Calamity

Chapter 4

When the hour is nigh,

And hopelessness is sinking in.

And the wolves all cry,

To fill the night with hollering.

When your eyes are red,

And emptiness is all you know.

With the darkness fed,

I will be your scarecrow.

Today felt strange – wrong, almost.

Most days I didn’t feel anything. Usually I was just there, staring at a blank ceiling with no energy. I never had anything to look forward to, and I had no one to converse with. I had nothing to worry about, up until last night.

But today I didn’t feel good. I was anxious, afraid, and extremely nervous; why should I be feeling like this? Why today, of all days?

I stopped caring months ago.

I gave up hope for escape – for a better life, or at least my old one – and began surviving, but today was different. I knew it was. But why?

The note.

Dammit.

I was trying so hard to forget about the letter, to push it so far back, it would lie within the darkest part of my mind, where memories – good or bad, old or new – were left to be forgotten. I didn’t want those words to bring me hope.

I didn’t want him to come, not for myself, but for him.

I’ve seen these men in action, and they take no mercy upon a beating heart, no matter if they’re innocent, or only having good intentions. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen Milo wrap his digits around a man’s neck, then hearing the blood curing snap of his bones.

I knew One Direction weren’t weak, nor were they inexperienced when it came to this kind of stuff, but against Calamity, I don’t think they’d come out the same way they entered.

“Are you ready?” Ace asked, adjusting his belt as he studied himself in the mirror. “Because we’re going to need you looking hot today, doll.” He glanced over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow as a warning, “But remember, no touching.”

I nodded obediently.

“Good girl.”

Okay, so maybe I was nervous about the transaction. Ace briefly mentioned yesterday he was interesting in teaming up with a new visiting gang in town, but he wanted to check them out first, to make sure they weren’t working for the FBI or anything.

“You probably won’t, but if you see these kids looking funny, tell me afterwards,” He added, running a hand through his short, blonde hair, playing with the sides, “I can’t have any loose ends, especially with the coppers on my ass.”

Again, I nodded.

“You’ve been a good girl lately, don’t think I haven’t noticed,” he was looking at me through the mirror, smirking, “If things run smoothly today, I’ll treat you well tonight. Would you like that?”

No one fucking bit.

I nodded.

He frowned, “Say you’d like it – no, say you’d fucking love it. I never hear you fucking speak.”

I swallowed, lowering my head so my messy bun adjusted to the top of my head, “I-I’d love it… Ace.”

It was quiet for a moment, then I saw his legs right in front of me. Before I knew it, he crouched down to my level and gripped my cheeks, harshly lifting them so I was looking into his cold eyes. “Fucking look me in the eyes, cunt.” He sneered. “Say it again, and then put your hands on my dick.”