Malevolent (Tex Sawyer)

Malevolent: 20

"What?" She questioned unsure what I was trying to indicate. I repeated the same two words slowly and she blinked once more.
"It's in Grandpa's suit. Check the right arm, might find a surprise there." Her bright eyes widened in realisation as she replayed the words in her mind as I tapped my own arm for good measure. Her tired and sickly pale face lit up slightly as I did. Mama would no doubt ensure that Junior wasn't being selfish and hauled up as much as he probably desired and sooner or later Brittany would end up in the sitting room. If anyone could make him listen, it was her.
"You?"
"Yes." I confirmed before placing a finger to my lips simply before laughing once more at the sound of irritation from the other room. Worriedly, she leant over my shoulder to see if anyone was coming.
"They're going to hate you." Despite her concern, she appeared amused and only more so at how idly I was taking it. I had been there, done that for the most part by now and while I knew it wouldn't be pleasant there was more I dwelled on. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me." If I had managed to get us out of here then gratitude was acceptable but this was the extent of what I could do and it still seemed miniscule in the grand scheme of things. Had I been in her shoes, I would like to think someone would do the same. Still when it came to the matter, I had been somewhat fortunate. Tex enjoyed pain more than sexual gratification and when it came to the combination he preferred to do it in a less traditional way. Frowning to myself, I slid my glass to her. It was still half empty and in Texas heat and in her likely position she needed to stay hydrated.

"You think she'll get far?" Brittany asked concerned. Hesitating for a moment, she slowly sipped at the water.
"Even if she doesn't, it's nice to see the look on their faces."
"What are they going to do to you?"
"Their worst I'm sure." She gave a fearful look. "I've been here long enough, after a while there isn't much more they can do."
"They could kill you."
"That's the dream." I muttered sarcastically.
"You could try dreaming of escaping." She suggested innocently, I couldn't help but scoff. I had been there, I had tried and unfortunately it didn't appear to be on the cards. As Mama said, no one was even looking for me. Perhaps it was normal to go missing around these parts. It would explain there only being one cop poking around and not to mention their graveyard of vehicles in their yard. Many faces had been and gone. "I don't want to give up on that hope."
"Then don't." My way of thinking and hers were different. If it helped her to sleep at night then I wished her all the best. Life had made me bitter, losing Joel made me bitter...even in my memory he was beginning to fade. The thought of his face barely being an outline now, the colour of his eyes forgotten. It only made me more gloomy. It was a testament of time and I found myself detesting it with a passion. Every second that ticked was another one I had been away from him. My eyes stung slightly but I blinked it away. Crying didn't help anything, it just became a show to the family who would take advantage of the weakness. "Hope all you like." I encouraged her frostily. While it was nice to think the best, I no longer could.
"I'd take you with me." She promised as I sucked in a breath and focused my attention back on the commotion in the other room. Still no sign of the escapee. "Lori..." I shushed Brittany immediately at the sound of footsteps along the corridor before Tex reemerged. A scowl was written against his usually gleeful features. Noting the silence instantly, he looked sceptical and tucked his thumbs into the belt loops of his trousers.

"Now what were you two girls gossiping about?" He questioned cooly. Brittany's voice caught in her throat trying to cook up a lie while I sat back and cocked my head in his direction.
"Alfredo's finger." I lied. His blue eyes connected with my green ones distrustfully. "Was just telling her that I ripped it off."
"Uh huh." He finally replied. "What were you really talking about, remember now that you're already in a world of trouble honey."
"Brittany was asking what you were going to do to me." I remarked, deciding that perhaps to him it would be more believable. He focused on the redhead who bowed her head wanting to remain unnoticed.
"Is that right?" Tex seemed to believe that more and clicked his tongue, his hands remained on his hips. Silently and wanting to remain undetected by him, Brittany raised the cup to her lips for a drink. It was better than sitting with a guilty expression.  "And what did you say?"
"The same things you always do as you're getting quite boring and predictable." Brittany choked on her drink as I responded inadvertently. Tex furrowed his eyebrows testily.
"My patience is growing mighty thin tonight honey." He warned slowly. "Don't make it worse." I pursed my lips and straightened up satisfied that his attention for now was off of Brittany. They preyed on vulnerability and she still had some left that they could feed off. "That's much better. You just stay hushed now and hope Tinker won't be long." I bit my tongue but part of his order failed me. I truly wanted the opposite and for Tink and Alfredo to be gone for quite some time. Watching like a hawk, Tex brushed aside the chopping boards and sat on the kitchen work tops to surveillance more efficiently distrusting the both of us. "This problem is a big one sweetheart. Seems I'm getting predictable as you put it, maybe I should let Tink decide what he thinks we should do." Remaining quiet, I watched as Brittany popped the cup back done and heard the testy noise from the cowboy. "You listening to me?" I sighed annoyed at his testy mood. "Damn it honey I am talkin' to you!"
"You told me to stay hushed." I reminded him by turning my head quickly, my neck hurting and becoming stiff in the shoulder as I did. "So do you want me to talk or not?"
"I want you to respond." He ordered hotly.
"Then yes, I'm listening."
"You better be."