Dead Nettle
The front door of the house smashes into the wall as The Boss storms outside. I unlock my car and peer over my shoulder. Our gaze meets as he takes his car keys from his pocket. A chill coils down my spine as he yanks open his car door.
He climbs into the driver's seat and the engine rumbles to life. He reverses out and tears down the road. I slump against my car and sigh. We haven't spoken since the scissor incident and it's weird.
I pull the door open and slide behind the wheel. I've been paranoid because Austin is like dead nettle, and I'm sure he'll poison The Boss against me.
How long until Austin's lies sound convincing? Stabbing Austin with scissors would be something I could live with because I'd always chose myself over him. There's just something not right about him or this situation.
I haven't been allowed near a harvest shift, but Austin isn't sporting any new injuries or bruises, which only happened after I told the leader to take double. Perhaps Austin owed money to someone and what he was taking wasn't enough?
Is the leader the one beating Austin? Or is he just watching over him? They're on the same side, but what role Austin has in all this is another question I can't answer.
With a sigh, I place the car in reverse and roll down the driveway. A removalist truck parks adjacent to the driveway and a man climbs out. He crosses the street and stops beside my car. I roll the window down and tug on a smile.
"Hi, is Joseph or Austin here?"
"Austin is around the back. Does he know you're coming?"
"Yes."
"Okay." I frown.
He strides ahead while I park back on the driveway.
Is Joseph the leader? Austin and Pebbles never mentioned moving plants. Something isn't right.
I grip the steering wheel and nibble my lip. I should leave because The Boss said to leave it alone, except I have a burning need to know what's happening. What if Austin is planning on stealing the plants and I didn't do anything?
Taking a deep breath, I push my car door open and wander to the back of the house. I pry the door open and hurry down the ladder. Austin and the other guy, who are both standing near the plants, turn to stare.
"What are you doing here?" Austin crosses his arms and glares.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to grab something."
"Hurry up because I don't need you getting in the way."
"Sure, I'll be quick!" I smile.
I wander to the bedroom and bite my lip. I should have brought something like my phone.
"Hurry up," he snaps.
"Just another second."
I swipe a vanilla candle from the desk and wander to the ladder. The door opens and two men climb down. My stomach knots because the leader smiles and I grimace.
"The Bleeding Heart, I didn't know you would be here."
"What the hell did you call her?"
The man frowns at Austin.
"Shut up, Austin, it's none of your business."
"You shut your fucking mouth." Austin spits. "Now answer my question, what did you call her?"
"The Bleeding Heart."
"Why did you call her that?" Austin glares.
"It's none of your business." I turn to the ladder.
"Wait," Austin booms.
Stupidly, my body freezes.
"She's the woman our boss sent to clean your mess, she's the reason he's happy with you."
"No way." Austin shakes his head. "She's someone The Boss thought was an easy fuck."
A gasp escapes my trembling body.
"Say it again, I dare you!" My voice is low, but it's strong.
"You are nothing, you are worth nothing, and when he gets bored, you will end up like the rest of them." His words should rattle me, but The Bleeding Heart isn't afraid of his bark.
I toss the candle and it swooshes past his head and smashes onto the wall.
"Next time, it'll hit you in the head."
"You bitch."
Austin launches and I duck to avoid his swinging arms. I trip on the uneven earth and gasp as pain shoots up my hands. As I scramble to my feet, Austin tangles his fingers through my hair. My scalp throbs as my feet skid across the dirt.
"Nobody disrespects me."
"Stop it." I dig my nails into his wrist but he yanks me back. I collide against the wall with a thud. Austin grips my arm and tugs me to my feet.
"I was helping you."
"I don't need your help."
Austin grabs my throat and shoves me against the wall. His fingers tighten as he pushes me up. I dig my nails into his wrist. His fingers tighten and I can't breathe.
"Nobody is coming to save you." His brown eyes are dark and haunting.
I jab my knee into his crotch and Austin drops his grip to hold himself. I stagger forward, hands on my throat as I gasp for air. The pungent smell of weed fills my lungs and I've never been so grateful.
Black dots litter my vision as I stagger to the bench. I take the walkie-talkie and press the button. My mouth opens but nothing passes. My throat burns. I want to scream but air escapes.
Austin takes the walkie talkie and crushes it under his combat boot.
"What are you going to do now?" Excitement swirls in his eyes.
I glance over his shoulder; the ladder is blocked by the three guys. I'd never make it up without Austin pulling me down.
"I'm going to enjoy squeezing the last bit of air from your body." Austin grins.
"Enough," the leader booms. "You've had your fun. Now tie her up or put her to work. We don't have time to clean up another body, and frankly, I'm tired of cleaning up your messes."
The smile vanishes from Austin's smug expression.
"Pedro and Miguel, get the plants, the van is waiting."
The three get to work while Austin drags me by the arm.
"The Boss is going to kill you when he finds out."
"Once the debt has been paid, I'm getting far away."
"You can't hide from him."
"He'll be taken care of."
Shoes hitting the ground cause Austin to freeze. The Boss stands by the ladder dressed in a midnight blue suit and white shirt. How'd he know to come back?
"Tikera, why are you down here?" He looks at Austin and frowns. "What's happening?"
"She left something behind, but she's leaving now." Austin pushes me and I stumble.
The Boss's eyes linger on my neck, then to Austin.
"I said, what's happening?"
"They're trying to steal your plants."
"She's lying," Austin snaps. "She's conspired with them, like I told you. They call her The Bleeding Heart."
"What the hell? I'd never do that."
"You stabbed a man in the hand. You're a criminal mastermind."
I roll my eyes. If stabbing a man with scissors makes me a criminal mastermind, I'd hate to know what constitutes as a warlord.
"You're being ridiculous."
"Enough." The Boss's voice booms through the room.
He unbuttons his suit jacket. "Do you think you can steal my product and get away with it?"
I'm afraid to move—to speak.
"Did you really think you'd get away with it?"
I gulp. My body trembles. Here it comes.
The Boss pulls a gun from his jacket and points it at me. My heart jackhammers in my chest.
Our gaze meets, his blue eyes are raging.
"I'm sorry."
I squeeze my eyes shut and the gun clicks.
* * * * *
What do you think will happen next?