Page 2 of Little Psycho

I can't shake off the unnerving feeling about the party as I approach my front door, especially after seeing multiple luxury cars lining the long, winding driveway.

When I step inside, the lights flicker, and 'surprise’ gets yelled in unison.But the look on my mother's face is particularly unsettling; it's as if she knows something that I don't—something bad—and I can't get rid of the dreadful feelings rushing through me.

Looking around, I don't see any of my friends from school, my cousins, or anyone my age, for that matter.Instead, older, powerful men in expensive suits are gathered in a large group, eyeing me with predatory gazes and crooked grins as they take in my appearance—including Dom's, Killian's, and Ash's father's.

The crystal chandeliers hanging above us cast daunting shadows of gloom over the room, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

I look to my parents in confusion, but they’re no help.My mother’s grin is sickening, and as I look away, I try to keep my composure under the watchful eyes of the powerful men, even though I want to run up to my room and lock myself inside.

It’s clear that this isn’t an ordinary thirteenth birthday party, but instead, more like a display for my father’s political stance and my mother’s spot on the social ladder—I think.

I feel like a fucking puppet hanging on display by thin strings that can be controlled easily—a pawn in my mother’s game of social climbing and her incessant need for power.

I need to get out of here.

My heart thunders, and as I take a step back so I can breathe, my mother grabs my arm and whispers threateningly in my ear.“You’re not going anywhere, Calista.Don’t you even think about embarrassing me.”

My heart sinks in my chest as I realize that I’m trapped in this nightmare, being forced to attend a party I want nothing to do with—my own party.

“Gentlemen,” mother begins, digging her fake nails into the skin on my upper arm again.“Thomas is going to show you to the party room, and I’ll be down with Calista shortly.”She smiles at them, flipping her silky black hair over her shoulder, maintaining her perfect posture the entire time.

I don’t know how she does it.Just watching her is exhausting.

Curling her fingers around my bicep, she drags me up the stairs to my room, almost making me take a spill from the force.Once inside my room, she pushes me onto my bed and pulls a dress off the hanger that was on the hook on the back door—a dress I’dneverpick for myself.

“Put this on,” she says angrily, as if I’ve pissed her off somehow, making my jaw drop slightly in shock.

Knowing not to question her, I slip out of my innocent white dress and into a sultry black dress, one that hardly covers my ass.

“Why do I have to wear this?And why are those men here?”I pout, not caring how I’m coming across.

“Because I said so, and because they’re all here for your special day.You’re thirteen now, Calista.You’re averyspecial girl.”She grins, and it gives me another weary chill, making my teeth chatter as a shiver rocks my body.

She violently rips my headband out of my hair, pulling hair right out of my scalp, and begins to fix me up how she wants me—like a doll she’s playing dress-up with.

By the time she’s done, I don’t even recognize myself, and that’s not a good thing.Caked in layers of make-up and doused in heavy-scented perfume with tight blonde curls framing my face—she’s turned me into a whore who alsostilllooks like a baby.

“You’re going to behave tonight, Cali, and if you don’t, therewillbe consequences.Do you understand?”She spins me so we’re facing each other, her evil eyes boring into mine.

“Yes, ma’am,” I whisper, scared to death of my own mother and whatever tricks she might have up her sleeve.

When we’re ready, she takes me to the basement, where the party is being held, methodically decorated in blood red and velvety black with flickering candlelight to guide our path through the halls.I shiver, knowing something isn’t right, but I still can’t figure out what exactly is happening.

I just know whatever it is isn’t good.

Entering the large room she calls the ‘party room’, I see a single stage in the center of a circle of black leather chairs, each one occupied by the men from upstairs, sitting with their legs crossed, a drink in their hands, and their beady, predatory eyes following my every move as I’m escorted to the stage.

Forcefully, I’m pushed up onto the stage, fidgeting with the hem of the short dress, while the men drink me in with their dark, hungry eyes as if I’m a refreshing glass of water that’ll quench their thirst.

“Gentlemen,” my father says into a microphone.“This is my beautiful daughter, Calista, and today is her thirteenth birthday.”He smiles at me as they applaud, quickly handing the microphone to my mother.

The bright lights above me blind my vision, making me sweat from the nerves sweeping through my body.

“Tonight is a special night,” my mother says, standing beside me with a fake smile that matches her fake tits, fake lashes, and fake personality.“We’re going to be having a fun bidding war, offering our daughter’s company to one lucky man.”

My jaw drops to the stage floor, and fear cripples me.My legs begin to shake, almost giving out from underneath me, forcing me to summon all of the strength I have to keep myself upright.

“Let’s start the bidding at $10,000.Remember, she’s as pure as they come.”She winks, letting out an evil-sounding laugh.“And she’s also yours to have for the night.”

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