“Okay, enough of this.”
“Leave me alone Jason” I grumble from under the blanket.
“No way, I've let you mope in this room for too long. Leah is about to strangle you if this goes on any longer.”
“Let her try,” I mutter as I pull the covers up higher.
“She will! Now come on. You’re having a shower then coming downstairs.”
I fling the blankets off and sit up straight in bed. “I’m allowed out?”
“We haven’t locked your room since we told you about Brooke” Jason explains leaning over my bed, “you would have known that if you’d even bothered to try and leave.”

I glare at him as I grip the blanket tightly. What was the point of getting up? Brooke was dead and I was being held captive. Reality wasn’t suiting me at the moment. Better to curl up and escape rather than face the loss.

Jason sighs and looks me over, “I know it hurts, but this has got to end. You will always have someone with you when you’re out of here anyway, so there was no point locking you in.” He gives me a light single pat on the head, “it’s ok to miss your friend.”

Brooke. The pain still paralyses me every time her name is mentioned. I grip my shirt tightly, willing the tears to stay back. Losing myself to the pain or shutting down seemed like my only two options but Jason was relentless with keeping me company, even when I threw things at him. 

“Now, come on,” Jason sighs.
I yelp as I'm pulled from the bed and onto his shoulder.
“Reminds me of when we first met” he chuckles as I struggle, walking through the open bathroom door and plodding me into the bathtub.
“Damn it!” I shriek as the cold water hits my sweaty body, “at least let me get out of these clothes.”
“You had many opportunities before this to do that.”
“Fuck you. Now leave.”
“As your Majesty wishes” Jason winks as he throws the towel on the basin and shuts the door behind him. 

I awkwardly peel the drenched shirt off as I stand up, the now warm water dampening my messy and tangled hair. I wriggle out of my sweatpants and chuck them on the floor. I breathe in heavily as I try to detangle my hair with fingers, cringing at all the knots. I wince at the length of time it’s been since I had a shower of my own accord, Jason throwing me in last week but i don’t think i even stripped then. Everything felt numb and worthless. It still does but I don't collapse every time I think about her. I never dreamed I would lose her. I let the tears fall with the water droplets, letting them mix together and flow down the drain. I slowly wash my hair and body and step out of the shower, noticing that I don't have any other clothes with me.

“Shit.”
“Out here.”
I groan and wrap the grey towel around me as I open the door and look sceptically at Jason sitting on the bed.
“She lives! And she’s human” Jason gasps and I flip him off as I grab the new clothes sitting beside him.
“I liked you better when you were shy and polite” I say, bringing the clothes back into the bathroom and begin to get dressed.
“Most do,” he chuckles.

His laugh had stayed the same but the more we talked the more relaxed he became, opening up and allowing himself to tease me. He’s still kind but slightly cheeky. He reminded me of a friend I hadn't seen in forever.

“I’m surprised Leah isn’t here, kicking my ass” I yell through the door, shoving my legs through the loose denim pants.
“She’s at the hangout having a meeting.”
“How mysterious” I tease, throwing the light blue t-shirt over my head, my somewhat damp hair lying loose on my shoulders. “Why aren’t you with her?”
“I convinced her that if i stayed i’d get you out of this godforsaken room.”
“Real nice” I reply, opening the bathroom door and throwing my towel at him.
Jason catches it easily with a small laugh, gets up and throws it over the small table chair to air dry.
He waits patiently for me at the open doorway whilst I put my socks and boots on, silent and stoic, observing me.
“I hate when you do that” I mumble, slipping my right shoe on.
“Do what?”
“Watch me like you’re trying to figure out my next move.”
Jason laughs whilst rubbing the back of his neck, “sorry, force of habit, i guess.”

He walks out into the hallway as I make my way to the room's only exit but my legs pause on the threshold.
I’ve been kidnapped, locked away like some fairytale damsel in distress and lost my best friend. Why the hell am I afraid of this doorway?
“Promise we don’t bite. Well most of us anyway” Jason snorts, beginning to walk down the hall.
“Aren’t you meant to keep tabs on me?”
“I’m not going far. Plus you’re not much of a threat.”
The hairs on my neck bristle at the insult. How dare he?
Though if i’m being honest, i don’t look like much of a threat. Heavier set and 5’5 with long strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes and roman nose. I’d probably see myself as an easy target if I saw myself on the street.
Well, I can use that to my advantage. If they don’t see me as a threat they’ll probably let their guard down and I can make my move to escape.
I take a deep breath in and take a hesitant step over the line, somewhat expecting something to come crashing down.
Silence.
I shake my head for being so silly and half jog to catch up with Jason who is already at the top of the stairs. He’s dressed like he always is. A loose v-neck shirt with faded blue jeans and boots. His brown hair sweeps through his eyebrows as it arches at me, expectant.
“You ready? Most people are out anyway but there's a few stragglers. Didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“It’s almost like you care about my welfare” I say sarcastically, starting down the stairs. “Makes me almost forget I'm a hostage.”
“Valerie…”
“Apologising won’t change anything” I cut him off, trying to distract myself as I enter the daunting main area.
“So, she is still alive. I was beginning to think Leah had secretly killed her and was hiding her body in the walls.”
Pink boy. What was his name? It started with a J just like Jason’s.
“What was your name again?” I enquire aloud and the boy bristles, leaning forward from his seat on the couch, his eyes narrowing.
Walt sitting next to him chokes back a laugh, getting a glare from the pink-haired boy.
“It’s Joel. They're really not that bad” the small boy sitting on the floor in front of the TV playing video game notes, not taking his eyes off the screen, a character ripping the other’s spine out. I wince at the brutality and gore smeared on the screen.
“I have nothing to prove to this outsider, Benny”Joel exclaims, annoyed.
“I think it was amusing,” Jason interjects, next to me.
“I like her,” the cerulean blue-haired girl says provocatively, licking her purple stained lips. She sits on one of the dining table’s seats at the end of it, a small clear area empty except for pieces of metal, one knee bent up.
I feel the slight movement of Jason standing straighter beside me. “MJ, she’s off limits.”
“No fun” MJ pouts but winks at me, my heart rate increasing. I look at Jason who has his eyes fixed on MJ. If this big dude is wary of this attractive girl, I need to keep my own guard up around her.
I notice then she’s not the only one on the table, a large guy with a closely shaved head, with tattoos on his throat sitting almost opposite her, pieces of metal also in front of him.
“Do you want a coffee?” Jason offers me and I nod in response, distracted by the glittering table of indescribable parts. He walks away and I see an opening.
This is my chance. From this position no one is blocking my path to the front door. I could bolt before anyone could catch me.
“We have people out the front, idiot” Joel scowls, staring me down.
“But it could be fun to hunt her down” MJ cooes, her eyes alight.
I take a step back.
Should I run for it anyway? It could be a bluff that there are people outside but what if it's not? I don’t know what Leah’s rules are regarding me. It might be just to keep me alive, in which case physical restraint may be considered fair play. I could get badly hurt if that's the case. Do I risk it?
A loud cough breaks my train of thought, the bald guy clearing his throat.
The good thing about ideas, is you can have countless ones. I ponder my next move as I wander to the kitchen and ask Jason for a cup of water as he makes the coffee.
“Sure, here, sorry for the mess” Jason says as he grabs two mugs.
I look around the kitchen over the island and can’t help but cringe. It was old school with blue paint everywhere and the island was more of an enclosed buffet with a cut out window. There’s unwashed dishes in the sink and fast food packages everywhere.
“Do you guys even cook?”
“Occasionally. We used to eat together more but everyone is so damn picky about what they want to eat we quickly gave up.”
“Thanks for the water” I reply and begin to gather my courage as I walk towards the shaved guy. 

Here goes nothing.
“Here, for your cough” I say, placing the water next to him. He looks up at me, brows furrowed, looking between the glass and me.
Come on big guy, take the bait.
He gruffly nods.
“Croc don’t talk much, let alone to strangers. I’m surprised you were even acknowledged” Benny says, his eyes still transfixed on the screen in front of him, this time his character is repeatedly kicking his opponent in the stomach. 
I dig my fingernails into my hand but attempt to keep going.
I take the seat next to Croc and try not to jump as the tension in the air suddenly spikes. Okay, so i gather he is as dangerous as he seems.
“I’m Valerie. What are you doing with all those pieces?” I ask, keeping my eyes on him, trying to not let my hands shake.
Croc looks at me as if I'm dirty and I inhale sharply. His left eye is pale and absent of colour, a jagged scar going from his hairline to his cheek, slashing through his eye. He sighs, noticing my response. I can’t lose now.
“That’s a cool scar” I begin, “I have a really big one on the side of my thigh, though it’s covered by a tattoo.”
“How did you get it?” MJ asks, her curiosity peaked.
I begin to scowl at MJ interrupting but before it shows I realise MJ cutting in may actually help to lure Croc in.
“I was in a pretty bad car accident when I was little. I used to have a party trick where I'd stab myself in the thigh and have no reaction. It’s because that area of my thigh didn’t regain feeling.”
“You stabbed yourself as a joke?” Croc asks and I turn to see him actually smirking.
“Party trick” I correct, “so what is it you’re doing?” I lean, examining the metal pieces closer.
“Cleaning my gun” Croc replies gruffly, putting pieces back together.
“Seriously? You can take it apart and put it back together with no directions?” I gape at him, that takes serious skill.
“Here” Jason says, putting the coffee mug next to me and then quickly moving away to sit near Walt on the other couch.
“Thanks” I take a big sip and try not to cringe at the burnt bitter coffee taste. Definitely the cheap instant coffee.

I turn back to Croc. “How long does it take?”
“Couple of minutes if I need to do it quickly,” Croc replies, holding his chin a little higher.
He definitely is proud of this weapon.
“That’s so amazing!” I exclaim excitedly, the awe honestly only half faked.
MJ giggles as Croc leans away from me and his cheeks become rosy.
“Can I watch you put it back together?” I insist.
“I guess so” Croc murmurs, focusing on his gun again.
I wait patiently, watching intently as Croc puts his gun back together, trying to keep my interest keen but casual. The bullets lying nearby try to snag my attention. Jason’s attempt at coffee tastes awful but i drink it anyway, my mother taught me as such. Always eat or drink what someone else has made you, it's a sign of thanks and respect. An unexpected twinge in my heart reminds me of how much I miss her.

Croc leans back and eyes the gun, looking it over. 

My chance.

“Any chance I could hold it?” I ask timidly, leaning forward so my chest is more exposed.
“I don’t think that's a good idea,” Croc replies, looking over my head at Jason but I keep my eyes on him.
“Oh come on, just for a sec” I insist smiling.
“He doesn’t let anyone touch his...the fuck?!” MJ cries, slamming her palms on the table as Croc places his gun in the palm of my open hand.
I can’t help but be taken aback too. He actually gave it to me? This guy is either too trusting or thinks I am no threat at all, even with a gun.
I grab it and jump up from the table and everyone suddenly moves closer, waiting for my next movement.
I turn to the wall and aim at it loosely, feeling the cold metal against my hand. “It’s heavier than i expected it to be” i say cheerfully, turning to smile at Croc and then Jason.
Jason loosens his stance at my smile, seeing I have no ill intent and Croc gets up from his chair and walks over behind me.
“You’re holding it like a movie actor, always with two hands” Croc instructs, grabbing my right arm and moving it so i have both hands on the gun. “Make your legs shoulder length apart. Good, now aim at the poster on the wall.”
“Don’t wreck my poster!” Benny cries, watching us.
“Relax, there’s no bullets in it,” Jason says.
I don’t let my sudden disappointment show. Guess that plans out the window.
“Keeping it up is actually pretty tough” I concede, relaxing a little in Croc’s arms, my muscles starting to twitch.
“Yep. now pull the trigger when you’re ready.”
I move my finger to the trigger. I close my eyes bracing for the recoil but suddenly police sirens and a young girl screaming fills my vision. It’s my scream.