Page 197 of Burn the Wild

My head swims. Darkness drifts over me like a wave.

“But first, before you go, you have to look the part, Reese,” Gavin’s voice croons. Sitting beside me, he smooths my hair back. His hot, putrid breath washes over my face. “My star. My shiny little shooting star.”

He unties my hands, my feet. I try to move, but my entire body feels like it’s made from cement. A hollow ringing fills my ears.

My stomach roils as he slips my cut-offs down my legs. My damp sweatshirt and boots follow. Tears stream down my face. I’m powerless in my own skin. Just want he wants.

As I lie in my underwear, waiting for the worst, Gavin lifts me in his arms.

My body, my mind lose all sense of where I am as he caresses and brushes my hair. “You have to be pretty, don’t you? My pretty, pretty girl.” He dabs perfume on my neck and kisses my cheek.

I whimper. The world fades out. I’m floating.

Through a haze of pain, I realize he’s tugging the fringed stage dress down over my head. Slipping tights on my legs. Black high heels on my feet.

I’m laid back down.

My head lolls across the pillow. The world spins, warps.

Hope slips away as Gavin looms over me at a strange angle and says, “You made a mistake, Reese. The last one you’ll ever make.”

Something cold presses against my wrist. For one long second, it’s numb, but then I feel a sharp, searing pain spread through my skin.

Warm, slick heat courses down my arm. Blood.

He’s stabbing me, slicing my arms over and over again with the knife. Lines of fire roll across my skin.

I scream until I pass out.

Minutes, seconds, God knows how long.

When I blink my eyes open next, everything’s still.

My arms are stiff and sticky. The sheets, the comforter are soaked with blood.

My blood.

I feel so weak. So exhausted.

In my periphery, I can see Gavin pacing in the kitchen. Muttering to himself. Over and over again in a frantic murmur. “Do it. Just do it. But I love her. I can help her.”

In his hand, the knife jerks wildly, the tip of it cutting into his pants, his leg. Blood spreads.

He’s furious. Insane.

Be brave, Reese.

His shoes stomp across the tile. Fear spikes. He’s coming back for me.

I reach deep inside myself. One last chance.

When Gavin is close, I kick with all my remaining strength. I miss connecting with solid bone, but something else happens. I knock him off balance. He mutters and falls back, rocking the nightstand.

The two-way radio topples to its side. I hear the crackle as it glitches on.

I lick my dry lips, turn my face toward the mouthpiece. “Ford, please. Please, I need you.”

Gavin cackles and leans in close. His fingers wrap around my wrist possessively. “You think he can help you? You’re mine, and it’s over now. It’s time to take a swim.”

---