The Miracle Place

18.

{Joel}

JOEL CLUTCHED HIS bag in one hand and Jane's arm in the other. Every few minutes, he would glance in the mirror and meet the eyes of the man in the driver's seat. He'd hold it for as long as it took for the man to look away, glaring knife-like into the back of his head afterwards.

Jane shook under his arm with each sob, adding to the bounce of Joel's anxiety driven leg, and the car rolling over cracks in the road. Speaking of anxiety, Joel's was through the roof and bouncing back off the atmosphere. He could see the back of the car Billy was stuffed into, and his mind couldn't settle with it in sight. What are they doing to him right now? Are they hurting him? Is he hurting them?Where are they taking us? What will happen when we get there?

They were all appropriate thoughts considering the situation, but the more he asked questions, the more anxious he became, and an anxious Joel was a weak Joel. He hoped and prayed he wouldn't throw up, remembering the last time he was this nervous. He emptied his stomach in a garbage can outside of a classroom before taking his SAT's. Then he remembered, that was the best he'd ever done on a test. We're gonna be okay.

Their destination was a tall office building. At least, that's what it looked like on the outside. The windows were black, blending into the concrete outline. They glided down the hill into the parking garage, only stopping briefly for one of the men to roll down their window and scan a card, granting them access.

Joel's grip didn't loosen when Jane sat up properly, rubbing her eyes to rid her tears so she could see out the windows. It was dark - a lot of the lights were unevenly lit. The van in front of them turned into a parking spot on the ground level, Joel's heart skipped, ready for them to pull in next to it. But the car sped up, winding around and up to the next level. Damnit, Billy. What have you gotten yourself into?

They parked and Joel waited for someone to open the door. He stepped out, grabbing Jane's hand again and slinging his bag over his shoulder as they were escorted through the doors and into the building. He looked down at Jane to see her eyes searching frantically. It was hard to tell if she was taking in surroundings or looking for Billy.

They were guided down four hallways and Joel was sure they'd been walking in a circle. They passed an open door and Jane was ripped from his hand. "Hey!" He struggled against the men, nearly tearing away from two of them before a third man grabbed his waist. "Jane! Hey!" He was shoved into the open room, landing on his backpack, hearing a devastating crack! He could still hear Jane screaming and crying as he stood up and pressed himself against the door, trying the handle and failing. "Together! You dick!" He slammed a hand on the door one last time, running a hand through his hair. "Shit."

{Jane}

Jane was shoved to the floor with no time to get up before the lock clicked. She banged on the door."Let me out!" With a few more bangs, she gave up.

The room was strange. The floor was cement and the walls were metal. Jane inhaled shakily, pulling her sleeves up. Reaching out in front of her, she blasted the door with flames for the first time in a while. It did nothing, just as she knew it would. It was still worth a try. With a puff, she slid down to the ground.

{Joel}

Joel found a light switch on the wall and flicked it on, looking around the... janitor's closet. "Really?" he whispered, rolling his eyes. Joel had his share of this specific hideaway all throughout high school. But one time in particular scratched his brain.