Run Run As Fast As You Can Re-write

Chapter Twelve

"Jess, you have to know when you have been beaten. If you try to run, Carter will kill you, and me, and Alexis and everybody you know. He won't spare a person!" He whispered to me. "Look at him! Does he look guilty about what he is doing? No!" Carter was laughing with Cole, and he looked over at me. A thought came to my head. 

"Cole." I asked. "Where's Ryder? I haven't seen him for a few days. He wasn't at the airport with us." The gang leader shrugged.

"He escaped a few days back, haven't seen him since." Mason grabbed my hand, as I looked at him.

"Ryder betrayed us. He was working with Carter all along. His sister was killed, so he came to Carter's to find Drew. He's with Pierson now." I sat down on a  nearby bench, sighing. 

"Not Ryder. He may be a dick, but Ryder would never do that to us!" To my surprise, Carter kneeled in front of me. 

"Jessica, I know you are in shock about Ryder but we need to keep moving. We still have quite the drive ahead of us." He grabbed my hands, and pulled me close to him. 

"If you do anything stupid, I will shoot Mason in an instant. His life is in your hands, don't screw it up." With that, Carter yanked me up, shoving me forward towards the baggage claim. Jason caught me as I stumbled, almost hitting a little girl. 

"Jackass." I muttered. Our bags were coming around, and Cole stood next to me. 

"Are you nervous?" He asked me. "Because I am. Carter is scary as hell." Cole confessed and I laughed. 

"I'm terrified." Cole spotted my small bag and grabbed it for me. "Thanks." 

"I just want my little sister back. And Jess, I'm sorry." My eyes snapped to his in surprise. 

"For what?" 

"Everything. Killing Annie, and dragging you into this awful world to begin with. If I hadn't taken you, you would be at home safe and sound. I destroyed your life Jessica, and I am so sorry." My eyes filled with tears as I hugged Cole tightly. He hesitated, and then wrapped his arms around me. 

"I know it hurt you to kill my sister." I whispered. "I know you loved her." 

Someone cleared their throat behind us, and I stepped away from Cole quickly. Mason and Carter were staring at us, eyebrows raised. 

"If you two are finished, we can get ready to go." Carter grinned, grabbing my arm and pushing me forward towards the parking lot. Indianapolis International Airport was a flurry of cars and people, all with places to go, people to see.

I wish I still had a place to go. 

"Jess, you'll ride with me and Cole. Mason, go with Samuel and the others." Carter directed everyone to different cars, and then grabbed my arm.  

"Come on, we've got a long drive." I was praying for something to happen, anything to save me but this time, I was on my own. I followed Carter as I climbed into the back seat with him and Cole, looking out the window. I was back to where I started.  Captured by Cole, and then given to Carter.  Funny how life worked out. 

"Don't look some glum Princess. I'll make sure you'll have everything your little heart desires. In fact, name it. What do you want? I'll have clothes bought for you, and I'll get you a credit card." I turned to him, glaring. 

"I want my freedom. You can't buy that." Carter sighed as the car moved forward. 

"Jess, I don't know what kind of person you think I am, but I am not a good one. I won't put up with your crap anymore. So when I ask a question, I expect a polite response. Okay?" My eyes snapped to his, and I sneered. 

"Yes sir." Carter's eyes blazed with fury as his hand wrapped around my neck. I clawed at his hand and wheezed as he cut off my air supply. 

"I don't know what Cole put up with, but I won't tolerate your little attitude problem. You have been a pain in my ass for years, and I won't take it anymore! Now shut up!" He released my neck and I coughed, trying to inhale air. 

"What the hell man? Are you trying to kill her!" Cole yelled, as I rubbed my neck. Tears came to my eyes as I slumped out of my seat onto the ground, still wheezing. 

"Quiet Cole, stay out of it. I won't tolerate either of you talking back. No more games." He threatened, looking down at me. I was kneeling on the ground as I leaned back, resting my head against Cole's legs. 

"Consider it a warning, Jessica. You even breathe too loudly, you will suffer. I won't stop there. Annie Richardson may be gone, but you have two other siblings. Jason, Caroline, Alexis, even Ryder will suffer. And Mason, you don't know what kind of hell is waiting for him if you screw up little girl." Cole pulled me up, buckling me into the seat. 

"See Cole, this is what you lacked. Power. Now you've got the whole gang world at your fingertips, and you need to grow a thicker skin. You can't let a pair of pretty eyes bring your whole world down." Carter grabbed my chin, laughing. 

"Welcome to the first day of hell, Princess."