Love, loathe, betrayal - a gang story

Chapter 40

"She can lead us to Demi and the others, once they are taken care of, it's down to the Luxes, I can't wait to get my hands round that barstard Walters neck!" Maeve hisses. Ah we have a common enemy then. "What are you doing with her after?" Oscar asks "she'll go down like the rest of them, she didn't seem to want to move to our side so?" "And the friend?" "She's collateral, it seems Florence likes her a lot, she can be our leverage for her. After I'm done then whatever she's not a gang member is she sees too much she does if not whatever," she explains "tell me again what you have against the Soutas? I get the Luxes... what he did to you but the others?" Oscar asks. My heart does twang slightly because he could be referring to what he did to me too, it really does change people. "We are top dog Oscar, we run the country not them. Our business is practically dirt with them around. The Soutas are getting too big for their boots, they won't see us coming as it's unprovoked. After watching Florence for a while I know she was meant to be sent away so if she doesn't turn up hopefully everyone will think she's already gone and we can be ready for any trouble." "She likes to think she's tough but she caught you on an off day, don't worry pumpkin she's just a puppy really" she states kissing Oscar wildly. Layla looks at me and puts her finger to her mouth pretending to puke, "eww" she moths and I laugh and roll my eyes. While they are occupied we crawl across the doorway and past a kitchen.

I push myself and Layla behind a bookcase as someone walks past. Once the coast is clear again we sneak our way out the kitchen door. Considering this is such a big, bad, scary gang it doesn't seem to have much security on the back exit. We just need to get to my car my phone is in there and we can get the hell out and call Will." I nod and take another look around. "Where did you get over the gate? It's nearly 12 foot tall!" I ask in awe of her ability now I'm faced with a tall wall. "I climbed on top of my car and pulled myself up then jumped over and onto a raised, soft flower bed, just over there!" She says pointing. "We'll need a ladder or something to get over from this side." I state the obvious "we could try climbing a tree and making a jump for it then lowering ourselves back onto your car?" I suggest "I don't climb trees." "I don't suppose you get kidnapped and thrown into a cell overnight and now risking your life on an escape plan in the daily either but it's happening!" I reply and her eyes are wide "fair enough" is all she says "now let's go, stay close."

We make it to the tree nearest the wall, I make my way up it first then hoist Layla up. It is about a metre jump to the wall, which is doable but a jump in the dark - literally, we can hardly see where we're going. I go first and make it "you ready?" I ask holding my arms out "I'm scared, what if I miss?" "You won't I'll catch you. I believe in you, it's not that far - I did it" I try and cheer her on, "yes but you also did gymnastics for 6 years, I didn't" I nod "that was ages ago, come in they'll notice we're gone any time now." With that she makes the jump and takes a breath "well done." "That was so cool - like something out of a movie, we just escaped a gang kidnapping!" She exclaims excitement clear in her voice as she waves her arms up and down. "We're not out yet!" We wall along the wall crouching until we get to where Layla's car is parked.

Meanwhile, "they're gone." A guard says to a now enraged Maeve "you what?" She's furious. She goes over to the cell to find another stabbed guard, alive but barely. "Wow she really is Wills little sister - they can't have got far I want everyone looking, Florence comes back alive. The other girl is shoot to kill!" Maeve demands stamping her foot on the floor. "Of course ma'am I'll get everyone looking and the perimeter guarded right away" the guard says saluting with his arm like he's part of her army. "What are you still doing here then?" She booms, her voice echoing like thunder. The guard stumbles away and Maeve grinds her teeth. "You won't get away this time bitch!"

"I really need to get this ketchup off my shirt too, it's starting to solidify and get sticky" I complain as we clamber along the stone wall occasionally yelping from small stones rubbing against our hands and knees as we are keeping a low profile. "Ha yeah you really do." "How far away did you park?" I asked getting tired of crawling "Just a little further the flowerbed is up ahead so it will be a little after that." She explains. We passed the 'soft flowerbed' personally I don't know how a flowerbed can be soft but layla assures me it was a special type of soil. "Is that your car?" I ask and she nods "yup, now go gentle on the roof please." "Of course, you go first." Layla lowers herself onto the car roof when suddenly a flashlight hovers over us "call Will he'll know what to do" I snap and shove her over "I said careful with the roo- oh shit Flo get down here"she emphasises when she notices several guards running towards the wall with guns. I get into position to jump down but panic, I stumble and I roll my ankle, I yell in pain and cling onto the wall "Flo!" Layla tells "you know what to do, I promise I'll be fine!" I yell back. She gets in her car and I see her dialling a number on her phone. I hope this works out. I know they won't kill me but I'd rather not stick around to see what they do instead. "Get her down!" I hear one of them say I try to lift my very painful ankle onto the wall as I'm currently in a sloth like position but it's too late they grab it and yank it down, how did they even find a ladder that quick. I try to kick them off "where's the other girl?" Another says "drive Layla now!" I see her shake her head "now!" I yell again the car ignition stats and I see her tail lights speed away. Atleast she's safe now.

I plummet to the ground and seem to be caught in some net, I'm hit on the back of the head with a rifle and carried inside by the men. It must be early hours of the morning now even if I had enough energy to yell I saw no houses in any direction from the wall and I have no idea how far I am away from home - I mean the compound.