On The Other Side

Chapter 13 - Savior

CLAY
—

"Yeah, Damian said he's coming and that we better be ready because he wants his son." I hear faint whispers from Pablo's men. I pretend to be asleep, so they leave me alone.

Every breath I take feels like shards of glass scraping against my insides, reminding me of the beating I survived last night. The pain radiates through my body, making even the smallest movement excruciating. My ribs hurt with every inhalation as if they might shatter at any moment. Even though I can barely breathe, I try to hold it together.

For George.

I don't care if my dad comes and kills me. I care about George getting out of this hellhole.

Lying on the floor, clutching my knees, I'm consumed by a sense of helplessness. My heart aches as I silently send out desperate prayers, hoping for something, anything that could help me get to George. Just to see him. Just to hug him.

My heart races as the sound of approaching footsteps grows closer. I squeeze my eyes shut, desperately hoping that it's just someone passing by and not another person I have to face.

The sound of the cell bars being unlocked and the door opening startles me. I quickly open my eyes, realizing that pretending to be asleep won't lead me anywhere.

Despite the searing pain in my body, I lift myself up. It's Pablo again.

Fuck.

My gaze meets his, and I hope that I don't look as bad as I feel. His presence is chilling, radiating fear down my spine. A cold laugh escapes his lips, accompanied by a mocking scoff.

"You're utterly pathetic," he sneers. "Your father's arriving tomorrow. I won't reveal the entire plan, but I'll grant you a moment to tell me your final words for George."

My heart sinks. Facing the reality that I might actually die here hits me hard. I contemplate what my last words to George would be, but I decide to remain silent. Whatever I have to say, I want him to hear it directly from me, not from Pablo.

"Just kill me already," I tell him, fully aware that he won't do it until my dad arrives. He scoffs in response, clearly enjoying the power he holds over me.

"I guess you don't care about your boyfriend," he teases before walking out of the cell, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the weight of my helplessness. The sound of the lock clicking echoes in the cell, sealing my fate for the time being.

Tears stream down my cheeks like waterfalls as I stumble to the ground. It hurts to cry, but the pain in my body can't compare to the ache in my heart. I've been through so much these past few days that the physical pain has become a constant encounter in my body and I'm slowly getting used to it.

I hug my knees tightly, burying my face in them as I let the tears flow freely. I try to cry silently, but I can't control the occasional hiccups and sniffles.

"Pstt!" a whispered voice breaks through my thoughts. I turn my attention toward the source and find a man wearing a panda hat. I think I've seen him around before, but he's not one of the usual men who guard my cell. "I can help you get to George, but we have to be quick."

I sit up, my heart racing, and look at him with a mixture of anger and disbelief. Does he really expect me to believe him? I roll my eyes in response and turn my gaze away. However, my attention is drawn back as he pulls a set of keys out of his pocket and begins to unlock my cell.

He walks in, letting the door close behind him, but he doesn't lock it. "I'm Nick, but everyone calls me Sapnap or just Sap," he introduces himself, crouching down so that our eyes are at the same level.

I look at him with teary eyes and there's something in his eyes. Something that other men here don't have.

"I know it's hard to believe, but we have to be quick. Everyone from this cell block is at lunch, and I'm the only one here right now," he explains, his voice tinged with urgency as he tries to gain my trust.

I guess he's my only help at this moment, and if he's actually lying, I wouldn't lose a lot, so I just press my lips together. "Why are you trying to help me?" I ask him.

"I'm here because of my father. He was in debt with Pablo before he died, and now I have to work for him to make up for my father's debts. I don't want to be here. I can help you and George escape, but we really need to hurry up, Clay," he explains, and I nod, my heart pounding with a mixture of hope and fear.

"How do we do this?" I ask as I stand up, the weight of the situation sinking in.

If George and I don't get out of here, I'll die, and George will be trapped with that monster for the rest of his life.

"I have the keys to your cell and George's room," he says, but before he can continue, I interrupt him.

"Wait. Is George okay?" I ask, concern lacing my words.

Nick presses his lips together and looks at me. "He is, but the things Pablo does to him..." he stops and shakes his head slightly. It's clear he doesn't want to talk about it, and I can see that it's bad. Very bad.

I nod at him, my heart heavy with concern for George. He continues to quietly explain the escape plan.

—