Run (#Wattys2016)

25

3 months, 13 days, 7 hours, 23 minutes, 11 seconds.

I spluttered awake as the wave hit me. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, but faded fast as the surprise wore off. I squinted into the dim light, not yet used to it. The first thing I saw was a fist flying at me. I managed to lift my chin at the last second. The fist barely missed me. 

“Good job, Lekia,” Aaron mumbled, “That’s the best I’ve seen you do since you first got here.” Aaron came into full view, sneering into my face. I was in my dark room again. Strapped to the chair. 

“Unfortunately, you’re in huge trouble.” It was amazing how much he looked like a sassy girl when he rolled his eyes. Kind of like Damon on ‘The Vampire Diaries’. The thought almost made me smile. Almost. 

“What are you talking about this time? I passed out. Sorry for the inconvenience,” I mumbled.

“Well, you’ve got that over your head also. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about your little escape attempt,” he responded, leaning in close.

“I didn’t try to escape,” I snapped, glowering at him. 

“No, you didn’t. But Emily did. And we all know who instigated that,” he turned and walked towards the door, “Two days.” The door slammed behind him, clicking to remind me I was trapped. 

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3 months, 13 days, 10 hours, 31 minutes, 17 seconds.

Trisha pulled the cover off of the bike. It was the only thing Aaron’s men hadn’t gotten to. Lekia’s crotch rocket, given to her by dad. She loved it. Loved giving them rides on it. 

Trisha gave a small smile, running her fingers over the smooth, black paint. With some reservation, she climbed onto it. This was as close as she could get to Lekia now. She closed her eyes and let her head rest near the gas gage. Imagining it was purring with life and Lekia was taking her to dance or to school on her day of the week. 

Something clanged behind her. Trisha bolted upright in surprise. Before she could react, a hand gripped her shoulder. Another covered her mouth before she could scream.

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3 months, 15 days, 22 hours, 3 minutes, 17 seconds.

I looked up, exhausted, as the door cracked open. Light shown through, hitting my face and hurting me as much as a punch would’ve. It’d been two days at seven.

A dark silhouette walked towards me. Leaving the door open. The dark figure reached me, shoving something into my face. 

“Drink,” Aaron’s voice came from the dark figure. A cup met my lips. I drank greedily as the water poured into my mouth. The fog in my head cleared about halfway. 

“What are you doing?” I mumbled as he started grappling with the straps. 

“What does it look like I’m doing?” he responded, starting on my other wrist. I didn’t move my mouth as he finished my ankles. It wasn’t worth wasting the energy. Besides, this didn’t feel right. He was too calm. Too collected. 

Aaron’s arm lunged. I flinched, expecting contact. But he didn’t hit me. He grabbed my hair. I shrieked as he yanked me out of the chair and began to drag my body. Surprise raged through my conscious thoughts more than anything else.

I was blinded by the hall lights as I crossed the threshold. My hands raked at Aaron’s, trying to make them loosen their grip on my hair. It didn’t do any good. If I was him, I would’ve laughed at the weak attempts I was making.