Three strange things have happened in the past month. The first is that we have to ride in a trailer. We rode from Minnesota to Utah in a freaking trailer. It's very hot and very uncomfortable.
The second thing is that we get to work. I cook, Carson and Syd clean.
The third is that my hair started falling out. Just a little, but more than normal. That's due to not eating enough, and getting physically and emotionally hurt every single day. I'm covered with bruises and burns. Every single day I wake up, go into the kitchen to make breakfast, get beat up for not making it well enough, and groan my way through the rest of the day.
This went on for a whole month.
The fourth thing is that Syd has started acting funny. He disappears for hours and comes back a little off.
And Boss is nice to him.
While I'm getting beaten black and blue, and Carson is getting a little sore, Syd is fine.
I also just listed four things.
But the weirdest thing to happen yet was when we loaded up into the trailer and headed to Alabama.
Syd went in the truck.
After getting pushed into the trailer by Boss, and having Carson stumble in after me, Boss made to shut the door.
"Wait!" I croak, "What about Syd?"
Boss paused and glared at me. "Since when is it your place to ask questions?" He says.
"I-I, um, just wanted to know." I stammer.
Boss just ignored me and slammed the door in my face.
That was the first day Syd rode in the truck.
It took 2 days to get to Alabama, and there was no pause for relief.
We've been in captivity for a month and a half now, and conditions are not improving. I climb out of the trailer and blink in the sunlight. We're at a bar, and the first thing I notice is tag there is a dumpster inside the building.
Inside the building.
Who puts a dumpster inside a building?
The next thing I notice is that the bar is huge. The size of a ballroom.
Smalls grabs my shoulder and steers me to the bar. "I want you to dust each and every bottle on this shelf, you hear? Make them shine!"
I gulp and nod, my eyes scanning the hundreds of bottles.
As I work, I go over in my head where we've been. One day at home, then 2 on the road. 3 days in Minnesota, then 4 on the road. 4 weeks in Utah, 3 on the road. 5 weeks captured. 5 weeks.
And suddenly I can't take it anymore, I have to leave. I need to leave. I need it like how we need air to live. I cannot stay.
I glance furtively over my shoulder and assure myself that boss and Smalls are with Carson in the next barroom.
I peek over my other shoulder and bolt. I bolt for the dumpster, which seems so far away. Due to my state of health, I cannot maintain the normal amount of speed, and the room feels enormous. I'm panting by the time I reach the stupid dumpster.
I survey my hiding place and decide that the best spot to be is in.
Oh gross, I think as I open the lid and nearly gag at the stench. Gross me out.
I clamber in and shut the lid above me. Through the crack I can peer out and see what's going on.
Boss marches into my barroom and skids to a stop. "Girl! Dang it where are you?"
"Boss?" I hear Smalls' voice.
"Smalls!" Boss roars. "The girl is missing!"
"Lexi?"
"No, Beyoncé! Yes Lexi, you dimwit! I need her found immediately!" Boss shouts in Smalls face. Smalls Ducks his head and begins searching, moving chairs and poking in cabinets.
I watch as another figure comes into view. I cover my mouth with my hand in shock. It's Syd. Why is he searching, why is he helping them?
Syd staggers around and bumps into Carson, who just entered.
"Syd!" Carson hisses. "What are you doing! Don't help them!"
"Aw Carson think about it. It'll be better for us all if she's found." Syd slurs.
I close my eyes.
He's high.
Syd is high.
He's smoked marijuana and now he works with them.
He probably gets it free for his cooperation.
He sold us out.
"Sydney Fletcher!" Carson growls. "Look at yourself! You're high bro! What would your mother think?"
Syd takes a step toward Carson. "Don't bring my mother into this." He slurs.
"Dude, your mother misses you! Why would you.. Why? Stop helping look for Lexi. Please, she escaped. Just let her go."
"I can't. She's the reason we're here, she tore me from my mom. If she hadn't brought us here, I wouldn't be who I am now!" Syd says.
Carson's face goes red. "Syd this is not her fault. You made your decision! You ruined yourself! Your condition is your own fault!"
Whack! Syds fist slams into Carson's jaw.
"As hell its my fault!" He screams. "I wouldn't be in this situation if not for her! The bloody girl needs to be found and get what she deserves!"
"As hell it is your fault!" Carson says quietly. "You got that right."
Thud! Syds fist sinks into Carson's stomach. Carson gasps and doubles over. He doesn't fight back.
Carson bears three more hits to the face and torso before I sacrifice my freedom and leap out of the dumpster.
I run over to them. "Syd! Syd I'm here, I'm here buddy! Stop hitting him now! Please! Go ahead and turn me in, just stop hitting him!"
Syd pauses and turns to me, eyes wild and bloodshot. Carson groans and looks at me. "Lexi."
Syd raises his fist and makes an anguished face, letting it fall to the side.
"You can turn me in." I say again, quietly.
"Oh he won't need to turn you in, darling," says a cold voice behind me.
I turn around slowly and am face to face with one blue eye, and one brown.
YOU ARE READING
Protected
Teen FictionI'm scarred for life. I know Carson will be forever understanding, because he was there when it happened, but I didn't escape unscathed. It was so cruel. The abuse was evil. I decided his fate. I did, in court, in public. I was kidnapped. It was my...
