UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

Locked Up

(Lexi's POV)

I forcefully flutter my eyes open. Where am I? Wherever I was, it was pitch black. I'm tied to what seems to be a chair by my arms and legs. Where are my Mom and Cooper? And more importantly... where is Carlos?

I try and speak but all that is heard is muffling. It figures they would cover my mouth so I can't cry out for help. My pain is less hidden now, I can feel a pounding in my head. Probably from the punch to my face.

I try speaking again, louder this time. Ugh, there's no point. Suddenly, I hear some shifting in front of me. "Meggsi?" A voice muffles. Are they trying to say my name? "Cwoopur?" I reply.

I hear a loud 'mhm' after that. Oh, thank god. I hear the shifting noise again and it seems to get closer to me.

Cooper muffles his words again so I can't really understand him. "Wrhat?" I say.

Suddenly, a door opens letting in light. I take a look around the room and see Cooper sitting directly across from me. His face is bruised badly from the punch as well. I give him a sad look.

I look away and try to find my mother. Where is she? Oh no.

"I see you two are awake." A recognizable voice as it enters the door. Carlos then walks up to us and pulls down the cloths covering our mouths. My voice speaks before I do. "What the hell do you want from us?! Where is my mother?!"

Carlos smirks and me and bends down to my level. "Watch your mouth." Cooper thrusts around in his chair a bit. "Okay, I've had enough of your act."

Carlos crosses his arms. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"The act your pulling. You've never been the kidnapping mafia leader type of guy. You wanted to let us leave when we did. I know it!"

Carlos grabs Cooper's face tightly. "Keep your voice down!"

"Carlos please. Let's just be reasonable-"

"Don't you see? I can't be reasonable. Our community security has been searching for you guys ever since the day you left. If I let you go, you don't know what could happen to me."

"How many people actually know we're here?" I inquire. Carlos sighs. "Everyone but the residents. Actually, all of the residents don't even know why you guys left in the first place. We plan on keeping it that way."

"What do you guys want from us then?!" I yell.

Carlos glances at the door. "Be quiet."

"I honestly don't know what they want to do..." He puts his hands into his face.

"Carlos." Coopers says.

He doesn't look up.

"Carlos, look at me."

The worried man in front of us looks at Cooper with confusion.

"Listen, you're the leader here. You call the shots. I know the guards and security here have been searching for us and want us dead, but you can make them change their minds. I don't know how but... you can do it. Stop letting other people push you around." Cooper smiles and I seriously give the most confused face ever. When has he ever been this nice?

Carlos just nods and slightly smiles. "We could... make a believable skit. Like maybe you guys get away on your 'own'." Carlos air quotes.

"That could work." I give a reassuring smile.

"We can plan this out. Can we get out of these binds?" Cooper asks nicely. I love how kindness looks on him what the fuck.

Carlos nods with a smile and unravels our binds and steps back a bit. I guess it makes sense why he wouldn't want to trust us yet.

Cooper unravels the loose rope from his limbs and stands up, instantly pulling me into a hug. In all honesty, I'm a bit surprised by his action.

"I've never been so terrified in my life. I didn't hear or see you. I was worried he had done something to you." Cooper continues to mumble his worries as he squeezes me tightly. I, of course, hug him back.

He pulls away, almost having tears in his eyes. "Lexi I... I'm so sorry." His voice breaks. I give him a sad look. "Why?"

He runs a hand through his hair. "When you told me you loved me I froze.. not because I don't feel the same but because I haven't heard that from anyone before. Other than Jasper of course."

My eyes widen a bit. "I got scared because of my dumbass commitment issues and-"

"Cooper, it's alright." I interrupt. He looks at me with so much emotion. "Lexi I.. I love you. And I mean it. And I'm so sorry for ever making you think otherwise."

Tears fill my eyes a bit and I pull him into another hug, this one more meaningful. "I love you too. And its okay."

I furrow my brows and nod. Cooper smiles a bit. "I'm... so glad you're okay." He holds the side of my face and pulls me into a kiss.

"U-Uh.. guys?" A voice quivers beside us.

Cooper and I pull away to see Carlos standing there awkwardly. Right... he never left.

"Sorry." Cooper grins and Carlos just laughs it off.

We both wipe our eyes and fix ourselves up.

"Let's get going." Carlos states.

Cooper and I glance at each other before proceeding to follow Carlos.

A/N- not in front of Carlos nooo😭 only this would happen in my book💪🏻 anyway, stay posted to see how Jasper and Noah are doing❤️❤️