Page 152 of Moth to a Flame

Other than being an abusive rapist, Lester is also a fan of littering. He’s grown arrogant too, so sure that no one will connect the shit he leaves on the road.

Landon will.

I squint my eyes in the darkness. Landon will see it, he’ll find my nail and the pack of chips that will be discarded on the side of the road.

He. Will.

“You’re even uglier in the dark, you know that?” I spit out.

He rips open the bag of chips while he growls in anger. A few crumbs land on my face. He shoves the food into my mouth, slamming my jaw shut.

“Eat, bitch.”

I don’t have a choice, since he pinches my nose with his greasy fingers. I’m too weak to slap his hands away. I save my strength for when he’ll try to sodomize me.

“Fucking eat. This isn’t how you die, from starvation. I won’t be this merciful.”

More chips are being stuffed into my face over and over again. The humiliation stings, but I don’t let it show.

I pretend I’m in Landon’s home and he’s cutting me a slice of another delicious Beef Wellington. His eyes darken as he brings it to my lips, and I dart my tongue out, just how he likes it.

I eat for Landon. I chew for Landon. I swallow for Landon.

For him and no one else.

For him.

Landon.

These thoughts only make me want to cry harder.

Instead, I narrow my eyes, snapping myself back to the here and now.

It’s then that Lester pulls on one of my arms.

Fuck.Fuck. I’ll never get used to the blinding pain of having a nail pulled out.

“You won’t die today. But you’ll suffer.” Lester laughs as he goes outside, as he disposes of my nail and the empty bag. “Sweet dreams, bitch. We’re leaving in five hours.”

Five hours that I’ll spend awake.

Just in case he’s lying.

I’m not letting him anywhere near me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Landon

In the movieThe Ring, Samara kills her victims seven days after watching her tape.

Lucky them. They got to have seven days to live.

Me, on the other hand, I’ve been dying on the inside for a full week straight.

While I’ve been searching for Regan, my world has turned in on itself. My heart has been ripped to shreds. I could barely sleep or eat from worrying so much. My chest burns. My body is hollow.

I’ve lost a part of myself that I’m never getting back unless I have Regan here in my arms.

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