Page 133 of Moth to a Flame

Landon. He said something else. He said we’d celebrate our first Halloween together soon. That I make him want things. Like decorating his home.

We even started planning it. We were supposed to invite everyone over.

That could end here. Our dreams. Our future.

My life.

The moment we’re out the door, it’s done. He’ll take me.

“The parole board felt so bad for the inmate with the severed dick.”

Again. I won’t stop fighting. Never.

“Hurts like a motherfucker,” the monster grunts. “Hasn’t fully healed yet. Then there’s this fucking hole right next to my ass. Sitting to pee. Fuck you.”

There’s a pause. Then spit, as rancid and gross as Lester is, hits my shoulder.

“Was worth it, though. The pain. Just so I could find you.”

I’m no longer laughing. I’m screaming.

Our neighbors aren’t within hearing distance. It doesn’t deter me. I scream to the inside of Lester’s palm anyway.

My lungs burn. My nostrils flare to suck in as much air as possible between one scream and the other.

“Your boyfriend fucked up. The guards that weren’t on his payroll were sour about it.”

He’s enjoying this, I hear it in his voice. He sounded just like that a million years ago when he raped me. Took deep pleasure in sodomizing me.

Bleed for me, little girl, he said.I’ll scar you. I’ll fuck you up.

I’m older now. Stronger. He can mock me all he likes. I won’t cower from him. Won’t cry for him. I won’t stop screaming and fighting for my life.

By fighting, I also mean listening to every word he says. I’ll collect and file away every piece of information this idiot so willingly hands over to me. It might be useful.

“It started with one stupid guard blabbering about Landon’s bribe.” Out of the house. We’re out of the house and down the front steps. I kick him, listen to him. Fear him. “The others didn’t take it lightly. They came to me, the jealous fucks, offering me his name, address, and the codes and keys to this place on a silver platter. No idea how they got it. Don’t really care.”

The asphalt of the driveway burns my feet as I flex them, as I dig my heels into it. Last attempt before I’m being taken.

I won’t be tortured again. I won’t be sodomized by this monster.

I won’t. I won’t. I won’t.

“The rest was me. Figured he’d go to the address I gave the authorities to finish what he’d started. That he’d be there while you stayed here. I was right.” We’re under a dark shadow. I twist my head as much as Lester allows. It’s a van. A white, nondescript van. “Dick or no dick, I have you. I won.”

It’s been minutes since Lester threw me in the back of the van and locked the doors on me. Or hours. Orsomething.

The sun hasn’t come up yet. That’s a good sign. That’s a great sign.

We couldn’t be that far from home. Landon could come looking for me. He’d have seen the wrenched-open front door. The messy sheets.

He’d speed out and find me.

He would.

My face is glued to the small, tinted window in the back of the van. Lester is driving past the houses in our neighborhood.

When he reaches the end of the street, he keeps driving toward a deserted path. I don’t recognize it. I have no idea where we’re headed.

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