The Beauty of Despair (Book 1 of 3)

Chapter 33

I just remembered that I should probably warn you that this chapter has some thematic and harsh material. Read at your own risk.

Pain shot up my spine and throughout my skull as I was dropped onto something cold and hard. My eyes burst open and I immediately crawled backwards and my eyes darted around desperately. Zeke glared down at me in annoyance, stalking towards me with practically black eyes. His voice was singsong but dark.

                     "Oh Ava, I have something for you." That was when I saw Kristy watching us in horror and beside her was an empty and fresh looking set of manacles. When I realized his intentions, I leapt to my feet and felt under my dress for my dagger.

                     "Dammit!" It must've fallen on the floor in the mansion. That left only one option. As soon as he got close enough, I sent a punch to his face causing his head to snap back and me to shake my hand in pain. Then I stomped on his foot, punched him in the gut, then his nose that produced a sickening crack, and finally my heels to his groin. He fell to the ground with a growl and I started to run for the door but hesitated and turned back to Kristy. She shook her head and croaked.

                               "Just go." Glancing heavenward, I grabbed the chair at Zeke's desk in the corner and smashed it on his head effectively knocking him out. Without hesitation, I searched his pockets for the keys but didn't find any and then I ran to desk, flinging open the drawers all while Kristy screamed at me.

                               "Save yourself! Come back with help! Just leave already!" But my instincts tied me to her side and I cursed when I still found no keys. Then I remembered the Bobby pins in my hair and fumbled to pull one out. I dropped to her side, ignoring the pain it exploded on my knees and jamming the bobby pin into the manacle lock. Her breathing was just as heavy as mine and she asked breathlessly.

                       "Have you ever picked a lock before?" Shaking my head, I threw her a helpful smile before focusing back on my task.

                        "Umm no but I've always wanted to learn and now is as good a time as any right?" Kristy laughed and then screamed, pointing behind me.

                        "Look out!" Turning around, I was just in time to see Zeke looming over me and then slapped me soundly. I cried out and was sent flying back into the wall. My head bounced off the wall but I fought against the unconsciousness. Vaguely I heard Kristy yelling. 

                       "Zeke, please stop she's just scared!" It didn't stop him and he grabbed me by my hair, dragging me towards the clean manacles. Silently I bit my lip and ground my teeth. So far Zeke hadn't done anything that Tony hadn't done and I learned to be quiet. I held my hair and thrashed against his hold but his fingers were too tangled into my hair. My body gave out in too much pain as he threw me against the wall again, pinning me down and deftly shackling me. I lolled my head to frown at Kristy and muttered breathlessly.

                         "I'm sorry, I tried." Zeke grunted and stood to his feet before turning to Kristy and growling at her.

                          "You're lucky she didn't get away or I'd begin to doubt your loyalty, Your Highness." Kristy spat at his feet and struggled to attack him against her own manacles.

                                   "You can't just keep abducting people you bastard!" Zeke laughed sardonically and snatched her jaw in his crushing hand. She whimpered softly and Zeke flashed her an evil grin before crushing his lips to hers. Kristy froze up but didn't move until Zeke pulled away, stroking her cheek affectionately.