Kasperine's hunch had hit the mark; she found herself back in the very same building where she had woken up a few days ago.
"This is it. I don't know what the hell's going on, but step one is getting out of this hellhole. I'll deal with the rest once I'm clear of this place," she muttered to herself, careful not to draw too much attention from the men in the dimly lit hallway. These were clearly Mosiah's goons—the same thugs who had tormented her.
The corridor was even darker than her last visit, a testament to the night that had settled in long ago. Men shuffled into their rooms, some reeking of sweat after what must have been a grueling training session, much like Chris. Others were still in the hallway, relentlessly pounding away at hanging punching bags. The air was thick with the nauseating stench of unwashed bodies, the surroundings grimy and neglected, bearing the marks of countless brawls and skirmishes—cracks on the walls, shattered windows, remnants of fights etched into the very fabric of the place.
As she walked, her eyes couldn't help but catch the distasteful posters plastered across some walls—provocative images of female celebrities in suggestive poses. The posters were an uncomfortable reminder that she was the only woman in a den of testosterone-fueled aggression. It was a scene that could easily render any girl vulnerable and shaken, but remarkably, Kasperine continued to walk with a determination that defied the grim surroundings.
"That's it. Finally made it to the stairwell," Kasperine muttered under her breath, her fingers gripping the door as she pushed it open, slipping inside and closing it discreetly behind her, ensuring she went unnoticed. To her astonishment, the stairwell wasn't the solitary space she had expected; instead, it was teeming with men, ascending and descending, vanishing and emerging through doors on each floor.
"What the hell? How am I gonna sneak out of this mess?" She clenched her arms, her voice tinged with unease. This was an epiphany – being surrounded by men was unsettling, a stark contrast to the world she was used to. These weren't your typical guys either; they exuded an air of danger, a single misstep potentially leading to a grim fate one wouldn't wish on their worst enemies. Kasperine swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the chaotic scene unfolding below, men jostling and throwing punches seemingly for the fun of it.
"Going somewhere?" a voice piped up from behind Kasperine. Startled, she realized she was blocking the way and quickly stepped aside as three men brushed past her.
"Good grief," she breathed out, her heart racing. The trio abruptly halted, one of them turning to lock eyes with Kasperine. She flinched, about to retreat, when the man called out, "Hey, kid!"
"Huh?" Kasperine glanced back, her nerves still on edge.
"You new around here?" he inquired.
Kasperine hesitated, unsure how to respond. In the end, she simply nodded.
"Hmm… No one clued you in, huh? It's chow time. Miss it, you're outta luck. So move it!" He spoke with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Din-Dinner?" Kasperine stumbled over her words, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach. The realization hit her – she hadn't eaten a thing.
"Sure thing. Thank you for letting me know." Kasperine responded graciously, her words contrasting with the tense atmosphere. She stood her ground, seemingly unaffected by the three men's looming presence.
"Quit loungin' around. Move it!" The leader's voice cracked the air, a forceful gesture compelling Kasperine to reluctantly acquiesce. She trailed behind them, her steps lacking enthusiasm, as the group descended the stairwell and exited the building on the first floor, a change from the parking lot she had encountered before. The surroundings were a mess — dim lighting, chaotic paths, a maze of disarray. Kasperine's gaze lingered on the forsaken structure behind her, a mix of surprise and intrigue dancing in her eyes. The men forged ahead, casting beams of light from their phones to navigate through the chaos. Kasperine had been blindfolded during her transport, leaving her uncertain of her location, but it was clear this was no inhabitable place.
"Where are we?" Kasperine's voice held a hint of curiosity amidst the uncertainty.
The group's leader surveyed the desolation around them, heaving a sigh laden with resignation. "Welcome to The Junkyard. Would've been a step up for a newbie like you to land in The Backyard, at least."
Kasperine found herself no wiser than before, his words a puzzle she struggled to solve. "What's The Backyard? And why's this place called The Junkyard?"
The trio halted, suspicion etched across their faces. "Who the hell are you, kid? How'd you wind up here?" The leader, a formidable figure with a rugged exterior and visible scars, studied her intently. Despite his intimidating appearance, an unexpected sense of decency emanated from him.
Kasperine's mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind. 'What should I say? I can tell them I am Kasperine they will beat me up, THe real name isn't an option, what if they turn aggressive?' Her skin prickled with unease, yet words tumbled from her lips, almost as if guided by an invisible force.
"Irsia." The response was succinct, carrying an unspoken message.
"Hmm, Irsia. So spill, how'd you get in here? Who brought you in?" The leader's inquiry held an undercurrent of curiosity.
"I... can't remember . I woke up here," Kasperine admitted, her gaze lowered respectfully to avoid confrontation.
"Reed's handiwork, most likely," the man next to the leader interjected with a tone that betrayed personal resentment. Referred to as Softy, his demeanor didn't match the moniker. The leader, addressed as Sage, nodded in agreement. The third man, more reserved, went by Whisper.
"Was it Reed who snatched you?" Sage inquired further.
"I don't know his name," Kasperine admitted.
"What did the guy look like?" Softy's voice probed.
"Long hair, stern expression."
"Sounds like our guy." Softy's affirmation came with a triumphant clap.
"Seems you got hauled in here against your wishes," Sage drawled, taking a step closer. He tried to give Kasperine's shoulder a friendly pat, but she flinched, backing away like she'd seen a ghost. "I—" She stumbled over her words, worried she'd set him off, but Sage brushed it off and just ruffled Kasperine's hair before talking. "This junkyard's a damn survival test. All the crap from Outlaws - that's Mosiah's crew - ends up dumped here. We're the grunts who do the heavy lifting for the bosses. You gotta watch your back every damn second, kid. It's a grimy mess, especially for a clean face like you." Sage dished out a few nuggets of wisdom before pivoting to head down a rocky trail that looked like it led to nowhere.
As the stroll dragged on, Kasperine couldn't shake off her confusion, finally blurting out, "If this is such a place why don’t people just leave?”
"We're stuck, man. Been holed up here, knee-deep in shady business. Ain't like we got anywhere else to go," Whisper drawled, his words dragging out as he leaned against the grimy wall. His partners shot him surprised looks – Whisper wasn't exactly known for being the talkative type.
"He's got a point. World out there ain't our playground. People like us, we're a walking nightmare," Softy chimed in, his voice dripping with resignation. The three of them were like old dogs, worn out and scarred from their choices.
Kasperine, in contrast, spoke with a certain eloquence, "And what about you? Do you yearn for an escape?" Softy's question, directed at her, held a tinge of curiosity.
"Is it even possible?" Kasperine replied, a glimmer of hope in her voice. The idea of freedom was still a distant dream for her.
"No chance, boy. Once them Outlaws nab you, you're their plaything for life," Sage muttered, his tone laden with darkness. "They'd hunt you down, even if you tried to hide on the far side of the earth." His words sent a shiver down Kasperine's spine, her body reacting to the grim reality he described.
