King of the World

Franklin and Josh

Franklin paced up and down the hallway. He tried to stay calm, but the guilt was getting to him. “You did the right thing. He says. No, no, I didn’t. I betrayed him. What the ***** wrong with me?”

“Frank!” Josh shouted, waving at him. He was followed by some guards, but he told them to say back. He jogged up to him with a big smile on his face. “I’m so glad to see you, mate. I thought…I heard gunshots.”

“Me? I saw you. You looked like a pincushion. I thought it was over for you,” Franklin said.

Josh hugged him. “I’m glad you’re not dead, man. I thought that was it. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

“Me neither,” Franklin hugged him back, then let go. 

“Have you seen Jasper and Lance? Are they okay?” Josh asked, looking behind Franklin, expecting to see them.

“Lance is King. He’s been behind this whole thing. Jasper’s with him right now,” Franklin said, trying not to look at Josh. “It’s my fault.”

“What do you mean?” Josh asked. “Are you serious? Lance’s behind this? I knew that ****** seemed off. He wants Jasper to be king? Why him?”

“I have no idea. He didn’t say why. It’s my fault Lance has him. I-I drugged him so Lance could take him. Jasper said no to being King’s replacement, so he and I came up with a plan. If Jasper said no, then I’d step in.”

Josh backed up and shook his head. “How could you?”

“He can find my sister. I haven’t seen her in years. I don’t even know what she looks like anymore. If it were your sister, you’d do the same.”

“And you believed him? Are you insane? He’s a killer!” Josh looked back at the guards, who we’re pretending not to notice. “You gave Jasper over to that psycho? Where are they?”

“I don’t know. Somewhere in the building. Josh, just–“

“I don’t want to hear it. I’m going to go save him. I don’t know how I’m gonna do it, but I’m not just going to let Jasper be alone with that monster,” Josh said, turning back to the guards. “Hey, you lot, stay here. I’m going ahead.”

“But my Knight, I don’t think we can–“

“Do you want what Damon got?” Josh asked. He was bluffing but hoped he was convincing enough. 

“N-No, sir, I’m sure you both can handle yourselves. Just, please, don’t tell King we were here. I don’t want to become like those blank masked guys. I think I’d rather die,” The guard said.

“Oh yeah, I remember them. What’s their deal?” Josh asked.

“We’re not supposed to talk about it,” The other guard said quickly. Clearly scared. 

“You’re knight asked you a question. You better answer. Die now or later,” Josh said.

“They were guards that King handpicked for his experiments. He was developing some sort of medical crap. One of my buddies was taken. Then a few weeks later, he came back, and he was completely different. Dude was full of life and great to be around before. When I saw him again, he was quiet and only moved when King told him to. No ******* thank you. I’d rather not be a zombie,” The other guard said. 

“Is that what he’s doing to Jasper?” Josh asked, panicked. 

Both guards shrugged. 

Josh rolls his eyes and turns back to Franklin. “Listen, Frank, I don’t know Wendy, but I doubt she would love to hear her big brother found her because he let his friend get tortured. I thought you were cool, but I guess you’re a bigger coward than I thought.” Josh took out a knife he took from Damon. “I’m going to save him. Follow if you want to make it up to Jasper. Don’t, and I better not see you when we get back.” Josh made it halfway down the hall when he heard a scream coming from the room beside him. “The ******* Josh opened the door and looked inside. “Hello?”

A woman looked up from the body she was beating. “Who are you?” She asked.

“I was about to ask you too, love. I’m Josh. I’m not with them, by the way.”

“Well, that’s good. ******* thought he could “entertain himself” with me. I hope I showed him a good time,” She said, kicking the body.

Josh chuckled. “I like you.”

“Thanks. Can you help me find my boyfriend? He’s about your height, long dark hair, kind of a *******. Ring a bell?”

“Hell of a way to talk about your boyfriend,” Josh smiled. “His name wouldn’t happen to be Jasper, would it?”

“Yeah, it is! Do you know him?” Ronda asked. “I’m Ronda, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Ronda. I’ve heard a lot about you from Jasper. He really loves you,” Josh said.

Ronda smiles shyly. “I love him too. I know he did all this for me, but if I had known…”

“Love, if any of us had known, I doubt we’d have signed up. I would’ve taken my chances with my dad,” Josh laughed. He turned around and saw Franklin standing there. “So?”

“I’m not a coward. I’ll help,” Franklin said, looking off into the distance, then looking back at Ronda. “So, you’re Jasper’s girl? The one he wants to marry.” Franklin put his hand over his mouth. Realizing his mistake.

“He what?” Ronda asked speechlessly. “Marry? He wants to marry me?” 

“Nice going, ass. I’m pretty sure he wanted to surprise her,” Josh said, shaking his head.

Ronda turned around and tried to make herself stop blushing. When she calmed down, she turned back around and walked out of the room. She looked between both of them and grinned. “Right, let’s go find my future husband.”