Looking up, I search my surroundings for anything to help me. To my right is a railing that overlooks the lower floors. But since I’ve never been in this building, I don’t know what level I’m on. To my left is a hallway, but it’s too dark to go that way. I won’t be able to see anything. I don’t have my cell on me for a light. And I don’t want to waste more energy than I have to on anything that isn’t going to help me free myself.
Leaning my head all the way back, I look up to see nothing but glass above me—a big dome showing off the night sky. Parts are broken and missing, allowing me a clear view of the sky. It’s clear, nothing but stars as far as the eye can see. That’s the thing about being in the middle of nowhere, the city lights don’t take away from the stars. They shine so brightly. And I thank my lucky stars for the little light they offer me tonight.
Looking down at the bed once again, I run my hands up and down the metal to feel for any holes or chunks missing. I’m wanting a weak spot but find nothing. Shouldn’t it be easier to break?
Getting a thought, I get off the bed once again and kick the mattress to the floor. Nothing but metal underneath running both horizontally and vertically to hold the mattress on. This must have been so painful to sleep on.
I could drag it down the stairs with me. But what will I do with it once I get outside? And how much energy will that take? “Goddammit!” I shout at the top of my lungs. Tears of failure start to fill my eyes, and I refuse to let them fall. I will not let them win. The bed cannot survive a beating. It has to break down.
I get back on the bed once again and sit down on the metal, feeling it cut me through my jeans. I face the headboard and lean back, pulling my arms as tight as I can muster, watching the blood drip on the floor from my wrists. I grit my teeth, turn my head, and start kicking the shit out of it. It has to give eventually.
I shout profanities as tears of pain run down my face along with snot and spit. I kick it once more, and this time, I’m yanked forward. My body rolls off the bed and onto the nasty ass floor that kids piss, spit and fuck on. Opening my eyes, I half expect the guys to be standing over me laughing at me for my lack of strength, but I find myself laughing.
Because I’m free.
Well, from the headboard. I had kicked it so hard that the bottom horizontal metal bar broke off, freeing it from the bed. But my hands were still cuffed on the opposite side of the vertical bar, which pulled me forward when I kicked it off because the top horizontal bar still held the five together.
Yanking my hands down the vertical bar, I stand and kick the small headboard to the side. Turning, I don’t waste a second running down the hallway to the stairs, needing the railing for assistance.
I feel dizzy all of a sudden. My vision blurs in and out, so I close my eyes for a second. When I open them, I look down the stairs, and I wanna cry. I’m only three stories up. I thought for sure it was going to be like six.
I walk as fast as my shaking legs will allow me to go. Not even bothering to look back as I rush through the once-grand foyer and out the front double doors. My legs come to a halt when I look out over the open field where all the kids park to find one car facing me. Both Law and Scout leaning against the front of the G-Wagon, smoking a joint.
“Fuck, doll.” Law whistles. “I’m impressed at how resilient you are.” He grabs his crotch, and my teeth clench.
“What the fuck?” I snap, that nagging headache behind my eyes intensifying.
“Call this a test of survival,” Law had said.
Scout looks at me with narrowed eyes, but the corner of his lips twitch. He thinks this is funny! “You son of a bitch!” I run at him, ready to tackle the fucking bastard to the ground. But I’m not even close to them. He has plenty of time to prepare for my collision.
He pushes off the front and hands Law the joint. Once I get to him, he grips my face and leans down, kissing me. His lips attack mine with a dominant kiss, taking with little breath I had away.
I open my mouth to shout at him, but one hand slides into my hair, tightening his grip, holding me in place while the other slaps down on my ass.