On The Other Side

Chapter 11 - Desolation

CLAY
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I wake up in a dimly lit cell, the throbbing pain in my body overwhelming any other sensations. The memory of what happened floods my mind, and I feel the ache in my bones. My head is pounding, and every movement sends shocks of pain through me.

I glance around the unfamiliar surroundings, a knot of fear tightening in my chest. I'm locked in a cell. Panic claws at me as I realize that I have no idea where George is or if he's even alive.

My watch isn't there anymore.

Tears of frustration well up in my eyes as I'm overcome by a wave of helplessness. The darkness around me feels suffocating, and the absence of answers only deepens my fear. I clutch at my injuries, longing for some sense of comfort or escape, desperately hoping that George is safe.

As I sit in the silence of the cell, the distant sound of footsteps reaches my ears. My heart quickens, and my breath catches in my throat as the footsteps grow steadily louder, drawing nearer with every passing second. Dread grows in the pit of my stomach.

A heavy feeling settles over me as the dim light of the cell reveals that it's Pablo. His presence alone radiates an aura of danger and unpredictability that makes my anxiety spike.

Our eyes lock, and I can't tear my gaze away from the scarred face. His gaze holds an unsettling mixture of amusement and dominance, an unspoken threat that sends shivers down my spine. My pulse races, and I'm aware of the vulnerability of my situation.

Fear and anger wrestle within me as I wait for him to speak, the silence between us heavy with tension. I can't help but wonder what sinister plan he has in store for me.

"Selling me your dad's drugs out of revenge was a foolish move, Clay," he remarks, a low chuckle accompanying a dismissive shake of his head. He leans casually against the iron bars, his words laced with a mix of pleasure and amusement.

"Where's George?" I hiss, trying my best to sound strong and mask my weakness.

"Don't worry. I've already fucked your boyfriend about three times," he says with a twisted sense of satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with a sick pride.

My heart sinks, and I momentarily forget to breathe. Despite the pain coursing through my body, I push myself to my feet. I walk toward the bars, my fingers curling around them with a grip so tight that my knuckles turn white. Pablo instinctively pulls out, creating a small distance between us.

My breathing becomes uncontrollable, a storm of emotions swirling within me. Anger simmers beneath the surface as I glare at Pablo, my eyes flaming with power. The urge to break down over George's situation tries to consume me, but I know that showing vulnerability in front of Pablo would only empower him.

"You what?" I ask, my teeth gritted together as a surge of rage courses through me. I could kill him at the thought of what he's done to George.

"He feels so good. I'm afraid I might not want to let him go," he remarks in a gentle tone, accompanied by a chilling smile.

Disgust and defiance blaze in my eyes as I glare at him, my anger reaching a boiling point. Without hesitation, I spit in his face. "You're fucking disgusting," I hiss, my words dripping with hate.

His smile remains persistent. He casually wipes away the spit from his forehead with the back of his shirt. "I'll keep you here until your father comes looking for you. I know he's eager to see you too," he taunts, his words dripping with a sick satisfaction.

His words hit a nerve, and a realization settles over me. My dad wouldn't give a fuck if I ran away, but because I ran away with his money and his drugs, he probably wants to kill me.

The intensity of his gaze drills into me, sending shivers down my spine. His chilling words hang in the air. "When he comes," he continues, his smile twisted and cruel, "I'll kill him," his tone darkens, "and then you."

I breathe in, trying to keep my composure. If George wouldn't be in all of this I would've already beaten Pablo up and probably gotten myself killed. The only reason for me to not burst out is George. The thought of him suffering at the hands of this monster fuels my determination. I can't let the weight of this trauma break him. I have to find a way to get us out of here.

"At first I wanted to kill George too. Make you watch and everything."

I grit my teeth, my jaw clenching as I shut my eyes tightly. Emotions threaten to overwhelm me, causing tears to well up, but I refuse to show them.

"But he's quite addictive," he murmurs, biting his lower lip as he speaks. He seems almost intoxicated by his power over George. "Perhaps I'll let him live until I get bored of him," he adds with a twisted smile, his intentions clear.

I open my eyes and look deep into Pablo's. I can't believe that a person can be so disgusting. I know my father is a bad person, but I know that he would never stoop to such a low level, especially when it comes to raping an underaged boy.

"Get the fuck away from me." I spit out, my voice laced with anger and hatred, but he only responds with a burst of mocking laughter.

His gaze shifts down the hallway, fixed on something that is hidden from my view. With a nod, he abruptly turns around, and heads in the opposite direction. My heart races with a mixture of confusion and relief.

Releasing my grip on the bars, I begin to pace around the cell. I shift my gaze to my trembling hands, making an effort to steady them. The adrenaline courses through me, and I focus on calming my nerves.

The single source of light I had suddenly vanishes, plunging me into darkness. My attention snaps towards the bars, and a shiver runs down my spine as I make out the figures of two men standing in front of my cell. One holds a bat, while the other's grin sends a wave of dread through me. My already trembling body shakes even more.

The man with the grin pulls a key from his pocket and uses it to unlock my cell. As the door creaks open, I step back and suddenly come to a stop when I collide with the wall behind me. Though I'm well aware that the odds are against me, a fierce determination to protect myself kicks in.

The man holding the bat takes the lead, followed closely by the latter. Their approach sends a shiver down my spine, and I watch with a sense of dread as the bat is raised into the air. The bat suddenly hits my left torso with a crushing force, causing an excruciating pain that radiates through me. It feels like my ribs just shattered as I struggle to catch my breath amid the intense agony.

Despite the pain, I attempt to fight back, but my efforts are prevented when one of the men ducks and the other grabs me. I try to free myself but another blow lands. This time a powerful punch to my jaw, causing my head to snap back.

It continues as another hit from the bat lands on the other side of my torso, sending a wave of burning pain through me. The man releases his grip on me, and I crumple to the ground. They begin to kick me while I'm down, each blow adding to the agony that courses through my bruised body.

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