Humbling Spot Conlon (A Spot Conlon Love Story)

Ch. 28: Banished to the Basement

Each snapping sound of Ms. Tattershall's belt hitting my back hurt worse than the one prior. Every time I didn't feel the pain until another hit was coming. I clenched my teeth, trying to resist screaming because of the stinging sensation now coursing through my entire body. 

The last whack hurt the most. It was the hardest she had ever hit me. It felt as though life was moving in slow motion, the feeling of the leather slapping down, and the moment I realized she'd broken skin. 

A single warm tear slid down my cheek as I stared pleadingly up at Ms. Tattershall. She wore a grin on her face. I couldn't believe she was pleased with herself for causing me pain. 

My pleading look melted into a glare. How could she feel no remorse for doing this to another human being? 

"You're a sociopath, you know that?" I growled, trying to find the strength to get on my feet. "A normal person doesn't smile when they beat the hell out of little girls." 

Her expression didn't change. She simply tossed the belt across the room, making a thud as it hit the ground. "You will sleep in the basement for the rest of your stay here. As well as that, no food for the next week. I will send a girl down with bandages for your back. Now, off you go." 

Jokes on her. I didn't want to sleep in the same room as the other girls anyway. 

I'd been in the basement before. Ms. Tattershall often sent me down here after my beatings. However, I typically didn't stay down here for more than one night. 

My bare feet slapped on the cold ground as I scrambled around, trying to make the room livable. There wasn't much to work with. Just two thin and tattered blankets that were tucked in the corner behind several boxes. 

The room was dark, the only light coming from a small rectangular window near the ceiling. And yes, I did try to open it, but it simply would not budge. Besides, I could hardly reach it, even standing upon several stacked boxes. There was no possible way I would have the ability to pull myself out. 

I guess three years in this basement wouldn't be the worst thing to ever happen to me. It would be unbearably cold almost all the time, but that wasn't the biggest problem I'd had to deal with before. 

I would make this work. At least, I would try. 

Spot's POV

I gawked at Simon as he told us what he'd done. I couldn't believe what I'd been hearing. Nicky had described to me in great detail her fear of going to an orphanage. A place where she would have no freedom. That was why she'd disguised herself as a boy. 

"How could ya do that ta her?" I growled, clenching my fists, "She was fine as a newsie." 

Simon wore a guilty expression as he tried to explain himself. "Well, I thought it would be good for her. The streets are dangerous. Especially for young girls. You never know what could have happened to her. This was the best way to keep her safe." 

I could feel my blood begin to boil. What did he know about what was good for her? She was perfectly fine before he sent her away. I dug my nails into my palms, trying to keep myself calm. 

"C'mon Jack," I demanded, stepping out the apartment door. "We're gonna get 'er outta there." 

"I wouldn't recommend that," Simon tried. 

I ignored him, looking at Jack to follow me. He didn't move. "Spot, he might be right. As much as I want Nicky back, it's probably safer in there than out here." 

I stared at him in shock for a few moments. How could he say that? He was the most reckless person I knew. He would normally have done anything to get Nicky out. How could he take the side of someone he just met? He should've cared more than anyone. He knew Nicky before any of the rest of us. 

"I thought you of all people would want to help me," I said. 

He scoffed. "Don't make it sound like I don't care, Spot. You know I care. Nicky is like my little sister. And I know that somewhere in you, ya know that Simon has a point." 

"Jack, if I may," Race intervened, "Yer actin' a tad strange. Strange for you at least. Nicky is my best friend, we gotta get 'er outta there." 

"What if it's better there, Race? Ya ever thought o' that? Maybe she don't want us ta get 'er outta there. She could be happy." He turned to face me, standing over me. "We need ta think about what's best for her sometimes, not just what we want for 'er." 

I understood what he was implying. He'd been giving hints as to his opinion on me and Nicky since the beginning. But I didn't care. I was certain she was unhappy. How could she possibly be happy there, anyway? All the people she cared about were out here. 

"I'm not just gonna sit here and let 'er suffer there," I said, slamming the front door on my way out of the apartment. From there, I stormed out of the building and down the street. 

Admittedly, I had no plan. Currently all that I knew was going to happen was that I was gonna get Nicky back. Even if it was the last thing I did. 

Nicky's POV

I was becoming restless. Something about this place did that to me. I felt like a dog in a cage. There was nothing to do, nowhere to go, no way to entertain myself. The only thing I'd done since being in here was tend to my back and anxiously pace around the room. 

I should've created a makeshift bed for myself. I hadn't slept well in weeks, and it was quickly becoming months. I could've created an escape plan for myself, but I had really given up hope when it came to getting out. 

So instead of doing something productive, or at least something the slightest bit entertaining, I sat on the cold concrete floor. Nothing other than just sitting, I just wondered how everyone was doing at the lodge. I wondered if they had even noticed my absence. I doubted it, if they had noticed, someone would've come to help me get out by now. 

The thought made me sad. They hadn't noticed I was gone yet. I was still here. They had either forgotten about me, or didn't care enough to find me. Or maybe they thought I left them and just ran away. I hoped they knew I wouldn't just do that. Not without saying goodbye at least. 

I switched positions, now laying on my side, with my arm as a pillow. I didn't realize until then how tired I really was. But I couldn't sleep now. I wouldn't. The thing was, I could hardly even keep my eyes open, so I slowly and uncomfortably drifted off. 

***

If you made it this far, wow. 

I'd just like to say thank you to all of you that have been commenting, adding this story to your lists, voting and even just reading it. I literally can't believe how many reads this has gotten and how quickly it has gotten the amount it has. I expect like a hundred tops when I first decided I wanted to publish it. 

Yeah, that was a tad random at chapter 28, when there is more to come, I just realized that I haven't shown appreciation yet. 

Oh and sorry for the slow chapter, i'm just getting ready for something a little more exciting ;) 

Anyhoo, get some sleep, have a glorious day/night, happy holidays, I love you all 

<3