"I'll give them the money and they'll let them all go." Said Caden.
"You are dealing with professional criminals. I highly doubt that it will be that simple." Said Mrs. Davis, giving Caden the same stare she used when she was upset with her children.
"I can save the day. I'll drive my car down to wherever this place is and pretend it broke down. I'll be there if I need to intervene." Said Destiny.
"What are you going to do, pretend that you put a bomb in the building?" Asked Caden, rolling his eyes. Destiny's eyes twinkled impishly.
"Yep." She said.
"We've got all of tonight to get this ready. Let's get going." Said Caden.
REPETITION
Caden took a deep breath as he entered the alleyway. The rustling of the paper sack informed Caden that he was shaking without realizing it. His shoes crunched against the gravel. He stubbed his toes on a trash can. It fell over, and garbage was strewn across by the wind. Too terrified to cuss at the pain in his foot, he stood up. He knocked on the door.
"Yeah?" Asked one of Fletcher's goons.
"I've got it." Said Caden hoarsly.
"What? Speak up!"
"I've got it." Repeated Caden after he cleared his throat. The door swung open and Caden was face to face with Fletcher. Fletcher grinned as he took the sack. Fletcher pulled it out and slowly counted it. The grin fell from his face. The sound of tires skidding to a halt made the both of them jump.
"De Luca, go see what that is." Ordered Fletcher. The goon stiffly walked toward Destiny's car.
"Any problems, ma'am?" Asked De Luca.
"Oh, it's my car. Do you have a cell phone? I think I'm going to have to get towed." Said Destiny as she rolled down her window. Caden prayed that Destiny's little boy, Kyler, wasn't in the car.
"This is counterfeit, Vespucci! Think I'm stupid?" Shouted Fletcher, grabbing Caden roughly by the collar.
"De Luca, grab that woman!" Shouted Fletcher. In moments, Caden and Destiny were tied and against the wall.
"Do you have any idea of what I'm going to do to the both of you?" Asked Fletcher. Fletcher grabbed Destiny's jaw and pulled her face up.
"Destiny? So good to see you again." Said Fletcher, his eyes lighting up.
"You know Fletcher?" Asked Caden. Destiny lowered her eyes to the ground. What was going on? Did Destiny set them up? Caden was left with fear and questions.
"Where's Alyson?" He asked desperatly, his eyes searching the room for Alyson. Fletcher smiled wider before speaking; "Guess."
JAILOR'S BRAWL
Caden's throat was dry. He couldn't speak, couldn't voice his worst fear. All he could do was stare hatefully at Fletcher.
"It's cold." Whimpered Becca. Alyson wrapped her arms around Becca, still staring furiously at the source of their problems, Kyle. She wasn't alone in the nasty glares. Drew was also glaring at Kyle, upset beyond belief.
Two of Fletcher's goons walked into the room, carrying wooden boxes.
"Which one's going to the Carmichael's?" Asked one.
"The blonde one." Said the other, "He's getting ten thousand dollars for her." Becca clamped her arms tighly around Alyson. The girls stared frightfully. One of the men opened the door to their barred cage. He rougly grabbed Becca by her collar.
"No, don't take her!" Screamed Alyson hysterically.
"Let go of me! I want Caden!" Cried Becca.
"Let go of her!" ordered the goon. He ripped Becca away and quickly gagged and tied her with duct tape. In moments, Becca was nailed into the crate. The child pounded her legs against the wood, the gag muffling her screams.
"She's claustrophobic!" Screamed Alyson, as Becca desperately beat the crate.
"Like I care." Said the guard, grabbing Drew's nephew.
"Drew!" Shouted the little boy.
"You can't take Garrett!" Shouted Drew. He stood up and punched the guard. The guard doubled over, but all too quickly, the other idiot was in there. Kyle and Drew brawled with the others. This was Alyson's chance! She pulled Garrett away from the fighting and dragged him out of there.
"Are you okay?" She asked Garrett. The boy nodded. Alyson grabbed the hammer they used to nail the crates shut and worked on getting Becca out of there.
"Becca, calm down, sweetie. You'll be out soon." Said Alyson soothingly. The nails wouldn't budge. She didn't have enough time! There was no way Kyle and Drew could keep it up. Furious, Alyson lunged the hammer at one of the guards. The sickening crunch of bones filled the air as the guard fell limp. Alyson stopped breathing.
"Did I kill him?" She whispered. She felt something stab her back. She slumped against the floor. Pain shot through her. Her left hand searched for the foreign object. She shakily tried to pull the dagger out of her back. She couldn't wedge it out. Her hand fell limp against the cement. She closed her eyes, begging for the pain to leave her.
In the other room, Caden heard the screaming.
"Alyson! Becca!" Said Caden.
"Vespucci, your little sister is going to make me wealthier. I'm getting ten thousand dollars for her." Said Fletcher.
"Boss, there's a problem with the captives!" Shouted De Luca.
"What?" Asked Fletcher, turning around. While Fletcher was busy, Destiny wiggled around, attempting to get her cell phone out of her pocket. Caden scooted closer to help. He had the phone in his hands. He closed his eyes as he tried to find the right buttons. 9-1-1. Fletcher spun around, noticing the beeping. Caden felt as though his chest stopped. Fletcher swore.
"He called the cops! Evacuate!" Shouted Fletcher. Fletcher bent down and grabbed the phone. He hung up on the operater.
"You are going to be very sorry." Fletcher said. He kicked Caden's rips. Then he kicked Caden in the stomach. Caden doubled over, trying to breathe.
SIRENS
Becca was hysterical. She hated tight spaces, she hated these nasty men, and she hated the fear that pounded through her veins. Alyson was trying to get her out of there, but now the only voices Becca heard belonged to the men working for Fletcher.
"Alyson! Caden! Somebody!" Screamed Becca, pounding her fists against the cold wood.
"Ouch!" Screamed Becca, tearing her hands away from the wood. A huge splinter lodged itself in Becca's knuckle. She pulled the splinter out, then stuck her wounded knuckle into her mouth. She started crying. Never before had she ever been so scared, including all those times her mother's boyfriends came over drunk. Because even when something that scary happened, Caden was always around to protect her. But Caden wasn't here now. Becca sobbed.
Alyson screamed as someone tried to drag her away by her hair. The scream made Becca jump.
"Alyson, help me! Alyson!" Shouted Becca. Alyson screamed again. Alyson pulled the dagger out of her back and forcefully shoved it into the man's leg. The man let out a yelp and let go of her.
"Alyson, help us!" Shouted Drew. Alyson grabbed the keys out of the man's hand. The man grabbed her arm. She was stuck.
"Drew, catch!" Alyson shouted, tossing the keys. Suddenly, the sound of sirens filled the air.
"We're saved!" Shouted Alyson.