All The Hurt Would Go Away

My time's running out...

"Hello, you're speaking to the Metropolitan Prison Department."
"Y-Yes could I organise a call with Andrew Rannells?"
"What time?"
"It's urgent."
"How about 11:00? It's fifteen minutes from now."
"Yes thank you."
The man hung up and I looked at the clock.
"Did you arrange it then?"
Lin entered the corridor holding Isaac in his arms, resting him on his hip.
"Yes, fifteen minutes from now."
"Remember we -"
"- Just want clues. I know. I'll need to have you two out of earshot otherwise he'll suspect something's up."
"I'll take him on a walk, come on let's get ready Isaac."
I watched as Lin put Isaac's wellies on, then coat, then his own.
"Right we'll be back for lunch, if you need then call and if not we'll be in the park."
I nodded giving a fake smile and closed the front door once they left, 5 minutes still, what to do... Lin had told me to get more clues and that was it, don't steer away from the task at hand. But Lin also knows I probably will steer away at some point or Andrew will, then I won't have the guts to get back on track. Pacing up and down the corridor I tried to take deep breaths and focus on what I would say. On the first ring I picked up the phone.
"Scared to see me in person after what happened last time?"
"I don't need to see you in person."
"Mhmm, what do you want now then?"
"Clues. More clues."
I heard his chuckle through the phone
"Jon, my dear, I've already given you two. I believe that's enough."
"Maybe for you, but not for just me."
Andrew fell silent leaving a tense pause.
"You told Lin."
"What?"
"You told Lin didn't you? You couldn't keep your mouth shut."
"N-No I didn't."
"Why else did you exaggerate saying 'just me' hmm? You never have before. You thought I wouldn't be able to tell? That's why you didn't want to meet in person! And besides your stutter just then gave it away."
I channelled what strength I had and let it all out, coldly stating
"I did not tell Lin. Now if you'd be so kind to give me another clue for this twisted game of yours feel free. And if not then you've wasted your time answering the phone."
I smiled to myself slightly, not one stutter or hesitation. And I sounded about 20 times stronger than I am so that should help.
"Jon, I'm a prisoner, I was forced to answer the phone. So yes, maybe you've wasted your time arranging to call but I have not since most of my day is in a cell. At least it's more excitement. And I know you told Lin, it's beyond the point of denying. And if you want something, you know what to call me, it worked last time didn't it? Unless you regret what you've gotten yourself into?"
I could feel his smirk in his words, once again he's manipulating me against my will. He's getting me to do what he wants so I get what I want. In a way it's fair but he still controls whether or not I get the clue.
"Jon?"
I sighed audibly through the phone, hopefully this will be worth it.
"Can I have another clue Sir."
"Hmm not good enough, I want to hear you beg."
I cringed, he was right to suspect I regretted what I did last time, he just wants me to do it again. He probably knows how much I hate it.
"Please can I have another clue Sir, I'm begging you."
"Hmmm... will you tell Lin the clue?"
I stayed silent
"Or does he know you're asking for one? Fine. Let's see how uninvolved we can make Lin. The person who did it plays a big part of your life, but you didn't know them for that long."
"And Lin doesn't -?"
"- You already know Lin does not know them."
He snapped. I can tell he's mad about me telling him but, what chances did I have? If he apparently knows me better than anyone surely he already guessed I would?
"Okay, well thanks."
"Thanks what?"
"Andrew?"
"That's not what you call me now, is it?"
He growled through the phone, making me shudder.
"Thanks... Sir."
"That's right baby. There's gonna be a whole lot more thanking me when I get my part of the deal."
I was shocked, is he going to actually do what he did to me all those years ago? I mean he hinted it earlier but - this was the main giveaway just now.
"Oh Jon, don't pretend to be surprised. You gave me the idea when you first called me Sir, which you will address me with from now on. It's why I got here in the first place, but you snitched and now I get my revenge. Don't expect me to play lightly. And don't expect me to not leave any marks on you."
I looked in the mirror and saw myself, shaking, wide eyes, on the edge of god knows what was coming. I was about to give myself to Andrew for this little girl to reunite with her father. What if Ariella is in good hands? What if we could just leave her be and I could be on my way?
"Jon, you're still on the phone. It's not time for second thoughts, it's set in stone. You don't like what's coming, tough. I'll make you like it, I'll make you love it. And you'll thank me for every minute of it. Won't you?"
"Yes Sir."
I muttered, still staring at my reflection.
"That's right. I hope you know that by telling Lin you've made it worse for yourself."
Before I could comment the call was cut out, an obvious explanation being we ran out of time. I didn't even think about how bad this would make his part of the deal for me, especially now that I know exactly what it'll be. Already uncomfortable and alone, I called Lin.
"Hello? How was it?"
"Come home now."

AN: Hello! Author's notes aren't really a thing for me but I'd just like to give a shout-out to Maddie_Enchanted . She was my first friend on Wattpad and has always been really supportive. I couldn't thank her enough. Go check out her books!