Sinful desires

CHAPTER ONE Iris I felt thick, hot liquid seeping through my arm. The bullet had grazed my arm, and I was bleeding, but I didn't stop running. I didn't even look back to see whether I was still being chased, afraid that if I did, I might just end up dead with a bullet between my eyes. I felt anger surging in me. If I get out of this safely, Todd is so dead. I wouldn't hesitate before ripping his arms off or snapping his neck - Arghh! I heard another gunshot. I could feel the man getting closer. I tried to pick my pace when he suddenly grabbed my hair from behind. Stupid move. I grabbed his arm and twisted it till I heard his bones crack. I turned swiftly and connected my fist with his face. He fell down with a thud. “Sorry mate,” I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. I looked up to see the others gradually closing in on me. “God, please save me,” I prayed silently as I picked up my pace. It was a stupid idea, praying to God to save you from the person you just robbed. I snorted. As I picked up my pace, I noticed the guys were struggling to catch up with me. My only chance at escaping just showed. I knew this area so well and all the hiding places. I bolted into an abandoned building and waited till I saw all the men run off. I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding. I finally looked down at my arm and groaned painfully. I tore a piece of the shirt I was wearing and tied it carefully on my arm to reduce the bleeding. Mission successful. Now it's time to go kill Todd. I waited for a while before exiting the building, just in case there was still one of them lurking around. . . . I got to Todd’s house in a few minutes. It was more like the gang's hideout, as none of us leaked our private information, like where we lived, for safety reasons. Despite how close Todd and I are, I didn't know where he truly lived. “Todd,” I screamed as I stormed into the building. “Where is he?” I yelled in the face of the first guy I saw. “Inside the room over there,” he said, pointing to a room across the hallway. I increased my pace and flung the door open. “Hello Ree,” Todd said with a smug smile. No one in the gang uses their real name. I preferred being called “Ree” and not my real name. “Son of a b***h!” I yelled as I moved towards him and was about to land a punch on his face when he caught my hand midway. I made use of my second arm to elbow him in the groin, but he caught the second hand too. I yelled in annoyance. “Let me go,” “Not after you calm down and let's talk like adults,” he said. I took deep breaths, and he let go of my arms. “Why would you send me to rob someone with so many bodyguards carrying guns and that too, without backup? I could have died,” I said, trying not to scream. “But you didn't, you did it, Ree,” he said. I could sense the pride in his voice. “Now hand over the item,” he added. Annoyance sprung into me when I remembered that I almost got myself killed because of a stupid bracelet. I would have understood if it was a watch or ring but a hideous bracelet - Arghh!. It's not even designed. I took it out and dropped it on the table before me. He took it and examined it with care and admiration in his eyes. “Does anyone know about this apart from the two of us?” He asked, looking skeptical. “I came here as soon as I got the bracelet, so no one else knows about it,” I replied. “When do I get my money?” I asked, getting impatient. I didn't give a damn about the bracelet, but after all the trouble he put me through, if I didn't get a good sum, I'd lose it. “As soon as I get this pawned,” he replied. I nodded and went to grab the first aid kit. “I'll get someone to call Emily, you might need to stitch that, it seems fatal,” I heard Todd say. He walked out and came back within a few minutes. Emily walked in shortly after. Emily was a nurse before she joined the gang. I have no idea why she joined the gang or why she was no longer working in a hospital. I don't even know if Emily is her real name. When she was done, I stormed out of the room and walked straight home. It was a studio apartment and I lived alone. I rented it after I ran away from my shitty foster father with the money I picked from people. That was about seven years ago. I switched on the light to see my disoriented house. I have a bad habit of throwing things around when I'm looking for what to wear. I rubbed my temples gently. I picked up the clothes and arranged them in the wardrobe. I went to take a shower after I was done. I walked to the kitchen to fix something. The fridge was empty, so I ended up only having a cup of coffee. I hadn't even bothered to change out of my bathrobe. I was still sipping my coffee when I heard a knock on the door. I wondered who it was. I hardly keep friends. The few people I know are either gang members or people at Billy's. Billy's is a bar across the street. The doorbell rang again. I grabbed a small knife from the kitchen counter and walked slowly to the door. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to ignore the person at the door and go call for help, but I chose to ignore my instincts and opened the door. I opened the door gently, pointing the knife out first, but I didn't see anybody. I stepped out further hoping the person would make a move but was met with nothing still. I was about to turn and go back in when I felt something on my neck. I couldn't retaliate because my body suddenly felt weak, my vision blurry and soon everything went black. . . . I opened my eyes slowly, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The light was dim, so I couldn't see much, except big iron gates like those they use in prison. I tried to move my body, but was unable to. I was tired. My head throbs as I try to remember what happened. The last thing I remembered was the doorbell and then, phew - total darkness. I tried to scream, but my voice was muffled. My lips were taped. I threw my head back in frustration. I have tried to recall pissing someone off lately. That might have resulted in me getting kidnapped. I couldn't recall anything because I had steered clear of trouble the whole week. Until this afternoon, when I stole the bracelet for Todd. Okay, maybe someone with past grudges. I tried wiggling my hands out of the rope, but my attempts were futile. The ropes were too tight. “I see you're awake,” I heard someone say. My eyes narrowed in the direction of the voice. The person stepped forward, and my eyes widened at the recognition. I am so dead! It was the man I stole from this afternoon.