bullets and bouquets

62

"Ah!" the children scream as they hear gunshots. Dacre and Finn stand up from their places. They've been working on unlocking all the cages in the dungeon, but there are so many.

"Finn, it's us," Finn's second-in-command radios. More gunshots can be heard through the radio, "We're making our way down to the basement but there's a lot of them. Take them all out?"

"Yes, get down here quickly," he answers. He turns to Dacre and Joe, "It's our men, they're on their way."

"Good," Dacre replies as he goes back to picking a lock. The two boys who conversed with Natalia huddle together in a corner. She helps the children out of the cages and sits with them as the boys continue to get the children out.

A light shines down the hallway and Natalia yells, "Color of the day!"

"Yellow!" a woman answers. It's her second-in-command, "I have enough cars to take 25 children."

"Okay, okay," she sighs as she begins to look around, "The youngest ones, come with me."

Children of ages 5-10 follow the brunette down the dark hallway. She meets up with her second-in-command who looks equally horrified.

"Jesus Christ," she comments. Natalia nods. She turns to the children.

"Okay, I need you to go with her okay? You're safe now," Natalia instructs, "Take them to the Estate."

***

"We're gonna need clothes and blanket and toys," Bella says. Jenna and Briar are going to fly out to the village in Greece to bring supplies to the Estate. Even though Dacre's village is more equipped for the children, they aren't going to be able to care for the children until Sabrina is found.

"We'll bring back as much as we can," Briar explains. The two leave with Vaughn to the cars. Robin, Gianna, and Bella move their blankets and pillows to their rooms now that they will be having guests. Some of the new trainees are setting up beds in the conference rooms for the children while the girls prepare for their arrival.

"We should have everyone remain gunless while the children are here," Robin suggests, "They're probably going to be scared out of their minds."

"Okay, but Sabrina is still missing," Bella counters, "We need people ready to defend the Estate."

"What if they stood outside with weapons? Out of the children's view," Gianna suggests. Bella nods.

"Trent," Bella radios.

"Yes, Miss?"

"When the children arrive, we need to have some men outside with weapons. I don't want the children to be frightened by our men," she explains.

"Of course, Miss. I'll initiate movement right now," he answers.

"Thank you," she answers, "Have you heard from Sadie yet?"

"No, Miss. I'll contact Florence right away," he answers. She turns the radio off.

"Worried about Sadie?" Gianna asks. Bella nods.

"I mean, I'm always somewhat worried. I know she can handle herself, but it's normal to worry," she explains. Gianna sighs.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you the other day," she apologizes, "I still don't know how to deal with... with all of this. I mean, how did you even adjust?"

"It's definitely something that I will never fully be adjusted to because I love Sadie, but I would do anything for her," Bella explains, "and she would do anything for me. I know she wouldn't take on a challenge if she thought she wouldn't return. She, Sabrina, Natalia, Dacre, Finn, and even Jenna, are fearless."

"I like her a lot, Bella. But what if she isn't the same as Sadie?"

"I can tell she likes you a lot too, Gianna. I think after this, you should just have a conversation with her," Bella suggests.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, communication is key in every relationship. I'm not perfect and neither is Sadie or anyone really. But communicating your feelings with her is going to make a big difference. I'm sure she will adjust her life as you would to hers and if she doesn't, then she's not worth it," she explains, "She is my friend, but she's dumb if she doesn't compromise to be with you. I know you would do that for her."

"I would," she replies, "I actually was thinking of leaving school, but I don't know. I guess it depends on what happens if she comes back."

"You need to stop saying "if", Gianna. Does us no good to act like she isn't," Bella scolds, "She will come back."

***

"Miss Florence, this is Trent from Madame Sink's Estate, do you copy?" Trent radios.

"This is she," Florence answers.

"Wonderful. Have you finished your business with the Madame?" he asks.

"Yes, she left for the Estate yesterday," the blonde woman answers, slightly confused, "has she not returned?"

"No, Miss. She hasn't radioed either," he explains, "Did she mention attending to other business?"

"No, she didn't."

"Okay, thank you for your information. I will try to contact her," Trent says. He switches radio channels to Sadie's, "Madame Sink? Madame Sink?"

No answer.

"Madame Sink? Do you copy?"

***

"Madame Sink? It's Trent," his voice comes over the radio. Sadie closes her eyes as she listens to her right-hand man radio for her. She's chained up to the wall next to Sabrina, who's unconscious.

"Well, well, well, it looks like my plan is falling into place," a woman sneers. Sadie remains stone-faced, "Looks like it won't be long before your men come looking for you and Sabrina. Then I will take them all out along with your girlfriends."

Sadie mumbles under the duct tape that is over her mouth. The woman hits her in the face. Sadie's head whips to the right as her nose begins to bleed.

"How long do you think it will take them to get here? I'd really like to kill them in front of you," she states, "but if you and Sabrina keep acting like brats, I might have to kill you first."

Sadie sighs as the blood runs over the duct tape and down her chin. Sabrina wakes up and finds Sadie chained up next to her.

"Aadie?" Sabrina mumbles. Sadie turns to the blonde and sighs with relief that she isn't dead yet.

"Yes, Sabrina, it's Sadie. Otherwise known as Madame Sink," she smirks, "I was just telling her my plans of killing your gangs off and your girlfriends."

Sabrina's eyebrows furrow. At this point she doesn't care if she and Gianna are not officially together, no one will hurt her if it's the last thing Sabrina does.

"Sadie, I wish you cared about yours a little more," the woman turns to the redhead, "It's so fun to know that I'm not only hurting the people you love, but I'm tearing you apart too."

"Fucgh yoo," Sadie mumbles. The woman loses her smug smile.

"Say it again," she gets into Sadie's face. Sadie lifts her chin.

"Fucgh... yoooo," she mumbles louder. The woman grabs Sadie by the throat and begins to choke her.

"No! No!" Sabrina yells through her duct tape. She pulls at her chains to try and help Sadie, but she's far enough away that her legs don't even reach. Sadie begins to choke on air, not being able to receive it through her mouth. Her nostrils flare wildly as the woman smirks. Sadie's about to lose consciousness when the woman lets go.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun and I'm just getting started."