Page 21 of Not Your Hero

I close my eyes as my body begins to shiver and shake from the air, knowing there’s nothing I can do. I’ve done what I can. I’ve tried to escape and like he said, there’s no way out. This is it. This is the end.

Knowing you’re never going home, you’re never getting out of here hurts. I don’t know what I did to deserve this. I don’t know who I pissed off or who I hurt to get here.

I’ve never harmed anyone. I have never done anything bad to anyone that I can think of. Nothing that could warrant me being here. I wrack my brain, trying to pull up any kind of memory of something, anyone, anything, but there’s nothing.

Is it because of my mom? Could this have anything to do with her? It shouldn’t. It wouldn’t make sense if it did. Who would care what she did?

Is it the dad I don’t know about? Did he know about me? Did he not want me around? But what sense does that make? From what I know, he didn’t even know about me.

Could it be whoever killed Brandon? Do they want to kill me too? Is that why they sent me all those things? It has to be, right? There’s no other obvious reason for me to be here. And the other girls? What do I have in common with them? There are about fifteen of us here, which makes no sense.

I close my eyes tightly and wish I was somewhere else. Anywhere else.

Chapter 13

Gannix

I’ve barely slept. I’ve barely eaten in a week. She’s gone. There’s not a single trace of her anywhere. None.

I toss back another shot of Vodka and fill it back up when my phone rings.

“What?”

“Damn, what’s wrong with you?” Gary. Shit.

“Sorry. I’m on edge.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Just some personal shit. How’re you doing?”

“I’m good. Just wanted to see if you’re about ready to come down.” I don’t want to. I don’t want to leave and have Emerson show back up. She fucking needs me.

“Ahh, about that.”

“Don’t you dare back out on me, Gannix.”

“I just have a lot going on, Gary.”

“Fuck that! Put it all on the back burner. It sounds like you need this trip anyway,” he tells me. He’s probably right about that.

“Fuck, man. You’re probably right. I could use a trip out of here.”

“Exactly. And I have a whole list of things we’re going to do,” he says.

“Such as?”

“Getting drunk by the fire like we used to. A little hunting. A little fucking. You wanted to check out the club that’s for sale down here,” he reminds me.

“Yeah, you’re right. I did want to see that.”

“That’s what I’m saying, Gannix. You need a break. That city life is eating you alive, brother.”

“You’re probably right about that too. Shit’s been crazy around here lately,” I agree, knocking back another shot and refilling. I don’t even know why I’m bothering with a damn glass at this point.

“Of course I’m right. I’m your brother. It’s what I do. I remind you of the shit you need and don’t need,” he laughs, causing me to smile slightly.

“A week, right?”

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