Page 84 of Corrupting Ivy

He was faking it. I’d fought so hard for it to feel too easy or end so soon. I sat for a moment as the world around me burned with stifling heat and smoke.

The bookshelf moaned as it fell away from the wall, crashing to the ground in a splash of sparks. A large flame ball billowed towards the wood beam ceilings.

I crawled across the floor, my knees stepping on the white dress as I inhaled the thick black smoke until I reached the door. My hands shook as I searched through the ring of keys to find the one that fit the lock. I looked back between each one, making sure he wasn’t moving. His chest rose slow and steady.

Sliding the next key into place, I exhaled as it turned, allowing the door to open. I tumbled out of the door, pulling in fresh air as Mr. Grady groaned, then sat up.

I locked eyes with him as he noticed me. I smiled, slamming the door shut as he rushed towards me, then turned the bolt, and locked him inside with his corpse bride.

“If they released him, that probably meant he wasn't guilty, right?”

I flicked my gaze at him, then back to the surrounding trees.

It was dark now, aside from the flashes of lightning skittering across the sky. But I didn’t need the sun to find my way around this area.

This location was surrounded by vast tree cover, thick undergrowth, and enough venomous snakes to make it hazardous for anyone to set foot in the area. Because of its isolated position, it made the perfect setting for someone to bring their victim, no one could hear their cries. You were free to be as loud or as quiet as you wished without fear of upsetting residents. However, the one disadvantage would be the influx of teenagers who came into the woods to party and use drugs.

The pavement road turned dirt with potholes from the constant flooding during heavy rainfall.

As I approached Otis' dirt road and went right, I couldn't help but take notice. Seated between two massive oak trees that stretched out forty to fifty feet in all directions, was a log cabin with a porch and two windows on either side of the front door. I brought my truck to a stop, then took a deep breath.

My body fluttered with heightened awareness, like a man ready to bungee off a cliff, debating if he’d take the next step.

“I’m going in with you.”

“I didn’t doubt it.”

“What are we doing to him?”

I gripped the steering wheel with my right hand and smoothed my jaw with the other.

What would I do to him?

“I guess we’ll play that by ear.” I threw open my door, Jake meeting me at the front of the truck, his hand extended, holding a gun.

“You might need this.”

I wrapped my hand around the butt of the pistol, reveling in its cool, rough surface, then tucked it into the back of my waistband; the handle sticking out from the top.

Thunder boomed above us as a storm rolled in, and I couldn’t help but grin.

I knocked on the cabin door with Jake at my back, then placed my hand on the door frame. Footsteps approached us from somewhere inside

The door swung open, and Otis stood before me in sweats and an old Texas cattle auction t-shirt. I placed my hand on the door, pushing it wide open, and stepped inside.

Otis backed away from us as I came toward him.

“Hey, I recognize you. What’s going on, guys? Why are you here?”

“We want to have a chat.”

He continued moving back as we shut the door. Otis licked his lips with a quick flick of his tongue, then darted down the hall.

I glanced at Jake before he took off after him.

A guttural grunt, followed by a resounded crash, flowed down the hall like a melody.

Jake emerged from the back, holding a bleeding Otis by the back of his neck, his arm bent behind him at a painful angle.

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