Marked. Part I: The missing Link

by J. M. Sevilla

  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 c
ar 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.

  Chapter 24

  8:51am

  I see Jay eating breakfast from the diner window and all my terror and fear vanishes. It's replaced by the swelling in my chest at the sight of him. I've missed him. I shouldn't, but I do. I desperately do.

  He has his shades on and I wish I could see his face, his eyes. When we enter and the cow bell clinks against the metal door frame he doesn't look up. I'm hiding from view behind Quake, Sharp behind me, when we approach his table.

  “Well look who it is,” Quake drawls out. “The missing Link.”

  I see Jay sit back and cross his arms in the window's reflection, “I assume this reunion isn't by accident.” His voice is cold, but smooth and non-threatening.

  “We have business to discuss with you.”

  “Go back to your boss and tell her to go fuck herself. I'm not for hire.”

  “We're hoping this sweet, little thing might change your mind,” Quake pulls me from behind him and throws me into the empty booth seat across from Jay, Sharp sliding in after me. Quake sits next to Jay, forcing him to scoot over and make room. Sharp's gun is digging into my ribs, warning me to stay quiet and still.

  Jay's head doesn't move or even flinch. I want to see his eyes badly. His lips have remained straight lined and I have no clue what is going through that head of his.

  “What are you doing with her?” Jay's tone has remained the same and fear starts taking over again. Either Jay really doesn't care that they have me, or he has one hell of a poker face.

  “You do what we want, we give her back,” Quake responds, looking over a menu.

  “You're wasting your fucking time boys, not interested.”

  My hands start to shake and I'm grateful they are zip-tied under the table. I don't want any of them to know how shook up I am that I'm going to be left in the hands of my kidnappers to most likely be killed.

  “She warned us you might say that. Promised Sharp here he could have his way with her. You know he doesn't play nice.”

  Sharp runs a finger along my jaw and I flinch back, curling my lip up, “Don't touch me.”

  “Have they touched you?” It took me a moment to realize Jay's talk
ing to me, his body's still sitting back in the booth, arms crossed, tight lipped.

  I lightly shake my head no, “Not really.”

  If I hadn't been staring at the side of the booth between the window, I would have missed Jay's hand tightly fisting, turning white, before he relaxed it.

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  Sharp jams the muzzle harder into my ribs and twists. I let out a whimper and bite down on my lip, pissed at myself for giving him that little satisfaction. “We told you not to talk.”

  The waitress approaches and asks if we need anything. Sharp and Quake order a coffee and tell her I'm fine. I don't look at her, keeping my eyes focused on the middle of the table exactly like they instructed me to do.

  “So Link, what's it going to be?” Quake asks.

  “First off, don't fucking call me that, and second, fuck you. Find someone else,” Jay grinds out, growing irate.

  “You saying this girl here means nothing to you?” Sharp inquires, brushing my cheek with the back of his hand. “Because we have evidence stating otherwise.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “It's true,” Quake reaches into the breast pocket of his jacket and throws some pictures on the table.

  I can't stop myself from leaning over to take a peek. It's pictures of Jay and me: me riding him piggy back to his house, us at a gas station and Jay leaning in to give me a kiss while waiting for the gas to finish pumping, and a few more I don't get to see before Sharp forces me back. If I didn't know any better I'd think the people in those pictures were crazy about each other. A dull ache forms in my chest.

  Jay picks up the pictures and shuffles through them, “A bunch of pictures is supposed to convince me that I care for her?” Jay stacks them together and puts them into the back pocket of his pants. “You've got to give me more incentive than some girl with a tight pussy I had fun fucking.”

  The waitress comes over with the coffees.

  “Cream?” Jay offers, moving the little tin of creamer between the two.