The Darker Shade

The Darker Shade: Chapter 1, 2 & 3

Chapter 1...

The rattle of the bars pull. "Let's go, Hyde." I step out and follow as the guard escorts me to where they hold my items. The guard hands me my clothing from years past as well as the items and cash from that day. The stench of dirt and faint musky cologne resonates as I dress. My lips curl. The remembrance fills as several faces skim through my mind. Fully changed I step out of the restroom and walk over to where a guard sits. He passes me my release forms and I sign my grin wide from ear to ear. "Here's to the last 4 years." Scratching the ink across the form I step back and move to the exit. The doors open, the sun cascades. A black SUV awaits, a driver stands beside the passenger door. He opens for me as I approach. I step down and crouch in attempts to see who's inside. "Hurry the fuck up and get in. Grey has people watching your every fucking move." I grin and sit, closing the door as I enter. "Hello to you too, Linc."

"Don't fucking hello me." He sits up adjusting his suit jacket looking paranoid and jittery. I laugh instantly at his discomfort. He looks back at me. "What the fuck is so funny?" I shake my head as I glance out the tinted windows. Running my fingers through my greasy, sweat filled hair. "You and your fucking paranoia." I respond. He glares. "It's not me that has a fucking billionaire and his family after me." "What the fuck does he have to be after me? I paid my fucking dues. He's lucky I don't finish what I started." "According to Elena they live out by the.." I cut him off. "I don't fucking care Linc. That part of my life is over." He laughs and stares as if my words are of insanity. "Are you fucking serious? Tell me you didn't fucking grow a conscious after all that's happened. I didn't get your ass out, Hire the best lawyers and have them drop your sentence for you to just let shit go and turn a new fucking leaf. That wasn't the fucking arrangement. HYDE!" Glaring back at him.. "I know what the fuck the arrangement was. You don't have to remind me." "Good. Bad enough my whore ex-wife got most of what I had." "Ahh yes... Good old Domme Whore of Seattle. How is the shriveled cunt of yours?" "Probably being fucked as we speak." He shrugs with a smug look adjusting his tie. I shake my head chuckling as he gazes out his window.

We arrive shortly at a brick building just above Pike Place Market. The SUV parks, Linc passes me a pair of keys. "It's not much, a studio with a mattress, electricity and water." I look from his hand up, my brow arched. "This is the best you could fucking do?" "It's about all I can fucking do. And this..." He hands me two manila envelopes. I go to open, he stops me... "Not here. Open it when you get upstairs. Oh and you'll also find some things that I've left to accommodate you." Arching my brow I turn and open the door. He shouts "Top floor. Last apartment to the left and remember, we have a fucking agreement." I slam the door without responding. The SUV pulls off as I walk up to the front door. I walk up several flights of stairs, finally arriving at the top floor. Turning in the key, It's exactly as he said Four fucking walls and a mattress, a kitchen, barely that of one, and a bathroom, the only hidden room of the place. I throw my bag down on the mattress and look around. Fuck what I'd give for a whiskey right now. Taking off my suit jacket, unbuttoning my collar I walk into the bathroom and run the shower. The heat resonates through the room, the steam wallowing. I completely undress and step in. Placing both hands against the tile walls, letting the water fall over me. The grease and dirt perspires through my pores, every inch of me relaxes as the water drips down my legs. Washing my face, my chest, my body, every single muscle eases. I grab a towel, and dry my face. Wiping the steam from the mirror I take a look at my reflection. My features have changed, my body more toned then before. Thinking back to my time spent in prison, remembering each day.

The guards pushed me in. "You aren't such tough shit now, are you mother fucker?" Sitting in the cafeteria surrounded by felons, murderers, rapist... It was all too much and I had to learn quick how to hold my own. How to be one of them, ironically it only reminded me more of my childhood. More of a time that I at one point in my life thought I put behind me, until of course the likings of Christian fucking Grey came strutting back into my fucking life. Sure I wasn't your average man, but I had my shit together. I had my career, my future, my life... and that asshole took it all. Him and his dumb naïve bitch wife. I shake my head as the steam shaves away from the mirror and tiles. Closing my eyes to bring my thoughts back to my current day, my now. This is my future, now I'm the man that will forever be known for Assault, battery, kidnapping and not to mention attempted murder. I was lucky Linc helped with my case. He was the last I'd ever expect by my side. But then, he too was another victim of that Rich bastard and his cunning wife. And I was a measly ploy into whatever scheme he had going on Grey.