“D, all hell’s breaking loose here. I don’t know what to do.” She entered Harleys’ room first, lifted the groggy girl into her arms, and rested her against her shoulder. “Come on, sleepy head, let’s head to the basement.”
“Ardy, what the hell is going on?” D said.
“I don’t know. Natasha showed up, and we fought. Then I heard motorcycles coming. I didn’t wait around to see who was on them. I came back in and locked the door.”
“Fucking bitch.”
“Ardy?” Rocket’s sleep-filled voice drew her attention to the hallway.
“Come on, baby, we’re heading downstairs for awhile. Emergency drill.”
“What?” Rocket rubbed his sleep heavy eyelids.
“Listen to me, Ardy, down in the basement to the far right there’s a hollow spot. Remove the panel, and you’ll see a door. It’s a panic room that locks from the inside. I installed it after all the shit went down with Natasha. Put the panel back, close and lock the door, and do not leave until I come for you, do you understand me? “
“Yes.” Her voice shook. She held the phone between her neck and ear as she clutched Rocket’s hand and guided him down the hall to the basement stairs. They took them as fast as she dared.
“Good girl. Hang tight for me, baby. I’m coming.” He hung up, and she reached the bottom of the stairs. Shoving her phone in her pocket, she rushed to the right side of the house, knocking on the paneling. When a portion made a hollow sound, she dug her hands into the grooves, relieved when it gave way and revealed a few inches of space and a smooth metal door. Jesus, just call me Jodie Foster. She pushed it open. A loud banging sounded up stairs.
“Ardy, what was that?” Rocket asked.
“Nothing important. In you go, Rocket.” He walked inside, and she rested Harley on the ground before she hurried back and grabbed the paneling. The handle on the back told her where to clutch, and she said a silent prayer to Mother Mary as she backed up, wedging it into place. When it clicked, her knees went weak, and she stepped back, shutting the metal door. She slid the lock in the door, and she heard the door upstairs give way.
She slid down the door and took stock of the room. It was small, but it had the basics. A toilet in the far left, two small cots made with sheets and blankets. A black mini fridge sat in the opposite corner next to a small white cabinet and gray plastic tub.
“Ardy?” Rocket said, sinking down beside her.
She lifted Harley in her arms and walked her over to a cot, sinking down and patting the space beside her.
“Ary?” Harley whispered, slowly.
“Listen, guys, there are bad people in the house and we need to be very quiet. Just like when we play hide-and-seek,” she said, running her hands through Harley’s thick hair.
“Bad people?” Rocket said. “Like my mom?”
“What do you mean, honey?” Ardy said.
“She used to yell a lot.” He glanced down. “I didn’t like it.”
I should’ve punched that bitch in her face while I had the chance.
The sound of boots coming down the stairs made her tense. She wrapped her arm around Rocket’s shoulder and pressed Harley’s head to her chest. “Remember, guys, they can’t get in, okay? We’ll be as quiet as we can, and when they get tired of that, they’ll go away.” Ardy prayed the Dueling Devils would get here soon. They were no more than ten minutes away, but time seemed to be moving as slow as freshly tapped molasses.
“Come out, bitch. I know you’re there! You make this easy and we won’t mark up that pretty face.”
Harley whimpered. “Shh, baby, quiet.” Ardy rocked back and forth. Rocket burrowed his face into her side. The sound of things crashing against the wall made her flinch.
“Where are they? We didn’t see anyone leave,” a muffled voice said.
“Maybe they ran next door from the backyard,” another man said.
“We don’t have time for this. Their boys are on the way.”
“If we go back empty-handed, Pres. is going to hurt us.”
“Better him than the Dueling Devils.” They rummaged through the basement for a few more minutes before they plodded back up the stairs. Ardy took a deep breath and her muscles relaxed.
“We’re going to be okay, guys. Your dad will be here soon.” Crew or not, nothing short of Demon himself would coax her out of here.