Page 7 of Midnight Dream

It’s true. Arley’s police force consisted of one sheriff appointed by the mayor, and one officer. Both were well past their primes and paid civil servants with nothing to do. Arley rarely saw any crime, if any, outside of the things Victor Cruz was allowed to get away with. It’s why he was so powerful. His family controlled the entire town and there was no police presence to counter anything other than the occasional teenager getting into mischief, like cow-tipping.

“I’ll scream,” I said. “Someone will hear me.”

“Dream,” he said and licked his lips. “I just finished making you scream. No one came...well, no one other than you and I.”

My lungs wanted to burst, but he was right. This was a small, family town. No one was awake at this time of night, at least no one who would be an impediment to Dustin.

I was at his mercy.

“So, you’re going to hurt me? Is that it? Beat the shit out of me like you did Jake, because I dared to question you? Like some kind of dickless abusing asshole?”

Dustin raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. Jeanette told me somebody beat Jake up. You were with him, and you’re a fighter.”

“Huh,” he scoffed.

“You did it, didn’t you? You piece of shit. You hurt Jake, and now you’re going to hurt me.” My voice was shrill and my body shook uncontrollably, but I was too far gone to stop now.

“Dream, I could have killed you three times over by now,” Dustin said matter-of-factly. “If Iwantedto hurt you, I would have done it by now. And what makes you think I beat the shit out of Jake? What possible reason could I have for doing that?”

He was right, I didn’t knowwhyhe would hurt Jake, but I needed to keep him talking until I could escape, and I wasn’t about to let this moment pass.

“I don’t know why. Maybe you’re some kind of sadistic fuck. But, what Idoknow is you were just with him! Are you a fighter or not?”

“I am,” he answered.

“Then why can’t I find you on any of the MMA or boxing websites.”

“Because I don’t fight there.”

“Then wheredoyou fight?”

“Underground.”

“Underground? You mean, illegally?”

“I mean, underground.”

“So, you’re a criminal.”

“No. I’m a fighter.”

“That’s not registered anywhere.”

“Because I fight— “

“Underground,” I finished. “Yeah, I got it.”

Dustin exhaled and moved away from the door.

This is my chance.

“You’ve got to go. I need to help Jeanette with Jake and everything, and I don’t have time forthis. Whateverthisis between us.”

“Dream, you know damn well whatthisis between us,” he said and sat at the nearest table. “And I’m not going anywhere. Not until I’ve done what I came here to do, which is to get some much-needed rest and relaxation.”

“Youalreadycame,” I whispered.

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