Sheer terror washed over Lola and she thrashed in her chair; frantic to get free. “Marti! No, Marti, look at me! You’re right, okay? I’ve been selfish and ignorant to your struggles. Please, tell me what I can do. I want to be here for you, I promise. Please, tell me what else I’ve missed. I need your help so I can be a better friend.” Lola babbled, desperate to turn Marti’s attention away from her beloved Barkey. She couldn’t lose him; she’d fight to the death to protect him if necessary. A sharp sting in her right wrist drew her attention and bending her hands, found that there was a loose nail on the back of the chair. If she was lucky, it might be enough to cut through her ropes.
“Fine.” Marti shifted her focus from Barkey and Lola released a sigh of relief.
“Here’s the truth you were too stupid to see. You and Oliver aren’t the only ones that were adopted. I was too. Difference is, you two got lucky being placed here and I ended up in that shithole. You have no idea how bad it is, Lo. They never wanted a child, they just wanted someone they could kick and use as they pleased. I’d rather be dead than go back to that house.” As angry and scared as Lola was, she still felt immense sadness for her friend. No child should have been treated that way. While Marti was distracted, she used the time to work the ropes on the nail, hoping it was sharp enough to cut through.
“When I met you, I was floored. I had no idea there were actually good people in this world. Life has always just thrown shit on me...but your family, they’re so damn wonderful. A loving mother and father; amazing brothers. It’s not fucking fair that you got that and I’m stuck in my situation.” Tears started to leak out of the corners of Marti’s eyes, but Lola doubted she noticed them, she was too caught up.
“I wanted to be part of your family so bad; I did everything to fit in. I dreamed of what it would be like if you felt for me what I was beginning to feel for you...what I still feel. We’d be an unstoppable force; I’d support you every step of the way towards your goals, and you’d help me realize mine. I could finally get away from the mayhem of my home life and have a chance at something normal.” Marti paced the room as she explained, glaring daggers at Lola.
“But you — “ she slashed the knife in Lola’s direction — “You just couldn’t see what was right in front of you. That I was willing to do anything for you. I followed you; I was with you even when you thought I wasn’t, so that if you ever needed anything, I wouldn’t be far. You’re such a traitorous bitch, though, that you had that imbecile Beckett doing the same damn thing! Both of us skulking around the shadows, desperate for a chance to be closer to you.”
Lola couldn’t have been more shocked if the ceiling fell on them right that second. “My God, Marti, It was you...you’re the one that posted the photos, you killed Mr. Hoppykins.” The realization sent anger skidding down her spine. All the time she’d been frightened she was losing her mind, that she’d spent confessing her supposed hallucination to Marti was a waste of time. Standing right in front of her was the culprit for everything she’d endured.
“I needed to do something to get you to open your eyes, Lo. I thought you’d turn to me for comfort, that you’d finally begin to see things my way. Plot twist though, you’d actually rather fuck your step-brother then show loyalty to the one person that’s always been here for you.” Marti’s eyes hardened and she again swung her body towards Barkey, her arm raising as she aimed the pistol. “And now, it’s too late. You’re going to die down here with your fucking dog and I can’t think of a more fitting ending for someone as selfish as you.”
“You never told me any of this. If I’d known, do you really think I’d turn to Beckett over you? You’re incredible, Marti. No one would ever choose someone else over you.” Her words had their desired effect as she once again drew Marti’s attention her way. Barkey, not a fool, moved from his spot to conceal himself behind a pile of boxes.
“What?” Marti regarded her with suspicion. “What exactly are you saying, Lo?”
“I’m saying…” she gritted her teeth against the pain of the nail stabbing her skin, hoping she masked it by appearing as though her admission was difficult for her. “I’m saying, I’ve felt the same way about you for a long time. Why do you think I’ve never had a real boyfriend? It’s always been you, Marti.”
Hope lit up Marti’s face as she studied Lola, cautiously approaching her. “You have? But...you and Beckett…”
“He means nothing to me in that way.” She bided her time and when Marti was just a few feet away from her, lunged up out her chair, yanking the ropes free. Propelling herself forward, she tackled Marti to the floor, letting out a whoosh of breath when they hit the concrete ground with a hard thud.
“Fuck you! You lying cunt!” Marti raged, clawing at Lola’s hair and using one hand to grab her by the throat. Lola easily broke her hold, fighting for possession of the gun. In the
