STUCK TOGETHER

Mason stood outside his car in the dimly lit alley, stubbornly refusing to get inside while Melody persistently tapped on the window behind him. He retrieved a matchbox and a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it up and taking a long drag.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. You know that queen is a handful," Carl said, spreading his hands as he approached Mason from the other side of the alley.

"What was all that? Why did you make me look like a fool, you old hag?" Mason growled, exhaling a plume of smoke. Carl stood before him, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Perhaps you still consider her your queen?" Mason questioned.

"Hell no. She's nobody's queen. Just a naive little girl claiming to rule Miami when she's nothing without her dead father," Carl remarked. Mason extinguished his cigarette on Carl's shirt, leaving a stain behind. "If I find out the punishment you plan for her is a joke, I'll come for both of you. Mark my words, old hag." Mason's words carried the weight of a promise. He grabbed the car handle and got in, causing Melody to shift to the other side as she put away his rifle. Mason turned to look at her, his eyes filled with adoration, and rested his hand on the car seat.

"You're so damn beautiful, do you know that?" he said gruffly. "From your golden locks to your mesmerizing blue eyes and plump lips, everything about you is simply stunning." Melody averted her gaze, flinching as she moved away from him, his hand slipping from her cheek.

"Thanks... I hear that a lot," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the opposite side of the car.

"What's wrong with you, bitch? Why are you suddenly playing hard to get?" he snapped, placing his hand on her shoulder and pulling her back to face him. Melody frowned and muttered, "You don't care about me. How can you ask them to kill me?"

He froze, releasing her shoulder and running his hand through his hair. "Well, shit. I didn't mean it, I was just venting my hatred for that queen bitch. You don't need to take everything I say to heart," he assured her, shifting his gaze to the driver in front.

"Start the damn car, or do I need to spell it out for you?" he snapped. The driver swiftly started the engine, and they drove away down the dark alley, with dark clouds enveloping the sky as the evening sun faded.

***

Ashley snarled like a wild animal as Carl's men threw her into a dimly lit room. She collided with someone, and that person pulled her closer, wrapping their arms around her. Feeling the rapid heartbeat and familiar touch, she realized it was Xander. As the lights came on and the door slammed shut, everyone was present: Jake, Chris, Dave, and his girlfriend—whose name she didn't care to know. They all avoided eye contact, remaining silent.

"You're all utterly useless! I confronted Mason alone out there, and not a single one of you volunteered to come with me. Not even you, Chris. I expected more from you," she berated them, her glare fixed on Chris, who kept his gaze lowered.

"And you, Xander. What about all that talk of wanting to date me? Asking for a chance? Where were you when I needed you the most?" she demanded, her eyes locked on him.

"I can—" he began, but she cut him off.

"I don't want to hear it! I almost died out there. Can you believe that old man Carl? He betrayed me at the last moment. It was heartbreaking," she said, clenching her fist.

"I swear, I could have killed—" Her words were interrupted by the door swinging open. Carl entered the room, leaning against the door with his arms crossed.

"So, all of you are here. You're no longer guests; now you're all my enemies, and I can do whatever I want with you. Even if it means killing you, one by one," Carl chuckled. "Come to think of it, that would be fun," he added.

"You asshole! I'm going to kill you!" Ashley shouted, lunging at Carl. Xander caught her, holding her back with his hand on her waist, as she struggled against him.

"Let me go!" she screamed, grabbing his hand on her waist.

"You're such a pathetic queen, aren't you? You should just shut your mouth and bow before me. I thought you'd beg me to spare your lives..." Carl sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I'm tired of small talk," he said, drumming his fingers on the door in a rhythmic manner. He stepped away from the door as it swung open, and two of his men entered the room. One carried a tray of meager food, while the other held six bottles of water.

"Eat up. Tomorrow, your real punishment begins," Carl remarked, watching as his men placed the tray and bottles near Ashley's feet. The group, huddled against the wall, looked away, but Ashley remained in Xander's grasp, her face flushed with anger.

"Get that miserable excuse for a meal out of here. None of us will touch this filth…" Ashley started to say, but before she could finish her sentence, Dave and his girlfriend were already on the floor, devouring the food as if their lives depended on it. They resembled starved lions, but they didn't care.

"Very well, I'll take my leave. See you all tomorrow, my slaves," Carl said, his laughter echoing through the room as he departed with his men, closing the door behind him. Ashley slowly shrugged off Xander's hand, defeat etched on her face. Being called a slave was like a slap in the face, especially when she was the one who had previously referred to Xander as her slave. Much had changed, and she wasn't embracing it. She slumped to the floor, burying her head in her knees. Xander moved closer, about to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Just leave her be. She's strong; she'll bounce back," Chris said. Xander withdrew his hand, his stomach growling. They had been locked up since Ashley left the mansion and hadn't received any food.

Swallowing hard, Xander squatted next to Dave and his girlfriend, grabbing a spoon from the tray and digging into the meager meal. Ashley scoffed.

Chris exchanged a glance with Jake, and they both joined Xander and the others, grabbing spoons and setting aside their pride.