FUCKED.

20

TRAVIS

After twenty minutes of restless searching, I found no sign of Chloe. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to contact her, only to find her phone turned off. Frustration boiled over when my phone vibrated with a series of videos sent to the group chat. I hesitated, but curiosity got the better of me. What I saw next was enough to freeze my blood.

The first video was of Keisha and Jason engaged in a compromising act, a betrayal that struck deep. I could barely process it before another video played. This one showed Chloe, her face streaked with tears, pleading with Mr. Kassif as he whipped her, her naked body vulnerable and trembling. Anger surged through me, making it hard to breathe. I watched in horrified disbelief as more videos appeared, each one more disturbing than the last. Chloe, lifeless and pale, being abused repeatedly by Kassif. The final video was the worst—Kassif threatening Chloe, forcing her to choose between Sapphire's life and mine. Her agreement to go with him was gut-wrenching.

I felt rage and betrayal coursing through me. I needed to find Sapphire, but she was nowhere to be found. I dialed 911, my voice trembling as I reported Chloe missing, detailing everything I knew. They took her information and phone number, but that did little to ease my anxiety.

When I found Sapphire, she was in a drunken stupor, making out with some guys. I dragged her away and into my car, her laughter and slurred speech barely registering as I drove to my cousin's place. Desperate for help, I pleaded with her to look after Sapphire while I took care of the situation. She agreed, hugged me, and offered tea, but before I could relax, my phone rang. It was the police, informing me about a mysterious call from Hillton Town with the same information I had provided. They confirmed it was Chloe's number.

I kissed my cousin goodbye and raced back to the car. With a sense of urgency, I called three of my gym buddies and some underground fighters I trusted. Two backed out, but three agreed to help. I picked them up and headed toward Hillton Town, miles away from the city.

"How do we do this, man?" Sly asked, slipping on his gloves.

"This girl must really mean something special to you, T. Does she know you fight?" I shook my head, the question making them laugh.

"Describe the blonde girl again," Hunter asked.

"Sapphire, right?" I nodded.

"She's the one with the blue eyes, right? She's feisty," Vincent said.

"And beautiful," Hunter added.

"Yeah, but I like Chloe more. She's bold and friendly. I asked her out once, and she turned me down so sexy. We even watched movies together," I smirked at the memory.

"Too bad she fell for my charms, boys," Vincent laughed, punching me lightly.

"Does she know we're coming?" I shook my head, and they fell silent.

"So, who are we dealing with exactly? I can't just charge in blindly. And where's Jason?" Hunter asked.

"Jason really messed up this time," I said.

"Let me guess. He banged some chick, right?" Sly asked. I nodded.

"Who was it?" Sly pressed.

"It's Keisha," I said. The car fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

I stopped at a gas station to refuel and decided to ask the storekeeper if she had seen Chloe. The cashier, an older woman, told me her daughter had been in earlier. I rushed to the restroom and knocked, but no one answered. I opened the door to find a brunette in panties, her back turned to me. She screamed and covered herself, and I turned away, offering her my shirt.

"I'm done now. You can turn around," she said.

"You're cute. I'm Courtney," she said, touching my face as I turned around.

"I'm here for one thing only. Did anyone else stop by?" I asked.

"Yes, a guy came in, bought some stuff, and stole my fries," she said, anger evident in her voice.

"Did you see any girl with him?" I pressed.

"No," she replied.

"Did he ask for directions?" I asked urgently.

"Yes, he wanted to go to Lake Lane," she said, and I felt a surge of hope. I needed to get there quickly.

"Take me to Lake Lane before someone dies tonight," I said, grabbing her arm. She cursed me out as I dragged her to the car.

"Okay, I'm sorry. But you need to take me there now," I said, her anger giving way to concern. She begrudgingly agreed, and we drove off with my friends, Sly, Hunter, and Vincent in tow. The atmosphere was tense, and Courtney's ominous description of Lake Lane only heightened our anxiety.

Courtney's account was unsettling. Lake Lane had once been owned by the Detraranov family, but after the elder's death and the disappearance of her sister, the place had been abandoned. Only two buildings remained, and a deranged family, including a violent figure named Mad Max, now occupied the area.

As we approached Lake Lane, Courtney instructed us on where to search. I took a deep breath, knowing the stakes were high. We split up: Sly checked the garage, Hunter headed to the carbin, Vincent and Courtney went to search the rooms, and I set out to find the black door she had mentioned.

The house was unsettling, with a dark, oppressive atmosphere. On the TV stand, I spotted a family photo that contradicted Courtney's description. They appeared happy and loving. I moved on, entering a room with no lights and an eerie silence. My gut twisted as I navigated through the darkness.

"What is this place?" Vincent asked, holding Courtney's hand for support.

"It's their kinky session room," Courtney said. The sight was horrifying—chains, whips, bloodstained walls, and a repugnant smell filled the room. Vincent gagged, clutching his hankie.

"Guys, the garage was empty except for old clothes and skulls," Sly said, his voice tense.

"Hunter's not back yet," I said, realizing the urgency. I ran outside to the carbin, where Hunter was already signaling me to keep quiet. We both entered, and the smell hit me hard. I found Chloe, crying and trembling, bound and helpless.

"Chloe, it's T. Calm down. We're getting out of here," I said softly as I untied her. She threw herself into my arms, her relief palpable.

"I don't think I can walk," she sobbed.

Just then, the door swung open, and Kassif appeared with Max.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to join the show," Kassif sneered.

"Max, tie him up. Let him watch as I make love to my soon-to-be wife," Kassif ordered, his sadistic grin sending shivers down my spine.

Max lunged at me, but I fought back fiercely. I kicked him and elbowed him, but he kept coming. Kassif's menacing presence loomed closer as he dragged Chloe away. My focus wavered, and Max took advantage, stabbing me with a shard of glass from a broken window. Blood poured from my wound as he continued to assault me, kneeing me in the groin. Pain overwhelmed me, and I struggled to stay conscious as he tied me to a chair, my limbs bound with the same rope I had used to free Chloe.

Kassif's twisted rationale became clear as he taunted me. "You stole my girl and came between us. I had to get her back."

The pain was excruciating, but my mind raced with the thought of Chloe's safety. Max brought out a mattress, and my heart sank. Chloe was dragged in, screaming in terror. Kassif's sadistic intentions were evident, and I felt a deep sense of despair. In that moment, all hope seemed lost. I could only watch as Kassif prepared to carry out his vile plans. The situation was dire, and every second felt like an eternity as I faced the grim reality of Chloe's plight and the relentless threat of Kassif's cruelty.