Breaking Chains

October 25th, 1:30 pm

Current Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

Current Outdoor Temperature: 11 degrees Fahrenheit

Disclaimer: A couple of more intense language in here! Proceed at your own risk! 

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The chains rattled as I tried in a desperate attempt to break free. I knew deep down that there would be no possible way to get out, no matter how strong somebody could be. It had to be impossible. Despite this, I still jerked and tugged with all of my might. I came up empty, as expected.

Yet, my mind was still swarming with all of the possibilities of what could be happening right now. Were the intruders Dad and Bryan? Even if it was, wouldn't they be extremely outmatched against these deranged Raiders? I had to know for sure. I had to know if it was Dad and Bryan.

I gave up and sat against the wall, drained of ideas. My only logical option was to wait this out and hope for the best results. I felt horrible for not being able to help, but what other choice did I have? I'd do anything just to be with my family again. They made sure that I was safe, and I did my best to return the favor. My heart ached to be with my little sister again, and she must be terrified of what's going on right now, and what could happen in the near future.

I had to get out of here, someway, somehow. But I still didn't know what to do. I was still alone with injuries that would severely drag me and the others down if I jumped out into the battlefield. I tugged at the chains again, still coming up with the same results.

"Come on..." I mumbled to myself. "Get out of here. Go help."

My voice was a lot different than before, now that I paid some attention to it. It was strained and quiet due to a lack of water to quench my dry throat. I wasn't talking much at all either, obviously. I felt as if I didn't even have the freedom to speak. Once we get out of here, though, I was going to tell everyone how grateful I felt to have them with me.

Yes, I still had that lingering hope telling me that everything was going to turn out alright. I just really wished that it would turn out to be true. There were times that the hope would disappear, but something deep down would remind me that I had to keep my head up and fight for what's ahead of me.

Gunshots were suddenly heard from near the office corridors, followed by more yelling from the Raiders. I listened for a moment, hoping that I would hear a familiar voice, but I came up empty. I just had to keep waiting for now.

It became almost unbearable to me after a long few minutes. There was this feeling that was telling me that Bryan needed my help or that Dad was in trouble. I tugged at the chains again, but there was still nothing that I could do to bust out of here.

Then it happened. An ear-piercing scream echoed throughout the building, and I knew exactly who it belonged to.

Or so I thought.

The door creaked open, and Phillip's ever so familiar footsteps began to echo down the hallway, making my blood run cold.

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Bryan didn't regret trusting the woman. She was indeed against the Raiders, and it made him curious about what drove her to do this. Did something happen? He wanted to know.

His thoughts were interrupted by a wild punch to his face that he barely dodged. Somehow, he kept his composure and returned it by throwing the butt of the gun to his chin, sending the Raider stumbling into his teammates. He didn't have time to stand proud of his efforts, though, as another one came charging at him again.

This has been going on for too long. The woman told him that this Phillip guy was already on his way to kill Jeremy and then them. That meant that they didn't have much time to spare.

"We've got to get past these guys or it'll be too late!" the woman announced over her pistol's gunfire.

"But how?!" Amelia questioned, holding a terrified Olivia in her arms. "They're like brick walls!"

"Just keep pushing through! There's not that much left!"

There was one huge disadvantage that just came up as the entered the room where the Raiders liked to drink and have their fun. It was the fact that Bryan had completely run out of bullets. He also noticed that Will had stopped firing his gun as well.

Bryan gritted his teeth, wiping the blood beginning to make its way towards his upper lip. They couldn't wait to push through any longer. That was the moment where Bryan stood tall, punching and kicking his way past anyone that got in his way.

"Follow me!" the woman yelled over the noise. "There's an opening down here!"

Bryan finished off the last Raider that stood in his way and followed William down the stairs that led to the cells and phone booths. It was strange that they didn't see any more Raiders that attempted to block their master. Bryan didn't argue, of course, but it made him more anxious than he already was.

"Is everyone okay?" William asked in a quiet voice. "Girls?"

"I think so," Evelyn answered. Her voice was shaky from all the commotion. "But I'll be okay, I think. I just want Jeremy back."

William nodded. "We all do. Amelia? Olivia?"

"I think we're holding up alright. Olivia's got her head in my shoulder and she's shaking, but I think we'll be fine," she said, giving Bryan a soft smile.

"That's good," Bryan mumbled. "This had better be worth it if we've made it this far."

Surprisingly, the woman turned to face him, but her facial features was still a mystery due to the mask she wore. "I want you guys to promise me something if we're going to be a team."

William looked like he was about to say something, but something prevented him from doing so. The woman continued.

"Even if Jeremy dies," she started. "We still have to bring down Phillip and the rest of the Crimson Tide. They've tortured and killed too many people, and I want Jeremy to be the last one, understood? Can you all promise me this?"

She had a point. They still couldn't let Phillip have an opportunity to track them down or kill any more people than he already has. Thankfully, William seemed to agree with her.

"Yeah, you're right. We can promise you that."

Her eyes softened from their usual harsh glare. "Thank you. Now I recommend you to be quiet from here on out. The door to the cells is right over here."

Bryan's heart jumped a bit, but he kept quiet. In his mind, he wondered how things would go down from here on out. Would they rescue Jeremy and kill Phillip? Or, would they find him dead and Phillip already gone? Bryan tried his best to calm his nerves. Nobody could afford a slip-up now. They've made it too far.

The woman silently pointed to a large, tan-colored door, and they stopped just beside of it.

"Are we ready?" William whispered. "This is all or nothing."

"We waste no time shooting down Phillip," Bryan added on. "We get Jeremy and instantly leave."

A loud creaking sound interrupted my thoughts. It came from the cells.

Everyone was in agreement. The woman got near the handle and placed her hand on it. She raised her hand and counted down from five.

Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

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As if it was his way of greeting me, Phillip simply shot me in the leg, causing me to scream in agonizing pain.

"Who are they?!" he demanded of me. "I know damn well you're behind this."

"I don't know!" I screamed, tears running down my cheeks as I clenched my eyes shut. "I honestly don't know!"

After a short moment of silence, I got the courage to look up at him. His eyes looked as if they were about to pop out at any given second. His entire body was shaking as if he was having a seizure, and it was starting to scare me.

"This feeling..."

I simply stared at him, completely speechless. "H-Huh...?"

"It's nothing like how it was before..."

I began to tremble now. Where were Bryan and Dad?

I saw his veins start to pop as his grip on the bars strengthened. He pulled on the bars, and they bent against his will. I was stunned by this immense strength.

"Holy shit..." I mumbled, trying to back away from him.

"I'm going to kill you, Jeremy! You took my life away from me!"

I began to violently shake. Should I fight back? I knew that I would lose in an instant. He began to push through the bars and lunge at me.

Then, the door suddenly busted open, causing Phillip to pause at the last second.

"Phillip!" a familiar female voice called out as many different footsteps pounded the concrete floor.

"Jeremy!" a male's voice called out, and I knew who it was.

"Bryan?"

Phillip looked dumbfounded for a split second, but that was changed in a single instant. The woman that helped me pulled her gun on him and tried to shoot, but a click was the only thing that came out. Instead, she only threw it down and unsheathed her knife. I saw my family there, looking extremely beat up and worn down from constant fighting.

Phillip smiled. "How disappointing."

"Give us Jeremy back!" Evelyn demanded. The desperate look on her face made my heart leap. She looked at me, and her eyes told me that she wanted to go in there to comfort me. I wanted to feel her embrace again.

"And what will you do, pretty one?" Phillip taunted.

He stepped out of the cage and began to walk up towards her. Before he could do anything, the woman stepped up and stabbed him hard in the gut.

"Augh!" Phillip doubled over, but he backhanded the woman into the wall in response. I heard her head crack, and she was unconscious against the ground. For a split second, I was in shock before realization hit me.

"NO!" I screamed.

"Just hang on, Jeremy!" Dad reassured. "We'll get you out!"

"I'd like to see you try!" Phillip said as he squared up against Dad.

Bryan was the first to strike, throwing the butt of the gun against his chin. As he tried to advance on him, Phillip blocked all of his punches and sent one of his own into his gut, making Bryan grip his stomach.

"BRYAN!" I screamed again. I shot to my feet and began to run, but the chains stopped me.

Phillip kicked him into the wall as well, and I saw blood come out of his mouth from the impact. He fell unconscious as well.

"Bryan! No!" Amelia screamed after him. Olivia stared at him, horrified.

I struggled against the chains, pulling them with all of my might. Nothing worked. 

I had to help. I had to do SOMETHING. Or they all will die.

Dad was really the last one that could fight, yet it was easy for Phillip. It was punch after punch, but Dad's efforts simply weren't enough. Phillip threw a hard punch to the side of his face, making him stumble against the wall. He advanced and kicked him in the back of the kneecap, and as much as he was already hurt, that just made it ten times worse. Dad screamed in agonizing pain, dropping to his fours. 

"Dad! No, please!" I yelled. 

"Daddy!" Olivia screamed. 

Phillip began to laugh. It was a lot more deranged than Vincent's Van Zandt's was, and it struck even more fear into me. 

"This will all be over, soon," Dad said, still on his fours and looking right at the ground. 

"Oh? What makes you so confident?" 

Dad looked at me wordlessly. 

Then, Phillip pulled his pistol out of his pocket and aimed it at Dad's head. 

Everything slowed down at that moment. I felt a surging amount of adrenaline start to flow through my veins, and I stood up onto my feet. I began to run towards the bars, and the chains caught me as expected. 

But I was too late. 

BANG! 

"DADDY! NO!" 

Blood was splattered all over the walls, and some fell right in front of me. Phillip laughed as he was enjoying it. He later aimed the gun at Evelyn. She looked at him with complete terror. 

Anger took over me at that point. I pulled on the chains as much as I could, growling and tensing up every last muscle in my entire body. I will NOT LET ANYONE ELSE SUFFER. 

GOD DAMN IT, BREAK! 

"LET'S MAKE HIM CRY EVEN MORE!" 

But right before he pulled the trigger, two simultaneous snaps came from the back wall, and I charged straight at him. 

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