Project Rescue - A Shifter Novel (NaNoWriMo19)
Chapter 21 - Stronger

I heard something hit the deck hard. The tunnels plate slid back quietly and I stayed as quiet as I could, taking slow breaths in and out. He would kill the musketeers if he found me. I was wondering how he didn’t know who Matheus was.

Yeah, cause that’s the number one thing I should be thinking of.

“I’m going to check this house from top to bottom. Get out of my way.” There was a scuffle. “What are you drinking. It smells like shit! Now, I get to wear it. Fuck!”

“Sir, they are drinking mash. It’s awful stuff, stinks to high heaven. I’m sorry. I can lend you one of their shirts, if you want,” Manuel explained.

“I don’t want anything from you except the girl, imbeciles!”

I moved myself down into the tube. I was quiet, moving slowly. I wanted to be completely out of smelling range and sight. I knew the boys spilled their drink on him on purpose, wanting to mess up his nose to keep him from replaceing me. I was thankful they were quick on their feet. If not, I would have been found by now. I was seriously thinking of sleeping in the escape tube tonight. I didn’t think my heart could take anymore stress.

I listened to the monster looking around the place. He sounded as if he was tearing things up. I heard the bed turn over and the dresser. I heard the shower curtain fall. Matheus was going to be pissed.

“Por que ele esta arrumando minha, casa?” Matheus asked Manuel.

“What did you say, boy?”

“He wants to know why you were tearing his house apart?′ Manuel interpreted.

“Cause I can. And I have to replace the girl-” the monster cut himself off.

“Porque ele pode, ele precisa encontrar a garote,” Manuel explained again. even though Matheus didn’t need an answer.

“She’s not here, damn it! Give them some money, Chico. Give them extra to tell me if they see the girl. Give them one of my cards. I doubt she will go to any man but you never know with her. Her mind is all messed up.”

Okay, so now I was pissed. I wanted to kill him with my bare hands. I wanted to know if my anger would make me function - the answers was yes. I was gritting my teeth to keep from yelling out my position. I would have if the boys weren’t with him. I was tired of his bullying, persuasions, his sickened mind, his choice of a husband for me, for just being him. He killed my parents and I would kill him. His sons couldn’t stand him so they were safe from me. I couldn’t think of anyone else who was close to him. He killed his mate - sick bastard. I hope she gets a new mate when she’s reincarnated.

Damn, my mind was all over the place.

I stopped my mental tirade, listening for him to leave. In a few minutes, I heard the monster and his man, who didn’t talk, leave. I wondered if it was Manuel’s brother. I hoped not but he was the only one I could think of who didn’t talk. He never opened his mouth unless instructed to do so. I guess it was better than getting his tongue ripped out. Believe me, I have seen the monster do it a lot of times.

The guys went back outside, leaving me in the escape tube. I was fine with it. I could stay here forever. Leave me to stay until the monster was killed. Build me a toilet and lower down some food...the food! I hoped they didn’t burn it. I haven’t smelled anything burning.

Matheus walked back in with the General. They slid the wall over and looked over the monitors. He watched to see where the monster, as Selina called him, was going. He didn’t want him to show back up. He was sure she was terrified by now but he hoped not. That man needed killing. “I want on the team when you go get Martine. I’m not sitting this one out. I’ve trained with your shadows. You know I can do this.”

“And, what about Selina? You know she’s want to be in on the action. She’s going to want to do something. Can she shoot?” Madrid asked.

“Good question,” Matheus agreed.

They watched the monitors for a little longer, noticing the stupid shit was coming back. “Damn, I thought we were done with the fucker,” Matheus mumbled. “We don’t have an interpreter. This is going to be fun. Want to play a little with this shit?”

“Oh, yeah.”

The guys knew I could hear them, giving me time to brace for his voice. I was curious how the guys were going to play with him this time. It ought to be interesting. I only hoped the monster didn’t get angry at them. But, I had a feeling the guys knew when to stop.

Matheus walked over to the burners, bending down and grabbing the spray. He sprayed some on himself and the room, fixing their cups again. “Time to get drunk again.”

Madrid shuddered. “Nasty shit for sure.”

I heard the wall slide back and saw the cover on my side move into place. I slid back down the tube, affixing myself to the clips in the bend of the tube. I completely stopped moving and started my breathing exercises. I was set as I would ever be. The plus side to the monsters visits was I was learning to relax a lot more, hearing his voice wasn’t as debilitating to my body.

It was amazing what you could get used to.