Taken into the Unknown (Complete)

The Party's Just Begun

CHAPTER 22: The Party's Just Begun

Normally I wouldn't upload such a short chapter, but I've had this part completed for a while now, and like I said before, I'm not sure when I'll really get the time to write the next chapter...so I decided to put a little up. Just to satisfy but also tease you guys.

Fair Warning: It's short. ^

The men’s voices slowly rumbled louder and louder as they realized what was going on. Hands began trying to grab at me, but I was quickly pulled out of their grasps as I continued to be dragged along, my feet moving of their own accord as if I were possessed. Any normal person’s adrenaline would have shot up or they would have snapped out of their thoughts, but the only thing on my mind was the scene which had just occurred, playing on repeat in my head.

I couldn’t even begin to process what was going around me. I had no idea where I was going or who was pulling me. I didn’t give it any thought. The only thing that was on my mind was that the same nasty mongrel that had Jayden was in that room. Garrett Sparks. The name sent burning chills through me. Whatever I did, I had to go back. This was my chance! This was my breakthrough! I could find my best friend somehow and finally get out of here!

I was suddenly yanked out of my thoughts, quite literally, when my arm was pulled around a corner. Finally taking in my surroundings, I found myself back in the dressing room with Raquel, who had been pulling me around. 

“I have to go back!” I stated, about to storm back out.

“What?! Are you crazy?” she said, throwing me my dress, “Here, quickly get dressed. We’ve got to go! And thanks to your sassy little move there, now we have to quickly find a new pair of keys. What happened to I can’t dance, I can’t do this, and what in hell happened to staying inconspicuous?”

“No. You go. I have to get back!” I ordered, stripping off the show girl clothes and hurriedly pulling Chloe’s dress over my head.

“Are you even listening to me? You really are crazy! Did you get hit in the head? Did you forget that those guys are probably after us right now? Did you forget that I might become a prostitute soon if I don’t get out of here?!”

“I know that. You’ve got to follow the plan, but you’ve got to do it alone. I’m not coming with you.”

Raquel just stared at me, dumbfounded, with an open mouth. “What is wrong with you? What’s gotten into you? I can’t do this alone? Why would you want to stay?”

“That man has my best friend. That’s all I care about right now.”

“What the guy who’s keys you stole? What do you mean he bought your friend?”

“Yeah, the very same, Garrett Sparks.  And exactly what I mean. He bought my friend just like you’re going to get bought. She’s the whole reason I’m here. I was looking for her when I somehow got kidnapped here and I haven’t stopped looking yet. That’s why I need to find him quickly and see what I can find out without being found out myself.”

“Forget about your friend Alaure! You’ve been here for what, three weeks maybe four and you’ve survived thus far. Save yourself. Forget about your friend. She’s probably a goner by now anyways.”

“No! You don’t understand what it’s like between her and me. She’s my best friend, a sister, a mother, a father, everything I NEVER had. She would do anything for me and she always has, and if there’s even the slightest possibility that I can help her, then I’ll take my chances, even if that means giving up myself for her. I would die for her.”

Raquel sighed, “I don’t like it, nor do I agree with your decision. You’re right about me not understanding. I’ve never had anything like that before, but I do know that your mind is made up. Isn’t there anything I can do to convince you otherwise?”

I firmly shook my head.

“Well, I’m running out of time, so I suppose this is where we part our ways and say goodbye.”

I gave her a small smile and nodded, “Good luck.”

“Thanks for everything. I owe my life to you. I hope you and your friend make it out okay, and that one day our paths will cross again. I’ll send some information about you to the police.”

I shrugged, “Probably won’t help anyway, but thanks. You know what to do from here right?”

“Duh, this is the easy part. Get the keys, find the car, and drive like Godzilla is after you.”

I laughed, nodded, and embraced her in a tight hug. Shoving our clothes in a corner, we took our separate ways. Before leaving, I checked myself in a mirror, thankful that everything was still intact, and then carefully made my way out of the room.

I quickly went back towards the room where we had just been dancing not too long ago, but to my surprise and dismay, the room was completely empty. Oh no. This just became a whole lot harder. Fast walking out of the room, my eyes were madly scanning the room for Garrett Sparks. My mind was on overdrive as I frantically searched the halls and other rooms where anyone might be. I even shoved my way through dancing people downstairs to look for the man.

Forty-five minutes had passed before I finally gave up. He probably left after the whole incident with his car almost being stolen. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. Maybe I should have gone with Raquel. I wonder how far she’d gotten. I hope she was okay.  A dark and heavy feeling filled the space in my heart and stomach, my eyelids felt droopy, and my muscles were aching. I could have fallen to the floor right there in the middle of nowhere and cried myself to sleep from all the fatigue and disappointment I was feeling. I missed my chance. It came and it went. Life was such a tease.

Dragging my feet across the floor, I started making my way up the stairs when suddenly someone grabbed my hand from behind, stopping me in my tracks.

“Chloe?!” exclaimed a soft voice from behind me.  I completely froze, my eyebrows rose up so high they threatened to fly off my face. Did I hear that correctly? My heart completely stopped breathing as I subconsciously held my breath and turned. Damon was standing in front of me, his eyes a bloodshot red and droopy, a bottle of alcohol in his hands, the tie he had been wearing was loosened and messy, shirt un-tucked from his trousers and partially unbuttoned, hair in complete disarray. He looked like my dad, just like him in this moment. Completely wasted.  

Hehe, what now? What do you think will happen? 

You guys have no idea how long I've waited to get to this part. Things.Will.Change. from here on out. :P

And this does NOT mean that I'm back on my regular scheduled writing. Sorry :/ Still trying to deal with a mountain of work.