CRIMINAL BOUND

CHAPTER 48

Hello guys... So, let's pick up from where we left off. Comment if you like it.

X had been up all night, trying to figure out a way to beat his brother. He couldn't even sleep. Everytime he tried to, the nightmares preyed on him. His fears. He stayed busy to keep himself from losing his mind.

He took a shower, ready for this new day hoping it would bring him closer to Camilla. He was fueling up his bike to head back to the base when Liam rushed his phone to him.

"It's Lycah." He gave a worried look. X pulled his bandana from his back pocket. He didn't have time to fold it and tie it on so he just held it on his face, putting the cap of his hoodie on. He then answered the call.

"Good morning, brother?" He said enthusiastically. X did not reply. "Oh, I forgot... It's not a good morning to your dear here." He pointed the camera to Camilla. "Have you had breakfast yet? Coz she is starving." Camilla looked weak. Her hands were darkening as she sagged by the chains and cuffs holding her. Her head was down, her knees weak.

"I know! We could play a game..." He held out four cards. "Dice, Club, Heart, Spade." He explained further. "You can only pick one. For food. Or electric shock. There's also drowning. And lastly, chain strangle. What will you choose?"

"Your mind games won't work on me." X said, and if you paid attention enough, you could hear the fear in his voice.

"Oh, but it's not. This is a literal game. Just more advanced. And interesting, don't you agree?" He paused. "Every minute you waste answering this question is another minute she suffers. Remember that." He smirked. "Tick. Tock."

The pressure was too much. Suddenly, he saw the cuffs around her wrists and ankles reddening, accompanied by Camilla's screams. What would he say? The odds of his answer making life easier for her were pretty high. But he had no time to think.

"Spade!" He said. The cuffs color changed back.

"Lucky choice." He clapped. "What does it stand for, sweetheart?"

"Food." Camilla spoke, her breathing heavy from screaming.

"Yes. Why don't we make it a little more interesting?" He rubbed his chin. "I don't know how you feel about combos... Like spaghetti and meatballs?" He looked at the ceiling, as if in deep thoughts. "Pick another."

X was at a fixed position. No other option was positive. "No. You said I can only pick one. You're breaking your own rules."

"I made them, didn't I? I'm only bending them."

"I already picked.  Now it's time for you to keep your end of the bargain." He got tough.

"Careful now... I'm the one with the controls, after all." Lycah reminded X.

"Too bad. Because I'm done playing for the day."

"X, just do what he says..." He heard Camilla speak. "Please..." The cuffs began turning red again. "I can handle it."

"Hearts!" He said before it got worse.

"Sweetheart?" Camilla really hated that name. He pointed the camera to her

"Drowning." She said, trying to be strong in front of X, so he wouldn't feel guilty.

"I'm sorry," X mouthed to Camilla. She couldn't say anything. Just then, the circular plate on which she was cuffed clicked and started moving down. Freezing cold water began flowing into the hole she was going down in. Once she was six feet deep, the water started covering her head. She held her breathe, but it wasn't very helpful. Panic really consumed oxygen, you see. And that's why she felt like panting.

Eventually, she gave up, and water found its way into her mouth. She began screaming for help. X could only see her struggling. She shook the chains vigorously, trying to find an escape. But there was none.

"Bring her up!" X demanded.

"Oh, stop overreacting. It's only been two minutes." He said lightly.

"Are you out of your mind, Lycah? Bring her up now!" He was freaking out.

"You chose this, didn't you?" He reminded him. "And besides, it takes at least ten minutes for someone to die of drowning." Camilla's struggle went on.

"I can't watch this." X looked away. But no. The torture was for him. If he wasn't watching it, then what was the point?

"If you hang up, so help me; I will keep her down there until the next time you call... dead or alive." Lycah threatened him. X couldn't take chances. He wasn't sure what his brother was capable of. He had to see it all. And it tormented him more than Lycah even thought it would. Knowing it was his fault, it would haunt him forever. How could he make this end?

Lycah brought up the plate, and Camilla was coughing, fighting for air. She was pretty strong considering she was still conscious. She shivered, dripping wet, her hair all over her face. She pushed out all the water that had gotten in through her mouth.

"And now, she will have some food." He pointed the camera back to himself. "I'm glad we're doing this, you know?"

"We?" X wondered out loud.

"Yes, we. We never used to talk. Now, we video chat everyday. Am I the only one feeling a bond growing between us?" He said excitedly.

"Yes." X said harshly. "You need help." He threw his bandana on the ground and hang up. He couldn't take this anymore. It was high time he took his game to the next level.

Liam was done getting ready. He joined his brother soon, and together they headed to the base. As X rode, memories of how Camilla suffered flashed through his mind. Her screams. The tears. Her chocking... They all took over and for a moment there, he didn't realize he was overspeeding. I mean, he did, normally; but this was too fast, even for him. A bend he did not see coming is what woke him up. Had he missed it by an inch, it would have been a fatal accident.

It took X time to realize that they weren't getting anywhere from the outside. They had to find a way to get to the inside. And X knew exactly how.

"So you want to play... Let's play."

Hey guys... I sure hope you are enjoying your day. Please stay positive. Stay safe
Sweet LOVE;)