Survival of the fittest - AmyMarie and Shadowfax

[Shadowfax]

Jack was indeed shocked when George and Aaron went to reminisce and he looked at Aaron in utter confusion, but when he rounded on him he had to hold his tongue. He was on thin ice with Matt already so he didn't want to be turned in.

"You better not help them escape" Jack growled, lighting a cigarette in the car and winding down the window.

"Your not very bright or brave are you?" Ashelin smirked as Jack recoiled from Aaron's threat so easily.

Jack looked over at Ashelin and breathed a large puff of smoke in her direction. She coughed, but the smirk remained on her face. This man was easy to wind up and already she knew how to push all his buttons.

"Keep your mouth shut or i'll gag you" Jack spat.

Ashelin merely smirked at him and waited for him to turn around again before she turned to George and kept her voice low so only he could hear.

"So, you got a plan?"

Sam struggled to nod, but he nodded none the less as the jeep began to pull away. He was worried about stealing for this gang and he hoped they would be free soon. He hated the feeling of being a captive and he was too young to understand what they wanted with Ashelin and Aimee. He looked at the road ahead of them and sighed sadly.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

George thoroughly disliked men like Jack, so Ashelin wasn't alone with the hatred of petty low-life thieves. He still couldn't believe he was going to sink to their level. Glancing at Aaron, he had a moment of thought. Had Aaron killed anyone yet? Now wasn't the time for questions about what Aaron had been up to though.

The young man turned to Ashelin and sighed.
"I honestly don't know, perhaps it'd be easier to get out of this mess once we get to our destination. We already know they're not going to kill us. I...I pray to God they don't mean what they say about Aimee, or you. Sam'll be alright as long as he obeys. I don't know what's happening to me-". Aaron had just overheard George's words as he put his foot down on the pedal.

"Matt thinks I'm as sick-minded as he is, he thinks I'm going to torture my way to getting you to join George. Like hell I'd ever do that." Aaron had ignored Jack's presence for now. He had that man curled around his little finger, so Aaron wasn't worried. "Headquarters is a hotel. We have more men back there. The lobby is where most of us stay but Matt lets some of them have rooms if they have...well, if they have female company so to say".

George listened and his mind drifted to thoughts about whether that female company wanted to be their, or if they were younger than they should be. Aaron could see George's mind wonder through the mirror.
"I know you're worrying about Aimee buddy. Believe me, I would be if it was my sister. I'll sort something out. Matt likes to collect a bunch of girls and get the guys to pay. Not in money, in personal supplies. We're running low on, well, girls. But if I offer up some pepper spray-"

"You haven't given them access have you?" George suddenly asked. Aaron felt uneasy for a moment because of Jack, so he just shook his head instead of answering that question. Jack wouldn't figure out he had access to the police station.
"Anyway, if I give him something, I can make sure Aimee is protected from harm and have her stay in a room with me". George, had it been any other situation he would of felt dodgy about that, but he trusted Aaron.
"Alright, what about Ash here?"
"Can't make any promises I'm afraid. Matt's taken a bit of an interest...".

[Shadowfax]

Ashelin's eyes bulged as he mentioned what might be happening to herself and Aimee. She blinked and had to force herself not to laugh once she cottoned on. If Matt honestly thought-. But then a plan began to devise in her head and she looked out the window, letting George and Aaron talk. She hadn't made up her mind if she thought Aaron was on their side or not yet, but she would be keeping a close eye on him.

Jack sat in silence, sucking at his cigarette as they drove along. Occasionally he would look up but tried not to listen to their conversation too much after Aaron's threat. He feared Matt and would not risk getting into trouble with him. If this surfaced however and they did try to escape, he would tell himeverything. The man flicked the cigarette out of the car window and began to straighten his clothing and hair.

Ashelin was still lost in thought, but she had already devised a vague plan in her head. When Aaron expressed that Matt had taken a bit of an interest in her, she smirked wildly. Perfect. If he planned on taking her back to his room she would only need to play it cool untill then. He would be vulnerable then and she would be able to threaten him and even kill him if need be. She saw George, Aimee and Sam as her platoon now as annoying as that was to her. Ashelin was a corporal in the army so her leader ship skills were shining through unknowingly to her. Whatever happened, she's not let harm come to them. Eventually she looked at Aaron and smiled.

"Oh he has, has he? Good. I wouldn't want to be sold to anyone else. Petty thieves... No way, but the leader himself... I might consider" She said somewhat convincingly.

Jack looked over his shoulder then at Ashelin.

"Whoever buys you, you get stuck with. Remember that woman. Im thinking I might get you for one night. I've got some things to trade so you can count on it"

"And you can count on the fact that if you so much as touch me, i'll neuter you" She said, her eyes hardening.

She wondered if the others would find that amusing as Jack had no come back to that, he merely grunted with disapproval and looked back at the road ahead. She looked over at George, caught his eye and gave him a wink as if to tell him to play along. She just hoped he realized that meant she had no intention of Matt having his way with her. She would die before that happened.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

George, for the first time, began to see some light in the situation. Just from the way Ashelin was talking though. She made it funny. George knew Ashelin wouldn't let any man take advantage of her, but was willing to go along with a joke for the sake of amusement in a dark time.

Aaron didn't know quite what to make of the woman for the moment, he only knew that she could fight better than both he and George. He laughed at what Ashelin was saying. He decided to chip into the conversation.
"You know, Jack's right about that. But mate, when has anyone ever managed to win a girl off Matt? You know he'll keep a girl for more than one night if he wants to" he said.

George saw Ashelin's wink and his lips curled into a wide smile.
"Believe me, one good kick from this one here means you're voice won't be the same ever again and you won't be able to sit for a month".

Meanwhile, in the other car, low conversation was heard. Names were being thrown around and such. Aimee caught Matt's eye momentarily through the gap between the boot and the seats and Matt suddenly smirked.
"Only one girl on the auction tonight boys" he said with a laugh. Harvey, eyes on the road, looked confused.
"There's 2 though".
"I know that idiot, but I'm having the older one for official purposes".

There were a few murmurs before Harvey smiled.
"Well, I'm definitely putting a few items I've been holding back in for this one. I need some stress relief...". Aimee closed her eyes, wishing humans were able to close their ears as well. She knew Sam wouldn't understand. She hoped the journey wouldn't be too long, but seeing as Newport wasn't far from the service station, it'd be another five minutes or so.

[Shadowfax]

"Well im sitting just fine" Jack mumbled under his breath as George began to speak about being kicked, though he shot Ashelin another look of hatred.

Ashelin smirked as she heard every word that escaped his mouth. She now felt a little more relaxed knowing that she had the advantage and that a plan was formed. She feared for Aimee though. The girl wasn't the strongest and she could see alot of the men were interested in her. She only hoped that George had enough to keep her safe for a night or two. She herself had nothing of particular value he could have, so she hoped for Aimee's sake, he did.

She caught Aarons eye in the mirror for a moment when she looked up, but looked away. She still couldn't suss him out. He spoke so openly in front of Jack, but maybe it was a trick to get them to reveal any escape plans they might have? She sighed with annoyance and confusion as she looked out the window again. Her arms were beginning to hurt and the bandage around her wrist was blood stained now. It needed changing, but she knew that wouldn't happen here and she dare not mention it.

"So where are these lovely head quarters of yours?" Ashelin asked with deep sarcasm.

Sam clung onto the side of the jeep out of fear of falling out. His crying had ceased, but his shaking had not. Every now and then he would look at Aimee, but the poor girl looked just as scared as he did. The boy found his voice.

"We... We'll be ok... A-Aimee. Im s-sure Ash has a plan" He said hopefully.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

Aaron felt like saying something to Ashelin. Maybe a few words of warning. Matt was unpredictable and smarter than he first looked. He raised a brow at her sarcasm though. She didn't trust him anymore than he trusted her.
"Newport, the Queensway Hotel".

George laughed a little
"Couldn't get anything classier then? Couldn't get into the Celtic Manor?"
"Watch it you" Aaron said laughing back "That's my hometown you're speaking about". Aaron was over-joyed at being in George's company again. He was the closest thing Aaron had to a brother.

Meanwhile, having heard what Sam said, the boys in the front of the jeep were in fits of laughter.
"Sure, that woman of yours will have a plan!" Harvey exclaimed as they finally pulled into their destination. Aimee said nothing as they stopped, she couldn't even give Sam a bit of hope. Matt got out of the car and opened up the boot. He grabbed Aimee and pulled her out, smiling down at her.
"What happened to your optimism eh?". He decided to keep a hold of her for now as Harvey lifted Sam out of the boot with ease.

Aaron pulled up alongside the jeep and pocketed the keys.
"Come on then" he said with a heavy sigh, getting out and then letting George get out for himself. "Don't try anything now. It'll end up with Matt going back on his word" he called to Ashelin. Matt signaled for a few men to gather supplies from the car as he awaited his new 'friends' to all be in sight and ready to go in.

[Shadowfax]

Sam winced as all the men started laughing at him for his words. He looked at the floor and tried to convince himself they were all wrong. When they pulled up he cowered slightly as Harvey picked him up and lifted him out of the trailer. The thought of kicking the man and then making a run for it crossed his mind, but he was too scared to now. Plus he'd just get himself killed and scare Aimee more. He looked up and saw Aaron and the others drive up and felt safer knowing that George and Ashelin were here now.

As they pulled up and got out the car, Ashelin felt her head go fuzzy and proceeded to fall against the car as she stood up. Her damned wrist was bleeding again and the hit on the head earlier had not helped. She took a moment to catch her breath before she felt Jack grabbing her by the bad arm and throwing her forward into a walk.

"Move" He ordered.

Ashelin struggled to keep on her feet, but managed anyway.

"Yes sir" She shot back at him sarcastically.

Jack was fed up now and hit her across the face with his rifle so she landed heavilly on the stony car park. She had so many cuts and bruises now that one more wasn't going to do anything.

"You WILL respect me" He snarled down at her.

"If you say so" Ashelin said, now being pulled to her feet once again by an ill tempered Jack.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

The group of them began moving inside. Matt was in front with Aimee. The first thing that hit the teenager was smoke. She looked around, coughing a little. Sat in the lobby were about five other men, all smoking. It seemed everyone smoked now, and she had no idea why. It was actually quite late out, and they all hadn't eaten in a while. She felt herself get hungry, but she thought of Sam as well. He was younger, and no doubt it'd hit him sooner or later.

"Right then" Matt said as soon as everyone was inside. He looked straight at Ashelin firstly. "Harvey, you got that spare pair of cuffs?". His right hand man handed them to him immediately. "I'm going to need these to...tame the mare, so to say". George didn't like that kind of talk about no body. He had taken notice of Ashelin's wrist however.

"Oi, Matt" he called. Matt turned around and grinned.
"You finally pipe up St John, what do you want?"
"She hurt her wrist. She needs the bandages changed". Matt began to laugh.
"And you think I'm going to waste time with that?"
"Its vital for her health. You don't want her to be half passed out do you?".

Matt was silenced, sighing he made a point in his head to get someone to see to her wrist.
"No trouble were they in the car Aaron?"
"Not at all boss". Matt nodded and waved his hand as he spoke.
"Harvey, take the little boy to a room on the first floor. Water and a food item, make sure the windows are locked and you lock the door behind you". Harvey nodded and grabbed the small boy. Aimee panicked a little. She didn't get to say goodbye, get him some sort of comfort.

"Sam!" she called as the boy was being pulled away. "You'll be ok!". She told the truth though. It seemed he'd be ok. Matt rolled his eyes at the girl. "Now, George...where to put you...I guess you can stay in the lobby" He looked around and saw a small post coming out of the floor of the hotel. "Put his arms around the post, make sure his back is too it". Reluctantly resisting, George was taken to the post and sat down. He pulled, but wasn't able to get his hands back up.

As his eyes fell on Aimee, you could see the men reaching for their own personal bags or backpacks. He smiled cruelly. He pushed her into the center of the circle that had formed. She could of ran, but there was no chance of doing such a thing. George prayed for the love of God that Aaron would be able to pull it off. Pepper spray surely wouldn't be in the possession of the others, but it might not be enough.

"Now, everyone put forward what they have to offer to get Miss St John for the night. We still have to wait for Harvey to come back though". Aaron was going to wait until the stakes were a bit higher. He knew Harvey would have something good on hand. No one was going to be offering up guns, no one wanted to lose them.

[Shadowfax]

Ashelin entered the lobby and felt insanely dizzy. She could barely make out who else was in the room with them and her wrist hurt something wicked. Even Matt's words went over her head. She leant up against the wall as they were all marched in and coughed at the smell of smoke. Sam looked around wearily as he saw all the men in the room were armed and looked dangerous. He also noticed the leers Ashelin and Aimee got and he was more and more confused.

He was soon being marched off by Harvey though and he looked hopelessly back at Aimee as she called words of comfort to the boy. He wanted to call back to her, but he knew she wouldn't be alright. They marched up the worn stairs and occasionally Sam would look back at Harvey. He dared not say anything to him though.

Back in the lobby, Ashelin was grateful to George when he mentioned her wrist. She smiled at him and she soon felt rough hands around her bad arm. The gang member ripped the bandages off and roughly put a clean one on after spraying something on the wound. She hoped it was antiseptic. Oddly she felt a little better as the liquid seeped into the wound and the bleeding slowly began to become less painful. She could only watch as the men looked at Aimee. Ashelin felt sicked by the way they were treating her.

"And what about that one?" One of the men called as he looked at Ashelin greedily.

"In your dreams mate" She said weakly.

She looked over at Aimee. Ashelin had an idea to buy Aimee a little more time should George's plan fail, but it was less likely to work so she held her tongue, for now.

Jack settled down next to one of his friends and began to go through his pockets. He produced a large packet of cigarettes, some antiseptic wipes, a telescope and maps of the town.

"Theres my bid" He told everyone round the table.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

(OOC: Huge post omfg xD)

Matt rounded on the man who had looked at Ashelin.
"Mine" was all he replied, shooting a look at her, and then her wrist to make sure the job was decent. Matt was pleasantly surprised at Jack's offering. Aimee wasn't. She gave a worried look at Aaron who didn't jump to place his bid. Aaron himself tried to mantain his careless facade as more good items were being placed.

A man whom Aaron knew to get frequently intoxicated on drugs set down some of his stash to which Matt nearly jumped at. The druggy, Darren, reached out and pulled Aimee towards the table and sat her down next to him.
"Seems as though I've won this already" he said, leaning close to her and breathing down her neck. His hand rested on her thigh and Aimee managed to struggle enough to get his hand off of her. George was looking at Aimee feeling more hopeless than he'd ever been. Her sister, going off with a druggy into a hotel room. The thought almost made him gag.

Harvey knew he was missing out. Hurriedly, he got the key from the reception to a room and grabbed a few supplies. He rushed the boy upstairs and flung open the hotel room door, threw the bottle of water and snacks onto the bed. He shoved the boy inside, hard enough to make him fall.
"Sleep tight" he said cruelly before slamming the door and locking it. Not even looking back, he headed back off downstairs. When he got to the table, he spread both his palms out, grinning at Aimee. "I'm guessing I haven't missed it". Matt shook his head.

Harvey smiled, looking incredibly happy with himself. He pulled a high quality packet of cigarettes out and put them down
"Is that all-" Matt was stopped when he placed two fine looking knuckle dusters on the table. Some of the boys gave approving nods. Matt knew it had to be Harvey now. With no one complaining, Harvey grabbed Aimee's arm and hauled her off her feet.

"Wait!" Aaron called. Harvey shot him a dangerous glare, but tightened his grip on Aimee's arm. "I haven't placed my bet" Matt looked up, fairly interested, for the young man had never been interested in the girls before.
"What you got for me Aaron?" he asked. Aaron, from jacket pockets, produced two cans of pepper spray. A thunder of mutters started and Matt looked at them impressed, but...the knuckle dusters. He was about to wave Harvey off but Aaron finally pulled out something he hoped he wouldn't have to give, although he had a spare one.

A tazer. Matt almost went wild. Harvey stood shocked.
"How the hell did you get that?"
"Dead policemen". That wasn't a lie. His dad had died from the virus, not without leaving him the keys to the station though. Matt grinned and reached for them. Aaron withdrew the items. "Worth two nights don't you think boss?". Matt pondered over that, nodded, and pocketed the pepper spray and tazer. "Sorry Harv, everyone, keep your bets. They might come in handy for next time".

Harvey released his grip on Aimee's arm reluctantly and Aaron took it instead, but so gently that Aimee hardly felt it. The teenager was so relieved that she thought she was going to cry. George mouthed a thank you to his friend. Matt didn't see. "Aaron, go choose yourself one of the better rooms" Matt called. "Not my usual one though".