Page 48 of Unholy

“So tell me.”

“It’s different for everyone. Some say it’s like losing your mind when they aren’t near you. Some say it’s the strongest thing they’ve ever felt when they are with you. It’s very different for each person,” he tells me.

“I hate it when she isn’t with me.”

“That doesn’t mean love. That just means you want what you want.”

“Did you come back to fuck with my head a little more?” I snap at him. He shakes his head.

“No. I wanted to see if you really needed to talk.”

“I want her, Doc. With me every second of every day. I don’t like it when she isn’t there. It feels like a part of me is empty,” I admit to him.

“Then I’d say you love her, Tristan. In your own way, of course.”

“But?”

“But you’re complicated. Your mind is different than most people’s.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“In some cases, yes. In others, no.”

“And with her? You think it’s bad, right?”

“I don’t know what to think. I’ve never seen the two of you interact before. Maybe one day, when you’re feeling better, you can bring her to a session,” he suggests. I snort a laugh. Fat fucking chance of that happening. Ash doesn’t need to know just how fucked up I truly am by meeting with him.

“Doubt that,” I tell him.

“I figured that much. But it’s always an option if you change your mind. Get some rest. I heard you were here for two days,” he tells me. I nod my head and watch him stand and leave. I don’t want him here any longer than he needs to be because I need to make plans with Andy and Rod to get this shit on the road.

As soon as he’s out of the room, I call the guys again and start talking. I tell them that I want her out of that house, and I want the two of them tied up at the warehouse until I get out of here.

They agree to handle it, and I close my eyes, trying to get some sleep, but it doesn’t happen. I’m too lost. Too fucked in the head to sleep, so I don’t. I stay awake and let the insomnia fuck me over a little more.

Chapter 22

Ash

Tears continue to roll down my cheeks as the whip slices my back. It isn’t just my dad this time; it’s Ben, too. He keeps yelling bible verses at me and telling me to repent for my sins. I want Tristan, and to be honest, that’s the only thing that’s kept me going. The idea of him.

His mom has told me he’s okay, but they won’t release him for a few days, and he isn’t well enough to check himself out. Another crack, and I scream this time.

“That’s about enough of that shit,” I hear his voice, and it washes over me like warm water. Ben turns at the same time as I do to see Tristan and his friends standing there. He looks good but tired and I can understand that. He was shot. Twice.

“Tristan,” I cry as he makes his way closer, using a cane to walk. My heart hurts for him because I know it was my fault he was shot.

“Don’t move!” Ben roars as he holds the whip in his hand. Tristan laughs.

“A whip? You think I don’t like being whipped every once in a while?” he asks him, and my eyes widen. I’ve never thought of that. Tristan is into all kinds of things, why not that, too?

“I’ll end you,” Ben tells him as the others laugh.

“You and who? We already got your little friend up there,” Andy tells him, pointing upstairs. Andy and Rod converge on Benwhile Tristan comes to me. He leans down and helps me up the best he can, wincing the whole time.

“I thought you couldn’t leave?”

“Did you really think I’d leave you to this another day?” he asks as he wraps me in his arms and kisses my cheek. “Your hell is with me. Not here.”

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