*Please act like the cabin is on a cliffside*

***

We stopped at a small cabin with a porch, and when I saw the view from my stance... I would leave my school and live in this cabin with a beautiful view. How does David find this cabin and the building that we just left? I'm not asking about how he afford all of it. I mean, he's a fucking drug lord.

I got out of the car and savored the fresh air because there was the possibility that we were going to die here, "Is this where you'll kill us and knock our bodies off the cliff?"

David laughed as he unlocked the door, "Don't be ridiculous. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it a long time ago."

Stephanie backed away and said, "Your hospitality creeps me out. Should we run for it?" I nod in agreement.

"No one is going to die or run away. Just get in before I change my mind," David stepped away from the door, allowing us to enter. We hesitated to walk at first, but Reuben pushed us into the cabin still with our hands tied.

The inside feels calm and dreading at the same time because we're in the same room as Reuben and David.

"Why did you take us here?" I asked David while he was making himself comfortable in the living room.

"For the record, I asked Stephanie with me, not you," He turned on the TV and sat on the sofa. David motioned us to sit, Stephanie sat on the left side, and I sat on the right side.

"If you take us to the cabin to watch TV, why didn't you allow us to watch a TV in the building?" I asked David.

"I think you need comfort while watching this news. You'll need it," David said as he looked at me.

What is that supposed to mean?

Currently, the TV is showing the news and... Is that me and Stephanie? I read the headline news.

"BREAKING NEWS! A COLLEGE STUDENT SET AS A SUSPECT LEADING A DRUG CARTEL KIDNAPPED TWO FELLOW STUDENTS"

What the hell? I don't know should I be reacting, but I'm sure I am smiling. Hope sparks in my heart. I know they're trying my best.

"What the-" I stopped Stephanie so I could hear the news reporter interviewing Detective Ross.

"Detective Arthur Rivera has believed a powerful drug lord kidnapped two college students two days ago, and they're still on the hunt. Today, I'm here with Detective Arthur himself to report the hunt of the missing college students. Detective, the floor is yours," the reporter named Hudson passed the mic to Detective Arthur.

Wait a minute, two days? Two fucking days? What kind of sorcery is this? Did they lie for the sake of the police department's image? Fuck their image. I'm here for a week, dammit- Oh, wait, I checked the date, and this news was five days ago. Nevermind.

"Right, thank you, Hudson," Arthur cleared his throat before speaking, "just so you know, we have been doing our best. The kidnapper himself- yes, it's him- sends me a picture of the two kidnapped students sleeping on the bunk bed, and this was sent yesterday," the screen showed Stephanie sleeping on my arms. I can feel the embarrassment on my face.

"Did you send that?" Stephanie asked, "what the fuck, David! I didn't know you were a psycho and a pervert! You need to choose one of them."

"I choose to be your lover," David said, winking.

"Why did I even bother," Stephanie said and shifted away from David.

David rolled his eyes and continued listening to the news.

"Allow me to call the victim's name," he inhaled a sharp breath, "First victim named Cathleen Everest. College students from Trinity College and currently studying Mechanical Engineering. Second victim named Stephanie Haynes. College students from the same campus, Trinity College, and currently studying Business Management..." and Arthur continued reporting about his search for us. No need for details because I was getting tired until three familiar figures showed on the screen.

I feel... Betrayed? She left many years ago, and when I got kidnapped and on the verge of death, she finally showed up? So is this why David allowed me to come and watch the news in a cabin. I know I wouldn't like to be comfortable inside a disgusting old building while comprehending the news.

"Kate, who's the woman and the kid with your dad?" Stephanie asked, but I chose to ignore her.

"My name is William Everest, and I'm the father of Cathleen Everest. I'm with my wife, Nichole, and my youngest son, Aiden. We're here waiting for my dearest daughter, and..." he stops when he begins to break down, "we- we're here waiting for our daughter. I have helped the Detectives on the hunt because I'm a sheriff and..."

I didn't want to hear the rest, but I was impatient to listen to what my mom said. But, my dad didn't pass the mic to my mom. Instead, he gave the mic to Stephanie's parents.

"Did you allow me to come because you wanted to show me this? Or you didn't take me here because you don't want me to know that my mom suddenly appears on this fucking earth?!" I stood up frustrated.

"It's more about letting you see this and trashed the cabin for your satisfaction," David said.

"Really?" I asked and narrowed my eyes on him.

"No. Reuben, hold her before she turns lunatic," David said, and Reuben pushed me by my shoulders which made me sit back on the couch, and he put his arm on my shoulders.

I took a sharp breath and leaned my back on the sofa, "I don't get it. Why did she come back after years? I'm happy to see Aiden but not my mom," I muttered.

"You done?" David asked Stephanie after she listened to her parents talking, and she answered with a nod, "that's enough TV for today," David turned off the TV and grabbed a chair in front of us, "that news broadcast five days ago. I wasn't planning on showing you the news, but I think I had to since Cathleen's mom suddenly showed up."

"So? Why are you suddenly caring about my mom's appearance?" I asked David.

"Because I'm her long-lost son," he deadpanned, "I'm just fucking with you. Honestly, I don't know why. I just thought that you deserved to know."

What? Why does he suddenly care? I'm not his girlfriend or anything... Unless... I shifted closer to Stephanie and whispered, "Is David bipolar?"

Stephanie shook her head, "not to my knowledge, no."

If I asked him the question and he said yes. Did he go to psychology, or he's just self-diagnosed? Should I even ask him? Maybe I should keep it to myself for a moment.

"If you take us here because you're lonely, say it, David. I can see it in your eyes, and no, I'm not smarty pants," Stephanie said. Ugh, this girl will be the death of me if she keeps opening her mouth.

"Where did that idea come from?" David tilts his head.

"Because what I'm seeing right now. You're trying to prove to us that you care about us. What's next? Do you want to prove to us that you're trusted? And then you're loyal?" Stephanie asked.

I don't know what she's talking about, but I'm curious, "answer the question, David."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know Gang Up on David Day came early this year," David said sarcastically, "What am I supposed to answer that because it's the most nonsense question I've ever heard."

The conversation died down a bit until Stephanie spoke, "Why did you kidnap us, David?"

"I told you already. I can't let you go freely after successfully revealing my old warehouse," David answered.

"Let me rephrase. Why did you become a drug lord? Did your dad inherit it from you?" Stephanie asked, "why do you bother kidnapping two girls who are only acquainted with a Detective, and you know that you can easily avoid the police like Pablo Escobar with the power you have. Tell me the real reason, David."

David clenched his fist, and his frustration kicked in. He kicked his chair and paced towards Stephanie. I know what he's going to do. He's going to grab her face and throw her to the ground. I'm sorry, David, but over my dead body.

I shifted in front of Stephanie, and David grabbed my face, "get out of the way!" David grabbed me by my shirt and threw me to the ground. At least it's not Stephanie. When I looked up, David and Stephanie were already deep inside their staring contest. David grasped Stephanie's face while Stephanie wasn't intimidated by him.

"I'll fucking tell you alright," David said and looked at Reuben, "leave us and stay in the car."

"But-" Reuben didn't want to leave David.

"Leave and stay in the car," David repeated.

Reuben let go of my shoulders and sprinted to the door. When it's just the three of us, he swallows his anger, "I'll tell you why I became a drug dealer because it doesn't matter anymore. My dad was the one who led the group, but he died, and now I'm the one who's in charge of the drugs. It was fine at first. Then when you, Stephanie, told me that the Dean asked you to investigate the drug problems. I thought you wouldn't find anything until you made a war between Mason and Jayden's group."

He continued, "I thought I could use that opportunity to get Mason down, but... Everything went downhill when you tracked my phone, and I was in my warehouse. We had to move out, and this is the last property that we have."

"The cabin or the old building we left?" I asked.

"Hmm, two of them. But we've been here an hour, and I haven't heard anything from Declan. Yes, this cabin should be the only thing left," David explained.

"What do you mean?" Stephanie narrowed her eyes to David.

"The Detectives found us," David predicted, "Declan supposed to contact me if the cops didn't come. But it's been an hour, and nothing came from Declan."

I smiled, "Finally," I lean my back on the couch.

"I never thought your dad would lead a drug cartel. That's why when I bring your dad on a topic, you were constantly being evasive," Stephanie spoke, "I thought fame, image, looks didn't satisfy you, and you make a drug cartel to boost your dominance."

"Yeah. Remember in the hospital? You were talking about how strong you are now, the power you have now, and you were not yourself a long time ago," I added.

"What? You were there?" David asked in confusion, "oh, that's why we can't find the phone."

"And about that," David continued, "I was controlling my anger because I thought you actually would destroy us when you got the phone, and you did..."

"What's your background, David?" I asked David.

"I was weak in high school, to be honest. My life changed 180° when I entered college. My dad forced me to be the best of the best, and when he died, I could take his place. He always talks about power this power that, so I become the President of the Students Union and the football team captain because of his words. You know, I was going to be the President of the executive board at Sig Ep until Mason stepped in," David sighed.

I was curious about his last sentence. He wants to bring Mason down because Mason took the President position? That makes sense.

Listening to his story explains everything about his father being in control of his life. Whoever his dad's name is, he raised a monster.

"Now that he died and the cops are on us. I can end this fucking nightmare," David said, "and I suggest you vent all your anger on me. You can do anything to me."

He said as he sat in the middle of the couch and cut the zip-ties on our hands.

Stephanie punched David's face instantly, "that's for ending 'us' when it was supposed to be me ending it," she punched again, "that's for taking a photo of us while we were sleeping," and again, "that's for lying to me when I trust you the most."

Then it was my turn to punch, "and that's for torturing me."

Suddenly Reuben barge in the door, "Boss, the cops are here."

"Alright, prepare the car," David stood up from the couch and looked at us, "before I die. Why don't we do something fun?"

I don't like where this is going...

***

Sheeees, we're going to end this mf story!

Don't forget to vote for the chapter!

Oh, and let me present you to—the characters.

Left to right: Joanne Clarke, David Myres, Cathleen Everest, Stephanie Haynes, Mason Phillis, Simon Klein.

Left to right: Brooklyn Romero-Everest, Chad Willow, Madison Powell, Reuben Campbell, Daclen Warren, Melvin Hall, Detective Ross Phillis, Detective Arthur Rivera.

-chicken