Death Trap

Three

Saffron

I just couldn’t stop crying. I was stronger than this. I was harder than this. I’d watched my parents burn in my own home. So why did this bother me so much. Was it because I knew we were next?

“Saffron, you need to stop crying,” Jared’s soft voice broke the silence. “You mustn’t let them see you cry. They can use that against you.”

I ignored him. I could show my emotions if I wanted to. It was his fault if he couldn’t take it. He should’ve told me what was going on.

The door opened. It was Brady. “You two can come in now.”

We walked through the door. Kyle was leaning against the wall clutching his leg. He groaned. He was breathing. Kyle was alive. But how, they’d shot him hadn’t they? His face was battered and bruised. I looked at his leg, it was covered in blood. They had shot him alright. Were they going to make us watch them kill him? All of a suddenly, Brady made a grab for Jared. Because it was so unexpected Jared wasn’t able to fight him off. Brady put a gun to Jared’s head.

Miss Scott smiled. “Shoot the traitor or I will have Brady kill Jared. He also didn’t do as he was told and I’m not very happy that I had to send Brady and my other boys out to come and find both of you. So here’s how it works, it’s very simple my dear. Kill Kyle or Jared will die. Is that clear?” She placed her gun in my hand and pressed it firmly into my palm. I looked from Kyle to Jared and back again. Jared was struggling against the sheer force of Brady’s forearm being pressed against his throat. But it was no use. Brady’s arm was like a boa constrictor. It tightened each time Jared moved. I couldn’t watch him die. I couldn’t see him hurt.

“I’m waiting,” Miss Scott said impatiently. Brady’s gun clicked, ready to shoot at the first command.

I stepped closer to Kyle.

“Hurry up please I haven’t got all day, Miss Bridges. Your brother would’ve done the job quicker.”

That hit me.

“Saph don’t!” it sounded like Jared was choking.

“Be quiet,” Miss Scott told Jared.

“Please, Saffron. Don’t, she’s a liar. She’s going to get you to do something really bad. Saph please, don’t do it,” Kyle croaked. “She’s not trying to help you. None of them are.” His eyes flickered to Jared. “Please… don’t shoot.”

Miss Scott looked pointedly at the gun in my hand.

“Saffron d-don’t shoot him.” Jared was choking. He couldn’t breathe. Brady was suffocating him.

“I’m sorry.” I pulled the trigger. Kyle’s body slumped forward. I dropped the gun on the floor.

“Very good Miss Bridges you see what can happen when you do as you’re told?” she snapped her fingers and Brady released Jared. He shouldn’t have done that. Jared was spitting nails. He turned on Brady and punched him in his face with his bad hand. Jared didn’t even wince. Brady dropped to the floor.

“Maybe this time you’ll stay there, rotten bugger,” Jared sneered.

“Jared.”

He turned at the sound of his name and was greeted by a slap round the face. Miss Scott had hit him. He didn’t move a muscle he didn’t flinch. He just stood there staring at her. And then he smiled.

“That’s not the first time you’ve ever done that to me Vanessa,” he grinned.

Her eyes narrowed. “And if you’re smart then you won’t make the same mistake twice.”