CHAPTER 6

MEADOW

Chains and whips excite me.

I yank the chains around my wrists, and let out a frustrated cry when all they do is dig into my flesh. I throw my head back and yell loudly, fighting the desperation building in my body. I can’t get them off, and Axel isn’t going to move them any time soon. He walked out about ten hours ago, and he hasn’t come back since. I’ve heard the music and partying outside, but no one has come in this room.

It’s dark now, and I can’t see anything. It must be midnight, if not early morning. I’m starving, thirsty, and fully aware I won’t get a lot until I co-operate. I also know, they won’t let me die without knowing where that USB is, so for now at least, I know I’ll get fed eventually. I close my eyes with a sigh, and hang my head.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I whisper. “I tried.”

I hear the sound of the door, and I quickly lie down. I don’t need to argue with Axel any further. I manage to get down and onto my side. I peek through my lashes as the door swings open. Axel all but stumbles in, gripping the table by the door for support. Great. He’s drunk. He slams the door behind him, and walks over, staring down at me.

“You ain’t asleep,” he grumbles.

I open my eyes and stare up at him. “I’m sure you’re proud of that clever observation.”

He grins, and it’s shocking. Axel Wraithe doesn’t grin. He glares. He smirks. He smiles a smile that’s empty and broken, but he doesn’t grin. His eyes scan over my body for a slow, agonizing moment before lifting and meeting mine. His grin turns lazy, and I realize the only reason that grin is even on his face is because of alcohol. I hear it numbs even the worst hurts. He kneels down in front of me, and takes the chains, rattling them.

“Not so smart now, are you? I told you I’d catch you...”

“Fuck off,” I growl.

He chuckles softly. “When did you get a backbone?”

“Probably the same time your heart froze.”

He narrows his eyes, and studies me. “What would you know about my heart?”

I shake my head sadly. “You were the one who jumped off a bridge to save my life, were you not?”

He narrows his eyes, and we stare at each other for a long, silent moment. I feel my skin prickle, and my entire body becomes aware of the large, beautiful man in front of me. After that moment is over, Axel turns his eyes away, and I watch them grow into those empty stones once again.

“I know what you’re trying to do, and it ain’t gonna work.”

I sigh, and shake my head. “And what is it you think I’m doing?”

“Tryin’ to fuck with me.”

I snort angrily. “Don’t flatter yourself, Axel. I already know a heart like yours can’t be warmed.”

His face changes at my statement, and he almost looks offended by my words, however he quickly wipes the look and replaces it with that empty, blank look he carries around each day. I shake my head, proving to myself that Axel isn’t going to break. He’s managed to gather some kind of darkness in his soul, and he’s not willing to let it go.

He rocks back on his heels after a moment, and gives me another empty smirk. “You got some sort of hero in your life that’s goin’ to come and foolishly try to rescue you?”

I lift my eyes, and meet his. I know my expression is hard. “Heroes are for the weak, Axel. If I escape, it will be all on me.”

His eyes sparkle with challenge. “Well, you’ll need all the luck you can muster up if you think you’re getting out of here.”

“I don’t need luck,” I say, sitting up and crossing my legs.

“So confident, aren’t you?” he murmurs, still kneeling in front of me, rubbing his big hands together.

“What happened to you when you went missing for all those months?” I blurt suddenly, and then cringe at how forward I’m being.

I’ve never seen someone’s body stiffen so quickly in my entire life. It’s almost as if he jerks, he stiffens that intensely. His eyes seem to glaze over, going off into a different place. His breathing deepens, and his hands form fists. I narrow my eyes, watching him closer, taking in every movement on his face as he goes through the motions. When his eyes finally lift to meet mine, they’re wild with rage.

“What happens in my life,” he snarls, baring his teeth, “is none of your motherfuckin’ business.”

“You made it my business when you killed the only person I had left in my life. You made this my business when you decided to make me run across the country!” I protest angrily.

His eyes widen for a split second, showing his shock. But in true Axel form, he covers it quickly.

“You’re walking a fine line, Cricket,” he says, baring his teeth.

“Before all of this, before you killed my father and I was sent running, there was something between you and I. A connection. An understanding. Hell, a friendship. Now, though, you’re empty. Something eats at you, and the person I knew has been replaced with this...shell.”

“I’ve changed, and you’re pushing me over a very, very weak line right now,” he rumbles, and I catch a glimpse of his trembling hands.

“People don’t change, Axel, they simply take paths that lead them down roads which are sometimes damaging. It doesn’t change who they are, it merely adds to it. You’re there, somewhere, past all that darkness and brooding.”