“Hey,” said the old man, motioning towards the food. “Whatcha waiting for, Red?”
I despised being called “Red”. My hair was more brown than red, but it never seemed to matter. Resisting the urge to snap back at him, I replied slowly, “I’m not feeling very well. Kind of nauseous, actually.”
“You’ll feel better if you eat something,” he replied, staring at me with his watery gray eyes.
“I don’t think so,” I answered, slouching down in the chair. “I’m feeling pretty bad.”
Clement cocked the gun and pointed it at me. “Trust me, you have no idea how bad you’re gonna feel if you don’t eat.”
More angry than scared, I clenched my jaw, grabbed a plate, and began filling it with food.
He lowered the gun.
Just then, there was the sound of a grandfather clock chiming in a nearby room. The two men looked at each other uneasily.
“So, what happened to the other two guys?” asked Tara, pushing the stuffing and turkey around on her plate with her fork. “Did they crawl back to their holes?”
“I’d watch my mouth if I was you,” said Clement. “Those fellers aren’t the kind you want to piss off.”
Tara’s cocked an eyebrow and sneered. “You mean the kind of sicko pricks who enjoy torturing innocent people?”
I thought she’d nailed it on the head, but Clement shook his head. “They’re much worse than that. Now, shut your trap and eat before they get back to the house.”
She put her fork down. “Why are you so worried about us eating? I just don’t get that.”
“Cause we were ordered to make sure you eat,” said Clement. “So eat.”
“Ordered or paid to threaten and torture innocent women and children?” I muttered, glaring up at him.
His lips thinned. “Looky here, we haven’t tortured any of you…”
“Clement,” warned Darnell. “Enough.”
Clement let out a ragged sigh. “Just eat your food, dammit, and quit asking questions.”
Sighing myself, I stuck a forkful of turkey into my mouth.
“Um, I have to use the bathroom,” said Marie, who seemed to be playing with her food.
“Oh, hell,” said Darnell, putting his fork down. “Why does this not surprise me?”
“Please,” she said, smiling sheepishly. “I’m sorry, I just can’t help it.”
“Fine. Anyone else need to go?” he asked, standing up.
We all raised our hands.
“Women,” muttered Clement. “Okay, one at a time. I’ll watch the ones at the table while you bring ‘em to the toilet.”
“Okay. Let’s go. You first,” said Darnell, waving his gun at Marie.
Something in her eyes told me she was planning to do more than pee. “Wait,” I said, pushing myself away from the table. “We should go two at a time. It will be much quicker.”
Darnell eyed me suspiciously.
I tilted my head. “What? Do you think we’re going to try and escape down the toilet together or something?
Tara snorted.
He gave me a dirty look.
“Come on. Going together makes much more sense, doesn’t it?” I prodded. “It’ll take half the time.”
He relented. “Fine.”
I stepped away from the table and he moved behind the both of us, his gun near the back of my neck. “Down the hall to the right,” he ordered. “Then up the stairs. Keep your voices down.”
I followed Marie to a dilapidated staircase, which was old and creaked with every step. When we reached the top, it was dark. “It’s down there. Keep your voices down or you’ll regret it.”
When we reached the bathroom, we closed the door, separating him from us.
Marie leaned against the doorway and sighed.
I put my finger to my lips and walked to the window. It was small, but definitely escapable. I tried pushing it open, but it wouldn’t budge.
“What’s going on in there?” whispered Darnell as Marie and I stared at each other. “It’s too quiet.”
“Jesus, can I take my jeans off?” Marie hollered back.
“Shh…” he answered.
Marie stared down at the toilet, which was surprisingly clean. “Did anyone ever tell this guy that it’s impolite and more than a little weird to listen to someone trying to go potty?”
“Just do it,” he grunted from the outside of the door.
She smirked. “It’d be a lot easier without a guy listening in.”
I tried the window again, this time with success.
“Sorry, Emily,” lied Marie loudly. “I must have eaten something really bad. This is going to take a few minutes. Back up, Darnell, or you’re going to be in for a real unpleasant treat.”