Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I slide into the passenger side seat of a car I haven’t seen before, while Wes walks around and gets into the driver’s seat. He turns the key in the ignition and the car roars to life. I look around the vehicle. It’s new, which is surprising, and I’m guessing stolen since I know they wouldn’t have access to purchasing a new car.
He pulls out of the parking garage and for the first time I really take in my surroundings since I’m not blindfolded and we aren’t being chased by madmen. From the looks of it, we’re in a mostly abandoned looking part of the city. There are no houses, just a bunch of other rundown buildings nestled in beside ours. I stare out the window for a long time, and it seems like it’s been forever, but then I start to see people crossing the streets.
“We are going to go to a small store that I know has no video surveillance. I’m probably being way too cautious, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Especially since this is our first time out with you doing a supply run,” Wes tells me. His honesty is refreshing and makes me feel more connected to him. If there is anything I’ve learned about the brothers, it’s that they don’t sugar coat bullshit.
“It’s okay. I understand. Let’s just get it done and get back home. I don’t want to chance a run-in with anyone and I feel safer having all three of you together.”
“Of course you do,” Wes teases.
We drive a short while longer before pulling into a tiny convenience store. It reminds me of an old 7-Eleven. The outside looks like it could use some paint and a new roof. Opening the passenger side door, I get out of the car with Wes and we walk into the store hand in hand. The inside is about as good looking as the outside, but the little store seems to have everything we need. Wes grabs a cart and, pulls out a piece of paper. Then he starts walking down the aisle, grabbing all the different things we need. Toothpaste, body wash, cereal, pancake mix, Tylenol, as well as some odd and end stuff. Wes grabs everything on the list and then double checks a second time just to be sure.
While he’s doing this, I check out a tiny little area that has a bunch of random T-shirts hanging up. I rifle through them, grabbing a couple that are in my size. Not that I really need clothing. I no longer wear panties anymore, mostly because I have no need for them and partially because it’s one less thing to remove when it comes time for the brothers to take me.
The lady at the register looks to be about ninety years old and smiles widely as she rings up the stuff we bought. Probably because we spend close to three hundred dollars, and I’m sure this is the most money someone has ever dropped in here before.
Grinning, I think of how the brothers stay incognito and still find a way to support the small business owners. We pay and walk outside together. I help Wes load the car up, even though he’s said five times already to get into the car and sit down. We’re nearly finished putting everything in when Wes suddenly gives me a wary look. The worry and shock in his eyes when he looks around at our surroundings has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
Is something going on?
I don’t have long to linger on the feeling. Before I even get the chance to ask him what’s going on, shots are ringing out around us. Everything is happening so fast. My mind can’t keep up with the movements taking place around us. One minute we are loading up the groceries, and the next minute all hell is breaking loose.
“Get down!” Wes yells, shoving me not so gently behind the car. He reaches into the back of his jeans and pulls out a gun I didn’t even know he had. Cars pull up into the tiny parking lot with tires squealing, surrounding us in a matter of seconds. Men pile out of them all with their guns drawn and pointed directly at us.
“Drop the gun or watch her die,” one of the men orders. I’m shaking, my hands trembling with fear. I want to scream, to tell him not to do it, but before I even get the chance he curses under his breath and drops the gun, kicking it over to one of the men. As soon as the gun is out of reach, three large men move in on us. One picks me up from the ground, his meaty fingers digging into my arms painfully, making me wince. While the other two grab Wes, by one arm each, and drag him to a nearby van.