Dark Boundaries(26)

I scrub a hand over my face. It’s all going to shit. Think! I have to think!

“Go get your stuff, Justin. Get the girl ready. We’re heading out. It’s not safe to stay here. I’m not going to wait for the cops to bust in on us.”

I grab Kristine at her waist and throw her over my shoulder. I don’t have time for this shit. She starts to slam her tiny fists into my back, not doing any damage. She can’t throw a punch to save her life.

“You keep doing that and I’m going whip you worse than Eric did!” She stills at my warning, and then I feel the old familiar shivers of fear making her tremble like a leaf caught in a shitstorm.

Up in my room, I toss Kristine on the bed. I open the cupboard and grab the first item of clothing, a grey dress that qualifies more for a sack than a piece of clothing. I just want her covered, we’re not out to win any beauty contests. “Put that on!” I bark her into action.

She grabs the dress and yanks it over her head. It reaches her mid-thigh, hanging loosely around her slender body. It makes her look innocent. I grab the cuffs and yanking her arms behind her, I cuff her. I’m not taking chances with her. I take hold of the leash and drag her out of the room.

We meet up with Justin and Riza in the kitchen. I’m relieved to see he gave her something to wear, a light blue dress, something summery. So the opposite of what Kristine is wearing. The second the girls see each other they cry out and scramble to stand together. I hope they don’t try to escape again. I don’t have the energy to chase after Kristine again.

“I say we burn the place,” Justin says, his eyes not leaving Riza. “We don’t want to leave evidence.”

“You’re right. You load the girls in the van and I’ll torch the place. Meet me out front.” Justin takes hold of each of the girls. “Make sure you cuff them. I don’t want them running around,” I warn him as I make my way to the shed outside.

I find the gas I’m looking for and head back inside to soak the place. After lighting the place up, I run out front and climb in the passenger seat. “Let’s head to the warehouse. Bill can clean up this mess.”

~*~





Chapter Sixteen



Kristine~

Justin cuffed us to handle on the inside of the door. It hurt when he slammed the door closed. Riza cried out, I think she might have sprained her wrist.

At first we just hold each other, glad to be together again. After a while I get the courage to speak first. I don’t want the men to hear us so I whisper, “Are you okay? I heard the screaming. Did he hurt you? Do you know if Kelly’s okay?”

Riza shakes her head and then a broken sob shudders through her. “H-he…” she swallows hard, “he made me do it!” Her tears fall faster, her quick breaths cut off once in a while by a sob. “He made Kelly watch. He threatened to beat her, and I remember what you looked like. So I let him have his way. I was too scared to stop him. I didn’t want him to hurt Kelly and now she’s gone.” She sags against me, crying her heart out. I can’t keep my own tears from falling.

“What do you think happened to Kelly? Justin said she ran?” I take a deep breath, trying to ease the ache in my heart. “I hope she got away. She’ll get the police to come look for us. They’ll get us before we’re sold at that auction.” I can feel a small slither of hope blossoming in my chest at the thought of being found by the cops. I know Kelly won’t stop looking for us.

Riza takes hold of my arm and pulls it tighter around her. “Just hold me, Sis. Don’t let me go.”

I hold her as tight as I can with my one arm. Tears spill over my cheek. Hearing the endearment she called Kelly and me as kids, shreds my heart.

We both eventually fall asleep, too exhausted by all that’s happened to us to try and stay awake. I drift in and out. Each time I wake up I tighten my hold on Riza.

We’re together. That’s all that matters.

It grows very hot in the back of the van. Sweat beats on my forehead and snakes down my back from my under my hair. I don’t let go of Riza to wipe it off. The leather choker around my neck makes me feel even hotter.

Riza stirs and weakly lifts her head. “I’m so thirsty,” she murmurs. I know I’m dying of thirst, but that’s nothing compared to my worry for Riza. I don’t know when last she ate or drink.

“Did he give you food today?” I ask, brushing some sweat soaked hair from her flushed face.

She slowly opens her eyes and then shakes her head. “Yesterday.”

“Try to sleep. I’m sure they’ll let you have something soon,” I pacify her, drawing her back against my chest.