Page 75 of Soul Food

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I screamed in his ear. His hands were already upon me, twisting me around until my back was pressed against his chest. I didn’t make it easy for him as my hands flew out over my shoulder to his face until he slung his arm around my chest, gripping both my arms with his one. He was stronger than I realized.

“What I’ve been waiting to do.” He jabbed me in the arm with some kind of syringe. I didn’t even get a chance to fear what he injected into my body before I blacked out.

______

Something wet and cold pressed onto my forehead. Over and over. My cheek was hurting until my awareness came through enough to know that I was being slapped repeatedly. I tried to open my eyes, but something held them closed. “How much did you give her?” someone asked. The voice was familiar, making me even more desperate to open my eyes.

“Believe me, if I gave her anymore, she’d be out a lot longer. It’s only been twenty minutes, and she’s already coming to.”Max.

“Good.” The voice was female, and the nagging in the back of my head grew worse.

I finally opened my eyes, and they stayed opened, but it didn’t help when everything was spinning. Another minute or two, I could focus enough to see the familiar blues staring back at me. “Liz?” I croaked, giving my head a shake. I frowned. “Why do you keep stooping lower and lower?” I whispered sadly.

This was beyond unbelievable. She stooped lower than low.

The fact that I missed how cruel my childhood friend was growing up made me feel foolish. Maybe Liz and her father were right about me being her friend for money. Could it have blinded me from seeing what kind of person she really was? Did I envy her world so much that I gave myself the illusion that we were best friends?

No. Liz James had been my very best friend. The flowers that covered the moon tattoo that used to be on my ankle were proof of our friendship. Somewhere along the way, her friendship morphed into something else while I dreamed of us making it big together.

My eyes moved over Max behind her and glared. “And I’m guessing, you’ve been working for her this entire time?”

He sighed. “I didn’t want to resort to this, but how can I get intel or snoop when you don’t even let your bodyguards close.” He shrugged, scowling like it was my fault it came to this. “The entire thing was pointless. I’ve never once been invited up to the studio or even into your home.”

I was speechless. I wasn’t tied up, but I knew it wasn’t wise to make any moves. I had no weapons, and one of them might have a gun. “You were hoping to find some more songs to steal?” I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “You realize how stupid that is? There are plenty of exceptional song writers better than me. Your dad has the money to get anything you need, yet you still want to steal from me?”

She rolled her eyes. “I tried, Ruth. I tried being nice. You wouldn’t accept my apology. And I want no one else’s songs but yours. Your words were always meant to be mine.”

What the hell?

I was angry. No, I felt murderous. I couldn’t believe what I heard. It took everything I had not to jump her since she was sitting directly in front of me. “Do you honestly hear yourself?” My words weren’t cold, I was actually extremely calm—more like numb.

Liz smiled. “Don’t worry, Max found me this.” She held up my notebook that I used for my songwriting. My stomach lurched. “Looks like you have nothing but unfinished songs except this one.” She moved her hand across the page she was on. “Soul Food. Strange name, but I love the lyrics.”

That had me reacting.

I snatched the notebook from her hand and glared. “Don’t you fucking dare!”

“Ooh. I’ve struck a nerve.” She laughed, and my heart beat increased to the point that I became lightheaded. I suspected that whatever drug Max injected me with was still pumping through my veins.

“What the fuck?” Max hissed. “I know I didn’t bring that fucking thing here with us. How is it here?”

“What are you yelling about?” Liz frowned as she turned to face him. I caught sight of the demon’s book resting on the table. I shouldn’t have, but I calmed down at the sight of it.

“This creepy-ass book she always has next to her.” He pointed at it. “I’ve heard stories, you have too,” he told her. “Tell us, Ruth, did you kill those people?”

“Does it have lyrics in it?” Liz got up from the chair in front of me, ignoring everything else he had said in hopes of more words to steal.

I sat still and waited. “I wouldn’t touch that if I were you.”

She laughed, and I couldn’t say I didn’t warn her. “Must have something good. It’s a weird style though. Bring it to me.” She held out her hand.

Max looked uncertain before he walked over to the end table and picked it up. The air changed, and the shadowy figure I could never forget, leaped out of the book and ripped right through his chest. His kills never made a sound, just a suddenwhooshas he moved in. His victims always let out one final gasp before they fell to the ground. I wondered if that was the way he planned to kill me?

Liz stumbled back. “What was that?” she screamed. She was looking around frantically, but I never moved. I simply stared down at the ground then watched as she bent down and checked on Max. I didn’t have to observe anymore of it to know she was confirming that he was dead. “Ruth! What was that?” She raised up and swung around, heading my direction.

“What was what?” I asked her, enjoying this more than I wanted to admit.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t see that just now.” Her blue eyes widened like saucers as her skin beaded with sweat. I didn’t care.

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