Flashback

Chapter 2 -Ashley-

-Ashley's POV-

I never wanted to be here. All I ever wanted was to go back home to my family and my normal life. But that was never possible. My parents were killed right in front of my eyes. My sister, well I'm not sure about her but last time I saw her she was held at gun point and ordered not to follow the guy who held me captive and when she didn't listen she was hit on her head. It's been ten years now. And I've been living with the killers themselves. They never told me why they killed my parents or why they're keeping me. In fact they never tell me anything. The only thing I know is that they sell drugs. I know that because I'm one of their dealers. At the age of fifteen, they forced me to sell their stuff at the school they sent me to. You might ask why I never thought about running away. I tried. My last try was a year ago and I got caught again. They have eyes on me everywhere. I don't think any of their other dealers are under this kind of supervision. It's only me. I don't know why. I gave up on running away and started living with the fact that I'm a drug dealer and I'll never change that. When they found I stopped trying, they started trusting me more and sending me to finish their jobs for them. They told me that in a month I'll be going under a test of loyalty and if I pass, I'll be officially one of them. So until that time comes, they are sending me on more missions and jobs to train me. I'm currently getting ready for another mission. We are headed to a nearby neighborhood because some guy there owes the gang some money. So I strap my gun to my hip and grab my leather jacket. I head out and quickly spot the van waiting for me. I ride with them and Tony, the driver, drives away.

"So, Ash, are you ready?" Sam asks me from his front seat.

"As ready as I'll ever be!"

"Alright, you know what we'll do if he doesn't pay up?"

"Yeah we kill him and bury him in the usual place"

"Good girl."

Three of the guys get out of the van and check around the house. There were five left in the van, including me. When they give us our signal, I get out of the van with Sara and Lucas, while Tony and Anthony stay in the van and the rest of the guys stay around the house in case the man tries to run or he calls backup. We knock on the door and wait for him to open.  After a few minutes he opens the door.

"Marconi, long time no see!" Lucas greets the guy.

"Lucas! I see you brought some friends"

"Yeah, but that's not the reason we're here. You know why we're here don't you?"

"You want your money back"

"Good boy, do you have it?"

"I told you to give me one more week!!"

"So you don't?"

"I have half of it"

"I want all of it!"

"But I have only half of it!" He repeats.

"Well how about you go get it and then we could talk."

We then enter the house against Marconi's protests. He leaves us and woes to get the money.

"Are you seriously going to take the money and let him go?" I ask

"Of course not! We'll take what he has and then I'll let you kill him"

We wait for a minute and then we hear gun shots in the backyard. Lucas motions for me to go check it. I go while taking my gun out of my belt and holding it in front of me. I enter the backyard and then I laugh. The idiot thought he could run away.

"He's dead isn't he?" I ask.

"He sure is. I hate how they are all stupid enough to think they could run away!" Sam says.

"Let's go check the house then." I say. Sam comes with me while the others stay out.

An hour later we had already found the money he was hiding and we were burying him. After we were done we head back to our houses. I live with two roommates, Lucas and Sara. Once I enter our house, I head to my room and jump on my bed. I always hated killing people. I only do it when I have to, when there is nothing else I could do. I'm glad it wasn't me who killed Marconi, but I'm also sad that he ended up dead. Nobody deserves to die that way.

"Ashley! Wake up!" Lucas says hours later.

"What is it Luke? Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?"

"Well, Jack just called and he wants us to come to the warehouse now. They say there is someone they're keeping captive in there and we need to be guarding the place."

"Alright, just give me a minute."

I get out of my bed, wash my face and change into a fresh pair of pants, a tank top and a hooded jacket on top.

After we reach the warehouse, we are told where exactly everyone should stand. Lucas is one of the four people who would be right outside the cell the person is kept in, Sara is with me on the east side, while the rest are scattered around the building.

"So who do you think the prisoner is?" Sara asks

"Like I would have a clue! I don't care anyway, it could be my own sister and I wouldn't care. I don't care about anyone anymore." I say.

"Are you alright, Ash?" Sara asks concerned. Sara and Lucas have always been there for me. They were really good friends, they got me out of a lot of trouble. When I tried to run away before, they were the ones to distract the guards. They've listened to my story and they promised to help me find whoever is there of my relatives if they could. They were the best friends I could ever have. So when Sara catches me saying what I just said, she has to be concerned.

"No I'm not, Sara! Why hasn't anyone found me yet? I remember having relatives, uncles, an aunt and cousins. Why have they never searched for me? Do you think I like living the life I'm living? Being a criminal loose on the streets? If they found me, I wouldn't be forced to live here! To me, this is worse than being in prison; I'd rather be in prison than be here!"

"I know, Ash! Do you think I enjoy being here? I hate being in danger all the time! But you have to be sure that they are searching for you! I never had a family, Ash, you know that. But I know one thing. Your family would never give up on you! The cops obviously aren't doing their jobs, I mean if they were, this prisoner wouldn't have ended here. They say it's a girl from a rich family, meaning she's not a thug."

"That's weird. Jack and Mark never target rich people! Unless.."

"Exactly! That's why I told you! I'm thinking the exact same thing!"

"Did you see her?"

"No, but Lucas is in there, we have to get a hold of him!"

"I have to see her!"

"You will, we'll find a way! But until then, we need to attract no attention!"

After our shift was over we head to our house. Lucas had longer shifts so we wouldn't be able to meet for a while. So Sara and I try to find a way to contact him. His phone is out of service since there isn't any good reception inside the warehouse. So we wait until he gets back home hoping he'll have some details. Until then we watch some TV and I cook a nice meal. We eat together and still Lucas didn't come back. It was two AM now and still no sign of him so we give up and go to bed hoping we'll see him tomorrow.