Broken Binding

Screams In Dreams

They turn and face her slowly stalking towards her.

“Shhh, we won't kill you. We need you alive” She watches as they stuff her mouth to muffle her screams. Her body still trying to fight.

“Shut the f**k up and calm down now.” The other guy moves around pushing the gun against her forehead, her body freezing in a stiff position from that moment on as she realised this was real.

“Ben, back off. Seriously. Look, we just want something from your husband that is all. Once he hands it over, we will give you right back. But if you make this hard, I can't control Ben.” She watches as Ben hits him across the head, seemingly annoyed, her eyes glancing between them confused.

“What the f**k Axel, just tell her our names. Now she can tell her f*****g husband who we are and we're f****d” Axel looks at him and holds his hands up realising his mistake, Camari repeats the names in her mind to try to remember them.

“Soz, can we just get out of here before he returns” They both look at her and Ben nods. She watches as Axel picks her up, his scent smoothing her, yet it is comforting, something about it is incredible. Her eyes glance around, trying to see if there is anything she can remember that will help when she gets free.

Axel is covered, she can't see his body he is dressed in all black, just like Ben, only Axel seems more significant, maybe? Or could it be the clothing that makes it look like that? She tries working it out, her mind replaying every detail. Axel is around 6ft 2, Ben is shorter, however. Axel gets to the front door of her house while carrying her, but Ben stops him.

“She needs blindfolding” He moves to slip the bag over her head as she feels them moving again, she can't see much. A few small holes in the fabric, she feels her body being placed in the back of something.

A car? No, a van, she can smell the petrol, oil and grease, someone's work van? She moves, drawing her legs up, trying to keep warm and hide her body. Maybe going to sleep in just a chemise wasn’t the best idea.

“s**t, Ben” She hears a slight groan in response.

“Come on, man; she has f**k all on basically, at least throw me a blanket” Axel explains, and she feels something been draped over her. Her body is moving as they turn corners, her head hitting off the side and the floor as they go over bumps.

“Slow the f**k down Ben, I said she needs to look scared, but battered and bruised is a bit far” Axel's voice is loud as her body continues to quake from within, the icy feeling spreading as she struggles to warm up. She isn’t cold, not really, it is shock, she feels herself going into shock realising this is real.

The van continues swerving suddenly hitting a curb, her head slamming down as everything goes quiet and she blacks out, her dreams not an escape.

She keeps reliving the same night on replay like a broken record from the moment Mack didn't arrive home, to the moment she passed out. Nothing seems like it is worth fighting for.

Camari rolls over, her eyes opening as she takes in the dim room around her, the two figures stand talking.

“So we're stuck with her? Is that what you're saying, Axel?” Ben seems frustrated, and angry over something, Camari sits listening.

“We can sort it; maybe if she knows what a scumbag her husband was, she won't be bothered about us and more about him” Axel explains, his voice is quiet, yet she can still hear them.

“Na, just kill her. Easiest option and the only way outta this.” Ben's voice is menacing, as Camari considers ways to escape, the bag no longer on her head, her eyes glancing around quickly trying to figure out a way to escape.

“Ben, we don't need to kill her. We will figure it out. Give it a week he may change his mind” Ben looks around Axel and sees Camari is awake.

“Yo, dude, don't f*****g do it, give it time at least a week.” Axel looks at Ben worried, Ben looks at him and waits.

“Why is he going to pay for that, when he has better? We solve his f*****g problem; he is probably sat there rubbing his hands thinking yes, I got all my money to myself.” Ben stalks towards Camari.

“Oh come on, man, seriously. It isn't her fault her fella can't stick to one woman and has no morals.” Camari looks towards Axel, realisation hitting her they mean Mack, he was cheating on her.

She shakes her head, she has doubted his faithfulness, but she never believed he would do it, she remembers his mum and dad the way they were.

“Oh come on, princess, no tears now because that will just piss me right f*****g off” She wipes her eyes and looks at Ben, who is he? Why does he hate her so much? Axel seems to be the only thing right now stopping Ben from killing her.

“Look, let me at least explain to the poor lass what has happened” Ben laughs at Axel.

“Explain? She knows. She was probably in on it, enjoying all that money he stole.” Axel sighs and pushes him out of the way, he looks at Ben and shrugs as he takes off his mask. Ben’s face changes to shock as he stares at Axel without his mask.

“What the f**k Axel, now she is going to tell him what you look like” Ben smacks Axel around the head.

“Seriously? He knows it is us, who else has he pissed off that would take his wife? No one.” Axel turns to face Camari, and she finds herself melting in his hazel eyes, her head shaking, she shouldn’t be feeling anything but fear right now.

“Look, your husband took something of ours, something that costs a lot of money. We need it back or the money, do you know where he put it?” Camari shakes her head, not understanding what he is talking about. Her husband isn't that sort of person, he has money, he has businesses he doesn’t need more.

“Look, she won't know. We already know that. Let's just let her go and get him, we take him and get the money.” Axel looks at her, she finds herself thinking he is sweet, unlike Ben, something about him makes her feel on edge.

“Not a f*****g chance, we need her. He will pay up, no doubt about it; maybe he just needs something to encourage him.” Ben steps towards Camari, his hand reaching into his pocket as he pulls out a knife.

Screaming, she moves back as Axel tackles him to the floor, the fight lasting a while as they shout at each other. Camari looks around the room, there is only one exit, and they have the key.

“Enough!” Axel screams and stands up. “Look, we kill her, then what? We get nothing, so let's use her. I don't know how, give it 24 hours, and I will find a way to use her.” Ben looks past Axel towards her, Axel trying to consider a way to save her.

“Twenty-four hours, then she's getting sent piece by piece to him.” He storms out, the door slamming as he does. Axel walks towards her, Camari moving backwards against the wall trying to hide.

“I won't hurt you.” He holds his hands up as he sits next to her. He needs to find a plan, a way to save her. He knows about Camari, knows everything as Mack saw her as a prized possession. “Sorry, your husband just f****d us over. Ben is already honestly; we just need to find a use for you, and then he will be fine.” Axel shakes his head slightly, it won’t be, even finding a way to use her for their gain. Ben will hate her walking. Camari looks at him nodding, what use could they have with her if her own husband didn't have one?