Saving Calen

20.

Calen's POV

Rage is a comforting thing.

I never truly realized how much of it there was laying just below the surface. Now, I cling to it like my fucking life depends on it.

My lungs scream at me to breath, but the ice water that I'm submerged in is relentless. I thrash my arms and try to fight the arms holding me under.

My vision fades as my mind balances precariously on the edge of reality and the fantasy my brain is feeding me to keep me sane.

Her. Her touch, her skin, her smell. She's the most gentle person I've ever encountered, but strong willed and determined.

My shoulders are grabbed as I'm yanked to the surface. I fall to the ground, sputtering and coughing up the water that had invaded my lungs. My body shakes from the cold and lack of food.

"Come on, Riot. Make this a lot easier on yourself. Just tell us where they are." Danny says.

I wince as I push myself up to my elbows and knees.

"Eat a dick, Danny boy." My limbs shake with effort as my body desperately tries to shake off the chill that's made its way to my bones.

A boot comes flying towards my face, sending my head snapping back.

I can't help but laugh.

My life is just one waking nightmare and at this moment in time, it's the funniest thing. I know I must look like a damn maniac as I laugh with blood spilling from just about everywhere on my body.

"I bet you won't be laughing when I find her and make her regret ever meeting you." Daniel threatens.

I force myself to stand so I can look at him in the eye. It takes a few attempts because my limbs scream in protest, but I manage to stand.

"Danny, I want you to hear me, and I mean truly hear me, when I say this: I will thoroughly enjoy tearing you apart the minute you slip up. I was born for this bullshit. I promise you, your day will come and I will enjoy every single fucking pain filled scream that I elicit from your meat sack." My voice sounds raw and barely human. This is the rage that I've been holding down after every beating, every order, every dehumanizing act.

Danny looks shaken as he turns to leave.

"Danny!" I yell after him. He turns to face me.

"Riots never break their promises."

He pauses as he looks at the men behind me.

"Get him back in the water."

I'm still staring at the door as my body is forced back under.

...

Aylah's POV

Nightmares take over my sleep for the umpteenth night in a row.

I sit up in bed and run my hand through my hair. It's all too lonely in this house. I decide to get up and make my way to the kitchen for some water.

Or something stronger.

I pad my way to the kitchen and start rooting through the cabinets.

I stop when I hear a hushed voice and sniffles come from the living room.

"I can't find him." The voice says, pain apparent in his tone.

A feminine voice on the other end let's out a string of comforting phrases.

"They keep sending videos, baby. If I have to watch another one I'll lose my mind." More words of comfort are said.

"Okay, thank you for calling. Go back to sleep sweetheart. Toss the phone. I'll send you a new one."

The line goes dead and a very tired, very sad Caden stands up. I quickly turn back to the cabinets and reach for the bottle of whiskey.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." I say.

"Well, you did. Pour me some of that." He says. I oblige, but opt for the entire bottle for myself. I take a swig as he downs the entire glass, reaching out for another. I pour and he drinks while I chug the bottle.

After we're both drunk he finally speaks.

"Nightmares?"

I nod.

"Yeah, me too. I can't seem to stop imagining us finding his corpse. Every time I close my eyes, I see it."tears start to pool in his eyes. "I wasn't a good brother. I was just doing what was done to me. It's harsh, but it keeps us alive. He needed to have anger. It's what kept me going, so I figured it may help him as well."

He grips the glass so hard it shatters in his hand. He shakes off the shards of glass into the sink.

"He might die thinking that I hate him." He says in a low murmur.

The tears finally fall, but he wipes them away quickly.

"We'll find him, Caden. I know we will."

He just looks at me, clearly not believing me. "Yeah."

We stand in silence a few more seconds until I break it.

"I better get back to bed."

I start to head down the hallway when a very frazzled looking Cole slams into me.

"What the fuck," I say as his body bowls into mine.

"Sorry. CADEN!" he screams.

Caden walks around the corner, rubbing his eyes.

"Jesus, what?" He grumbles.

"We found him."