Bad Dream

Chapter 10 : Fall Deeper

 Kassim and Jager grab the chair and bring me upright again . I look at Kassim's face next to mine his expression is serious as always.

Cain explains, "We don't want to kill you as of yet but instead we want to make you the unofficial 10th member of the gang as a way to keep an eye on you as you are the only survivor of ours .We have never had a female member and we want a new decoy member, but if you refuse then you can't ever leave this place. We can't have you tell the police about us".

"Please untie me then ,I can't possibly have a civil conversation while tied to a chair".

I see Cain look at Ambrose ,who only nods in response .

Cain cautiously grabs the knots at my feet and unties them , before reaching my hands and untying those too. He jumps back as the ropes fall, I cross my legs in response.

"I'm not going to hit you .I see no point in doing that . Also I don't see how I will make any great contribution to your organization, not just because I despise all of you for what you do". I rub my wrists and sit back into the chair .

"Well then appreciate that we aren't adding you to our list of victims", Jai speaks up.

A thought crosses my mind . I care about my own survival and must do everything I can do to survive this .I smile at the men before me , if you can't beat them. Might as well pretend to join them.

"Fine ,I'll do it ". I stand and extend my hand to Ambrose ,he shakes it with a smile on his face.

"So lets all regroup in about 10 minutes to talk about Sahara joining us except you Kassim I think Sahara and you need to have a conversation". The gang all walk away and I am left with Kassim in the room . I avoid looking into his dark eyes as he grabs a chair and places in front of me .

"I don't trust you .I know the boys believe your smiling face but I don't . You are going to be the reason we fall apart".

I look up at Kassim , his brow is furrowed and he looks at me with such anger . I don't know what I have done to him to make him hate me so much . I am being pleasant even though he nearly killed me .

I stand and so does he I walk right until I am centimeters away from his face, "Why do you hate me so much Kassim? I don't know what injustice you seem to think I have done to you or the rest of the members . Just remember you nearly killed me and I so kindly didn't tell the police anything . I haven't done anything , it's you who is the monster here and the only reason Exordium will fall apart will be because of you " .Kassim grabs my neck, "You Bitch! If you are lying to me I will have no hesitation in watching the breath leave your body" ,he whispers into my ear. He lets go I breathe out as I step back from him , my neck aching I sit back down as he walks back to the rest of the gang .

I am suddenly scared to find out what might happen if they find out that I am only feigning membership to the gang.

"So the rest of us have discussed Sahara joining the gang and believe that we shall first have a test of loyalty and if she passes the test we shall make arrangements for her". I get up from the chair and nod my head at Ambrose accepting his test.

I feel anxiety as I realize that I have to convince them of my loyalty, I might have to commit a crime just to fool them into a false sense of security.

Yaegar walks up to me , "I am so happy you are going to join us". I am taken aback by this, but plaster a smile on my face.

"So what will I have to do?", I ask Ambrose. He just shakes his finger and then points at Magnus. I walk up to Magnus, surprised by how nervous I feel. "Um..so what am I required to do? Seeing as you are the play maker" , I laugh nervously. He just stares at my face with the same look of discomfort. My smile fades and I feel a look of hurt plague my features as I walk away.

I once again sit down in the middle of the room.I stew over what I may have to do tonight. I feel a hand on my shoulder it's Basilius, "Please don't touch me", I exclaim. I shrug his hand off my shoulder and turn away. I hear a sigh behind me, "Fine. Ambrose wants to see you". I take a few deep breaths to calm myself before I stand and follow Basilius to what I assume is Ambrose' office. Magnus stands beside him with what looks like map . "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes ,tonight we are going to undertake one of the biggest bank robberies we have ever attempted and you are coming with us". I try to hide the panic that I feel inside ,I numbly nod not able to form words.

"Salem will show you to your room, you will find a private bathroom and new clothes to change into . I marked the clothes I want you to wear tonight. Come back out to the main room in 15 minutes for a group meeting and don't be late".

I am taken by surprise at Ambrose' harshness .Salem gestures to me to follow him , we walk to the end of the corridor . Salem opens the door , "This is your room". He closes the door behind him.

I collapse to the floor from exhaustion. What have I gotten myself into ? Am I really going to go rob a bank with a bunch of criminals? I stand again . I walk to the small closet opposite the bed . Inside I find a small bundle with the words 'Wear Tonight' scrawled on a post it note. I scoff as I see the clothes he wants me to wear . A pair of sheer black skinny jeans ,a leather jacket and a black t-shirt. I slip the jeans on and then the top. A knock breaks the silence I open the door a crack , "Yes, what can I do for you?". Ambrose is outside the door, "Are you ready?". I throw my hair forward and grab the hair tie around my wrist and tightly tie my hair up. I look into the small mirror and grimace at my reflection as I slip on my converse . I shake my head and walk out the door to the main area where I can hear everyone gathered ,talking happily. I sigh as I walk into the room , no one notices . I feel a tickle at the back of my nose. Oh no, please not now. I sneeze loudly and all 9 heads snap my way. They are all looking at me in shock. I find a seat in the corner and shyly sit in it as Ambrose clears his throat . "Okay boys lets all listen to Magnus for the final preparations". Magnus stands at the front and displays the maps. "So Cain and Salem remember the vent system has an entrance at the rear of the bank . You will both have to be careful of the amount of noise you make while in the vents. Ambrose and myself will be ready at the side door to be let in with the bags. Kassim and Basilius you are in charge of subduing the guards. Jai you will wait with the truck in the adjacent alley . Jager and Yaegar will be on look out near both entrances and finally Sahara you will be on lookout at the rear exit and will be the first to transfer the bags to the truck. We all have devices to communicate . Lets gather up the final preparations and we will aim to be there at midnight and be out by quarter past. I look at the clock on the wall which reads 10:45. A small pile of tools and bags are gathered next to the door and Jai is packing them into the truck. I walk to my room and splash water on my face unsure of what is going to happen tonight. I once again hear a knock at the door , I open it to find Kassim. He barges into the room and pushes me against the wall , "Lets get one thing straight if you run, if you call the police, if you so much as breathe wrong I will make sure I don't miss your heart". He lets me go and I slump against the wall feeling the weight of his threat .

I walk out to the main room.

"It's Time".