In a brightly lit, all-white colored room of multiple gleaming paintings of sunset farmlands: further colored by spice texture colored furnishings around the vast bright blue, alphabetically imprinted carpet.
Nancy, cuts all over her face and bleached clothing, oozing blood, sat on a sofa with a gun pointed at a muscle-toned woman, who looked to be in her 50s with wrinkling face, jet black twisted hair with a puffy pink dress, who was inanimate as she held a long white fabric on another sofa.
“I am not going to the police.” Nancy coughed.
“You are the one with the gun, heck you crashed in uninvited.” The woman said, hands squeezing onto the fabric.
“I won't stay long here,” Nancy said.
“I don't think you would be breathing for long. I have a kit in my bedroom, you want to go get it then?” The woman asked Nancy, who looked at her body.
“Minor injury,” Nancy said. The woman raised her eyebrows.
“You and that sofa you are sitting on are not in any minor way, affected.” The woman said, Nancy checked the sofa, it was drenched in sweat and blood.
“I am going to my room to get the kit. Or should I just watch you bleed to death?” The woman asked, Nancy felt her face, her hands now swiped out blood, and she started breathing fast at the sight of it.
The woman huffed and stood up, Nancy’s gun followed her movement.
“If you continue fidgeting like that, then I may as well shoot myself.” The woman said, frowning as Nancy wiped the sofa with her bloody hand.
“I will follow you,” Nancy said, standing up with a groan after.
The woman shook her head as Nancy walked towards her, face twitching with each step.
“Minor injury I see.” The woman said with a frown.
“Move!” Nancy’s voice was responded to with nothing from the woman.
“I am not going to call the police, whatever you are running away from. I don't care, I only ask that you clean every single spot you have ruined. And before you give me a look, it is what you did.” The woman said, Nancy looked at the drenched sofa and now blood-printed carpet.
“You need a shower.” The woman said, Nancy was now looking at the woman with furrowed brows.
“Because you are not going to turn this house into a crime scene. I will not agree to any other thing till you wash up. If you don't trust me, you can take a shower with the gun with me in front of you. Deal?” Nancy looked at her body, murmuring. She looked up to the woman and nodded.
The woman kicked Nancy in the leg, grabbed the gun, placed her finger behind the trigger, twisted her arm, elbowed her face, and sang her first into her stomach. Nancy fell to the ground groaning, and spitting out blood as the woman pointed the gun at her.
The woman started stretching her fists with a twitching face. Nancy, from lying down, jumped at the woman. The woman dodged.
“You move a single muscle, a bullet will go into your right leg. Twice.” Nancy spat at the woman in response before resting down, convulsing with saliva coming out of her mouth. The woman's eyes widened and rushed to her, checking her head.
“Are you alright?” The woman asked, putting a finger on Nancy’s bloody neck. The woman laid the gun down as she checked on Nancy, Nancy delivered a slap that echoed in the room at the same time grabbing the gun. The woman’s legs coiled around Nancy’s neck, making her gag. The woman snatched the gun from her, tightening her legs to which Nancy gagged louder. The woman stood up, pointing the gun at Nancy, who raised her hands. The woman, her face now having the red mark of the slap, smiled.
“Now, you are going to take a damn shower.” The woman said to which Nancy just looked. Nodding after some time.
Nancy went through a door which the woman followed. Later, in a brightly lit blue and red striped bathroom: in a clover-leaf-shaped bathtub was Nancy in a thick purple soapy liquid, only her head was visible as the woman scrubbed her head from outside the tub, with an arm length brush to which Nancy groaned from each scrub of her hair.
“When was the last time you had a bath?” The woman asked.
“It's better I don't say. I have had a rough time.” Nancy said, bringing her hand out to touch the brush to which the woman slapped it away.
“I think my nose is broken,” Nancy said.
“You caused it, I mean one moment I was sleeping, then someone knocked on my door and here we are. Cleaning up an intruder who hasn't had a bath in years.” The woman said.
“It wasn't years, and for your information. I was not so long ago locked in a crate. Going to God knows where.” Nancy said to which the woman stopped scrubbing. They both looked at one another.
“Excuse me, what?” The woman asked, scrubbing slower.
“In case you don't understand the hint, I was going to be sold off to some people. I had to escape, well someone helped me escape, the point is that I am here through grace.” Nancy said, closing her eyes with a grin.
“Why didn't you go to the police?” The woman asked, Nancy laughed in response.
“I did that. Let’s just say that the police station isn't standing well, a shoot-out among the officers happened. How I could run here is a mystery.” Nancy said.
“Wow, you are one tough cookie.” The woman said laughing, Nancy frowned.
“I have been there before. Where you are alive is a problem to some people, look at the bright side. You are alive,” The woman said, Nancy smiled.
“Yeah, they tried to put me down but they failed,” Nancy said to which they both chuckled.
“Your parents?” The woman asked Nancy’s face squeezed.
“If you don't want to,”
“What's the point? I will tell you.” Nancy interrupted the woman with a bitter smile.
“If you wish.” The woman said.
“I do. You want to hear a story about them?” Nancy asked.
“Well, we got time.” The woman said.
“First question, why did you isolate yourself here in this place?” Nancy asked, the woman gave a full smile.
“That was an odd question. Thought you wanted to tell me your story.” The woman said, dropping the brush.
“Well, being here alone isn't what I call a retirement home lifestyle.” The woman laughed at Nancy’s words.
“Being trafficked isn't a lifestyle for a woman like yourself.” The woman said, getting a long peach towel from a rack of the same color.
“I am 18 mind you,” Nancy said to which the woman nodded to her.
“Whatever you say.” She said to Nancy while walking away as Nancy got out of the bathtub.
“Are you done?” The woman asked, only splashes of water responded.
“I feel refreshed. But, do you have an extra toothbrush?” Nancy asked, body completely wrapped in the towel.
“Fine.” The woman went to a yellow drawer, opening it: rows of soaps, bathing oil, shampoo, hair cream, perfume, and one packaged toothbrush, a small red cylinder jar of toothpaste.
“When was the last time?” The woman stopped her question and brought out the toothbrush and toothpaste. Nancy went to collect it with a smile.
“What kind of toothpaste is this?” Nancy asked, admiring it.
“A quality one.” The woman said, Nancy frowned at her.
“What? I didn't sell because of a lack of need. People didn't fancy toothpaste in a jar design.” The woman said, huffing after.
“It's nice,” Nancy said. The woman flicked her forehead.
“I know. Thank you.” The woman said, smiling.
Nancy went to a blue sink with a toothbrush with toothpaste on it. Turned on the tap, wet the toothbrush, and started brushing her teeth, smiling at the mirror which reflected the woman, who was smiling too.
“It feels spicy,” Nancy said with the foam in her mouth. The woman laughed, Nancy looked in confusion before her face twitched. She spat out the foam, putting her mouth under the tap.
“Don’t worry, it’s good. It's spicy because it's cleaning the bacteria and stuff, it's pretty strong.” The woman said as Nancy spat out the water, looking at the woman with a frowning face.
“I wonder why it didn't sell,” Nancy said.
“What? Come on, brush your teeth. You will see your teeth will be sparkly clean.” The woman said, face trying to hold back laughter.
Nancy hissed, resuming back to brushing her teeth. The woman laughed.
“What made you think this was a good idea?” Nancy asked, the woman continued laughing.
“I use it every day, don't be a whiner.” The woman said, Nancy rinsed her mouth and started gasping.
“Wow, and I thought you to be a tough cookie.” The woman said.
“Tough my ass, my mouth is on literal fire,” Nancy said before brushing her teeth again.
“It is to clean your teeth.” The woman said.
“I can clean my teeth with normal toothpaste. I feel thirsty.” Nancy said, spitting out the foam after and rinsing her mouth
“By the way, did anyone follow you here?” The woman asked, Nancy coughed out water.
“I hope not. I bet they probably did, or would try to. Oh no.” Nancy said, holding her head, taking a deep breath before taking a deep exhale, and looking at the woman through the mirror.
“Do you know if you have a tracking chip on you?” The woman asked
“I know nothing is in my body, they wouldn't even spare money to give us good food, forget about water. We were just stored, packaged, moved out to the country someone bought one of us. The thought of spending on us and reducing their ludicrous profit was stupid to them.” Nancy said, gripping the sink.
“You were really lucky to escape.” The woman said, Nancy smiled.
“More on their stupidity. I was lucky I was caught by idiots. Can you believe the guy who released me was one of them, and didn't know that his guys were in a trafficking ring?” The woman’s face showed shock upon hearing Nancy’s words.
“How is that possible?” The woman asked.
“I don't know. He gave me clothes, took me to a hotel where he was staying, I ran away when he wanted to talk to me.” Nancy said, continuing to brush her teeth.
“You did?” The woman asked.
“Yeah. He was thinking about whether he should let me go or not. Plus accepting I was to be trafficked. Didn't know what would come out of his head.” Nancy said, spitting out foam, and rinsing her mouth again.
“That makes no sense.” The woman said, Nancy laughed.
“Yeah, the whole thing was confusing. Can't believe I got caught in the first place.” Nancy said, shaking her head.
“How did you get caught?” The woman asked.
“Well, my dear father was having a business meeting with some people. Talk, talk, and some more talk. I didn't know what they were saying as they were speaking in French. French, in Mexico, not all of them could so they just watched.” Nancy said, the woman smiled, frowning her eyes.
“That is odd. Your dad was Mexican?” The woman asked.
“Yes, mother from France. She forced only English on both me and my dad.” Nancy said with a smile.
“And your father used it in a meeting?” The woman asked.
“Yes, the people were also French. I think, anyway, they were arguing and let me admit my French was shit in all directions. My father called me out to bring in drinks, someone said something and,” Nancy stopped, tears dripping out of her eyes.
“I don't know why, bullets flew, bodies dropped, blood sprayed, only I was left. Some guy from outside entered, and took me with him away.” Nancy said, eyes red with tears flooding down her cheek. The woman caressed her head.
“I am sorry. I have to ask, what of your mother?” The woman asked, Nancy gagged.
“Ran away during my 16th birthday. She and my father fought, he was not the same again. He tries to find her but, nothing. The only thing we heard was that she went to another country. How could she?” Nancy asked, crying onto the woman’s shoulder.
“There is a possibility that some people will come here. Armed, quietly or not, they would want to prevent you from speaking any more to anyone about what you went through. I am here, nothing will harm you.” The woman said, wiping tears from Nancy’s eyes.
“The problem is how? They will have weapons.” Nancy said.
There was a loud knock from outside. They looked at one another.
“Come with me.” The woman said.
Later, in a small red wooden room shined by red light. A long rusted metal padlocked cupboard was lined against a wall, Nancy and the woman were standing in front of one. The woman used a long gleaming key to open the padlock, it fell, the door opened up revealing: blue-colored shotguns arranged on one row, pink colored pistols on the next row, followed by bullets for each gun, followed by multicolored goggles.
“The time is 3:00 AM. This is a sensitive time, I have no known friend that would come here by this time. The only suspect is those people after you, they are still knocking. Hope they don't do more.” The woman said, bringing out a pistol: looking at the magazine and chamber, empty, she racked the slide back, pulled the trigger, a clicking sound was made. She repeated the action a few times before looking at the body, giving the gun to Nancy after she was through.
“Why is it pink?” Nancy asked.
“You don't like it?” The woman asked back, bringing out a shotgun, blowing at it.
“I like it,” Nancy said, pointing it around.
The woman nodded with a smile, focusing on the shotgun: she checked to see it unloaded, pumped the slide to the chamber, cocked the hammer, pulled the trigger, a clicking sound was made. She repeated the series of actions multiple times before checking the whole body.
“What did you do before?” Nancy asked, the woman giggled.
“After we solve this issue.” The woman said. There was a thud from above.
“They broke inside. Nancy quick, load up, you want to run through the backdoor?” The woman asked, Nancy laughed.
“They have already entered. Let us just do this.” Nancy said, looking at the woman with a confused look, raising her pistol. The woman took the pistol, removed the magazine, picked and placed bullets into the magazine, inserted the magazine back into the pistol, checked it, and gave it to Nancy.
“Don’t shoot.” The woman said to which Nancy nodded, rolling her eyes.
The woman placed the butt of the shotgun against her armpit, turning it sideways, she picked up and placed each shell into the loading flap, making clicking sounds with each one. She checked the body, placing it against her shoulder as she pointed it around, eyes squinted.
“Carry and load some magazines for reload and we are ready.” The woman said, turning to Nancy whose breathing was getting heavier. The woman placed her hand on Nancy’s shoulder, making her look up.
“It's going to be okay. I am with you.” The woman said, Nancy smiled at her.
“My name is Nancy by the way,” Nancy said, the woman smiled back.
“My name is Eve.” The woman said.
“Let’s just wait here. Though with the size of this house, they will find this place, the situation won't be good. What do you think?” Eve asked, Nancy gave a bitter smile.
“Let’s wait. God knows how many people they brought here. If they come here, At least the line of fire will be straight. Can we load up more guns, just in case or better yet teach me?” Nancy asked, Eve smiled and nodded at her. She walked to lock the door of the room, going back to the wardrobe.
A boom was heard, followed by shaking of the ceiling.
“Shall we prepare?” Eve asked to which Nancy nodded.
“Put on your goggles please, things could happen and your eyes should be protected,” Eve said, both of them put on the goggles.
There was a shout from outside, a series of thuds. The door was being banged, there were voices outside. It all was then quiet, Nancy and Eve looked at one another.
There was then a ticking sound, Eve, they both went to drag the cupboard out, hiding behind it.
The door exploded with a boom, splinters of wood flew all around, some smashing against the cupboard. Smoke covered the doorway, out of it came two men: each wearing a black tracksuit, both of them bald with no facial hair and no expression, carrying a gym bag each with a silver automatic. Shots were fired from behind the cupboard, which led to them firing at the cupboard. One of them fell, clutching his now bleeding stomach, the other one fired as he crawled out of the room. The automatic stopped firing, the man dragged the bleeding one out. An automatic was left behind. Eve ran at it, shotgun pointing at the still-smoking doorway, she picked it up. More shouts were heard with a series of louder thuds. Eve ran to the cupboard, scooped bullets, and ran behind the cupboard.
Nancy was breathing with her mouth opened wide.
“You got one of them. Nice one.” Eve said with a smile to Nancy, who smiled back.
“It's okay, we are still alive,” Eve said.
The sound of automatics blasted the room, the cupboard was being dented, Nancy folded herself and covered her ears while Eve covered up Nancy, whispering to her. The firing stopped, the sound of magazines dropping to the ground was heard, Both Nancy and Eve stretched and fired their shots, there were five more men of the same look, they all cursed out, jumping out of the room. One of them got caught and was convulsing on the ground, bleeding profusely. They all left him like that till he stopped moving. They were all cursing repeatedly, Eve clutched the automatic as she and Nancy tensed up. Nancy peeked to see the men bringing out cylinders from their gym bags. She finished reloading her pistol and mouthed what she saw to Eve, who frowned and went to peek. Multiple arms stretched and threw the cylinders, Nancy and Eve fired. Some arms were caught, whining in pain. The cylinders still rolled to the cupboard. Ticking, Nancy and Eve’s eyes popped, they ran out, as Eve fired the automatic at the doorway, Nancy scooped the cylinders and threw them at the doorway. There was silence, screams were heard after, footsteps were heard.
“I don't think the wardrobe can take more automatics,” Eve said coughing out, Nancy was lying on the ground. Crying.
Eve checked her automatic, the magazine was empty, she threw it away. She then grabbed her shotgun, reloading as Nancy sat up.
Bullets came out of the wardrobe, glazing past Eve’s head. She lied down upon that happening along with Nancy, who screamed upon the shooting. Eve outstretched her shotgun, clutching it and fired. The automatics stopped, curses were flying.
“I caught one, I caught one,” Eve said, touching her head with a twitching face. She checked the fingers and there was blood.
“I don't know how we can get them,” Eve said. Nancy smiled at her.
“We at least got them thinking now, they thought this would be easy. They are so wrong.” Nancy said to which Eve laughed too. There were screams outside again, they just looked at one another with a smile. More bullets came out from the wardrobe, they lay down. The sound lasted for some time before stopping and curses were heard. Eve, whose cloth was scratched and brought out blood, got up and walked out, Nancy’s face showed confusion, Eve strode to the doorway. She fired, hitting a man in the forehead while reloading with the other two who just loaded their weapons, Eve racked the slide and fired at one of them, hitting him in the chest before she ran back inside as the last one fired his automatic with a scream. Eve dived behind the wardrobe, Nancy wasn't there. The man rushed in firing at the wardrobe as he got closer, he dropped his automatic, gripping his now bloody right arm that had many holes. He turned to see Nancy at the corner of the room, pointing her pistol at him. Her eyes widened before frowning at the man, whose face showed fear.
“Either you or me.” The man said, sweat dripping down his forehead.
“You,” Nancy said to
YOU ARE READING
CRIMSON LABYRINTH TALE
Misterio / SuspensoIf Rick had just kept his calm when he found Nancy in a crate and sealed it back, then this non-linear crime thriller of a botched operation leading to a series of events affecting surrounding people, wouldn't have happened. This story is the first...
