I awoke with a bloody, wounded cheek and swollen eye. I couldn't move my jaw, my hands had been tied tightly behind my back and I was half naked. The room was dark and stuffy, I could barely breathe.
I couldn't remember much. I remember saying goodbye to Ryan and then... black. Nothing.
I heard a door screech open and heavy foot steps. I heard a few faint murmurs before the lights were on, and everything was exposed.
A young man, rough looking, around the age of Ryan, stood infront of me. He had deeply tanned skin and dark eyes and hair. He had too many scars to count and his facial expression was stern. Behind him stood a couple of other young men, all extremely intimidating.
However, one stood out. He had very fair skin, bright blue eyes, and ashy blonde hair. He had a couple of piercings and bruises on his face. He gave me a sympathetic glance but quickly looked away, in fear of getting caught by by the tan guy.
My eyes opened widely as the first guy approached me and laid a rough hand on my wounded cheek. I winced as more pain waved over me and the guy smirked sarcastically. He quickly slapped me and I cried out, spitting out a load of blood. Tears ran down my face as I glared at him.
"Aw, don't cry sweetheart," he hissed bitterly, his face almost pressing up against mine. I could smell the cigarettes and alcohol in his breath. I desperately squirmed, trying to get out of the tight hold he had me in. He chuckled in amusement.
"You aren't getting out," he smiled cruelly. "By the way, I'm Marcus. I think your husband Ryan might know me."
"Why would Ryan be associating with you bastards?" I found my voice and said bravely. A couple of the guys snorted with laughter behind him.
"Looks like your 'sweet' little Ryan forgot to tell you a few things," Marcus cackled. I sat there, puzzled.
"He's been lying to you, love. Why do you think he brought you here? Because he doesn't want you to know he's a murderer. He's a leader of a gang. I'm sure you've heard of the Jokers, huh?"
I was dumbfounded. Of course I've heard of the Jokers, they were the most wanted gang out there. They were highly dangerous, killed many of people, and there were millions of them. They were always moving. There was no way my husband could have started that... I didn't want to believe it.
I lost it. I couldn't hit him, I was tied. So I did what I could do.
I spat in his face.
His sarcastic expression turned hard and stern. He clenched his fist and pulled back his arm yet again, his fist colliding with my other eye. I flinched, but I knew that was expected. But something else came out of it too, something I wasn't expecting.
He started to untie me and before I knew it, in a flash, I was thrown carelessly on to the hard, cold floor. I yelped in pain, the rough floor hitting the many bruises that were laying on my back. Marcus began to remove the very few pieces of clothing I had left on my battered body, and I was bare. He grinned, his eyes running over my thighs and breasts.
The men still stood in the room, their eyes running over me as well, except the one.
I knew I should've made a run for it, but I couldn't get up in time. He had me pinned down in a split second, his jeans and everything underneath thrown behind him.
"Don't ever think about doing that again," he hissed into my ear. I began to thrash and scream, trying to do everything I possibly could to get away from this monster. But he was unbelievably strong and quick, I was barely moving at all. He suddenly became fed up and slammed my head hard against the floor, making that the last blow I could take. My vision clouded and I was gone again.
~
Ryan
"SHIT!" I shouted, wanting to rip my hair out. Tyson and Zack stood over me, their faces stern and concerned for me. They all had flown out to Oxford once the news that both, Marcus and Maddie were out of sight. He had taken her, I knew it.
"I should have never let her out of my sight, I don't even wanna think about what Marcus has done and is doing to her right now," I growled, my fists clenched in anger.
"Yo man, cool down. We'll find her," Oliver said, trying to calm me down. But nothing was going to calm me down, I needed to find her. She was the only person who made me happy, who brought me out of my shell. I needed her. I loved her.
"Don't fucking tell me to cool down!" I stood up, shoving Oliver against the stone wall. Zack held my shoulders, pulling me back. Suddenly, the front door opened, and a guy about my age and height stood. His skin was clear, radiant, and extremely fair. He had eyes that were a bright, mysterious blue and he had many piercings. Too many.
"Who the fuck are you?" I hissed firmly, ready to hurt the guy right then and there. He shook his head quickly, holding his hands up in defense.
"Listen, I 'work' for Marcus. I know where your wife, Maddie is," he said in a rushed tone. "I'm here to help you but you need to hurry." My eyes widened.
~
Maddie
"Please, stop!" I cried out in pain. "It hurts." I whimpered, trying to get away, but I was growing weaker and weaker by the moment. I was an idiot to think my whining and crying out in pain would make him stop, it even aroused him more. He was sick. Sadistic.
I closed my eyes and tried to think of Ryan instead of what this ugly, cruel man was doing to me. Tears escaped my eyes as I thought of his smile, his beautiful eyes, his soft skin, the way he held me. But he lied to me. He was also sick, a killer. I was angry, I didn't understand. He was always so sweet and everything I thought I wanted. It hurt to think he was really like that. He put on an act and I was too naive, I fell for it.
Eventually, Marcus let up, knowing he wasn't going to get much out of me. He stood up and pulled his pants back on. He gave me a dirty glare before sending a hard blow to my stomach, causing me to roll over and gasp for air.
I heard the door slam shut and lock. I sat on the dirty floor, feeling the coldness with the palm of my hand. Suddenly, everything came over me and I bursted into tears. I wouldn't see my mom ever again, I wouldn't see the world again. I knew I would be killed by Marcus, Ryan wasn't going to come find me. And I wasn't sure if I even wanted him to.
What if Ryan killed me, if he knew that I found out?
The sentence rolled over and over in my head a few times before I was too exhausted to even think. Then it hit me. I was going to die either way.
~
Ryan
Tyler had lead me and the gang to an old abandoned warehouse where Maddie was. I was determined to get my life back, my Maddie. I couldn't take being without her anymore.
"Shhh, this way," he whispered to me. We snuck around the entrance and I could hear deep murmurs being exchanged inside the warehouse. I just wanted to get this over with, I wanted him dead. I wanted him dead for too many years. Rage came over me and I suddenly kicked the old door off it's hinges, revealing Marcus and his others looking shocked and unprepared.
"How the hell did you -" He stuttered. I grinned when the rest of the gang pulled out their guns, but we were quicker. I pulled back and aimed and before I knew it, all six of them were on the floor. Dead. Cold.
"She's around here," he told us and we walked to the steel door on the far right of the room. I tried pushing the door open, but it wouldn't budge. Of course, it was locked.
"Let me borrow your gun," I demanded, throwing out my hand. I didn't know where the key was and I didn't want to search.
"Why?" He asked curiously. I glared at him in aggreviation.
"Just give me the damn gun! I know what I'm doing," I hissed. He didn't even think, he handed me the gun and everybody stood back. I aimed and pulled, shooting the top lock off the door. I pushed the door open, heading inside the dark room. Tyler flicked on the lights and I spotted her.
She was completely bare, curled up and battered in the corner of the room. I rushed over to her, rolling her over on to her back. I heard her moan in pain, but thankfully didn't awake.
Tyson, Oliver, and Zack looked at me painfully, they knew I loved her with everything I had in me.
"Help me find her clothes," I demanded.
We glanced around for her clothes but we didn't see them. I pulled off my hoodie, placing it around her petite body so she was covered again. I pushed her auburn hair out of the way, just to see two swollen eyes and more bruises on her precious face. A tear slipped out of my eye and I kissed her forehead.
"You're okay now, baby," I whispered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, guys. This is the end of chapter five. I'm sorry if it was a bit short, but it was packed with some action. The epilogue will be out next and then this story will be completed. Keep your eyes peeled! :)
~ Zoe