Page 29 of Pushed Through The Dark
"Yeah?" A voice asked, his tone low and scratchy.
"I'm here for Alek."
The door opened outward, and Koa yanked me inside behind him. The man who opened the door took a long step back and pointed down the hall. "You know where to go?" he asked.
"Yeah, I got it," Koa answered.
The man looked old, with gray hair and a hunched back, even though he was standing straight. His sick, beady little eyes looked me up and down, and a crooked grin adorned his pockmarked face as he watched us leave.
Koa's fingers tightened even more, as if he sensed the man's eyes too, and wanted to make sure his grip was unbreakable. Pulling me behind him, the man watched us until we disappeared into the darkness.
There were noises all around us; groans, moans, yells, and screams. The sounds of whips cracked in the dusty hall, coming from behind closed doors. I knew exactly what that place was. Fear bubbled up in my chest, causing me to take short, quick breaths.
How dare he bring me back to a place like this!
Leaning forward, I whispered in Koa's ear with tight lips. "I know exactly where you've taken me you fucking prick. You're a fucking liar, youarejust like him."
"Sh," he hushed me, squeezing my wrist with the weight of a vice grip. "Don't. Not here." Giving my wrist a hard flick, he took long steps forward, forcing my bare feet into a light run to keep up. His voice was low and harsh as he growled, "I need you to do what you've been trained to do, exactly as you were taught."
"Fuck you," I seethed through grit teeth.
Whipping his head over his shoulder, his eyes turned black as his brows dropped hard. "If you want to leave here on two feet, I suggest you do exactly what I'm telling you to do. If you know where you are, then you know the seriousness of what I'm telling you. Don't fuck this up."
Thinning my lips, I snarled. "Just remember, I know exactly who and what you are. You can't fool me."
"Enough," he snapped. Stopping at a door to our left, he raised his knuckles and knocked. The door opened, revealing half of a man's face.
"What the fuck do you want?" he barked.
"I'm here to see Alek, he's expecting me."
"And who the fuck are you?"
Koa cocked a brow. Through gritted teeth, he said, "I'm Koa, do you need me to fucking spell it for you too?"
The door closed, and we waited outside. My eyes scanned around us, studying the hall. The floor was gritty under my feet, causing me to keep lifting my feet and wiping them off on my calves. The hall reeked of cigar smoke and mold. There was water dripping through the bricks and off the pipes lining the ceiling.
I didn't like the place, it drummed up too many emotions. Too many memories of the life I couldn't seem to escape.
Koa cleared his throat, readjusting his hand around my wrist, and letting out a heavy breath. "Remember, do what you've been taught."
"I heard you the first time, asshole."
He gave me a cocky look but didn't respond because the door opened. The man warily moved out of the way to let us through. The dimly lit room had a bare bulb hanging from the ceiling in the center. There was instant tension in the air, scaling my spine, and reminding me of the danger all around us.
Do what he says and this will be over soon.
My eyes dropped to the floor as the training I went through kicked in. From the corner of my eyes, I spotted a girl chained to the wall, and another getting fucked as she dangled from the ceiling.
My stomach turned as memories of the Canary come flooding in. It was sick, twisted, and these men were another limb of the same system.
I don't want to be here.
"I wasn't sure you'd show." A figure emerged from a dark corner, taking a few long steps in our direction.
That must be Alek.
"I'm a man of my word," Koa said, placing his loose hand on his chest. "You requested me, I won't turn away a potential client."
