Stitched Up Hearts (HIATUS/POSSIBLY DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 10-Masquerade

Its way, way too bright in this room. Whoever the interior decorator was probably needed to lay off his weed for a bit.

Because it wasn't just the lighting either, no it was the entire friggin' room. The walls were some ugly shade of yellow, covered from baseboard to ceiling in grime that only time and a lot of bugs could produce. Cobwebs clung between the crevices and peeling paint, some hanging in the air as if by one thread-which they probably were.

A slow, throbbing pounding made its way into my head as my eyes opened. Soft clanking of chains met my ears along with the other voices.

"Can't believe this..."

"What happened?!"

"Ash stay calm, please."

"No, I won't until I know what the h*** is happening!"

"I think my chains are too tight. I'm bleeding."

"Guys," I murmured, trying to sit up. With a head that felt like it was gonna burst at any minute, it wasn't an easy feat.

"Hey Andy," a gentle British female voice greeted me, "How are you feeling?"

I looked in her general direction as my blurry eyes gradually regained focus. Her brown eyes were filled with concern as they looked me from head to toe. I exhaled and blinked as I slowly nodded.

"Apart from a b****y head? I'm fine," I replied.

I frowned as I noticed something, "Hey, where's Jen," I asked, noticing she was the one missing.

"Right here?"

"No I mean my Jen," I replied, sounding as calm as possible as I scanned the room.

My body shivered and I curled up with my back against the grimy wall.

"I..."

I looked over to CC, "What?"

"I saw Jen being escorted out really early this morning. Two burly dudes. Looked nasty," he replied, dragging out nasty.

A lump flew up into my throat and I licked my suddenly dry lips. A million possible reasons for her departure rushed through my head, all the worst possibilities sticking as hard as they could.

Silence ruled our cell for a long, long time. It was like we all were holding our breath, fear mounting collectively as we waited for the next big event.

****

"Get up," snarled a raspy, deep-ish voice from above me.

I blinked my eyes open, a very powerful flashlight obscuring the man's face from my view. Adrenaline started pumping through my veins as sat up.

Without another word, he bent down and took out a key from his pocket, slightly fumbling with his flashlight for a few moments.

All the pressure on my wrists suddenly stopped as my chains fell to the ground, clanking heavily against the wooden floor.

"C'mon," the man commanded gruffly, "Let's go. It'll be better with your co operation."

I didn't want to, but I silently agreed with him on that point.

I sighed and stood up-rather unsteadily-and followed him out of the dark room. My eyes stayed on the beam of light in front of us, which illuminated rich, red wine colored carpet. I wanted to ask where we were off to, what awaited me, but this man seemed easily irritated.

My heart pounded, hoping that every step would lead me to my Jen, at the same time, hoping the others were safe.

We reached a weathered door after going up creaky wooden steps-bare bones compared to the lush carpet.