King stared at his brother as he stirred awake. It had been four hours. He was seated across the room from him, astride a chair, they needed the space. Jamal’s eyes went open and he looked around, his look that of puzzlement until his eyes landed in him, they became even more puzzled then they changed to that of fury.
“You!” Jamal shouted.
King stared at him, unbothered. Jamal made to stand up but fell back into his chair, the clanging of chains filling the room.
“You chained me!?”
Jamal’s voice boomed throughout the room, the heat of his anger chasing away any coolness the room had. King tried hard not to flinch.
“You freaking chained me!?”
Jamal’s right leg and hand were chained to the chair he was sitting; the chains he connected to both legs of the bed, the one closest to Jamal and the one farthest from him at the opposite end. His left limbs he had purposely left free.
“You better loose this chains now! You son of no mother!”
“Shouting won’t get you out of those chains.” He finally spoke.
A dry humorless laugh erupted from Jamal’s throat.
“So he speaks. Good to know.” Jamal spat out.
“Jamal, you’re… I don’t know... 23? 22? Not over 25 anyway. I know you want more with your life than using me as a punching bag..."
Jamal scoffed, “You have no idea.”
“I don’t think you ever completed high school. I don’t know how you get the money you use to stock the house with food or buy your sticks. I don’t know anything about you other than the fact you need help. So I’ll make you an offer.
You can be free; go your way, I go mine; I’m eighteen after all, a legal adult. I'll pay you…”
“With whose money? Your whores?” Jamal mocked then laughed sarcastically.
“Or you pay me.”
Jamal’s brows went up
“If you let me go without any troubles; you'll sign an agreement stating that we have no connection and that after we part ways, we have no obligations to each other, we're practically strangers; I’ll pay you handsomely. But if you refuse to let me go; I’ll make you anyway; you'll pay me for all the damages you have caused, you can imagine the amount that would be. I'll make you owe me for the rest of your life, I’ll make you suffer, I’ll put you under my foot and smash you until you lick the path I walk. You have this two options and you have three days to make your choice. Don’t think I am foolish giving you three days, make the most of it, you'll be surprised how this three days would run past. There’s a bucket beside you for when you want to answer nature’s call, I’ll be back everyday to drop your one square meal; everything else you wish to do, you can do it on the chair. Don’t bother checking, I emptied your pockets.”
He stood up.
“Be sure Jamal that when these three days are over, if you haven’t made your decision, I’ll make it for you. Take care of yourself… brother.”
With that, King walked out of his room, leaving Jamal behind open-mouthed.
He walked out to his freedom, waiting for him in the person of his bestfriend, Joan Michaels.
He rang the bell to the Michaels residence. He looked around, it had become a habit, now even more necessary that strange things were becoming frequent. He would have taken the back door if Mrs. Michaels was not around.
Three more rings and Mrs. Michaels opened the door.
“Good evening ma’am.” He greeted.
She eyed him then forced a smile unto her face.
“King.”
His name came out of her mouth like vomit. It still surprised him just how much she detested him. The previous years she had been subtle, he hadn’t known how deep her hatred for him ran.
He smiled sincerely. He would soon be free, she wouldn’t find any new bruises on his face, he wouldn’t look rugged and act like he had no parents; she would like him soon, very soon.
“Come on in.” she invited stepping aside. He entered.
“Joan’s in her room.”
“Mrs. Michaels.” He called just as she made to leave after shutting the door.
“Yes,?” she questioned, not looking at him.
“I would like to spend the night again. Not only a night, a few days. There is no one at home to…”
“Do as you wish.” She cut him off then continued on her way to the kitchen. His smile widened, she was becoming more receptive.
He hurried up the stairs to Joan’s room happily, his bag of clothes in hand. He had packed it while Jamal had been out cold and also, before he left, he made sure to lock all the doors and windows including his own room where Jamal was held captive. There would be no escape for Jamal.
“Babe!” He badged into Joan’s room. He stopped short seeing her curled up on the floor under her window. She didn’t even look at him.
He dropped his bag and walked to her.
“Babe?”
He squatted down and turned her face to his. There were tears on them. He sat down on the floor and carried her unto his laps. She was quite heavy… and cold, she must have been on the floor for a long time.
She buried her face in his chest and then began crying again.
He rocked her as she cried, his heart in a turmoil. He had left her about six hours ago, worried but happy, what could have… He face palmed inwardly, realizing he had not called her at all since he left, the new phone and Sim card she got him were still in his pocket. She must have been really worried but he didn’t think that was the cause of her tears. He could barely remember anytime she cried this bad, it was something more serious.
He placed kisses on her hair and forehead, muttering soothing words to her. He continued this way until her cries quietened and she finally looked up at him. Big tear filled eyes stared up at him and he stared back, trying to convey his warmth to her through his eyes.
She opened her mouth then spoke.
“Kiss me.”