Marked. Part I: The missing Link (19 page)

Chapter 21

4:28pm

“
Wake-up,” a coarse voice with raunchy breath breathes onto me, hand massaging my breast over my sweater. “I've waited too long to subside my hunger.”

The suggestive, crude words whip my lashes open, bringing my body to a vigilant state of alertness.

“Get your fucking hands off me,” I seethe, hands forming fists. That's when I notice the zip-ties cuffed to my wrists, binding them together.

Shit. That's not good.

I'm ripped from the car seat, stumbling behind Sharp, disoriented and trying to regain perception of my surroundings through my foggy haze from dozing off. What is it about naps that leave you discombobulated? I should have never let myself fall asleep. A moment in time I'm sure to regret.

Finally my eyes focus on my surroundings, which to my shuddering dread is a motel. Not just any motel, a hole-in-the-wall, pay-by-the-hour, shit-hole of a room.

Right about now I despise Jay with every fiber of my being for letting me into his life. My love for him has been pushed deep into a box that I have locked away and buried under six feet of dirt, in a land far, far away.

The door opens to a room and I'm shoved inside, door locking behind us.

Double shit.

My eyes scan the dark room, trying to scout out an escape plan, but I'm zip-tied in a fucking motel room. I doubt an escape is likely to happen. The lights turn on and Sharp is circling in on me. He pulls my cheeks together, presses his lips to mine, and rams his tongue down my throat.

I firmly grab hold of his shirt and snap kick his knee. Sharp yells and tumbles backwards in pain. I spit, trying to get the disgusting taste out of my mouth of cigarettes, stale coffee, and five day old morning breath.

I hear Quake chuckle behind me.

“Serves you right. I told you we're not allowed to touch her unless you want to deal with Laz and Link. I sure as hell don't, so quit fucking around.” Quake throws Chinese take-out on the table next to me, and as much as I hate it, I’m happy to see food. I've only had coffee today and I'm starving.

Quake snaps open a pocket knife and cuts off the zip-ties. I rub my sore wrists and head to the food, but Quake slaps a hand over my chest to stop me, “Uh uh uh, you get whatever we don't finish, and I'm damn hungry so I wouldn't be expecting a lot. Go sit in the corner over there.” He points to the corner between the bathroom and the TV stand, which holds a television that still uses a dial. That's how classy this place is.

I walk over to the spot and take a hard swallow at the big round stain on the floor. I take in a deep breath and try not to let my brain conjure up what it might be from. I sit down cross-legged on the ugly green carpet.

Quake is right there with me, “Put your hands behind your back.”

I obey because Sharp is sitting on the edge of the bed pointing a gun at me. Quake has fresh zip-ties around my wrists, and then has me extend my legs so he can do the same to my ankles.

“
What if I have to pee?” I ask, because it seems like a high probability.

“
So pee,” Sharp sadistically grins.

“
Here?” I nod my head down to indicate where I'm sitting. His grin becomes even more perverted.

That's disgusting. There is no way I will pee my pants. I'll hold it even if it kills me.

“Water?” Quake offers charitably.

“
Fuck you,” I glower at the both of them and they laugh, delighted with themselves as they go to the table and start digging into the food.

My mouth is salivating, watching them gorge on the Chinese food. They finish it all and my stomach growls in protest, causing Quake to stop as the last egg roll is about to be eaten.

“I guess I could let you have this. You wouldn't be much use to us if you die of starvation,” he walks over and crams the roll into my mouth, stuffing it, but I don't care. I'm too happy to have something to eat.

Quake goes back to the table and pulls out his cell phone, bringing it to his ear.

“Yeah,” he says, speaking into it, “We stopped at a motel to eat and find out what direction he is headed...yea, yea we're on our way.” He shoves it back into his pocket and turns to Sharp. “Time to move, he hasn't done much stopping. That damn kid is hell-on-wheels, we're further from him than we thought.”

“
You'd think he wouldn't be in any hurry to leave, seeing how he has this 'lil cutie to warm his bed,” Sharp points his thumb back at me.

I try to push back the thought that he's in such a hurry to try and get away from me, but I can't seem to push the idea back far enough.

“Lucky for us he didn't leave town until Saturday evening, but he still has a heavy lead on us.”

“
He left town on Friday,” I inform them.

“
Nope, it was Saturday.”

“
No, I watched him leave.” Why am I arguing with him about this?

“
He may have left that house on Friday, but he definitely didn't leave until Saturday. Stuck around to watch them arrest that ex of yours and then got the hell out. Another reason we're curious what exactly you mean to him – framing someone for his killings isn't his usual style.”

All I can think about is how angry I am at him for not saying goodbye. How stupid is that?

Sharp comes over, unties my ankles, leads me to the car, shoves me in, and ties me up again.

11:53pm

I stare out the window, counting the stars, trying desperately to ignore the burning, cramping need to pee, and the lioness roars my belly keeps making for more food.

“Need some water?” Quake asks, thrusting a bottle my way.

I tighten my lips together and shake my head no.

He cocks his head to the side, “You okay, you look a little red faced?”

“
Fine,” I croak out because my bladder feels like it might explode any second, which is not a pleasant experience.

“
Pull over,” Quake tells Sharp, who immediately obeys. He opens my door and cuts off my ties, “Go pee, and if you run I won't hesitate to shoot.”

I nod and bolt to the other side of the car to block me from the road. I stumble onto the dirt road, drop my pants, and let out a huge sigh of relief when I finally let go. I don't even feel humiliated or embarrassed that they are watching me; it feels too good to finally be peeing. I stand up, zip my pants, and wipe my hands on the back of them because I'm sure my urine is more sanitary than whatever the hell I sat on in the motel. If I get out of this alive I'll burn these clothes and take a decontamination shower until the hospital kicks me out.

I'm zip-tied once again and the fun road trip continues.

Chapter 22

Monday, January 20

7:14am

My mouth is dry and I'm so hungry I want to cry.

When Quake pulls up to a gas station, I decide to finally speak up.

“Can I get some food?”

Quake smacks Sharp awake, “Go get us some food for the road. Pick something out for the girl too.”

Thank God!

My eyes stay glued to Sharp as he enters the mini-mart attached to the gas station and my stomach starts growling and rumbling in anticipation.

He comes back out with a medium size paper bag and I'm about to skyrocket out of the hood of the car with joy.

Quake and Sharp get in at the same time and we drive off.

Sharp pulls out a Redbull for Quake and himself, as well as mini packs of donuts and they start eating away.

I clear my throat, but they ignore me.

“Uh, guys? Did you forget about me?”

“
Nope,” Sharp says, mouth full of food. “Not sure I want to give you any after your little stint yesterday.”

“
Oh come on! Did you seriously expect me to let you kiss me?! I think you wanted me to fight you, gets you off better.” I'm tired and hungry. I don't care who I piss off.

“
We know each other so well already,” he grins, looking pleased, and throws a pack of mini donuts at my face. “I'm glad you know I enjoy a good struggle, it'll make things funner.”

I greedily rip the package open and start shoveling them in.

Sharp hands me a Redbull and I gulp it in three swallows, then finish the rest of my food in record speed.

My stomach starts gurgling and that familiar feeling of getting sick bubbles up.

“Guys, I think I”m going to be-” I don't have time to finish my sentence before I'm trying to roll down my window that is unfortunately locked. I click the button frantically. Quake must have noticed what I'm trying to do because the window rolls down and I throw my head out. Everything else I just ate follows suit.

Quake has a show of heart and lets me keep the window rolled down as I let fresh air calm my queasy stomach. Now I know: if you haven't eaten in almost forty-hours, take it easy.

Ten minutes later, the car exits and we go through a drive-thru where Quake orders food.

Once back on the road he hands me the bag and orange juice, “Take it slow this time.”

I want to kiss him in gratitude, but I'm not about to get Stockholm Syndrome just because they feed me.

There are only hash browns in the bag, but it's better than nothing and I eat them very slowly .

“What do you guys have against feeding me?”

“
Nothing really. Can't exactly take our anger out on Link, so you're the next best thing.”

“
Who’s Link?”

“
Jay.”

“
Is that 'cause of his last name?”

“
Sure, kid.”

“
Oh, Jay Lincoln's his real name?” I thought it was probably a fake considering what I know now.

“
Yup.”

“
Why doesn't he change it if he doesn't want people finding him?”

“
He's not afraid of people finding him, he just doesn't want anyone bothering him. Big difference.”

“
What do you guys want with him?”

“
We need him to get something for us.”

I open my mouth to say more but Quake's phone rings, disrupting my smooth interrogation.

“Quake.” Whatever the person on the other end says has him spitting out his drink, spraying it all over the front of the car, “He's what?!” His brows pull together in bewilderment, “When did he change directions?...I'm aware how far that is...so make him slow down...let me know when it's done.” Quake throws his phone in an empty cup holder, “He can't decide where the fuck he's going. He started heading west last night, and is now going back towards Mesa.”

Sharp mirrors Quake's look of confusion, “Maybe he's on to us?”

“Naw, if he thought he was being followed he wouldn't run, he'd confront us.”

Quake's phone rings again but this conversation's one sided and lasts less than a minute.

“It's done, we have a little less than twenty-four hours to catch up to him.”

“
Why don't you contact him and tell him you have me?”

“
Because then we'd be dead. If he knows we're coming he'll be ready for us. Never give a Lincoln the upper hand, they're calculating SOB’s.”

Can't say this bit of information surprises me. It sounds like Jay to formulate a plan if he knew we were coming.

Chapter 23

Tuesday, January 21

6:21am

We drove all day and night. Quake and Sharp took turns, only stopping for gas, and like the gentlemen they are they let me use the restroom at stops. I had one more feeding of beef jerky and water, but that was late yesterday afternoon. Needless to say I'm pretty famished, and my muscles ache from sitting in the car and having my arms and legs tied together.  I haven't showered since Thursday, nor have my teeth been brushed since Sunday morning. I feel all kinds of icky.

I had tried to find out more on Jay, but Quake made it clear we were done talking when he tightened my zip-ties, making them cut into my skin which is now raw, burning, and sometimes itchy as hell.

We drive up to a motel that's a step up from the last one, but it still looks roach infested.

This time they let me sit on a chair. I watch Quake take out the Bible from the nightstand and head to the bathroom.

Sharp sits across from me on the bed, pointing his gun at me and undressing me with his eyes, continually licking his lips.

When Quake finally comes out I convince them to let me use the bathroom. To my utter joy and delight the bathroom has a window. First, I quench my thirst and guzzle the water from the faucet. Then, I use the toilet and try to figure out how to escape without getting caught.

I come back out and watch Quake put a briefcase under the mattress.

“Can I take a shower?”

Sharp grabs his crotch, “Only if I can watch?”

“I'll let you watch me undress out here, but that's it,” I offer. That's how desperate I am to escape.

Sharp whips out his cock and starts stroking himself, and I take that as my cue to get undressed. I ignore the bile in the back of my throat and look to the blank wall behind him. I catch Quake standing to the side, his arms crossed, watching me too. With shaky hands I remove my clothes.

“Bra and panties too,” Sharp rasps out, almost at a groan.

This is by far the most humiliating moment of my existence. Tears sting my eyes as I unhook my bra and remove my underwear.

I close my eyes and take in a deep breath before bending down to retrieve my clothes.

“
What do you think you're doing?”

I still avoid looking at Sharp, “You only said I had to undress in front of you, not come out naked to re-dress.” My heart is pounding, waiting for a response, and I pray this is not the stupidest thing I have ever done.

“Go ahead kitten, take your shower,” Quake intervenes, and I resist the urge to let out a sigh of relief.

I turn to head to the shower, but Sharp's voice stops me, “Leave behind the panties.”

“No thanks,” I reply as friendly as I can.

“
Then I'm coming with you.”

I grit my teeth and turn around. Sharp is still stroking himself and more bile stings my throat. I throw my underwear at him. I quickly turn back around, but not quick enough and catch a glimpse of him taking in a big whiff of them.

Fucking pervert.

I lock the bathroom door behind me. With shaky hands I turn on the water and quickly, but quietly, get dressed.

As quiet as a mouse I climb onto the sink, and slowly open the window. For the first time in days I'm thankful I met Jay. My arms have grown stronger and I find it easy to hoist myself up and out the window. When my feet hit the ground, exhilaration hits and I break out into a smile. It worked!

I run until I'm to the side of the building where I can't be seen. I decide to run across the street to the casino because the only other place open at this hour is the diner and it's further down. I run faster than my little legs can carry me, but adrenaline helps speed things along.

I reach the parking lot and my legs make the final sprint to the entrance. My heart is soaring with relief when the door is only a few feet away.

Behind me tires screech and a car slams to a stop.

“Nice try kitten, but life's not that easy.”

A sharp, blinding pain hits my scull and I black out.

7:31am

I wake up to a throbbing headache, on my stomach and zip-tied to the motel room’s bed.

Quake's face is inches in front of mine and he spits into my face when he talks, “Don't fuck with me little girl. I think I've been real hospitable up until now, but your shit's getting old and I'm going to teach you a lesson about not fucking with me.”

I hear him remove his belt and I start thrashing around, getting ready to scream.

Sharp's gun jabs my temple, “Stay still, and keep quiet.”

He steps back, letting Quake take his place, “I'm going to belt you now. Ten times. For every muscle you move or noise you make, I will add more. Are we clear?”

I close my eyes and remain still. I'm not sure if that was a test or not.

“Good kitten.” Quake lifts up my shirt to expose my back.

The first strike of the belt has me biting down on my lip and tears stream down. I bury my face into the pillow as I prepare for the next blow. He hits the same spot two more times and my body spasms on the inside to keep from moving or making any noise. This has to be the most painful thing I have ever felt.

The next three are in a different spot. Somehow I'm able to release my mind and go somewhere else. It's still more painful than I ever imagined, but I'm able to dull it enough to survive the remaining four without moving or making any noise.

No more words are spoken and they leave me there to silently cry and steady my breathing. My back feels like it's lying on a bed of hot coals, and it doesn’t subside as the minutes tick by. I try to concentrate on the conversation Quake and Sharp are having, but can only make out a few things because of the burning pain I'm still experiencing. The only words my brain registers are about Link, Laz, a dagger, and someone named Mark.

Eventually Sharp comes over to un-zip me from the bed and lead me to the car. My back stings and burns as it rubs against the fabric of the seat, but it's almost tolerable. Once the car is back on the road they inform me it won't be long until we reach Jay, and I'm a mixture of emotions. I'm angry with him for putting me in this situation, hurt still by how he left things between us, and scared about what's going to happen next.