Unstoppable: Revitalized

-31-

I'm back here, aren't I?

The blanket of darkness greeted me, a cocoon of complexity I still couldn't figure my way through, that weightless feeling I'd become all too used to settling into my body as I laid still, floating through the inky darkness of the unknown. 

I fucked up. And bad. No one knows I'm here, and no one's coming to get me. I'm stuck. The Boss will find me back in that goddamn Cooler. I'll never get out. He'll do something abominable to me, I just know it. 

I tried to move my arms, to try and direct myself, but my body refused, fighting against me the whole time to remain statue still. I continued to push back, begging for something to give me a ray of hope in this impenetrable darkness.

Why the hell does the Caretaker have a gun? How did he get it? Who was he going to use that on, if not me? It doesn't make any sense. They couldn't know I'd be there, I told no one. God knows.

The darkness gripped my eye sockets, sinking even deeper as I took long, deep breaths to keep myself calm. It worked, but only just, as my mind reeled with everything that could happen to me in any given moment.

I did my best. I tried. That's all that matters. I got Callum, Charlotte, and Poppy out of danger. Hopefully, The Boss doesn't send anyone to clear the house. Please, be merciful. I'm begging. 

The blanket began to lift, my limbs feeling life as I scrabbled against the darkness, throwing myself into the light, a small tears dropping from my cheek as I knew it wasn't the end just yet. 

Keep fighting. Be ready. We need to go, and fast. 

The room I woke in seemed to be The Cooler: That same cold air instantly pierced through my skin, sending short sharp pains through my bones themselves. The lights were on, as I could see the walls and my breath steam as it was overtaken by Mother Nature. I ignored the shuddering, trying to stand. A wave of nausea, and my legs shaking hard, told me it would be impossible, yet I continued to fight, only giving up when I vomited into the corner I was in, crawling away from it, appalled with myself. I shook violently now, a side effect of both my sickness and coming back to life as I tried to force the urge to throw up again down. My body curled up into a ball, my head in my knees, as I waited for everything to subside. It took a while, and I had no idea how much time passed, before I tested myself again, my body finally accepting the responsibility to stand and walk, moving towards the door. I tested the knob.

Of course. Locked.

I had just planned to try and kick the thing in, before it flew open, missing me by millimetres. I backed up instinctively, hands up, before something was aimed at me and fired, sending me to the floor in a convulsive state, my limbs jerking and twisting as I was thrown to the other side. Once again, I found the strength to stand, the adrenaline inside me doing it's job. I was greeted by three members, two I'd seen before, but one was brand new. He seemed to keep behind The Boss and the Caretaker, as if using them as shields against me. 

"Well. I would say it's good to see you again, but not under these circumstances." The boss spoke, his presence capturing the room and keeping him the main focus

It's time to die, then.

"Mhm." I bluntly responded, my hands up and ready for punches. 

"You've got yourself in some serious trouble Adam. How many rules did you break this time? Breaking and entering, attempted assault, attempted battery, the list goes on." He counted each one with an extended finger, before looking directly into my soul, peeling back the layers of skin and flesh that separated them, his gaze cold.

"I can't seem to help myself." I laughed a little, causing The Boss to show some anger, marching towards me until our breath practically connected, the dots in his eyes shimmering.

"No. You cannot. And that is exactly what worries me. You've been given a gift. You can come back from anything, Adam. Anything. And instead of keeping it a secret, maybe, I don't know, testing it out in private, you instead decide to play hero. To destroy a business of mine, to raid the headmaster's office. What were you even- It doesn't matter. All that matters is now. And for now? You'll be down here for a long time." 

"You'd do the same if you were me, and you know it." I retorted, refusing to budge or back down from him. I could see the surprise hidden behind his mask, and knew I'd slightly gotten to him, even if it would mean my death.

"You, Adam... God... Your losing it. You've killed two people. Do you know what that means? Two people are dead, because of you. I know about Poppy. I know she's dead. She died in that shitty little build-up around the edge of town. Callum told me." He let a smug smile sit on his face as I kept mine straight, knowing the double agent had done exactly what he needed to do.

Thank you, Callum. Thank you so much.

"I didn't mean to. Liam hit me first, that was an accident, and Poppy? well... It happened in the heat of the moment." I shrugged my shoulders, desperately trying to keep nonchalant as possible.

"Because starting a miniature explosion just 'happens?' It just 'happens,' does it?" His words began to seethe as his hands turned to fists. I couldn't help it, I knew I'd gotten to him at this point: I smiled.

"Go ahead. Kill me. Over and over again. I can't stop you right now, but I will get out one day. And when I do? I will make you hurt. And I will make it last." I took a step back, leaving some space as The Boss seemed to process this, my threat laced with promise. He snapped his fingers, which seemed to alert the boy in the back. He stood to attention, standing next to him, arms limp and calm.

"Adam? This is Oscar. Oscar, Adam. The troublemaker I've been telling you about?" 

Oscar... Shit... Oscar. The same Oscar everyone's warned me about? 

His mouth smirked slightly, causing my heart to sink into my stomach

Oh boy, I'm screwed.