Page 100 of All My Broken Pieces

“N-no.” I plead, shaking violently.

Park laughs, pulling the pants down past my ass. He moves his hand up my thigh, causing a wave of nausea to roll my stomach. “You beg so beautifully, darlin’. Let me hear some more.” He shoves his fingers inside of me and I cry out, shrieking for help into the darkness around us.

The two men laugh, continuing their assault on my body.

“She really does cry so b-” Park’s words cut off abruptly, his mouth moving soundlessly.

My eyes widen as I see the sharp tip of something sticking out of his throat shortly before it's ripped away, a trail of blood seeping from the hole left behind. The man crumples to the ground, his lifeless hand slipping from between my thighs. I can’t stop the sobs wracking my body, the frightened cries growing louder as I stare down at his body.

“Park?” Bruce turns his gaze toward his friend.

It’s then that I hear a familiar voice. “Let her go.” A shiver runs through me for an entirely different reason at the murderous intention behind her warning.

The man quickly releases me, stumbling back in terror. “Lo-look, we were just having some fun. Right, sweetheart?” He calls to me.

I move my gaze to him, my eyes wide at the audacity he would ask me to vouch for him.

“Doesn’t look like she was having fun. Were you, baby?” Arriana asks, her tone hollow. I shake my head, pulling my pants up and trying to hide as much of my chest behind the shredded top as I can. Her eyes narrow at the marks on my arm before she turns her attention once more toward my assailant.

Stepping over the dead man, she twirls the knife in her hand. “You messed with the wrong girl.” Bruce holds up his hands in defense, still trying to reason with her. “Shutup!” She finally cries, slicing out and cutting into the flesh of the hand that had held me captive. “You touchedmygirl. You put your hands on her.”

A smile spreads across her face, the gleam in her eyes bordering on psychotic as she corners him further. “Lucky for me,veryunlucky for you, I already had some pent up aggression I needed to let out. Now, this is going to hurt.” Without anotherword, she grips his hand and swings her arm down, the long blade slicing effortlessly through his wrist.

Bruce howls, clutching at the stub left behind, staring at her in horror as she inspects his severed hand.

Sighing dramatically, Arriana places the knife against his throat. “I said,shut up.” She hisses, pressing the blade into his skin, a thin line of blood forming around the edges. He quickly snaps his mouth shut, trying to keep back the whimpers as blood continues to seep out of his wound. “There we go.” Arriana hums, patting his cheek with his own hand. “Now open up.”

Bruce’s eyes widen as he wildly shakes his head in protest. Arriana sighs again, digging the blade further until he finally snaps open his mouth. The moment his lips part, she shoves the detached hand into his throat.

“Finally, some goddamn quiet.” She hums, kicking out her leg to knock his from under him. Moving to straddle his body with hers, Arriana lifts the knife up in both hands before driving it down into his chest. She rips the blade out before stabbing into him once more.

I watch as she stabs into him over and over, long after the life has left his body, she continues to jam the blade into his chest. Finally, Arriana stops, breathing heavily as she leans forward, bracing herself against his bloodied torso.

“Are you okay?” I blink at the question, trying to remember how to form words. Arriana slowly pushes upright, holding her hands up as she takes slow steps in my direction.

I flinch back, my eyes taking in the bloodied mess before me. My mind can’t connect the vision I’m seeing with the woman I know. “Don-don’t touch me.” I manage to choke out, my voice shaking nearly as badly as my body.

“Baby…” Arriana whispers, her expression falling at my demand. I shake my head, taking a half step back. “Can…can weat least go get you cleaned up?” I shiver, wanting to say no, but I don’t have anywhere else to go. “Please?”

Averting my eyes, I nod my head and begin walking toward the room. The sound of Arriana following behind me fills me with both fear and a sense of safety that makes no sense after the carnage I just witnessed.

Once outside the room, she inserts the keycard, pushing open the door and urging me inside. I take a hesitant step into the room, a little afraid to be in the small space with her now. “Come on.” She nudges me toward the bathroom, closing the door behind us.

I stumble inside, the shaking in my body worsening as some of the adrenaline begins to wear off. I vaguely hear the sound of the shower turn on. Hands gently grip the hem of my sweats and I cry out, leaping away. Turning to face Arriana, I hug myself protectively.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry.” She murmurs, backing away. “I’ll-I’ll let you clean up.” Without another word, she exits the bathroom, the sound of the room door opening and closing follows shortly after.

After several moments, I’m able to push past the paralyzation and slowly undress. Turning toward the fogged mirror, I swipe my hand across the glass to study myself. My face is blotched, eyes wide. Trailing my gaze further down, I see the marks left behind by Bruce, another round of shivers spreading through my body at the sight.

Closing my eyes, I blow out a heavy breath.

I’m okay.

I try to convince myself of it, but I’m not so sure anymore.

Stumbling toward the shower, I move to stand under the hot water, willing it to warm the chill in my soul. Even as my body begins to thaw, the heat loosening the tight muscles, I can’trelax. My mind replaying the sight of Arriana stabbing into the man with wild abandon. A grin on her face as she ended his life.

What have I done?

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