Kindness

Chapter 6: Everything Changes

"You're out new maid."

I was too relieved that they weren't going to kill me to be angry. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"So... You're not going to kill me?" I questioned.

"No, at least not now," Blondie smirked. "But, if you give me even the smallest reason, I will not hesitate to kill you."

I shivered. At least I wasn't dead.

"You clean this room first. Supplies are in the kitchen," Randle grunted. The three of them plopped down on the couch and turned on the television.

I found different sprays, paper towels, a broom, a vacuum, a mop, and a trash can. No gloves. I wanted to punch them. They expected me to touch that nasty trash with my bare hands? Well, I guess it's better than being dead.

I grabbed the trash can and dragged it to the lounge. I spent maybe half an hour picking up the non vacuum-able items. I decided to wash the window next.

Trudging into the kitchen, I found window spray, so I grabbed it, along with the paper towels.

I was about half way through washing the windows when I spotted a car pulling into the driveway.

"Randle?" I called.

"What?" He sounded really annoyed.

"Are you expecting someone?"

"Yes. My cousin's comin'," he answered just as the doorbell rang. "Go get it."

I set down the spray and paper towels and stomped over to the door. I opened the door, not making eye contact, ushered him in, still not making eye contact, and closed the door, also without looking directly at him.

"Randle's in the lounge," I whispered, pointing in the general direction of the lounge, then proceeded to walk in that direction.

He followed me to the lounge where I dragged myself back to the windows to finish the job.

"Ava?"

I froze. I knew that voice. Very, very slowly, I turned around.

"Bryton?" Bryton was a junior at my school. I had a small crush on him to be honest.

"What are you doing here? Why is she your maid? I though you were kidna..... Oh." He turned to run, but Randle was up on his feet and on top of him before I could even scream.

Bryton yelled in pain and knee Randle in the stomach. Randle groaned and rolled off him.

Bryton ran, and I sprinted after him. We hadn't got more than twenty feet before Blondie tackled me from behind, twisting my arm painfully.

Randle appeared out of no where and attacked Bryton. He tackled him to the ground, then punched him on the jaw twice, then the chest, the stomach, and the back to the face.

"Randle, stop! He's your cousin!" I screamed. Blondie punched me in the throat, causing my intake of air to get smaller and more difficult to grasp.

Randle stopped, pulling Bryton to his feet. Bryton looked awful. He had multiple bruises on his jaw, a split lip, a shirt splattered with blood, and long cut across his forehead.

"Take them to the basement," he grumbled. "Do with them as you please."

"I will," Blondie replied, smiling. He pulled me to my feet, grabbed Bryton's arm, and dragged us down the staircase into my "room".

He dropped us on the ground and immediately kicked Bryton in the rib, cussing him out.

Bryton screamed. I have never heard a sound more painful. He turned over, blood pouring out of his mouth.

"Stop it!" I shouted, tears streaming down my face. He stopped turning to me.

"What was that?"

"I said stop it," I growled. "Leave him alone."

"Ok," he smirked, dropping Bryton who he had been holding up by the collar.

"No.. D-don't," Bryton whispered.

Slap! Blondie hit me across the face. Then he punched me in the stomach, kicked my knees, then kicked me in the side as I fell to the floor, crying out in pain. He grabbed me by the neck and threw me against the concrete wall. I heard something break. I screamed, tears falling fast. I want to pass out. I wanted the pain to just end.

Blondie smirked, leaning over me.

"I hope you learned your lesson about running away." He kicked me one last time before trotting up the stairs, locking the door behind him.