Death Trapped: The Death Trap Stories, #2

By Zia Black

No Warning. No Escape. No Mercy...The Death Trap trilogy continues with Death Trapped, an action-packed crime-thriller that'll leave you gasping for air. Bossy Inspector Black is on a mission: find the Death Trap base. Follow him as he travels the world uncovering clues to the ultimate hideout. Armed and dangerous, he's ready for action. So are the Death Trappers. One side will strike first, but who will it be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amaria & Sariel
• Release date: Jul 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501485251

Zia Black

As the daughter of Stephen King’s biggest fan, it felt natural when Zia Black drifted to the darkness of crime and thrillers. Since childhood, her stories have shown the world’s twisted side. Against the predictable and mundane, she loves to be shocked and be shocking. People say it’s all been done before. Zia disagrees, and she’s ready to prove it. On most days, you’ll find Zia lurking in the shadows of her mind, fighting to bring the darkness out…

Book preview

Part One

Inspector Black jumped into the patrol car. He stuck the siren to the roof and sped off towards the motorway. The car zoomed through traffic, swerving in and out between cars and trucks. He looked up and saw the fireball gliding across the sky, heading towards the airport.

Oh my God, he gasped. I'm too late!

Black broke through the barrier to the airport and drove straight to the airfield. He skidded round a corner and sped on to the runway just as the fireball began to fall. Slowly it descended as three wheels lowered from the flames. The rubber burst and rained sparks on the ground below.

Black raced after the plane and was soon joined by two fire engines, four police cars, and three ambulances. He looked in the rear view mirror and saw other sirens flashing in the distance, and other planes in the sky turning away.

The fireball spluttered and the noisy engines whirring stopped. The fiery plane fell.

Black slammed his foot on the brakes and swerved away, almost crashing into the fire engines behind him. He slammed into the runway car and the suitcases fell onto his vehicle. He pushed a heavy bag away from the window and looked up. There was a thick black cloud where the plane had been.

When he stepped out, a force knocked him backwards into the luggage. He cradled his head and slowly rose to his feet, holding the bonnet to steady himself. Ahead was a mushroom of fire, dark grey clouds at the tip. Scattered at the base was the broken wing, hostess's burnout trolley, and burning corpses.

Black slowly approached as the fire fighters hopped out their trucks and dragged the hoses to the crash site. They doused the plane but the fire fought back, thick smoke blackening the sky.

There was an explosion, the noise smashing Black's eardrums. He clamped his hands over his ears and braced the force pushing him backwards. He opened his eyes and the cloud had spread across the sky, a piece of broken wing lying at his feet.

Sir, please step aside, a paramedic said. We've got enough casualties!

The black box on the plane, Black shouted over another explosion. Don't let anyone remove it, understand?

Yes, sir!

Black returned to his car and sat on the boot, watching the fire consume the rest of the plane. His eyes darted from body to body, looking for the familiar sight of afro hair.

A piece of charred blue fabric floated from the sky and landed at his feet. He picked up the piece and turned it over in his hands. Sewn into the piece was her name.

They got her, Black said. They bloody got her...

––––––––

Are you ready, Inspector? Officer Green asked.

Obviously, Black snapped, tapping his pen on the desk. Play it!

Green started the tape.

There was a panicky air hostess whispering to the emergency operator. The air hostess screamed and there was a loud bang. There was silence followed by heavy breathing.

Madam, are you still there? the operator asked. He spoke to someone in the control room before returning to the call. Hello, Miss Sheen? Are you hurt?

I'm still here, was the faint whisper.

What just happened?

The pilots were thrown out the cockpit!

Has the plane been hijacked?

Yes! The guy's saying lots of stuff, but we don't understand what he's saying. I don't know what language it is!

The operator whispered to someone in the control room. A woman cried out and someone was sobbing. The operator told them to be quiet and the crying faded away. The operator cleared his throat before speaking again.

Do you know how many hijackers there are?

Two men. I heard them talking to each other.

Have you tried to reason with them?

It won't work.

...Could you try for me?

It won't work.

Why not?

It's a Death Trap!

The operator cursed and then apologised.

I asked around and everyone had their ticket bought by others. I wasn’t booked on this flight until my friend had a family emergency...I guess that was a lie.

I want you to remain calm, all right? We're sending planes after you guys.

We're gonna die, she said. Tell my family I love them. I love my girls. I love Larry so much. We had a good ten years together. I wish it could've been more.

You'll tell him yourself! We're on our way.

To do what? To shoot us down? Oh God...

I never said that! The operator took a deep breath. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The hostess screamed and there was loud banging. She screamed again until the banging stopped, and then she started to cry. The operator called out to her until she finally responded.

I'm all right, she gasped. He wanted to come in!

We need to know what happened.

Okay, she said. I'll tell you...

––––––––

The air hostess rubbed her sore feet and plopped onto the chair. Her friend tidied her blonde ponytail and then plastered rouge lipstick on her plump lips. She struck a sultry pose and the women giggled.

You're crazy, Angela said. Going out on the town?

I wish! Melissa cleaned up her smudged lipstick. God, I can't wait 'til we land!

Melissa dumped tiny wine bottles on the trolley and then sorted out the meals. She slid the trays into the trolley and then closed the door.

Did he call? Angela asked.

"Nope, but he will! Melissa pulled out a mobile from her pocket and slipped it into the trolley. Don't tell!"

Are you mad? That better not go off out there!

After a heavy sigh, Melissa smiled at Angela and then pushed the trolley into the cabin.

Angela pictured West Africa. Her blue eyes glowed when she remembered the bulky black men flexing their biceps on the beach. Last month, she had met a clingy, young man who could not keep his hands off her. She could not wait to see him again.

Maybe he'll get lucky, she whispered, smiling to herself. Maybe he won't.

Melissa's shrill scream ripped through Angela's heart. She hurried into the cabin, where passengers and risen from their seats to see the commotion ahead. She motioned for them to sit and then rushed into the first class cabin.

What happened? Angela asked.

The pilots! Melissa shrieked. I think they're-

Angela clamped her hand over her friend's mouth and pulled her away from the passengers. They stood by the cockpit and Angela pressed her ear against the door. She heard two men bickering over the controls, but they were speaking in a language she could not understand.

Melissa pointed at the toilet behind Angela and started to cry. Angela placed her hand on the door handle, took a deep breath, and then entered.

The door stopped midway, exposing a dark blue trouser leg. Angela squeezed her head through the gap in the doorway and saw the lifeless eyes staring upwards. At the men's feet were their hats, a bloody patch at the back. Red oozed from their heads onto the toilet seat they were placed on.

Angela closed the door and turned back to Melissa, who had sat down in first class. The blonde wept into a paper napkin as pale-faced passengers looked on. Angela stood at the front and made eye contact with every passenger.

Can someone tell me what happened? she asked.

My daughter woke up and saw everything, a young man said, clutching a little girl's hand. The cockpit door opened and some guy dumped the bodies in the toilet. She was too scared to say anything, so she waited until I'd woken up.

Angela rushed to the man and crouched down beside the girl. The girl gave a little wave and then buried her face in her father's jumper. Angela retrieved a packet of sweets from the trolley and shook it by the girl. The daughter slowly peered out, her nose runny and her cheeks flushed.

Would you like one? Angela asked.

The girl nodded and then took the sweets. While she was sucking them, Angela probed her for information.

Can you tell us what the bad men looked like? Angela asked.

Couldn't see. The girl gobbled down a handful of candy. They had hoodies.

Hoods? What colour?

Black, the girl said. Like in the papers!

Papers? the girl's father asked. What papers?

The thing on the train! Those bad people on the train.

Death Trap! Melissa cried. Oh my God! We've been nominated!

Angela shot her friend a mean look, but it was too late. The passengers flew into a panic. Some burst into tears, hugging their loved ones. A few banged on the cockpit door, hurling curse words at the pilots. Others rummaged through the luggage compartments. One man stormed into the economy cabin, and then shouts and screams soon filled the plane.

Six other flight attendants rushed in from the economy cabin and gathered by the cockpit with Angela. The men tried to break down the cockpit door while the women spoke with Angela.

What're the passengers looking for? Melissa asked.

The nominations, Angela said. They want to know who sent us here.

I don't want to know! Melissa sobbed and another hostess patted her on the back. Oh God, it's just horrible!

Angela tried to calm the passengers, but they just shook her off or glared at her. She went to the economy cabin but the chaos had spread throughout. Her pleas for calm were drowned out by cries, shouts, and people searching for the nominations. Angela returned to the hostesses, where the men had stopped banging on the door.

The plane dived. Everyone was thrown to the ceiling as the aircraft plummeted towards the ocean below. Angela covered her ears to block out the screams and loud engines fighting the inevitable stall.

Then everyone fell back down, Angela's head knocking on the toilet door. It flew open and the pilot fell out, his glassy eyes locking onto hers. She bundled him back into the bathroom before the woozy passengers spotted the body. She propped the corpse up beside his colleague.

Suddenly the plane lunged down again, and a black object flew from the co-pilot's pocket. It landed on the floor with Angela when the plane was horizontal again.

A mobile! Angela grabbed the phone and dialled the emergency services. Come on! Answer!

Melissa screamed again and Angela heard the cockpit door unlock. She bolted the bathroom door and the light went out. Seconds later, there were three loud gunshots and Melissa released a continuous scream until another gunshot was fired. The passengers were silent.

Angela held the phone by her ear and waited as it rang and rang. Her heart pounded when she heard someone stomping up and down the plane, deafening gunshots silencing every cry.

Finally the call was answered, but then the mobile bleeped loudly twice and switched off. Angela fought the urge to cry as someone headed towards the bathroom. When the cockpit door slammed shut, she wept into her sleeve.

You in there? Melissa whispered.

Angela unlocked the door and opened it a crack. On the floor was Melissa, blood spilling from her chest. Angela pressed her hands over the gunshot wound and applied pressure as Melissa whimpered from the pain.

Don't speak, Angela whispered. I'll get the bandages, okay?

I'm not gonna make it...Tell Daddy I love him. Tell Mum I'm sorry.

You'll tell them yourself. Angela took Melissa's hand and squeezed