Paige POV

Clasping on to the strong grips around my neck, my elbows braced on the two sides of the bathtub, chunks of ice floating around as I kicked under the frigid water, trying not to drown. On the surface, I could see small air bubbles forming, escaping from my lips... I was running out of air. There was a time in my life where a small cut would have made me cry, go running to my mother for comfort, oh my, my sweet mother. It's a pity she isn't here to see what has become of me, her only child. Her death was one of the many lessons that made me who I am today because now I have learned to channel all that pain into something else, survival.

My suffering has evolved, becoming a part of me every day, sinking a little deeper each time. From being whipped across my back, with an electric chord to being kicked, punched bestowing me a broken bone or two, but it just doesn't hurt like it used to. Fighting back is useless, they are stronger than I am... faster, but they aren't smarter. Slowly releasing my hands from his, I let them fall to my side, my body laying inert, ending the losing struggle with him. Loosening his grasp around my throat, his eyes danced with fear, he killed me.

"I think- I think she is dead," he looked over his shoulder, "No, she isn't,"

Lunging upwards, I gasped for air, coughing a few times, grateful for each breath as I clutch onto the sides of the bathtub, glancing at him. I couldn't see his face clearly, but I saw his shadow seated on a chair in the dark, while the man who was trying to drown me, stood next to him with folded arms, waiting to attack me again. I felt their eyes on me, their smirks, enjoying the view, watching me being like this... weak. Through the small creases from the barred window, the moonlight shunned on me, attempting to pull my trembling body out of the water, my teeth throb against each other, the goosebumps rough on my skin praying for the natural heat from my body to somehow regenerate in my muscles, but I doubt that, at this point, it feels as if even the blood was frozen in my veins.

"Paige... Darling, just tell me where's the money and all of this will end,"

"I- I didn't take- take it- I swear," I stammered, too cold to speak fluently.

"Stop bullshitting me, Paige... You know where I keep the money, and you went in there and stole it,"

"I- didn't, I swear-"

"On what? Your dead mother, an addict that didn't give a shit about you... Huh?"

"Don't say- don't say that," I climbed over the tub, falling to the floor, hitting the side of my face, Motionless, I laid there, listening to him talk crap about my mom, a woman who worked hard to achieve her goals, and building this house was one of them, the very same house he now occupies. Some nerve he has referring to her as an addict as if it wasn't him that made her that way, forcing her to snort cocaine, pushing her over the edge of overdosing. Bad memories of her episodes are forever etched on my mind, many are of her frothing from her mouth or passing out, but she got worse each day and I knew there was no saving her, for she was already dead. Her well-groomed hair was suppressed on her head with a mixture of vomit and grub, her well fashionable clothes had large rips, exposing her pale skin. Perhaps one day in the future when my kids ask about their grandmother I would forget the ghoul she became, and keep the woman she was before Morris, alive. I don't know what my mother saw in him, but all I ever saw was a monster, feasting on our family's happiness until he finally got what he wanted, privilege.

"I didn't take your money," I whispered,

"Ok... That's how you want to play, then no problem, Billy here has no problem beating the answer out of you,"

Stepping out of the dark Billy stood over me, a muscular fellow with a tattoo under his right eye, I couldn't see it clearly, but it looks like a symbol, maybe it had to do with the gang. The dull light reflected on his bald head, as he caressed his matured beard, he must be a recruit, I didn't recognize him, and if Morris needs new members that means something isn't going according to his plan.

"Where is the money," his voice roared, echoing throughout the room,

"Fuck... you," I muttered Kicking me in the stomach, I winced in pain, biting my inner lip trying to sustain my groans, I could taste the blood on my tongue, coating over my teeth,

"Please..." I pleaded, "I didn't take your money, you have kept me locked in here so much I hardly know where to look for what anymore, but I didn't take it,"

"Yea and I granted you freedom one fucking time! And you stole from me? Where is it, Paige? Where is the money,"

"I didn't take it, Morris, in fact, you probably ask Mr. Billy here, he seems like the type to-"

Booting me repeating in the stomach, I cried out in pain, followed by a low chuckle, I didn't take that money, and I think Morris knows who took it, he just needs someone else to blame for his fuck-ups, "That's enough," he stood from the chair, with hands tucked behind him, marching towards us,

"She doesn't have it,"

"Are you sure boss? Because I can-"

"It's ok Billy," Morris squeezed the man's shoulder, followed by a pat on the back, "I have known this girl since she was a toddler, so I know when she is lying, after all, I am her stepfather, a father she never knew," he chuckled,

How dare him, I thought. He was nothing to me, and I might have never met my father, but I am sure he was probably a better man than this swine.

"You can find dry clothes over there, do you have any requested meals... You're looking a little thin, " he looked down at me.

Staring at my body, I tried to shield my self with my hands, I was so numb that I didn't realize I was in my undergarments.

"I am... Co- Cold,"

"Cover her up," he instructed Billy, who dashed across the room digging through old clothing, the rancid filled the air as he continued his search, they were foul, but who am I to complain, Morris promised me dry clothes, not clean ones. Spreading a thick blanket over me, I felt my body slowly beginning to feel alive again, the vibrating trembles turned into low shivers, as I hugged my knees under the sheet.

Crouching beside where I lay, I watched Morris from the corner of my eyes, "You know Paige you might not have it, but you know who does,"

How? You have me locked in here most of the time.

"And if I don't get my money back I will just have to hand you over to Suarez, I mean..."

He began to stroke his thumb down my hairline, dragging the tip of his finger across my brittle lips,

"You're a beautiful girl, a twenty-one-year-old virgin is a rare jewel in this world, and I am sure Suarez will pay a lot to have you in his little business,"

You motherfucker, I thought, he was going to sell me to a panderer... A pimp.

"You're my stepdaughter, your mother died, leaving you in my responsibility, it would be sad if I failed her now, wouldn't it?"

"You can't keep me here forever Morris," I found my voice again,

"Oh, but I can... And I will until I know what to do with you, you see... your mother owes me, she's dead so..." He chuckled lowly, "Now you owe me."

"I am not afraid of you Morris... neither was my mother,"

"I know, strong woman, it's sad what happened to her... But Sandra was always a cautious woman, funny how that same reluctant woman suddenly dies from an overdose... I guess she wasn't careful enough, the wrong place at the time perhaps,"

What is he saying, is he... Is he trying to tell me that my mother's death wasn't an accident? The police report said it was an overdose... Unless she was drugged and the cover-up was orchestrated by someone from the police department. No... I have to be sure before I make these big assumptions. Morris could be toying with my emotions trying to trigger me, but soon I will find the answers I seek.

"Well..." he continued, rising to his feet, "Billy here will get you something to eat, I suggest you get a good night sleep and think long hard about my money," he walked into the darkness, Billy trailing behind him.

Flinching at the slamming of the door, I leaned my back against the tub, whimpering in pain as I tried to sit up, pulling the thick shroud aside. Groaning lowly, I touched my bruises, they weren't that bad as the last ones, these only had a slight stung if I pressed down on them too hard, the real bruises were on the inside, the ones no one can see, not even me, but I feel them, and the one I am feeling now is about my mother, was she murdered?

Paige POV

“Wake up sunshine,” water splashed across my face, interrupting my dreams of freedom. I groaned, in discomfort from my seized muscles, the pain crept up on me like a thief in the night, inflicting aches all over my body as it tries to recover.

“Morris says you should shower, and meet with him,” Billy smirked, moving around a grass stem in the corner of his mouth, “I don't see any water, how will I take a bath if I don't have water,”

“You already did sweetheart,” he sneered, kicking around the empty metal bucket

You mother—

“Get dressed, Morris doesn't like to be kept waiting, and I have better things to do than babysit you,” he trudged out of the room, Billy drenched me with the water I should have bathed with, it was a routine to Morris, to have his men carry buckets of water to me occasionally, and they think it bothers me because it's not running water from a tap, but it's water that is contained, possibly in a drum if I am guessing right, the thing they don't know is, it's always warm, an advantage to me. Crawling over to the tub, I lowered my hand into it, retreating it quickly when I felt its temperature, it was still cold even though the ice was completely melted. I have no idea what time it was, but the sun rays that peeked through the holes of the blocked window signifies sunrise, why did Morris want to see me so early in the morning.

Tearing the end of the blanket, I made my self a washcloth, I was going to take a bath, no matter the consequences, So whether it's pneumonia, Morris, internal bleeding... Something is going to kill me eventually anyway. Squeezing together the tiny remains of multiple bar soaps, I closed my eyes, lowering myself into the tub as the water enclosed around my body, not thinking about it makes it easier, mind over matter. Rubbing the lathered cloth across my skin, I scrubbed myself, trying to wash away the dirt, dried blood... shame. What will become of me? Will I be kept a prisoner until I die or worse... become my mother, I must escape, and this time, they won't catch me.

“Hey!” Billy barked on the outside of the door, as I slipped into a pair of torn boy jeans and a stained t-shirt, “Hurry up, would you?”

“I am almost—”

Pushing the door forward, he marched towards me, as I pulled down the t-shirt, glaring at me before clamping a pair of handcuffs around my wrist,

“Is that necessary? It's not like I can try to run off... Not with a big strong man like you around,” I miserably tried to flirt,

“He told me you would have said that, but you see Paige, I might be new here, but I have been around for a long time, and I am far from stupid,”

“Just look at you, taking orders from a man you're twice the size of... You're a pussy if you ask me,”

“He told me you would have said that also,”

“Morris told you a lot of things, but tell him this... I will find out what happened to my mother and I will kill him,”

“You and what army? You should be grateful... you don't know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“That Morris is the one keeping you alive... Your whore of a mother died owing a lot of people and if they knew you were alive... Well, they just might, its never too late for a shower of rain,”

“If so many people are after me, why does Morris keeps me for himself? Why not hand me over, let me be someone else burden,”

“Convenience I suppose, who knows... One day he will probably have to make an impressive trade,” he chuckled.

Coughing, I corralled the rattle in my chest into my mouth, Ptui!

I spat in his face, watching as the gooey substance slid down his cheek “As I said, Paige...” He chuckled pulling a handkerchief from his back pocket, “Morris is the one keeping you alive,” he pats his cheek before throwing the cloth on the floor.

Yanking my arm, he shoved me towards the door. Staying close behind me as I strode down the dark hall, staring on the naked walls that were once lined with picture frames now bearing scars from battles, gunshots drilling holes into them. Look at what these monsters did to my home, turning it into some kind of gangster's base. Stopping in front of a familiar door, Billy knocked on it lightly before twisting the doorknob, “Here she is boss,”

Boss? That's what they called this son of a bitch now? But of course, isn't that his dream, not to be known as a ruthless criminal, but a mafia as well, but we all know there is room for one mafia in this city, and that's Arlington Crown. I can't put a face to the name, but I have heard stories... terrifying ones.

“Please come in Paige... Would you like a drink?”

Stepping into the room, I looked around, it was my mother's old room, and he converted it into some sort of office, he doesn't know limits, does he? Looking over my shoulder, I rolled my eyes at Billy, standing at the door, guarding it like a security dog, “You like what I did to the place?”

“Stop bullshitting me Morris, I know we aren't here to catch up over tea,”

“Since I can't get my money back, I think it's only fair you do a job,”

A job? Has he lost a fucking screw?

“I am not doing your dirty work... Get your male bitches to do it for you,”

Chuckling lowly, he hoisted his feet on the desk, leaning back in the chair,

“It wasn't an offer Paige, I am telling you to do it,”

“And if I don't?”

“You will,”

Folding my fist tightly, I could feel my nails digging into my palm,

“What is it... The job?”

“Tonight... You will join two of my men, they are going to make a... drop-off, nothing too hard,”

Nothing too hard? And what are we going to drop off? I don't trust Morris, I never really did, but what was he up to, I need to find out.

“Why can't you just send the guys? What do you need me for?”

“I mean... Who wouldn't want to do business with a pretty woman, I suggest you get some rest, you don't know what the night might bring,” he chuckled lightly, “I won't... I won't do it,”

“Take her to the room... The one I showed you earlier... And take off the cuffs but keep your eyes on her,”

Tugging on my arm, Billy pulled me out, unlocking the cuffs before shoving me into the room across from Morris's office. Falling on my knees, I stumbled to the ground. Where was I? It was brighter than the dungeon, with a small bed, with white sheets, looking like the highest cloud in the sky. Curtains, lights... Wait a minute, I know this room... It's my old bedroom, I haven't been in here since I was a kid. Standing to my feet, I fondled the trinkets on the dresser, I was amazed at how well-kept they were, why did he leave this room intact. Picking up a book from the stack, I opened it, trailing my fingers over the words, I loved reading, I got to be several people, seeing things from their point of view, traveling between worlds without ever leaving this house, I did all that through reading.

Closing the book, I set it back down, my lips parted when I saw it, reaching for the tiara that was tucked away in a corner, “Every princess should wear a crown,” I muttered, reciting what she would always tell me, she got me this for my tenth birthday... My last real birthday.

Shifting my gaze to a picture frame that was placed face down, I took it up, blinking a few times when I saw it, it was a picture of me and my mother... She looked so happy, holding me as a baby in her arms, seated on a swing. Stepping backward, I found myself crashing on the bed, staring at it. I was the spitting image of her... The younger version. Her soft grey eyes, high pigmented brown with shoulder-length soft curl, that smelled like lavender, that's before she got sick. Oh mother, what did they do to you? I felt the tears rising to the brink of my eyes, eventually, it started to dribble down my cheeks,

“I miss you, Mom... I do,” I whispered, closing my eyes until I fell asleep.

“Hey!” I jumped out of my sleep, hearing Billy's voice,

Narrowing his eyes into slits, he threw what appears to be clothing on me,

“Morris said you should wear this,” he mumbled before leaving the room. It was pants and a jacket suit made from leather, great I didn't only have to do the job, now I have to look the part. Night has already fallen, and I knew... It's time. Slipping into the outfit, I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, staring at my reflection in the mirror, the bags under my eyes, and pale skin was evident and repulsive, if I die tonight, it wouldn't even matter, I was already dead on the inside. Marching towards the door, I clutched onto the knob, closing my eyes before I opened it,

“Just on time Paige,” Morris chuckled striding past the door, with an army of men trekking behind him, suited out in black, carrying rifles on their shoulders, was this a drop-off or a war? Falling in line, I paced behind them, trying to hear the absurd speech Morris was giving, “Three people will do the negotiations, Paige, Billy, and Peter. Soon as they are in, you and you,” he pointed in the crowd, “You both will deliver the goods and the rest of you get in the positions, we don't know these guys, and they don't know us, let's use that to our advantage... As for the Insiders, get in and get out,”

Stepping outside I closed my eyes, inhaling the fresh air as the men scattered, filling up cars to go on our quest, it seems as if they got this, I still don't understand why I needed to go,

“Paige,” his voice cracked behind me, “Morris,”

“I wanted to give you this... You know for protection,” he grips my hand, lowering it in my palm,

Glancing up at him, I began to tremble, a mass kept rising at my throat, no matter how many time I tried to swallow it, It was a gun, why do I need a gun?