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Chapter 9-10

I must of banged on the door for hours, but no one ever came. Where could they have taken him?! I know it was because he attacked that guard, I told myself. How could he be so stupid and careless?! I slumped down onto the floor with my back against the door. I looked down at my ring that he had just given me and I began to cry.

¨I don't want to live if he is gone¨ I mumbled to myself.

All this has been for nothing! I was so angry with him for being so dumb! I got up and walked into our bedroom and began going through his drawers. Everything is still here. All his clothes, everything! I reached into one of the drawers and pulled the shirt he usually wears to bed. I slipped it on just so I can feel close to him again. As I walked over to his side of the bed, I noticed his journal was laying there. He often writes in it, but I have never asked him what he wrote. I flipped through the pages. I know it's wrong, but at this point it is all I have left. I climbed onto his side of the bed while pulling the covers up over me. I laid my head back onto his pillow and I can still smell the scent of his cologne. I began flipping the pages again.

I asked myself, ¨is this something I really want to read¨?

I quickly shrugged it off and turned back to the first page. Most of it was about me and how he felt he had failed me. There was a short passage about my father midway through. He wrote about how he wished he could take it all back. With tears in my eyes, I closed the book. I didn't want to read anymore. How could I anyways? I lrolled over and cried myself to sleep.

That night was the start of many, many more lonely nights. Craig had not been returned to me and I just couldn´t bare the thought of being without him. I stopped eating as I couldn´t hold anything down. I feel so stressed! I haven't even spoken to anyone since the night they took him. I don't even know what has happened to Craig. I spent many nights wondering if he was even still alive.

Finally after a few weeks someone came in. It honestly startled me as I was sitting in the living room when the door suddendly opened. In walked Mr. Whitman. I jumped to my feet. My body filled with emotions seeing him standing here. Oddly, I kind of felt excited to see him. I knew he would tell me what had happened to Craig. 

¨̈Where is he ̈ I demanded! 

Mr. Whitman advised me to have a seat. He began to pour me a glass of coffee that I had brewed earlier. I held my hands together so he can't tell that I am shaking.

I demanded again, ̈just tell me what is going on ̈!

He placed the cup down in front of me while pulling out one of the chairs. I thought about throwing it in his face and making a run for it, but I have to know if Craig is still alive. Mr. Whitman cleared his throat. Firmly, he reassured me that Craig is indeed still alive and well.

̈ ̈Jade, I think you know I love my son¨

¨He is still alive because of that love I have for him ̈

¨Craig is a hot head and I can't take any chances with him doing something irreversible ̈

Mr. Whitman leaned back in his chair while crossing his legs. He began telling me Craig was removed because the party was going to be taking place within the next three days. He slid a list across the table to me. ̈

̈What is this ̈, I asked confused?

Mr. Whitman continued,¨It is a list of what my client wants you to wear along with instructions for that night ̈.

¨You will follow that list precisely and make sure you follow all the rules ̈ he said firmly. 

I agreed, but I need to know when Craig will be returned. 

̈ ̈Jade, I promise you when this is done, you will see Craig. However, screw it up and you never will ̈.

I gulped loudly. My legs began to tremble. He scares me so much! I know I have to do whatever he wants! It´s my only chance of getting free is if Craig returns. I sat there for a moment as he patiently waited for my respond.

̈ Ok Mr. Whitman ̈ I said.

̈ ̈Once I complete this task what is in it for me next ̈, I began to look down at my hands because I couldn't look into his eyes.

He is pure evil! Mr. Whitman then handed me a contract that basicaly stated I would have to recruit women for him. It is much like what my dad was doing prior to his murder. I regrettably signed it and then pushed the paper back towards him. Mr. Whitman then got up from the table and exited out the door. I could hear the door being locked. I just crumbled in pure disgust about what I was going to have to do. Not only that, but I myself would be recruiting these women. My stomach began to turn. 

I grabbed the list off the table to read over it again. It was pretty clear. The note stated that I have to put on the clothes provided to me that night and place on a blindfold. I also have to bathe prior to his arrival with the selected soaps of his choice. There will be sheets provided that have to be  put on the bed prior to his arrival. Then in very large type it states that at no time am I allowed to talk or cry or make a sound. If these stipulations were not met then the deal would be off and a new contract would be drawn up for my replacement.

  ̈Oh Sammie ̈ I cried.

I knew what I had to do. The next few days I didn't get out of bed. I was so confused. I no longer knew what day it was or how many days had actually passed. I stopped keeping track the day Craig was taken. I was just falling back to sleep when I heard a voice.

̈ ̈Oh girl, this place is a mess ̈

̈ ̈Time to get up and I will help you get this place back together ̈ the woman said.

I looked over and I saw a tall woman with long blonde extensions standing there with salon products. I crawled out of bed. I felt so weak from not eating. 

¨I am Linda by the way¨ she said while making her way to get me something to eat. 

̈Are you here to help me dress ̈ I asked.

¨̈Yep ̈ she giggled while snapping her gum.

She then went on to tell me they were going to just put extensions into my hair as the client preferred long hair and didn't like wigs. She had red hair dye and some makeup that she set up at the table. She quickly cleaned the place up and got to work. When she was done My hair was so long and felt so natural. She also gave me fake eyelashes and cleaned up my eyebrows. Just then as she was getting my make up together, loud opera music began to play. 

̈Is the party tonight ̈ I asked? 

̈ ̈Yes it is hun ̈ she said while caking my face with foundation. 

¨It will be over before you know it ̈ she reassured me.

¨How do you know ̈ I asked?

She explained to me how she was one of the women they brought in. She screwed up and she saw one of Mr. Whitman ́s clients faces. He was going to kill her, but decided he could use her to get other women ready for other parties.

̈What happened¨

¨Did the blindfold slip off ̈ I was curious as to how her's got botched.

̈ ̈No I knew there was something being placed in my drink so I switched them out. As we were being taken into this room they placed the blindfold on me. I moved it up as the clients were entering the room. Mr. Whitman is smart and decided he wanted to check all the girls before we were introduced to them so he stopped the client at the door. As soon as he approached me he knew right away I hadn't taken anything.Had I just drank the drink, I wouldn't have remembered anything and I would be living a normal life right now.

I wonder why they are opting for a blindfold, but not drugging me I asked myself? I quickly pushed the thought out of my head. The less I know the better. Linda was just finishing up my makeup so I could begin the process of getting ready. I wished I could drink something to take the edge off, but it was strictly forbidden. A voice came over the intercom that started to give me instructions that told me I needed to go ahead and place the blindfold on and lay silently in the bed. As I climbed up into the very bed Craig and I shared I thought about how tonight was going to change things. I wanted to cry so bad. I wished it was all a bad dream! They reminded me that my responses need to look and come off as real as possible.

¨Put on a show Jade¨ the voice demanded.

I felt like I was about to cry, but I knew that was not allowed. I laid back and waited for him to enter the room.

Twenty minutes had passed and then I heard the door close. I wasn't allowed to talk. As I listened closer, I was pretty sure I heard two sets of footsteps entering the room. That's when I heard a voice instructing someone to get into the bed. I tried everything to hold it together, but my mind was going crazy.

¨Why is there two people here ̈?

¨Are they going to stay and watch the whole thing¨ I asked myself.

Just then the voice again was giving instructions.

¨You both are to keep your blindfolds on the whole time and do not remove them ̈

̈ ̈Once The door closes and you hear the tone, you may begin ̈

Just then I could hear the footsteps leading away from the room. I could also feel the warmth of someone else in my bed. I wanted to cry and beg for them to call it all off, but I can ́t risk them killing Craig or taking Samantha. Finally the tone went off. I felt the man make his way towards me. As his hand reached my arm I began to cringe.

¨ No Jade pull it together¨ I told myself.

I felt the man now removing my clothing. I could tell he was much bigger than me. As I felt his body weight on top of mine I held my breath. He slide his hands all over my body and I heard the voice come over the intercom again. Jade this is your first and last warning. Please remember to follow the rules. I gulped as I knew I had to touch him back. I hated every moment of it. It felt like hours had past and I just wanted it all to stop. I just mentally checked out until it was all said and done. Finally I heard the door open again. They were back to remove the mystery man from my room. They didn´t say a word to me. They just left. Once I heard them leave and I knew they wouldn´t be back I began to cry. I ran straight to the bathroom as I felt so sick to my stomach. I couldn't believe what I had just done. I told myself I had no other choice. I sat in the shower for what felt like an eternity. I didn't want to get out.

The room was filled with steam. I could feel the water stinging my skin, but I didn´t care. As I sat there crying my eyes out, I heard the bathroom door open. I spun around with utter fear only to see Craig standing there!

¨Craig¨ I shouted as I ran over to him!

We embrased and fell into to the floor while holding eachothers. He was beaten pretty badly. He was so weak that he fell backwards onto the marble floor. I jumped to my knees and began leaning over him while caressing his face.

¨Are you ok¨ I asked with terrior in my voice.

What had they done to him? As I crouched over him the water dripped from my hair onto his face. He reached up to push my hair back and then pulled me close. He hugged me so tight. I could feel his body quivering as he cried. We stayed there for a few minutes not talking. Finally he let go  and began crying. I could barely understand him as he tried to tell me he was sorry over and over again. I hated seeing him like this because he was so defeated. Craig became angry and told me that they were all going to pay for what they had done to me. Hearing him say this confirmed he knew what happened. The tears just flooded down my face. I felt so ashamed for what I had done! Craig started wiping the tears from my eyes and he told me to grab something to wear that we were allowed to leave. I couldn´t believe my ears.

¨We are free to go¨ I asked in total shock.

¨Yes Jade¨ Craig replied.

I hurried to put on something on. I helped Craig up and we headed out of the room. As I pulled open the doors it was unlocked. I am so afraid of what is about to happen as we make our way out. Is this a trick I ask myself? We slowly step into the hall and there is no one insight. Craig moaned out in pain as he took a step. I wrapped my arm around his waist as he leaned onto me to help him walk. My heart started pounding as we made our way back up to the foyer.

¨I can´t believe there isn´t anyone stopping us. It is so eerily quite. It is almost as if everyone has left. I pulled open the front door and Craig stumbled a bit as we started down the driveway. To my surprise, Craig´s car is parked right in the driveway.

¨I´ll drive¨ Craig said as he made his way to the driver side door. As he got in the keys were already in the ignition.

¨Are you sure Craig¨

¨I can drive if it is to much for you¨ I asked?

Craig insisted on getting us out of there. As we pulled away glanced over at the review mirror. I can still see the mansion far in the distance. I quivered over the thought of my time there. I looked back towards the road. I don´t know what is going to happen now, but I know one thing is for sure; I am never going back there no matter the cost!

                                                                               Chapter 10

We are finally free or I should say at least for now. We drove for hours before we made it to a hotel where we can stay the night and figure out what we are going to do next. Craig stopped in the front where a gentleman greeted us.

¨Hello sir, my name is Mike¨

Craig handed the keys to him along with some cash that he keeps in the center console.

¨Do you need your bags brought up sir¨ Mike asked.

¨No, we don´t have any¨ Craig growled.

¨Come on Craig¨ I insisted as I didn´t want him to take his anger out on this poor man. Once inside we walked over to the concierge.

¨Hello Mr. Whitman, we have your room ready¨ he said as he handed us our room key.

The staff here knows Craig very well as he stays here very often. I actually called ahead from the car and they knew exactly who he was before I could even get the words out of my mouth. It was almost like he was royalty or something. We were treated very well and were quickly directed to our suite. The place is so beautiful. It has all the bells and whistels including a private pool that leads out onto a balcony. Of course, that is the furthest thing on our minds right now. Craig is in so much pain that I suggest we go lay down. As I helped him into bed, I couldn´t help but notice how bad his right eye looked. It is so swollen that he can barely open it! There is also a huge gash on the top of his head that looks like it has been there for a while now. My eyes began to fill with tears just looking at how badly they have beaten him. 

¨I love you¨ I whispered to him as I laid down beside him. He is so angry! It´s actually scaring me a bit.

¨They will all pay for what they have done to you¨ he snarled as he tossed the covers off of him.

¨Please Craig, lets just get some sleep¨ I begged while fighting back my tears.

In that moment our eyes met. The anger now draining from his face. He pulled me in closer.

¨You´re right Jade¨

¨I am sorry¨

¨We should rest¨ he mummbled as he kissed the top of my head.  

Craig held me in his arms all night while I slept. I had the worst nightmares all night long. I kept dreaming about that man and being trapped in that room. At one point, I was screaming in my sleep so Craig woke me up.  

̈ ̈Baby, are you ok ̈ Craig asked full of concern in his voice?

I opened my eyes to see him staring down at me. His eyes just look sad and empty.

¨They have truly broken him¨ I thought to myself as I tried to reassure him that I am fine.

¨It was just a bad dream, I´ll be ok¨ I told him while planting a kiss on his lips.

I sat there for a minute before asking him what happened to him at the mansion. Craig hung his head almost in shame. He began telling me about what had happened to him.

¨The night they came for me you hand just gotten into the shower¨ he paused for a moment as he fought back tears.

¨It all happened so quick¨

¨Several men stormed the living room¨

¨They had these lab suits on with gas masks on¨ Craig said angrly.

He explained how he tried to fight back but the room began to fill with some sort of smoke.

¨I don´t know how it didn´t affect you as I was sure it was coming from the air ducts¨ Then he went on to explain more.

¨I became so groggy that they just grabbed me by the arms and drug me out of there¨

Craig´s body began to tense up recalling the nights events. The me in the lab suits didn´t take him far, just to the next room that was adjoined to ours. He was then placed into shackles with several arm and chest restraints. Craig began explaining how there was no way he could break free. The men had beaten him repeatedly with billy clubs and black batons. Some of them had electrical current that would shock him occassionally. 

When they were finished, Mr. Whitman came into the room to see Craig. He recalled the room was small and very cold. The walls were painted completely white with just a chair in the middle of the room. Mr. Whitman stood infront of him with this condescending smirk on his face.

¨Look at the big bad wolf¨ Mr. Whitman antagonized him.

As his father went on to humiliate him with his defeat, he began explaning why he was brought into the holding area. As he began explaining he walked over to the wall and pushed a button. Craig was shocked when he realized it revealed what seemed to be a monitoring system that doubled as a mirror. Craig then explained how they had been watching us the entire time. It was like some kind of weird science experiment and we were the trapped lab animals.

During his time held captive in the room, he was forced to watch me for weeks. Often he would yell trying to let me know he was there, but the room was sound proof.  Routinely the guards would come in to beat him for disobeying the rules. Mr. Whitman had orders in place that he was to be punished if he refused food, water or to partake in my surveillance.

That night when the party started they came in and told him he would have to watch everything that happened. There were orders to kill me if he looked away for even a second. They brought in several black leather seats for the clients to also view the show. In the back of the room they prepared the area as if it was a birthday party. They set up a full buffet and several portable fridges. They were fully stocked with all sorts of drinks and perishable foods. Also, they had a video camera on a tripod in place to record the entire event. As Mr. Whitman´s clients arrived they joked that everyone was going to get their own home video and that they would make sure Craig gets a copy.

He struggled and fought for a minute to get the restraints off his arms, but Mr. Whitman tazed him. He was reminded again of what would happen if he caused a scene. Craig went on to tell me about when they first brought the blindfolded man into the room and I stopped him. ̈

̈No, I can ́t hear this ̈ I shouted.

I knew what he was about to tell me. 

̈ ̈Please Craig, tell me you didn ́t watch ̈ I begged. 

Craig just hung his head and cried. 

¨I will kill all of them Jade¨!

¨I really am going to now, Even my father¨ he said with anger and sorrow in his voice. 

I couldn't even look at him because of what I had done.

¨I only did it for you Craig¨ I sobbed. 

Craig turned to me and held me tight. 

¨I know it's not your fault baby. I don't blame you ̈ he said.

We both held each other all night until the next morning. When I woke up Craig was already up and out of bed. ̈

̈What are you doing ̈ I asked curiously?

I saw him getting his guns together. 

¨I am going to make things right again. I am going to kill my father so that he will never be able to hurt you or anyone else ever again ̈ he was full of rage and anger! 

I jumped out of bed and ran over to him. I pleaded with him to wait. He was still badly beaten and out numbered. There was no way he would ever leave there alive and he was all I had left. I pleaded with him again to wait.

̈Wait for what Jade ̈?

̈¨Wait for their next game that includes you¨?

̈ ̈These are sick men who pay for all kinds of sick games ̈!

̈ ̈Their money is endless and their requests are getting sicker ̈ he growled!

̈ ̈Ok Craig, but it doesn't mean you should go busting in there without a plan and without being healed!

¨You ́re in no shape¨ I shouted.

I could see Craig was reeling from what happened last night. 

¨You don't understand Jade! That Robbie kid they used last night was blackmailed just like us ̈!

He went on to fill me in on what took place. It was worse than I could have ever imagined!

¨They are sick and they played out their sick little fantasy¨ Craig yelled

¨That Robbie kid was a friend of your dad ́s and he helped him hack into their main frame¨

He shook his head with disgust before continuing.

¨He downloaded all of their information to help your dad turn them in and shut it down. They made him participate last night as trade for not killing his mother¨

¨He didn't want to do it nor was he even aware who the other person was in the room. They made me watch everything knowing it would drive me mad¨ he screamed while tossing his glass from the nightstand against the wall. 

The glass shattered and covered the floor. Craig threw his longs off the side of the bed and sat there for a minute. He was so furious. It didn't take me long to put it all together.

̈ ̈No, not Robbie ̈ I cried!

What on earth is wrong with these people. I had so many emotions flooding through me. Robbie was such a dear friend of mine and I felt sick. I couldn't believe how deranged and twisted these people are and  how many lives they have ruined!

¨You know him¨Craig asked?

̈Yes, we grew up together ̈. I stared in disbelief, unable to move. I just slumped back onto the bed. My mind started racing again.

̈ ̈Are they going to kill him now ̈ I asked? 

̈ ̈Yes Jade, they are unless I go back in there and save him¨ Craig said as he walked over to the dresser and began loading his last clip into one of his guns. 

¨Lets go to the police¨ I begged!

¨We can't do this alone and you can ́t go back in there they will kill you¨!

I pleaded for him to listen, but he wouldn't! He was determined to go back and settle the score. 

̈ ̈Jade half of those men won't stand a chance against me. The only one who does is my dad and I am willing to risk it for you. He will never let you go and you know that so this has to be done ̈ 

¨I need Robbie alive and all the intel he has collected on these men if we are ever going to take them down ̈ Craig snarled.

He leaned in and kissed my forehead. Craig climed back inti bed and we laid together as if this might be the last time we would ever hold each other again. I fell asleep and when I woke it was after midnight. Craig told me it was time and that he promised he would come back for me. He said he would do his best to get Robbie out. As I started to walk into the bathroom to pull myself together, he got up quickly and followed me in to the room. I turned to ask him what he was doing and that is when he snapped a pair of handcuffs onto my wrist. Confused, I looked at the metal bracelet on my arm. Before I could say anything he snapped the other side onto the bar in the bathroom. I started to protest! What is he thinking? 

̈ ̈Craig you can ́t leave me here like this ̈ I shouted!  He grabbed both sides of my face while bringing his lips close to mine.

¨I love you Jade¨

¨I will come back for you ̈

¨I just can't risk them getting to you so I need you to understand that this is for your own good¨

He kissed me this time full of passion. Before leaving he reassured me that he would be back for me. As he turned around and headed out the door I began to yell for him to come back. 

̈ ̈Craig...please don't go ̈!

¨You can ́t leave me here ̈!

¨You can't leave me again ̈ !

I thought this maddness was over! All these crazy thoughts ran through my head. What if they capture him? I sat down on the side of the tub while trying to free my hand. I knew I was never getting them off without the key. Craig snapped them on so tight that when I try to free my hand it starts to throb. Small red scratches and scrapes begin to appeared after just a few minutes of pulling at them. I looked around the room to see if there was anything small that I could try and pick the lock. There was nothing! I had so many emotions going through my body. I was disgusted by what they did to me and for what they have done to Robbie and Craig. I noticed some of the bolts were kind of loose so I started pulling with all my body weight. I must of pulled for almost twenty minutes until finally I heard a loud crack and the shower bar came off. It happened so quickly I ended up falling backwards onto the floor.

¨Ouch ̈ I yelled as I hit my elbow against the tile floor.

I looked down at my wrist which still adorn the handcuffs and metal pole.  I let out a sigh of relief. I didn't care that I couldn't get them off. I was just glad I could go and try and find Craig before it was too late. I quickly grabbed my shoes and ran down to the elevator.  I pushed the button frantically over and over trying to get the door to open. Finally just then I heard a loud DING and then the doors popped open. The house keeping woman had left her cart inside so I pushed it back and hit the lobby button. All of a sudden I started smelling bleach and when I looked down I noticed little tiny droplets sprinkling my shoes.

̈Ugh just great ̈ I thought to myself!

Once in the lobby I pushed the cart so no one would notice the large piece of metal attached to my wrist. Once I made it by the lobby exit I pushed the cart close to the window. I could see the valet guy getting out of a car he just parked. I noticed it was still running so without a hesitation I bolted out the doors and into the drivers seat. As I sped off, I could see the gentlemen running after me.

̈ ̈Hey, wait...you can't take that car¨ they yelled.

I must have hit at least three cars before even exiting the parking lot. It was dark and there was barely any cars on the road. I was speeding along highway 94 when I saw the flashing lights coming up fast behind me. 

̈ ̈Oh my god they called the police already¨ I thought to myself.

I knew I had to get to Craig so I just kept going. We were doing speeds well over hundred. There were several more police cars now joining in pursuit. I could hear one of them on a PA System telling me to stop the car. I didn´t care! I kept going for a while, but I realized I could never outrun them all. Regrettably, I decided to pull over. The officers rushed over to the car with their guns drawn. I looked around and they had surrounded the car. 

̈ ̈Put your hands up and get out of the car¨ they were screaming!

Next thing I knew the driver side door flew open and I was being drug out. I hit hard onto the pavement. The ground beneath me scraped my arms and knees as my body rubbed against it. One officer was now leaning onto my back. His knee hard and pushing down with all his body weight. They ordered me to put my hands straight out. As I did, I heard one officer say

 ̈is that handcuffs on her arm ̈ 

Then another one says ̈I think that is some sort of pipe too ̈. 

The officer now lifting up off of me, pulled me to my feet. I took a second to catch my breath. They began questioning me about what was going on. The flashing lights were glimesing off their faces and the sirens were drowning out some of what they were saying. I couldn't take it anymore. I told them everything! Well, almost everything. I didn't tell them about Craig and for some reason I felt the need to protect April, but I told them about everything else. I gave them the address and begged them to go and check it out. One of the officers called an ambulance and placed a brown blanket over my shoulders. He had me sit in the back of the car until they arrived. 

I could hear over the radio they were calling for backup as they had rushed the mansion. The voice stated they were taking several people into custody. I could hear one officer say there were several deceased bodies at the property. I began praying Craig wasn't there. Finally the ambulance arrived. I was loaded into the back by the paramedics so they could take me to the hospital to be examined. I was badly dehydrated from not eating or drinking. The doctors and police were in and out of my room so much that finally when they stopped coming in I fell asleep. I was so exhausted! When I woke up, I was a bit confused about where I was and if ithis had all been a  bad dream. As I scanned the room, I couldn't believe my eyes! ̈

̈Sammie ̈ I cried out! She was here! She was really here to see me!

I began asking her how she knew I was in the hospital? Sammie filled me in on how the cops called looking for our mom. The minute my sister heard what had happened she came right over! I sat up and hugged her so tight that I thought I was going to break her. Finally when I let go I asked her if she had heard anything about Craig?

¨Who ́s Craig ̈ she asked with a puzzled look on her face?

I looked down at my hospital gown and shook my head.

¨What is wrong with me¨ I asked myself while realizing never met him.

I began to wonder if he was ok?