Page 18 of Shattered Souls

My mind hasn’t had a second to process this since I walked into the maze yesterday—or was that today? The man that came in my room and made me strip was so harsh with his tone and had no problem making it obvious I wasn’t worth his time. But then he came back and offered me food and a blanket.

It was a complete flip of attitude.

Not to mention I fucking stabbed him like an idiot. And then bit him today! I want so badly to escape and live, but there’s that voice in my head that’s screaming at me to just listen to him.

Maybe he won’t kill me if I behave myself.

“This way!” A young woman shouts near me.

“Help me!” I press my face against the bars to try and see her better.

“Oh, fuck that!” A male voice says.

“Please,” I shake the bars. “I’m stuck.”

“Let’s go see,” The female voice says. “Maybe someone really needs help.”

I try desperately to sit up but my neck is pressed against the roof of my prison. The concrete room is better than this—though not by much.

A group of four teenagers enters the spotlight. Two scrawny looking men walk towards me, the two girls huddled behind their backs as if I might bite. Well, apparently I might.

“Please, you have to help me.” I reach my hand out to them. “I’ve been kidnapped and held captive here!” I don’t even care about the tears streaming down my face. Not when freedom stands just out of reach.

“Guys?” One of the girls says under her breath. “She doesn’t look like a scare actor.”

“I’m not!” I blurt out before the others can respond. “You have to get help.”

One of the guys opens his mouth, to hopefully say he’s calling the cops, but is cut off by the roar of a giant shirtless man running at them, machete reared back.

“No!” My chance of escape splits and runs to the many branches of the maze.

I pound my fists against the ground of my exhibit.

“You fucking asshole! He was going to help me!” Seek comes back over to me, his exposed eye shining in amusement.

“But he didn’t,” He reaches over and flicks the tip of my nose. “None of them will, little scarecrow.”

“Please,” I slump back and lay against the bars awkwardly. “I’ll do anything—anything, just let me out.”

“Hear that, Hyde?” I look over at the duo, not even realizing the other had joined. “She’ll do anything.”

Hyde moves his hands while Seek watches intently.

He’s signing.

I took a year of ASL in high school, but he moves his hand too fast for me to pick up on anything.

“Sick fucker.” Seek laughs and crouches down in front of me. “Okay, you want out?”

“Yes.” I crawl to the edge of the bars.

“Yes, what?” I narrow my eyes at him.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good girl.” Uh oh, my body likes that too much. “You manage to escape us tonight by making it to the exit of the park, you can leave. But every time we catch you, you start again from here.” He points at his feet.

“You’ll have until the announcement of the park closing. After that, I think we both know where you’re returning.” My whole body comes alive with excitement.