Page 31 of Obsession

Kane snorted. “Yeah, like he’s crazier than either of us.”

Crash shot him a glare. “But if Riot really does care for you, then he’d do anything to get you back.”

“Let’s try something else,” Kane suggested, grabbing a rusty pair of pliers from a nearby table. He approached me slowly, a sinister smile playing across his lips.

I couldn’t hold on much longer. What was he going to do with those? Fear filled me, and I struggled to not let the darkness creep in and suck me down. Who knew what they’d do if I passed out?

“Such a brave little thing,” Kane taunted, gripping one of my fingers tightly with the pliers. “But let’s see how long that lasts.”

The pressure increased, and every ounce of my resolve shattered as the pain became unbearable. I screamed, my body shaking with agony and terror, but still, I refused to give them what they wanted. The pliers bit into my finger, breaking the skin and cracking the bone.

“What did you do to him? Why does he give a shit about you?” Crash asked.

I couldn’t have answered if I wanted to. My mind felt fuzzy, and if I hadn’t been tied to the chair, I’d have fallen to the floor by now. Only the ropes were holding me up.

Kane applied even more pressure to my finger. White hot pain hit me, and I screamed long and loud, no longer able to hold back. Tears flowed freely, but I wouldn’t beg for mercy. I knew they didn’t have any to give.

My head lolled to the side, vision nearly going black from the pain coursing through my body. I forced myself to focus on my surroundings, searching for any possible escape plan or weakness I could exploit to turn the tables on Crash and Kane. With the damage they’d done to my body, I wasn’t sure I could escape even if I were free.

They continued their sadistic work, and I gritted my teeth, forcing my mind to go elsewhere, someplace warm and safe. Whatever came next, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be fully present for it. If they knew Riot at all, then they’d have realized this was a terrible idea. Even if I died, I didn’t think they would get out of this unscathed. I might not be around to see it happen, but Riot would get revenge for me.

“I’m not sure why he thinks she’s so amazing,” Kane said. “Seems like all the others. Weak. She’ll break eventually.”

Never. No matter how much they tortured me, or what they said, I wouldn’t give in. Every blow, every insult broke me down a little at a time, and yet, I managed to hold on.

“He’s going to be so pissed,” I murmured.

“You’ll either be dead when he gets here, or close to it. Even if he comes back and realizes you’re gone, he still has to find you. This town may not be big, but there are tons of places we could have taken you.” Crash smiled. “But until then, I’m sure we can squeeze in a few more hours of playtime. You’re up for it, right, Hollis?”

“Count on it.” I barely got the words out and couldn’t hold my head up. I knew they had to find me funny. Talking all brave and acting like none of this mattered -- when they were clearly winning.

“Look, Hollis. I believe you have a visitor,” Kane said.

I managed to move my head enough to look toward the door. Had Riot come for me? My breath froze in my lungs when I saw Lyla heading toward me. How had she known where I was? Had she come to save me? No, the way she smiled at me reeked of evil and madness. She really had been working with Crash and Kane all along.

“Look who’s here,” Crash sneered as Lyla walked in hesitantly. My heart dropped like a stone when I realized she was part of this cruel game.

“What’s the matter? Surprised your little friend turned on you?” Kane asked. “She’s been our little gopher for a while now. Long before Riot took a liking to you. She’s not bad for a quick fuck either.”

My body trembled and bile rose in my throat, but I focused all my remaining energy on keeping my gaze locked on Lyla. “Why, Lyla? I thought we were friends.”

She scoffed, finally meeting my gaze. “You really think anyone could be friends with a pathetic piece of shit like you? Pretending to like you was awful. I couldn’t stand listening to you, much less spending time together.”

Tears streamed down my face. The pain in my battered body paled in comparison to the bitter sting of her words. All this time, I’d managed to get through every day of my miserable life because I thought I had a friend. Someone who understood, who cared. It had all been a lie. Was my entire life meaningless?

“Time’s almost up, Hollis,” Crash said. “Last chance to spill before things get really ugly.”

But just as despair threatened to consume me, a distant noise caught my attention. It was faint, but unmistakable -- a heavy thud that sounded like approaching footsteps.

“R-Riot?” My heart hammered in my chest. Please let it be him!

“Ha! You’re delusional,” Lyla snorted, but I saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “He’d never come here. Not for you. Don’t tell me you thought he really wanted you? I knew you were pathetic, but really?”

“What if he is here?” I asked.

“Keep dreaming, bitch.” Lyla laughed as Kane stepped closer, pressing a knife to my throat. Was this the end? Were they going to slice my neck and let me bleed out?

“Ticktock, Hollis,” Crash warned, an evil grin stretching across his face. “Time’s running out. Why does Riot keep you around? How are you making him change?”

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