The Angel Trumpet

16.

Blood has been shed and I can't help it.

I'm tied to a chair with metal wire cutting through my wrists and ankles.

I'm hearing bodies thump to the floor  not knowing if it's my own or the other side.

I tried to fight him off but he overpowered me trapping me in here.

There's nothing but leaky pipes, water stains and the smell of gasoline.

Nothing else can be found but a picture of me and my family, left behind as a grimy reminder that they're gone because of the man who put me here.

But I'm a Rojas. Always will be. So I will find a way out of here.

I sway back and forth in the chair trying to have it fall to the ground. After a few tries I finally land with a snap of the chairs leg breaking. I get one of my legs free grabbing a spare blade in my boot cutting the wire around my wrists. Once it snaps off I cut the rest off my ankles standing with blood trickling from both areas. I don't waste time heading to the top of the stairs banging on the door as it's locked from the other side.

I take another look around spotting a vent.

I bring a box to where it's located stepping onto it lifting my body into the condensed space. I work my way through trying to find another opening. I keep crawling but stop seeing Xavier tied next to Leo and Pito. 

As I'm about to open the vents lid Fernando walks in, "So these are the people involved in Aleya's life, a bunch of animals if you ask me. Although these two are very loyal I'll give you that." He points to Leo and Pito but turns to Xavier. "I never saw you before." He grabs hold of his face examining him. "Where did she pick you up from?" Xavier yanks his face out of his hand glaring at him.

"Woah! Calm down little solider."

Tobias walks in whispering something in Fernando's ear causing his jaw to twitch.

"Well, seems like your jefa escaped. You all just sit tight. I'll make sure to reunite her with you guys soon."

He walks out the room having Tobias guard the outside door.

I take this opportunity to pop open the lid sliding my way out landing on the ground with my feet.

Their eyes bulge once they see me but I mouth to them to not say anything. 

I get a chair silently placing it under the door knob so no one can get in.

"I'm going to untie you, then we all get in the vents and find an exit out of here." I whisper to them taking my knife out cutting them loose.

Pito takes hold of my face seeing a bruise here and there then trails down seeing my wrists cut, "I'm okay just get up there," I give a reassuring smile and he helps Leo up then Xavier. "Get them out okay? I'll meet you guys soon." I give him a boost and before he can register what I just said I lock the vent top, the door breaks open and I'm being dragged away.

They make it outside without noticing I wasn't with them until they stop and look for me, "Pito where is Aleya?" Leo heaves out of breath. "Wasn't she behind us the whole time?" Pito shakes his head clenching his jaw, "She gave herself up for us to get away." Xavier eyes go towards Pito deranged. "She what? What do you mean she gave herself up?" His hands are about to grab hold of Pito's shirt but Pito pushes him back. "It happened so fast, I was about to get her but she locked the vent." Leo nods, "We're going back to get her." He's starting to go back until Pito grabs his shoulder stopping him. "With what weapons? Men? We have nothing that can help us get her out alive Leo." Leo shove Pito's hand off. "I'll find a way." He pulls a phone out of a men's pocket laying lifeless on the ground dialing Misty's number.

***

I lick my bleeding lip as one of Fernando's henchmen keeps hitting me, enjoying it way too much, clutching then spreading his fists out and relaxing them. My blood is already imprinted on his knuckles. He keeps wanting more, liking the sound of his hand connecting with my jaw. The scent of my blood and cider wood combine as Fernando walks in putting a pause on my beating. He crouches down as I'm hunched over chained to a chair drilled down to the floor. His fingers wipe away the blood trickling down my eyebrow, cheekbone and lips. I flinch as they keep lingering on my skin hating the way he was trying to play hero when he's the villain.

"Get her washed up, but keep her chained."

Three men bring in a tin bucket wide enough to fit a body, filled with ice cold water, they take me out of the chair but keep the chains wrapped around me throwing me in. My face hits the water first forming bubbles, I try to breathe but have the cold water squeeze my lungs quickly stopping the air from reaching them. The chains weigh me down as I push against the tin walls, not making a difference. Right before I feel like I'm about to close my eyes the men lift me up as I cough out the water but put me right under again doing this for an hour straight. On the second hour I'm on the ground wishing I would've shot Fernando's head instead of his kneecap.

His scent is back and his hand brings me up to his face as I'm iced cold, bruised and not breaking down making him more infuriated.

"You're Rojas business is my business now, lo entiendes?"

I laugh crazily feeling the ribs that are broken hurt even more, "Want to know what I do understand?" I laugh still with a crazed smile, "When I make it out of here I'll skin you like the pig you are." 

His hand wraps around my neck choking the air out of me until I fall unconscious throwing me to the side.

"Get her re-positioned and tell one of the guys to bring their knife set. She thinks she can make a threat and I won't follow up on it?," He laughs, "She has another thing coming." The door slams shut behind him like the doors in jail leaving a ringing metal sound behind.