KILLED

Chapter Fifteen

I try to lift up my head to look around, but I'm too numb to feel anything.
Anything except for that I'm so damn scared.
I feel the panicked feeling start, knotting up in my chest until I can't even get in a good breath. I feel my hands shake behind me, and then the ache starts.
Which means I can move.
I push through it, and try to stand, my movements a little sluggish, but it turn out the rope tying my wrists together also connects me to the chair.
I sigh, wishing there was some way for me to get out of here.
"There's always another way!", my past words scream into my ear.
"There's always another way", I murmur out loud. "There has to be a way."
"If you're plotting a way out", the man from earlier's voice says from behind me. "You probably won't find one."
I look over my shoulder at him. "Who are you?", I ask.
"Nobody."
"Okay, Nobody, why are you here?"
"To keep an eye on my boss's daughter", he replies, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. "Not a very interesting job."
"I'll put in a good word", I say sarcastically. "Now leave me alone."
He lights the cigarette and holds it up to his lips with a shrug. "Can't. But it looked like you were about to have a panic attack there. I was told you have those."
"F**k off", I snap, returning my gaze to the wall in front of me. "I hate you."
"You won't after a while", my father's voice says, coming back towards me. "You can go, Xander."
"Sir yes sir."
My dad puts a hand on my shoulder, and I don't move as he runs his fingers through my hair.
"You should know I love you", he says quietly. "I've done so much for you, Tess."
"Then why am I tied to a chair?! Why was my mother shot?! Why did you kill my best friend in the entire world?!"
"To protect you", my father answers, still stroking my hair. "I could agree to let you out of here, but there would be some conditions."
"Let's here them."
"Well, you would have to obey every order I give you, and you would not leave my side unless for good reason. Other than that, I give you complete freedom."
Not freedom.
I consider my options. Stay tied to a chair, or be forced to remain by my father's side.
Neither are very desirable.
"Fine", I give in. "I'll do what you say."
"That's what I was hoping you'd say", Will Furlen says, fiddling with the knots around my wrists. When they come free, he takes my arm and pulls me to my feet. I walk on unsteady legs to him, where my dad wraps me up in a hug.
I hug myself when he lets go, shivering with cold.
"Let's go get you warmed up", he says brightly, setting his arm around my shoulders. "Then we'll have some fun."
"Where are we anyway?", I ask, following him out into the even colder hallway.
"Straight to the point. I like it", he laughs. "But I can't tell you yet."
I nod, already moving on. I had a feeling he wouldn't answer.
"Why do you sell marijuana?"
"Marijuana, cocaine, guns, anything. It's good money."
"Wow." My dad shrugs and we continue on our way, all the way to a closed door at the end of the hall.
Filled with boxes and lit with many candles, the room is slightly warmer than the world outside and flickering with dancing flames.
Will walks over to one of the crates and lifts the lid, pulling out a soft looking blanket, gently wrapping the fuzzy material over my shoulders.
"Now, let's get ourselves to the hotel", he says, taking me back out into the hallway. "I need you to turn around real quick, okay?"
"Okay", I agree, still clutching the fabric in my fingers as I turn around.
I feel yet another prick in my neck, causing me to fall backwards as a warmth spreads over me, and the last thing I feel is my father holding me in his arms.