Page 2 of Sanction

I close my eyes again and try to keep my breaths slow and deep to control the nausea. I’m not sure what’s been happening to me the last couple of weeks, but it’s starting to wear on me. It could be nerves, or it could be heartbreak. Who knew heartbreak could make you physically ill? I never knew it could make you feel so hollow, or so unattached. I’ve never been one to let my emotions rule me, or be the one to let anyone have control over my actions and choices. It seems there’s only one person who knocks me off balance. One person who can make me give up the things I try to cling to. Like my dignity.

I must have dozed off, because a frustrated noise from behind me nudged me out of my slumber.

“What the hell is taking so long?” Skittles pulls out his phone and dials Tanner. No answer.

“She probably got sidetracked.” I wiggle in my seat trying to get comfortable.

“I don’t know…. let me go find her. Maverick will have my ass if something happens to her.” He flips the seat forward and climbs out of the driver side door.

I reach for the stereo, then turn up the volume when I hear the voice of one of my favorite artists, Pink.

With closed eyes I’m singing the lyrics to “I’m a hazard to myself” when I hear the driver side door opening.

“Thank God, I'm dying in here,” I whine.

The door slams and when I roll my head to my left to peel my eyes open, my heart plummets. A strange man occupies the driver seat. I open my mouth to scream when his fist invades the space between us, clipping me in the jaw. My head slammed against the window, causing my vision to blur. It happened so fast, there was no time for me to react. I squint, as the glow of the store lights grow fainter with each second. I feel the car move, and as hard as I try, my eyes won’t stay open. I’m fighting, swimming against the current. My body numbs and my hands tingle. The last thing I see is the flash of a leather vest. Then I’m consumed by total darkness.

My head is throbbing. Why do I feel so cold? I shiver and try to rub my arms, but my hands won’t move. What the hell? I shift my legs and a sharp pain shoots down to the arches of my feet. Why is it so dark? I force my eyes to open, and when my vision clears a strangled cry leaves me. The room smells like old cigarettes and a wave of nausea coats my insides. I see Tanner across the dim room, arms chained to a wall, looking frail and lifeless. I frantically glance over to my wrists to see the same chains secured around me. I yank them with a loud scream. My mind tries to decipher what’s happening. I close my eyes. A memory splashed across my foggy brain, and my heart sank. The store. They fucking took us.

My mouth feels dry as I try to swallow. My bones ache when I try to maneuver from the cramped position my legs are in. Nausea hits me again and this time I can't contain it. I vomit, while tears stream down my cheeks. With heavy eyes I examine my surroundings. It looks to be a bedroom, but there is no furniture. Just an empty room. The structure looks like an older trailer house. The floral wallpaper is dirty, and the carpet is stained with a foul odor. I notice my shoes are missing and my feet are covered in dirt. A groan from across the room raises my pulse and I instinctively pull against the chains.

Tanner.

“Tanner,” I croak.

Her head sways as she leans up from her slumped posture against the wall.

“Dani,” she cries.

She looks around the room and the same panic I felt is evident on her face.

“It’s okay T, they will find us. Maverick will come.”

She lets out a sob and I feel the overwhelming need to join her.

Voices from behind the closed door cause my heart rate to spike, and fear engulfs me. Tanner's eyes lock on mine as the door knob turns and I hold my breath. The door is pushed open, and a broad man steps into the room. I feel like all the blood has left my body when I recognize his face. From Maxi’s.

“Sweetness.” He smiles, looking over at Tanner.

She tries to muffle a cry, but it slips through.

“Don’t cry.” He smirks over at me. “We’re gonna have a real good time.”

He grabs a folded rusty metal chair from the hall and opens it up. He spins it around and straddles it.

“Now, I hope I won’t have any trouble out of you two. My boss has some business to work out with the Knights, so until then, you are under our supervision.” His tongue runs across his teeth and I want to gag. He’s the man who held Tanner at gunpoint.

“You play nice, and so will we. I don’t want to have to hurt you, but I will.”

I swallow hard and avert my eyes to Tanner. She stares back at me with a fresh set of tears.

We gotta hold on T. They’re coming.

Chapter 2

Travis

One week later

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