13 Chapter 13

It was Christmas morning. Heavy snow started to fall and group together on the floor as I looked outside. No one is getting through that snow, not even if they wanted to. I didn't have any plans of course, but still. Maybe I should call Malcolm. Like I really don't know if he likes us. I press the contact and let the phone ring.

"Merry Christmas, nerd." He answered the phone after two rings.

"Merry Christmas, loser. What did you get?"

"Money, two sweaters, and bracelets."

"Ooooooouuuu, that sounds good!" I wish I got some cozy sweaters.

"Yea. Right now I'm chilling in my room as my mom and dad cook. My dad asked me to help but...definitely not comfortable around him, so that's a big no. And my little sister is running around and I don't feel like dealing with that right now."

"Since when do you have a little sister??"

"Since I was 10 years old. Which was 6 years ago."

"Why do you never talk about her?"

"Because she's 6 years old??? What the hell am I supposed to say about a 6 year old?"

"How her grades are, what activities she's been up to, how you spend time with her, her friends, boys or girls she may have a crush on." I would love to have a daughter. I wonder if Zen would be a good father. I think he would be. That's my dream: To be married to Zen and have at least two kids in our own house away from everyone else.

"That's a lot of work. I'd rather not. All she does is annoy me."

"How does she annoy you, Malcolm?"

"She keeps annoying me about helping with homework or that she's really tired or really hungry."...what?

"She's annoying you because she fucking needs you! Help her, idiot!" Why do I have to tell him this, oh my God.

"But I mean sh-"

"HELP HERRRR."

"Alright, alright." We start to laugh a bit and as our laughter fades out, I remember.

"Hey, Malcolm? Do you like us? Like the group, ya know? Alex, Zen, and I."

"What do you mean? You guys are my closest friends. I cherish and love you guys so much. Platonic love." He says. It actually sounded somewhat sweet coming out of someone so monotone with his "I really don't fucking care" attitude.

He always looks annoyed or bothered by our presence. I wondered why he sat by us or talked to us. He just always has a straight face and I often get into small arguments with him.

"Oh wow. I never knew you like, ACTUALLY liked us. I thought it was just more of an 'I don't care' thing."

"No, I love you guys...especially Alex. She's uh...she's my best friend." Hmmm.

"Oh, so you like her?" I ask.

"Yea. I like her a lot actually." I expected him to deny it. "She's actually amazing when you get to know her."

"Duh, she's MY ACTUAL BEST FRIEND. You're just saying she's your best friend as a cover up for your feelings. Why don't you tell her then??"

"What? No. Too much pride. Plus people usually confess to me. I would like to keep that streak going." I can tell he's smiling hard as hell through the phone.

"Wowwwwwwww. Get off my phone sir. I'm done with you."

"Wait, that's not the only reason...I sorta have a crush on Brandon..."

"You mean the person that threw the party, and the guy you've been sleeping with for drugs?"

"...yea."

"Doesn't he have a girlfriend?"

"...yea."

"I didn't know he liked boys."

"Well he didn't...until he met me. I can be very persuasive."

"Mhm, yea that's definitely something a hoe would say so good job." We laugh a bit at my joke. That laugh fades and I get serious again. "Don't hurt Alex. She isn't just another person you can sleep with. I don't care what problems you have or what your views on love are, but do not break her heart. Or I will break you, cool?"

Silence flowed through us. "Yea, I hear you. I won't hurt her."

"Good. Alright, I gotta go. I have some things to handle in my basement." I say. "Later."

"Later."

I walk to the kitchen and pour myself a big cup of water before heading to the basement. When I opened the door, it was silent. I can hear the emptiness that filled the dark room. He had stopped screaming for help. I turn on the light, which flickers a couple of times before coming to a calm hum. Ezekiel was right there where I left him. He was passed out and you can see on his wrists how badly the chains are starting to chafe his dark skin. I go over to him and lightly smack his head to wake him.

"Hey. Hey, get up." I say as I walk back over to the stairs and sit. "We got some stuff to talk about." He groans and slowly peels back his eyelids. He sat up against the wall and looked at me. There was animosity in his eyes as he could barely move. "How did you get here the other night?" There was nothing but silence. He just looked at me with hatred.

"Tell me where Lisa is first." His voice was dry and low.

"Why can't you just listen?"

"Because you won't."

"Ezekiel, you aren't going anywhere for a long long time. You might as well tell me why you're here."

"I told you I'll speak if you do first."

"Ezekiel, I don't have to tell you shit! You're the one who's dehydrated and chained."

"Just tell me where she is."

"Oh my God, it's the same thing with you! 'Where's Lisa? Where's Lisa?' It doesn't matter! Just tell me!"

"Why do you care so fucking much?!?!" He really came here for her! Like what?! "It's a fucking job!!! Get over it!"

"It was more than that to me."

"Why?!"

"You first..."

"Arghhhh!!!" I grab my hair in frustration. "Stop being difficult!"

"Xena, you've chained me up in a basement and acted like I didn't know you for 4 years now." He said, still with hate setting heavy in his eyes."Yet, you expect me to cooperate with you."

"Just answer my questions."

"Where is Lisa first."

"Just fucking-" my head feels like it's about to explode! He needs to cooperate with me, I need control! "Answer!"

"Does chaining me up seem reasonable to you?" He says. Absolutely.

"Yes, Ezekiel. You came at me high and drunk, then attacked me."

"So why didn't you call the police??" He asked. The truth was I couldn't. I couldn't risk the suspicion of the law. They would ask who my guardian is or how can they contact them or want to see them. They would want to search my house or whatever or keep a close eye on me which I don't need. The truth was I couldn't.

"Ezekiel just-" I can feel my head and hands get hot as he refuses To answer me. Control. I need control, he needs to listen. I'm in control, me. Not him."Tell me!"

He looked at me with the absolute straightest face. His face was full of determination yet anger. "No, Xena."

"AaRRRGHHHH!! FINE. YOU WANNA KNOW WHERE SHE IS??? I CHOKED HER AS SHE LOOKED AT ME BEGGING FOR HER LIFE. THEN I BEAT HER FACE IN WITH A HAMMER AND SHOVED HER IN A BAG THEN BURIED HER TEN FEET DEEP. LISA IS NO MORE....she's gone." I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Lisa is no more. I killed her...and now I'm debating whether or not to kill you too." The flames that had built up in my throat had faded and my hands started pounding.

He started to squirm and move, his chains hit and rattled against the pipe he was attached to. "Xena, tell me you're lying. Xena, PLEASE!"

"No no no...it's too late now. I killed her...and I enjoyed every MINUTE of it. It was like a rush, my mind felt like it was flooding and my static came back. It was like Ecstasy breaking her bones with that hammer." I can feel my face start to move as I can't help to smile. "Yes...it was exhilarating."

"I'll tell you everything you want to know, just let me go, okay??" He keeps fussing. I steadily walk over to him with the cup of water in my hand. "Please." His anger turned to fear.

I bend down and force his mouth open as I pour half of the cup of water into his mouth. "Now that I've told you, I want you to know that now you can never leave. You forced it out of me and got what you wanted." I finish pouring and stand up straight. "Good job, Ezekiel. Now, why did you come here?"

"...for her." He said as water dripped from his mouth.

"No shit, really? I see you're still being difficult. I'll come back another time." I walk upstairs calm as ever. "Later, Ezekiel." He started to scream and cry as he gently closed the door and locked it.

I turn around to see Rhea looking at me in sadness and disappointment. Yes, it did feel good to kill her. I did it for me. I did it for you. It was for us. I have to protect you.

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