43. Embers
Chapter forty-three
Embers
Charlie
Would this have been any better if they had knocked me out? Maybe? At least that way I would not have seen what was coming.
My end.
I’m refusing to cry, but I can’t stop my mind from reeling. This can’t be real. She is… was one of my closest friends. She was at my fucking wedding, one of my shitting bridesmaids , but…she, all along, she was the man, the person, the woman we’ve been looking for. How is that possible? And who the fuck is the man in all the photos we have?
It’s so fucked up!
Gulping in air, I’m finding it almost impossible to breathe.
That’s the least of my worries right now. Even in my current position, lying on the cold concrete floor. I can’t help but think of all the ways she betrayed me. I don’t know what hurts most, the aches in my body, where Annie’s men threw me around, and left me bruised, the harsh metal of the chains on my wrists, or the lying or the fact that she could do this to me.
All those years, I’m questioning everything we ever did together. Was any of it real?
The way she ushered her men in, her cold, impassive expression as she ordered them, by any means necessary, to get me here to this dark and unforgiving lower part building.
And they did. I was too stunned to fight back like I should have, too shocked at what was happening. Then there were too many of them. Surrounded. I had no choice as they forced me back, dragging me away. Betrayed again. How stupid can one person get, my sham of a marriage, then my work bestie?
The deep loss of friendship sinks in, crippling me. I’m so fucking stupid. Wincing with every twist and turn, I try to free myself. The invading pains in my stomach and chest, a reminder of what they did to me. The burning of my skin as they gripped my hair and held me down. All so they could get me down here, throwing me down a hatch in the ground. It took my breath away. Now it hurts to breathe. I’ll have a boot print, on my chest for sure if I can get out of this.
I can’t see a way out of this.
The chains are solid, the weight of them as heavy as my heart right now. There are no flames down here, not yet, anyway. Just the drifts of smoke starting to creep in. I can feel the intense heat from the fire that’s raging above my head on the ground floor. My skin’s pricking from its intensity, sweat soaking my clothes the longer I’m down here.
I’ve tried to move, but I can’t. Bound in chains and attached to rings bolted to the floor.
My wrists and ankles are raw from the force I’ve been putting into escaping. Crying and screaming out, I did that too. Didn’t work either.
The cool of the floor below me is soothing. My tears fall, but they’re drying a little quicker the hotter it gets.
This is where they left me, alone. No escape. I can only move my feet and wrists just a little. It hurts so much.
Blinking as the ash starts to fall around my face, lying on the cool concrete, facing the ceiling that’s slowly burning above me. Watching the embers dance and turn to ash around me, I notice how heavy my eyes feel and wonder how easily I could fall asleep. The chains don’t want to let me go that far. If the ceiling falls in, it’s coming down on me.
I want to get out.
The weight I feel in my chest begs to be let free. I just can’t see a way. It’s crushing me. Whimpering to myself, pulling on the chains even though it hurts like hell, I can’t help but feel panicked, along with a strange sense of calm. My mind wants to fight with everything I have, but my heart knows…it knows there’s not much I can do right now.
Conflicted.
I’ve never wanted to be rescued. I trained so hard to make sure I never needed to have a white knight swoop in and rescue me. I guess I was wrong.
The only knight I can see in my mind wears black and prefers trucks to horses.
I love him so much.
I don’t want to die, not like this.
When you think about what your last moments might look like, I never pictured this. I don’t know what I actually pictured, but it was definitely not watching a building burn around me while I’m stuck in a basement. A basement that was not on the plans when we all huddled around the table and planned this together.
Taking in a deep breath, I need to think, but all I do is cough, the air thick with smoke.
Turning my head to the side to avoid the larger embers that have started to fall, my eyes land on the flames that are sneaking in through the hatch at the top of the stairs, the ones they pushed me down.
Fuck, Owen, I’m so sorry.
I don’t know where he is. I don’t know where he went. I just want to know he’s safe and far away from here. I know he wouldn’t leave me if he didn’t have to. Something must have happened.
Closing my eyes, I just listen to the sounds around me, unable to move. It’s eerie, silent, and deafening all at once.
There's a crackle on the comms still in my ear. I’d forgotten all about it. Should I say something? I need to say something now, just in case they can hear me. Even if I don’t get to see them again.
“There's so much smoke…” My words come out rough and throaty. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” I sob to myself, the crackle getting louder.
“I’m in the basement if you can hear me. I’m in the basement.” They come out as muffled words, cries of desperation. “I can’t move. I’m chained to the floor.” Another crackle. This time it sounds like fuck .
“I’m so sorry, Owen.” My voice breaks. “Owen?” Nothing. No crackle, no noise at all. The floor’s getting warmer beneath my skin. “I don’t think I’m going to make it out.”
“Char—” Squeezing my eyes shut, I concentrate on the voice I desperately want to hear.
My words are a whisper, but I need to say them. “I can’t see a way out, Owen. I’m… I’m scared. I don’t know what to do. I can’t move... I’m… Shit.” More tears as my voice breaks. I can’t help the desperate sadness overtaking me. I need him and he’s not here. Goddamn I want him here, but I know if he comes, I’ll be pissed off, putting himself in danger for me. I don’t want him here. As much as it pains me, I want him away from this.
“Angel, I’m coming for you, just—” The line breaks up, but it’s soothing just to hear him.
“Owen, No!…I think this is...I want you to know...” I’m giving up, it’s so hot in here, I can hardly breathe, the flames at the door are getting bigger every time I dare to open my eyes.
“Don’t you fucking dare give up on me, Angel!” He’s breathing hard, like he’s running. My skin is starting to burn from the heat of the flames above me. “I’m so close. Don’t you dare fucking give up on me.” Owen’s voice is crystal clear this time. I’m trying not to but… I think I need to accept what’s happening.
“It’s too dangerous, Owen, don’t…” Breathing hurts now as thick smoke fills my lungs.
“Angel, please...” The desperation in his voice is palpable. I’m causing it, me being here, on the edge of… something, saying the word is on the tip of my tongue, even in my head is hard, it’s too final.
“Owen, I can’t see. I can’t open my eyes, it hurts, it’s so hot...” say it, just get the words out, get him to understand “... I never stopped loving you, I want you to know that.” There’s a growl and then so much noise coming over the comms, I can’t decipher it until his voice comes again.
“Angel, listen to me... I am not letting you have the last say today... you can argue with me about it tomorrow...” Tomorrow. I wonder what that would have looked like… wrapped in his arms, safe and loved. Something settles over me. I relax, tiredness washing over me. My hands fall to my sides, hitting the warming concrete floor with a soft thud of the chains that bind me to this place. Whispering, I add, “I’m sorry, Owen. I’m so fucking sorry.” Closing my eyes, I’ve got nothing left.
In the darkness I hear noise around me, loud, unforgiving, urgent, crashes, footsteps, boots running in my direction. Getting louder.
“Angel! Please, fuck.” My eyes flutter open and all I see is him. I feel him over me, his arm wrapping underneath me, his smoke-smudged face, his piercing green eyes search mine.
“Freaking hero complex,” I mumble, more to myself than for him, but I watch as a flicker of a smile crosses his beautiful face before he huffs out a laugh.
“I’ve got you, Angel.” Safe.
I drift, my eyes flutter closed.