SINS (Completed)

ALL FOR NOTHING (?)

"Brit?" I shout in confusion at the pitch darkness before me, because I am sure this is Brit's voice.

"Hardin? Hardin!" She shouts back and I follow the sound of her voice to one of the corners, where I see a black figure sitting.

I sprint to her, kneeling before her form and as my eyes adjust to the darkness, I see a vague picture of her face, shaking and crying.

"What are you doing here?" I rub my hands on her shoulders, wondering how- what-

"Dad he- he asked me to get this file, but when I entered there were no lights and the- door. Zach, the door won't open." She sniffs and starts breathing heavily.

"Listen to me. Relax. I just, came in through that door. Okay. It's fine. Get up, come on."

I help her on her feet. To hell with the file, I just need to get her out of here. It takes me a moment to locate the door and I turn the knob hurriedly.

Twice.

Nothing.

A nervousness starts filling me as I rethink Brit's words. I turn the knob repeatedly and the clenching sound of the locked metal resisting is the only thing in the room.

"Fuck." I hit the door with my side, trying to push the damn thing open. But it just, won't budge.

"Hardin." Brit speaks in a hushed scared whisper and I hit the wooden frame again.

"Hello? Anybody! Hey!" I bang my fist furiously, shouting my lungs out so anyone would hear us.

"It won't- I've been trying for an hour it won't-" I hear her speak behind me and all colour drains from my face. Fucking one hour? She has been in here for an hour?

I turn around holding her shoulders and I sense her crying.

"Brit, hey. It just be jammed alright, just give me a minute-" I pat the side of her head reassuringly and I notice her hair is sticking due to sweating.

"Open the fucking door!" I kick the door with everything inside me because I just can't have Brit fucking sick. A nauseating fear sets in and a sense of panic rising, but I can't crack now.

I hit it continuously, ignoring the pangs of pain erupting in my side, frustration and anger building in my head like a mad fire.

"Hardin?" I hear Brit calling out again and I pound my fists the door again.

When I turn back, I see her shivering dangerously and I rush to her. Her face is drenched in sweat and tears and she inhales deep cracking breaths. I hold her in place and walk her to sit on the floor against a wooden shelf.

"Brit. Hey. It's okay, Dad's gonna get the door alright. He'll realise we're not back and he'll open it from the outside, so just breathe- and try to relax."

I sit beside her rubbing her palms, trying to comfort both ourselves with my words, but a sick feeling in my gut tells me something is off.

My knuckles burn and my muscles feel numb with pain. I rest my head against the same shelf, breathing in deeply. My throat feels dry and hot, my t-shirt clamming onto my skin.

The never ending darkness stretches away and away. An hour. Another hour. No one comes. My head throbs and the I hear Brit's hushed whisper.

"Hardin, I- I don't feel so good." My closed eyes open in a flash and I turn to face her. Her eyes are drooping and her chest heaves with hyperventilating breaths.