Her body tensed and she clamped her jaw tight to hold back her tongue. It wouldn’t do any good to yel
l anyway.

  Pamela backed up to the corner and grabbed the bars as the guard unlocked her cell. The man spoke to her in Spanish and beckoned for her to come toward him. She shook her head. He took hold of her arm and tried to remove her hand from the bar. She resisted his efforts, kicking him while she held onto the bars tighter. He said something to her nobody understood. When he removed a gun from his backside, under his shirt, Emily’s heart began to race.

  “Jenny, gun!” Emily yelled before he swung it.

  There was nothing any of them could do. He hit the side of her skull. Pamela’s grip loosened enough for him to pull her away from the bars. Dazed, she stumbled on her way out of the cage. He left the door open and dragged her toward the exit. A red smear formed not far from her temple. Thick silence filled the room once they were gone.

  Emily pressed her eyes closed and said a prayer for young woman. Whatever she would have to endure, she hoped Pamela would have the strength to go on. Maybe they’d all suffer the same fate, but they could still survive. They had to be mentally strong and willing to fight back. They could make it out alive if they had faith and determination to persevere.

  Fighting the tears filling her eyes, Emily began walking back and forth in her cell.

  “What do you think will happen to her?” Jenny asked softly. She sniffled and wiped the moisture from her cheeks.

  “Nothing good. But whatever happens, don’t them break you down. We can get out of here, but it won’t be easy.”

  “You’re brave,” Jenny said.

  “No, I’m not. I just don’t want to see any of you die or be sold as a sex slave.”

  “Well, if you get us out of here, I will owe you for the rest of my life.”

  “If I get us out of here, I want to shower immediately and drink a cold bottle of water.”

  A small smile formed on Jenny’s face. “A toilet would be nice.”

  “With toilet paper.”

  “Yes, toilet paper.” Her grin widened.

  “It will happen if you believe it will. Don’t let them get to you.”

  Jenny gave a nod before she closed her eyes. Her mood seemed brighter given the circumstances. Emily hoped her words of encouragement eased some of Jenny’s fear, even if only a miniscule amount.