Page 24 of Fire
~17~
Kenzi
Levi turned psycho. He was a little crazy when we were in high school, but nothing compared to how he was acting now. Going off on me because I mentioned my theory about Niles Harris being an arsonist made me wish I hadn’t said anything to him. I should have known something was up when he asked me to take a ride with him. I had every reason not to trust him, but instead of listening to my gut, I went.
Up until two hours ago, I thought I would get the answers I needed, but instead, I was locked inside a room with one window looking out at rows and rows of pine trees. I had been shoved inside a vehicle that smelled like dead fish, and I had no clue where I was or even whose house this was in the middle of nowhere. The only thing I knew for sure was that Niles Harris and Van Wilkerson were evil men, and Levi was mixed up with something evil too.
I had no way to tell what time it was, but I was pretty sure that it would be dark soon. Axe had to be worried by now. I haven’t spoken to him all day, and the only communication we had was the note he left for me this morning before he took off for the gym. If only Levi hadn’t taken my phone. I could call Axe and tell him what happened and that Niles Harris and Van Wilkerson knew each other, and so did Levi.
The possibility of getting my cell back was out of the question, and so was communicating with Axe. I had to figure out a way to get out of here. Walking over to the window, I looked out to see if anything else would give me a clue as to where Levi had brought me. To the left of me was a blue truck that had seen better days. As I tried to get a better glimpse of the road beyond the truck, I noticed Niles Harris chopping wood near the edge of the trees.
I wished I had paid more attention to the road Levi took that brought me here. Even if I did manage to get out of here, I wasn’t sure I could find my way back to the main road. With the window sealed and the door locked, my chances of getting out of here didn’t look too promising.
I needed something sharp that I could use to pry the window open. The room lacked furnishings, with only the bed and a nightstand with no drawers to search. Looking down at the mattress, I lifted it, hoping the frame offered something to use. There was nothing sharp enough to force the window open. It was hopeless.Think, Kenzi. Think.I couldn’t give up. Just when I thought I was doomed, I remembered something I saw on TikTok. It was a long shot, but maybe I could make it work.
Removing my shirt, I unhooked my bra and slipped the straps down my arms. The benefit of wearing a bra with underwires was the metal inserts. Pushing the wire against the seam, I worked it back and forth until the material tore enough to pull the wire out. I did the same thing to the other side until I could pull it out. I put my bra back on and pulled on my shirt. Looking at the two pieces of metal, I knew they wouldn’t be strong enough to pry the window open, but maybe I could work the lock on the door. It would be much better if I had a Bogota Rake set, but the wires from my bra were better than nothing.
Walking over to the door, I put my ear against the wood and listened for any sounds. With Niles chopping wood, I wanted to make sure no one else was around. From what I could hear, which was nothing, it appeared that Niles was the only other person around. Even though I wasn’t positive, I had to take a chance.
I was getting ready to work the lock when I heard someone on the other side. I stood still without moving a muscle. I stared down at the two wires in my hand and began to panic. The lock to the door clicked, and I froze. If I got caught trying to escape, my chances of succeeding would be gone. Rushing to the bed, I plopped down and stuffed the wires under the pillow. I barely had time to place my hands on my lap when the door opened. Niles was standing on the other side, the glow of a fire behind him.
“Supper is ready if you’re hungry,” he said, his expression ice cold, just as I remembered from years ago.
How could I ever trust this man? Allowing me to walk out of this room had to be a trap. “You’re going to let me walk out of this room, just like that?”
“And take the chance than you would cut me again? Hell no,” he replied as he pulled a set of handcuffs from his back pocket. “Hands in front of you.”
I pushed up from the bed and held my hands in front of me. As he walked toward me, I kept my eyes on him. His button-down flannel shirt was open enough for me to see the scar across his neck that I was responsible for. I wanted to tell him that I was sorry, but that meant I would be lying. I was no sorrier for stabbing him than I was for leaving him to die.
Snapping the cuffs on, Niles looked up. “Come on. Your stew is getting cold.”
I followed him out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, where he had set the table for two. As I took a seat, I wanted to tell him that I wasn’t hungry, but then I would be back in the bedroom. I picked up my spoon, wishing it was a knife. I wouldn't have hesitated to use it on him if it was.
“I bet you wish you had a meal that required you to use a knife?” Niles cackled as he ran his hand along his neck. “While you’re here, nothing but soup.”
I found no humor in what he said. As soon as I had a chance, I would take it. Only this time, I would make sure he was dead. Dipping my spoon in the stew that looked more like colored water, I lifted it to my lips, blew, and took it into my mouth. It tasted like shit, and instead of swallowing it down, I spit it back into the bowl. “How can you eat this? It tastes like shit.”
Laughing, Niles ripped off a piece of bread and dipped it in his soup. “You better get used to it because it’s all you are going to get to eat.”
He was such as ass. No way would I eat this shit. I would rather starve. As I watched Niles stuff his face, I couldn't help but ask, “How long are you going to keep me here? You have to know that Axe will come looking for me.”
“As long as it takes.” He took another bite of stew, and I watched a chunk of meat fall back into the bowl.
He was not only an ass, but a pig too. I wondered if his mom ever taught him manners. When he was finished shoveling in the stew, he lifted his bowl and sucked down the broth. Niles rose to his feet, took his empty bowl and my full one, and walked over to the sink. With my stomach protesting since I hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast, I wished, at the very least, I grabbed a piece of bread, but even then, it didn’t look very appetizing.
Looking for any excuse to get free, I said, “I have to go to the bathroom.”
Niles gave me the stink eye before he walked back over to the table. He put his hand into his front pocket and pulled out a key. “No funny stuff.”
“You didn’t by chance grab my purse from Levi’s truck? Because I really could use a new pad.” It was a lie, but I knew that I had a glass nail file inside that I could use to pry the window open.
My confession must have caught Niles off guard. He stood up straight and looked down at me with annoyance. “Don’t move.”
I watched him walk over to the living area, which was no bigger than the bathroom back at my apartment, and pulled my purse from the coat tree near the front door. At first, I thought he would go through my purse and hand me a feminine pad, but instead, he just looked inside.
When he handed me my purse, I rose to my feet and headed to the bathroom. Before I was out of reach, Niles grabbed my arm. “I’ll be standing right outside the door, so don’t try anything.”
Once inside the bathroom, I reached for the door to close it. “The door stays open,” Niles spat.
