Page 56 of Locked Souls

He has a penchant for whipping.

“Fucking idiotic bitch,” he snaps, then stomps off, muttering under his breath.

Snake gives me a look and I nod. That was fucking weird.

“Got some shit to do. You good?” he asks me, and I sigh. His psycho mask is now firmly back in place.

He’s worn the psycho mask for so long, it’s difficult to tell which side is real sometimes. Though I did see a new side to him when he was around Chas and the kids.

“Yeah, what are my orders?”

“Go find yourself a snack. Something tempting.”

Leaving me to ponder his words, I chuckle under my breath. His play on words was smart.

You never know who is lurking within these halls. Isabella has spies everywhere.

I check the showers and the video rooms, but no one is there. A lot of the staff are absent, and I'm starting to feel like I'm missing something.

Heels clacking on the concrete alert me to her presence, before her overwhelming perfume assaults my senses.

I don't think I'll ever be able to smell gardenias again without feeling sick.

“Oh, there's my favorite pet. I missed you,” Isabella says as I turn to face her.

If her soul wasn't made of tar, I may have found her attractive. But she's filth, and I shuffle to the side before she can touch me.

“Thank you, Boss, for granting my leave,” I grunt, and she licks her blood-red lips, giving me a beaming white-toothed smile.

“My pleasure. You've been such a good boy for me lately.” I try not to shudder at the lust in her voice.

Nodding, I pass by her. I still need to find Tempest, and I won't be able to stomach it if she invites me back to her room.

“Come see me later, Spider. I have something for you.”

“Will do,” I say over my shoulder, avoiding her icy gaze.

I continue to look for another hour, but all I've found is empty rooms. Where is everyone?

Heading down the steps to the dungeons, I check all of the cells, but it's just the usual candidates. People who’ve pissed off Isabella, or owe money to Nixen.

“Please, boy, get me out of here. I have money. Lots.” A woman in her mid-thirties with greasy blonde hair and green eyes begs me, but I just shake my head and continue on.

When I reach the room where they keep the women and children, I hold my breath.

I know this should have been the first place I checked, but usually Isa likes to play with her food before chaining them up.

“Spider, is that you? Where have you been?” Esme sniffles. Her little voice breaks my heart, and I have to close my eyes and take a deep breath to get my emotions under control.

She's so young, and I'd do anything to get them all to safety, but especially her. She reminds me of Chastity.

Broken, but still so strong. She's always taking care of the other children. Trying to keep them safe and protect them. She shouldn’t have to do that, especially at nine-years-old.

I hope The Society saves them all, and I will do anything I can to help them bring down Isabella once and for all.

I just hope it doesn't result in my death.

“Boss Lady wants you in her apartment,” Viper grunts and I sigh, nodding. I just left the kids after letting them wash themselves.