Dark Boundaries(14)

He picks me up and as his arms brush against my scorching skin, I can’t keep the pain filled groan from slipping over my parched lips. Every step he takes jolts through my body. But I’d much rather take him over Eric. At least Garrett hasn’t hurt me yet. Eric is insane!

Garrett walks into a huge bathroom. It almost looks like the bathroom we shared at our dorm. Rows of showers line the back wall. There are open cubicles with toilets. No doors for privacy. He places me down in a corner and waits for me to take hold of the railing before he steps back.

“You’re going to shower. Your friends can help you. You only get ten minutes together.” Then I hear their cries as they are brought into the showers. Relief floods me when I see no new bruises on them. They are naked just like me.

I reach one hand out to them and use the other to keep my balance. Just seeing them, returns some energy to my beaten body.

Kelly breaks down when she sees me. “God, what have they done to you? I listened to him, I promise.” We’ve past the point of caring that we’re naked. Kelly holds me to her and I start to cry, letting some of the tension seep from me.

Riza takes my hand from the railing and puts it on her shoulder. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” She places a kiss to my forehead and then softly brushes a finger over the wound above my eyebrow. “I’m sorry they hurt you,” she whispers and then starts to cry softly.

We forget about the men and soak up every second we get together.

“We’ll make it,” Kelly whispers. She washes my hair, untangling it with her fingers.

She’s right. I give them a weak smile. “I know we will. We just have to stay strong.”

“We have to get out before they kill one of us, like they did Cathy,” Riza murmurs softly so the men won’t hear.

An idea comes to mind. “We should run now, while we’re all together and not shackled. Who knows when we’ll see each other again and what they’ll do to us in the meantime.”

“You’re right.” Kelly looks over to where the men are standing. “They look relaxed. We can pretend we’re finished, grab towels and make a run for it.”

“Will you be able to run?” Riza asks.

“Yes. I’ll do anything it takes!” I’m starting to feel stronger already.

When we’re finished we look for towels, but find none. What are we supposed to dry ourselves with? I was hoping to have a towel to cover myself so we’re not naked when we make a run for it.

I walk carefully with the assistance of Kelly and Riza, giving the impression that I haven’t recovered from the beating. The men need to think that we’re helpless. It will give us the element of surprise.

“Come.” Garrett holds his hand out to me. He doesn’t rush me when I take a minute to hug Kelly and Riza. “Now,” I whisper to them, hoping they’ll understand that I mean we have to run right now.

I’ve seen plenty of thrillers and horrors, and read plenty of books to know that our lives are at stake. If we don’t escape now, we might not get another chance. One of us might be killed before we get a chance to escape!

I let go of the girls and turn towards Garrett, pretending to listen to him. My heart starts to beat heavily with adrenaline, fueling me with the burst of energy I need to do this.

I take two steps toward him. “Now!” I scream, and then bolt to my left, making a run for the door.

I try to remember the layout of the house. I should’ve paid more attention! I take two stairs at a time and then take another left. I curse under my breath when I pass the rooms we were being kept in. I should’ve turned right. The front door is closer from the stairs. I see the kitchen light flickering bright and know it’s not far now. I want to look behind me to see if Riza and Kelly is there, but I know that will only make me slow down.

I burst through the backdoor, and a sliver of glee fills me. I’m outside! The sun shines down on me in all its morning brilliance.

Something is on fire straight ahead. It looks like logs. If I can get to it I might be able to use one as a weapon. I know I can’t outrun them. I’m too tired and the fleeting burst of adrenalin I had is wearing off.

When I get close to the burning wood, I stumble to a stop. It’s not wood! It’s people. Horror clogs up my throat. The scream that was building up in me comes out sounding like a strangled croak.

My body freezes as wave upon wave of horror crashes into me. Then a hard body crashes into me from behind, arms circle me and yank me off my feet.

My body has no strength to fight and all I feel is this suffocating terror. All I can think of is that soon I’ll be one of those burning bodies. My parents won’t know what happened to me.