Page 5 of Little Psycho

“Back to my place,” he says flatly.“You can stay with me until we figure out what we’re going to do with you.”He winks, leaning in so his mouth is inches away from mine.

The feeling that creeps into my bones begins to set off the manic thoughts flooding my mind, and I grow afraid of an oncoming mental break.But then he kisses me, catching me off guard, his body pinning mine to the warm leather seat.

As his tongue slips between my lips, I bite it, not knowing how to react.Of course, my little stunt angers him, and he pulls back with fire flickering in his eyes, slapping me sharply across the face.My cheek stings, so I hold it, forcing my tears not to fall.

“What the fuck was that for?”he hisses, showing his teeth with a nasty snarl curling on his lips.

“What are you doing, Gunnar?”I yell, feeling betrayed yet again.

“It’s the least you can fucking do for me helping you,” he says, like I owe him or some shit.

“I don’t need your help, and I sure as fuck don’t want it if that’s what you’re expecting in return.”I shake my head, scooting to the other side of the car, feeling around in the dark for the door handle.But he grabs my hand and yanks it away, keeping it secure in his grasp.

“I’ve seen what you let those men do to you, Cali.What’s the difference here?”He looks at me with a deadly serious look in his eyes as I pick nervously at my cuticles.

“That’s not fair, Gunnar,” I whisper, feeling like my throat is closing up.“I never wanted any of that.You know I don’t want it.”

“Nothing in this world is fucking free, Cali.I help you, you help me; got it?”He leans in for another kiss, but I move my head to the side to avoid it, only angering him further.

“Let me out!”I scream, but all he does is laugh evilly, sounding much like my mother.

“Addy, what do I do?”I ask, begging the girl who’s helped me so many times before.But right now, when I need her the most, she’s fucking silent, of course.

“Who the fuck are you talking to, Little Psycho?”Gunnar laughs, climbing on top of me so I have nowhere to move if I try to again.

“Get off of me!”I try to fight, but he overpowers me, wrapping his hand around my throat so tightly that dots dance in my vision, my breathing becoming labored.

“Either you stop fighting and just do what I want, or I’ll take you back to your mother.Which is it?”He threatens, giving me a choice, even though he knows how much I don’t want to go back home.

I feel stuck.I feel fucking stupid for letting my guard down even the slightest.And as I contemplate my options in my head, I know what needs to be done.“Take me home, Gunnar,” I choke out through heavy sobs, knowing what awaits me back there.

“Fucking stupid little girl,” he laughs, climbing off of me as the car turns around, heading back toward the prison I just finally escaped from.“Definitely a little psycho.”

My vision blurs as the car moves through the city streets, my mind racing with the betrayal I feel so deeply.I know that I, once again, ended up in a trap.And I fucking hate myself for falling right into it.

As the car approaches the gates of hell, my heart sinks into my stomach.I refuse to glance at Gunnar; my eyes are focused on the dark night beyond the car window.I may have lost the fight tonight, but I refuse to give up on my freedom.I take a deep breath and mentally try to prepare myself for whatever may be waiting for me inside.

As Gunnar grabs my arms and drags me out of the car, I realize that my fight has only just begun.I’m going to find a way to break free again, no matter what the obstacles may be.I remain determined as he drags me inside the house, the door slamming behind us with a thud.

“Welcome home, Calista,” my mother sneers, hands on her hips as she leans against the staircase, evil glowing in her eyes with a frightening smirk to match the rest of her icy demeanor.

Fuck, was this a mistake coming back here?Should I have just dealt with Gunnar?

“You’re just in time to get ready for your birthday party,” she adds, shoving me back into my bedroom after dragging me up the stairs.

Throwing a dress at me, she pulls a padlock and key out of her pocket and latches it to the window, looking at me as she locks it, taking away my only way out.She leaves my room without another word, and Addy finally decides to make an appearance.

“Add Gunnar to your list, Calista,” she demands, her voice calm and calculated, but the look on her face is one of icy rage and revenge.

I pull out my journal and flip to the back cover.Taking a red pen, I scribble “Gunnar” underneath the third name on my list.Reading the names, a smile creeps onto my face as nothing but red flashes in my mind.

Mother

Father

Holden Graham—Senator

Gunnar

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