Chapter 54
1310words
It was a non-pleasing sight to unfold.
Stepping inside the building was a whole another terrifying experience. Dust that hung in the air disturbed at a regular occurrence. The wooden planks would make a cracking sound at every step I take. The big dust covered treads of the spiders could be seen almost everywhere causing my arachnophobia brain to go haywire. I had to shuffle closer to James, scared that one of those eight-legged devils decide to surprise me.
Peering into the classrooms I was surprised to view that most furniture managed to survive with minimal damage, only a few scratches to their name. The dripping sound of water echoing through the hallways made it impossible to ignore the lack of animated chattering in the vacant building.
The rickety staircase led us to the first floor, which astonishingly was in a better state than the ground floor. Its only flaw was the discolored paint on the walls and the pile of dust on every furniture.
The tour ended in a what it would seem school director's room.
"I see that a hotel room was too much to ask for." I walked around the place observing the old paintings that hung on the walls with their dear lives.
"He could easily track me down through my credit card information." James answered and handed me the phone. "He's known for being a high-skilled hacker after all."
I flipped open the phone and dialed in the emergency number. My thumb hovered over the calling button hesitantly.
'Is this plan really going to work? What if Mark finds us before help can come?' Thoughts like that were circulating my mind making me second guess my decision. A portentous feeling was brewing in the depths of my stomach that something wasn't right.
"What are you waiting for?" James face that materialized in my face caused me to let go of the phone in startlement. The cluttering sound of the device hitting the wooden floor made us both scared as we scrambled for it; checking for any damage.
No cracks were perceived and we both let out a relieved exhale. James gave me a side-glare which received a wobbly smile from me in return.
"Hehe." I tittered.
"Don't hehe me! You were about to destroy our only way out!" He yelled throwing his only good arm in the air.
"Well your face shouldn't have such a shock value!" I retorted.
James gasps dramatically. "Are you calling me ugly?"
"If the pot is calling the cattle black…" I shrugged.
He narrowed his eyes at me… "You're going to regret it" and like a bull tackled me to the ground knocking the air out of me.
"Ouch! What the heck was that geh-!" James who sat on top of me wiggled vigorously with his fingers and his eyes glinted with mischievous.
Knowing what was to come I shook my head vehemently, pleading him not to do it. But he ignored my pleas and started to attack my torso; tickling me in my sensitive areas.
"Stop it James! Stop it!" I screeched between my cackles that James produced.
"Am I ugly?" He asked as he continued his torture.
"YOUR NOT!" I screamed as I could feel my bladder is about to burst.
James immediately ceased his attack and gave me a smug look. "I thought so." He stood up and offered me his hand. teary-eyed from all the laughing I grabbed his hand. "You sure are acting friendly again for someone who tried to take my life." I grumbled pettily.
James blinked taken aback, but quickly covered it with a blank expression as he jerked his hand away. "I had a blast working with you at the company, but rules are rules and the rules of the underworld ain't rules that you can break sugar plumps." The way he sounded perfunctory as if our friendship never mattered was like a dart through my heart.
"Whatever…" I said dejectedly, my shoulders slumped down as I casted my eyes down. "Let's just call the police."
But before doing that I started to run hard in place until I was short of breath. James eyebrows arched and he looked at me as if I had lost my marbles
"You'll see." I said.
Once again, I dialed in the emergency number and this time, I pressed the call button.
And when the call was answered my breath sounded shallow and elaborated.
"Hello with the emergency line what's the emergency?" The voice on the other side of the line was baritone and coated with a thick Italian accent.
"H-Help! My name is April Westwood and I have been kidnapped together with my friend. We were able to escape, but my friend is heavily injured, so we hided ourselves in an abandoned school building!" My voice that was laced with panic and urgent sounded out of breath making it sound like I was in a life-threatening situation.
The other side of the line was silent; only the crackling static sound could be heard.
"H-Hello?" I called.
"Yes, sorry Mrs. Westwood, right? Who is the kidnapper that you are speaking of and could you also tell me who your friend is?"
I glanced warily at James. Should I be honest and tell them that it is Mark?
"Miss?"
"I-I don't know the identity of the kidnapper, but he calls himself the Chess Player and my friend is James Scott! Please hurry!"
"Please tell us your specific location and we will be there in thirty minutes." I hand over the phone to James who told the cop the exact location while letting some painful grunts escape to show that he was indeed badly injured.
We hung up after the man confirmed our location, telling us to not move from our position. We sat down on the wobbly wooden floor, avoiding the spikes of the nails that were protruding through the it.
I pulled my knees to my chest, resting my chin on them. James crooned his head back, staring at the ceiling absent-minded. "So now we just have to wait, huh" He said under his breath.
"Yep." I answered, popping the p.
"The cop sounded hot with a capital HOT. I almost had the urge to call him papi." He grins.
I let out a small chuckle. "That's Spanish you dumdum he sounded Italian; also, could you stop being horny all the time?"
He scoffs. "We aren't sure if he is Italian and I could stop if someone is able to satisfy me."
"Nobody was ever able to do that?" I questioned.
"They were all drained before I could finally warm up." Sounding disappointed in his past partners performances he rested his chin on the back of his hand that was still holding the gun while letting out a sigh dejected. "They honestly deserved to be cut up by me."
Stupefied by what he said and astonished at his unquenchable drive I shook my head despondently. "Succubus is a better code name for you." I mumbled.
Irked he glowered at me. "Watch it the gun is still loaded and ready to be used."
And with that said he stripped me of the ability to be vocal.
