The conversation turned to something lighter after that per Mitch’s request. But it fell out as he started his run with me tagging along for as long as I could.

Maybe after fifteen minutes my side was hurting so much it was difficult to breathe and my legs felt like jello.

“I’ll catch up,” I panted, waving him on, “Just give me a sec,”

“You sure?” Mitch asked, turning around to face me yet he was still running in place

“Yeah, I just need to sit for a second,” I pointed to a boulder-sized rock that I could sit on.

“Okay, yell if you need something,” He said over his shoulder as he jogged off.

“Mhmm,” I hummed as I sat down, my hand gripping my stomach.

I brought my knees to my head, seeing if that made it easier to breathe and it did thankfully.

I had tried to push away all the questions and thoughts I had about the information Mitch gave me.

The three of them, Mitch and his friends, had told me they worked for Colby. Did that mean I would be killed if they ratted me out? Eventually I would die, and I would have to face the fact that I would never see my family again.

Why did this have to happen to me? Why did my grandfather, a sweet old man who had an obsession with the color purple, of all people have to be a mob boss, if that’s what it was even called?

I didn’t even know the terms that everyone here would be referred to. I never really studied anything about gangs or cults or paid enough attention to the news to know about everything that was taking place in California.

Maybe I would have seen this all coming if I simply opened my eyes.

But if you were to tell me a month ago that I was going to get kidnapped by hot ass dudes and then get dragged across the country and run away and have my mission be successful, I would laugh in your face.

No matter what, I would fight until I couldn’t anymore to keep the life I had now. I would not return to the Trapboys and I would not go home, because I’d die like them.

My mother, father, my beautiful sister and brother. Gone. Basically, anyway. I would never see them again and by the time I get back home they would be dead.

If word was to get out I went back to Kentucky the first thing Colby would do is fly there and kill them. I know it.

Why me, of all people? Was it just coincidence that I was to walk down to my grandfather’s house when I did? Probably.

“I don’t want to die,” I whined with a sniffle, “Why can’t I just live a normal life?”

I wiped at my eyes, my breath becoming shaky.

I heard footsteps, and in that instant I was no longer sad but in fear. My body quickly switched around from sitting on my ass to crouching, pushing myself behind the rock for proteciton.

I couldn’t hear the leaves crunching anymore or the snapping of twigs, so I peaked my head over the rock. I looked up at the trees, seeing if I could spot someone up in the branches.

“Who are we hiding from?” A familiar voice said from in front of me. I looked down to see a very familiar face, and it scared me.

“Corey what the hell are you doing?” I hissed at him. His curious face turned into one of pure joy.

“We found you!” Another voice said from behind me.

“Jake, Corey what do you mean?” I looked back and forth between both of them, feeling uncomfortable since I had nowhere to run if necessary.

“We’ve known where you were since you ran off,” Sam informed me, popping up and sitting on the rock I had been hiding behind moments ago.

“Oh my lord, how many people are out here?” I asked, squinting at him. I was less concerned with how they were keeping track of me since I knew that there were cameras and stuff throughout this place. I just didn’t know they had access to them.

“Just us. Colby wanted to give you a couple days then come find you. And Tim turned you in to us, so thank him for that,” Jake grinned.

“Did you find her yet?” Mitch shouted, walking up to us.

“You set me up you piece of shit,” I glared at him, and to my disappointment he didn’t seem affected by my words.

“I gotta do what I gotta do to stay alive. It’s your fault for trusting me,” He winked, smiling at the boys before clapping, “Let’s get this show on the road,”

I was confused until they covered my eyes with a mask and cuffed my hands behind my back.

“Let me go and let me die,” I huffed as I got thrown over someone’s shoulder, most likely Jake’s.

“No,” Corey responded with more venom in his voice than before.

“You’re gonna just kill me anyways. Let me go,” I said as I squrimed.

“We’ll kill you right now if you don’t shut the fuck up,” Jake threatened from below me.

“I’ll just keep talking then,” I replied sarcastically, though I did fall silent afterwards.

I couldn’t see, but I recognized the feeling of the cold flooring below my hands and bare legs as I was set in the back of the van.

I began to dread going back to the house where the Trapboys live, unsure of the consequences I was going to have to face.

I would probably be strapped to something and stabbed. That wouldn’t be a bad way to die.

“We’re not going to kill you,” I heard Corey’s voice whisper in my ear, causing me to flinch away from his breath.

“Don’t talk to me unless you’re being honest with me,” I snapped, twisting my head to where his was moments ago.

I heard him go to speak, but it seemed as if he changed his mind because he said nothing.

The rest of the ride was in silence, only the occasional word or two from Mitch or Sam as they talked sporadically.

There was one final turn before the van came to a stop and the engine was cut.

After a few moments I heard the van door slide open and someone assist me to my feet.

I didn’t pay attention to any instructions Sam was giving out, I only listened for when we were inside the house.

I heard the pitter-patter of footsteps on the wooden floor, and Devyn’s voice along with a gasp which probably came from Katrina.

“Did you find her- oh,” Devyn stopped herself, probably for her own sake. Lord knows how women love to talk.

I was directed towards the stairs, being forced to walk up them myself with the only help being Jake’s hand on my back.

“Colby,” Sam announced our presence.

“Good God I said find the girl not make her look like what was in my bed last night,” Colby said with a hint of sarcasm.

“The handcuffs aren’t fuzzy,” I muttered, not thinking anyone heard but Corey did, and he let out a wheeze of a laugh.

“Undo all this and then get out,” Colby said, his voice colder than before.

Quickly, I was unblindfolded and my hands were set free, leaving me to rub at the marks that were left behind.

I didn’t look behind me as the boys scrambled out of the room, and Colby didn’t speak until the door was shut.

“What makes you think that was a good idea, huh?” Colby asked, putting out a cigarette I didn’t notice he had in an ashtray.

“I don’t want to be here,” I glared at him, which oddly caused him to grin.

“You have no choice now,” Colby insisted, his eyes dark, “You could have died out there, you know that? Believe it or not I was worried sick,”

I coughed out a laugh, “Oh please,” I waved away his words with a cross of my arms, “Why don’t you just let me die huh? You’re going to kill me anyways,”

“I’m going to have to if you leave again.” Colby made it sound like a promise, “If you think you can get away, you’re wrong

“Nobody ever gets to leave this life once they’re in it. Not even you, princess”