The Gangleader's Girl

Chapter Twenty Two

      Mary

   Where am I? This is crazy, I don't understand. How....how am I here? Oh no, I'm having a panic attack...

   Knock, knock, knock

   I jumped from where I was standing. I looked towards the door.

   "Uh...yes?" I asked.

   "Can I come in? I have food for you ma'am." I slowly walked towards the door and opened it. It was the same boy from earlier. The one who was more nice to me than that other man.

   "Hello, miss, my boss instructed for me to bring you some things, and for you to ring the bell on the side of your bed if you needed anything." He didn't make eye contact with me as he placed a tray with an apple and a cup of coffee, with a menu on the side, onto the small table.  I looked over at him.

   "What's your name?" He still didn't make eye contact with me.

   "Baxter..." I just nodded and stared at him.

   "How old are you? You seem about my age." Baxter fidgeted with his fingers.

   "I'm 17, I'm the boss's cousin." I smiled.

   "Nice to meet you Bax-"

   "Bastard! We need you to clean up down in the kitchen!" Baxter jumped in where he was standing and grunted.

   "They always call me that instead of my real name..." He muttered as he walked away. I slowly walked towards the tray. To be honest, I'm not even hungry.  The tea sounds good but no thanks. I sat down on the bed, and grabbed Paper Towns to read. Even though this is the third time I'm reading this.

       ~~~

   So, it's probably only been five minutes and Gunner comes in through my door. I widened my eyes and ran to him, embracing him in a hug.

   "Gun! Oh my gosh! Are you hurt or anything!" I looked at him and noticed he had a black eye and a cut on his lip. I gasped and rubbed my thumb over his cut lip. He moved his head to the side.

   "I have something to tell you..." Gunner sat down on the bed and looked up at me as I stood in front of him. His eyes held sadness.

   "Gunner...Gun what's wrong?"

   "You're going to hate me for what I tell you next Mary..." I looked at him straight in the eye, as he stared back at me. "I am in a gang, in Ryan's gang to be exact. We all weren't kidnapped, I mean, you were, but me and Nick were just playing along. We had to make you think that we we're really getting kidnapped but...here we are now."

   My eyes closed shut.

   "No...n-no...you're lying Gunner." He grabbed my hand and rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

   "I'm not lying Mary....but....but I still care about you. I'm still the same guy you met before. The same, funny, caring, respectful guy, your friend."

   "No." I said in a stern voice. I opened my eyes and glared at him, harsh. "You are not my friend. You sir, have lied to me, this is probably one of the biggest lies that I've ever been told. You are an asshole. You never cared about me, you were just the bait. Ryan used you so you can get me easier. And look at where you're sitting. You should have thought this all out before this happened." Gunner looked down, upset. I stepped back, away from him.

   "I want to speak with Ryan." I said. Gunner sighed as he stood up and began to walk away. But before he left, he stopped in his tracks.

   "I'll tell the boss you want to talk to him." Then he was gone. I sighed and sat down, then my vision led to the small table, still with my - now - cold tea and the apple. I groaned and took a bite and a sip.