Mixed Messages ~ {d.w}

➵Forty

"MARCUS B HANSEN! YOU TIE THOSE KNOTS LOOSER!" I screech, feeling the tight binds get even tighter.

"No can do, Alice," he frowns, "you know how to untie these. Any looser and you'll untie yourself and escape." Maks finishes tying the knots and walks over to a nearby table. It's like a fold-able one you'd get at the store for like, 40 bucks. It's blue and gray and boring. Really boring.

"Maks...." I beg with pleading eyes, "please.... It's me...." I calmly say, hoping that he would let me loose. I know what would happen if he left me to Cyber. They'd chew me up like a dog and than punish Maks in some way, they'd find Damian and- I can't even think about that. I push those thoughts away, focusing on the moment. "Marcus, it's me. Your best friend, Echo. That annoying yappy puppy that likes to run around and chase their tale. It's me. You know that I would do anything to help you!" I try and reason with him. It's my best shot.

He doesn't look at me. I don't think he can. "Alice... I know it's you, you annoying dog," he cracks a grin, "but you've gone too far. That kid isn't good for you. He'll only bring pain." I deflate at his answer. There's no way Maks would ever change his mind now. That's what I love and hate about him. That Maks is so determined to do the right thing but can be so determined he becomes blind to everyone around him. It was amazing yet so freaking difficult.

"Marcus, I mean it!" I yell, "I... I can help you get away from Cyber!"

He turns to look at me.

"I know about Poppy..." I whisper, "she's 4 years old now.... she misses her daddy. Her birthday is in two weeks. Every single time she wishes for her daddy to come home and for her family to be complete," I explain, tears starting to brim in my own eyes. "Poppy such a cute girl. She's got your eyes, Leah's hair, your smile. Marcus, it's time to leave Cyber. Go back to your family. We both can." I think about Jason and Damian. Jason, my one and only brother. I miss him and I know now that I want to be connected with him. I want the family I never got have and I'm willing to forgive him for leaving me that day. All I want is my brother.

And Damian.... Where do I even begin? Damian's the boy I love. That's it. There are no words out there to describe how much I love him. If he was sun, I'd be earth. I would do anything for Damian, anything. His partner is love and crime. I don't think I could ever live without him....

"Shut up..... You don't know anything about me or them!"

"I do..... Poppy Marley Keen. Named after Marcus, you," I say, staring at the back of his head. I know he loves Poppy. Poppy's his little girl, he loves her. Every week Marcus would disappear for the day and come back at midnight the next morning. I eventually found out what he was doing. He was visiting them... but they found out too. Marcus was forced to leave them behind. "Marcus, I know what happened... but that doesn't mean you can leave yourself behind!"

"Be quiet!"

"Marcus, your last visit with them was over a year ago... You have a son too. Lola, she got pregnant. Your son, Allan Marcus Keen-"

The door busts open before I could finish. If I had gotten more time with him, I could get him to break. I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the new figure in the room.