Days Until

Chapter Five

When the door swung open, it wasn't Kathrine. No, it was far worse; something Tyler had been dreading the whole time. Irene stood in the doorway looking absolutely pissed. She swayed unsteadily, so Tyler assumed she was drunk. Though she didn't quite look of age. Irene looked at Tyler, to the unlocked cell, to Ian; a look of realization dawned on her.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here! A couple of escapees and a traitorous brat! I figured after that little punishment, you would've learned not to mess with my toys." She stalked over to Ian and stared him down, then abruptly turned to Tyler.

"Lemme guess: 'we don't want any trouble, just let us leave!' Save it." Irene mocked and waved him off.

Tyler glanced at Ian, a plan already conducting in his mind. If they really were siblings then maybe he could bring out Irene's sympathetic side. Just for a moment.

A hand grabbed a fistful of Tyler's hair and tugged him down. The stench of alcohol wafted through his nose as Irene leaned into his face.

"Here's how things are gonna play out: You kindly return to the cell with your son, I make sure to not punish you too hard, and we all live happily ever after in my lovely abode. Sound good? Good." She then shoved him backwards and stalked over to Henry.

"You wanna remain in one piece, kid? I suggest not to come to your daddy's every beck and call." Irene purred in his ear and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on the top of his. "Although, you're obedience is quite desirable. Maybe I should put it to use."

Tyler growled, "Don't you fucking touch him," and clenched his fists.

Irene smirked and grasped a handful of Henry's brown hair, tugging it from side to side. "Or what?" She asked like a defiant child.

Tyler took a deep breath, ready to put his shaky plan into action. He grabbed Ian's jacket sleeve and tugged him in front of himself. He wrapped an arm around his neck and held onto his own elbow to create a chokehold. This was as far as he had planned, though.

"Wait, what?" Ian frowned and tried to shove Tyler's arm off of him. Tyler shushed him and tightened the hold, not about to let his idea fail just yet.

"Oo, threatening me with that old trick? This reminds me of a movie I once saw. Spoiler, everyone died in the end!" Irene giggled and tightened her grip around Henry's neck, too. "Anyhoo, stop playing around and get back in the cage. As fun as this is, I have grown up things to do."

"Not happening. We're leaving, now... Or I'll snap his neck." Tyler threatened, hardening his gaze.

Irene smirked, her eyes flashing with determination. "Is that supposed to be a challenge? Go ahead; We'll snap on three."

Tyler was starting to panic. The little thread of hope for his faulty plan was being tediously snipped away by the second. He had initially thought threatening to kill her brother would spark some kind of humanity, but she still seemed as detached as before. Feeling Ian tremble slightly, he realized how wrong and messed up this solution of his really was.

"Having second thoughts? What, not man enough to do it anymore? I'll start things off then!" Irene put a hand on Henry's head and chin, ignoring his snivels and whines.

Tyler gritted his teeth and shoved Ian to the side. "Stop, just stop! What do you want? Can't we leave? We don't have anything you need."

Irene looked at the ceiling for a moment then stared him down. "Yeah, I don't think so. Can't have such disobedient pets without some kind of consequence, right?"

Ian finished rubbing his neck and stared at something past Irene. He shook his head and lunged at her. "Wait–"

A gunshot rang out through the station and a fresh corpse collapsed onto the ground. Tyler stared in shock as Irene was now sprawled on the cold floor, her chest with a newly acquired bullet hole. Henry ran towards him, so he opened his arms and wrapped him in a hug. Tyler looked up to the doorway as Henry nearly choked him to death. Kathrine was holstering her gun, having just shot and killed the rowdy biker gang leader.