Page 589 of Rage

The harsh wind bites at my cheeks, but my voice comes out steady, unwavering. "I know what you’ve done. I’m not scared of you anymore. This ends now."

He laughs, a low, chilling sound that resonates, reminding me of countless nights spent hiding from his rage. "You think you can stop me? You’re just like your sister—weak and pathetic."

The sting of his words fans the flames already roaring in my chest. "Skye was the strongest person I’ve known. She stood up to you, didn’t she? But you couldn’t handle someone not doing your dirty work. That’s why she’s dead, right?"

The words flow from my lips like molten lava, laced with truth that I had buried for too long. I can see the shock dawning on his face, quickly morphing into rage, yet I feel the power shift; his strength wanes while mine claws its way to the forefront.

"You’re wrong; she was a mistake," he hisses, taking a menacing step toward me, but I stand firm, bow poised and ready, a defiant soldier in the war against my own blood.

"No, she was brave. And unlike you, I can overcome your tyranny. I will put an end to this today!" He laughs maniacally, always underestimating me. This sick son of a bitch should never have had kids. Maybe that’s why my mother killed herself? She couldn’t stand another day in his dreadful presence. We’re the same on that front, but I won’t be the one dying today. No, the infamous Dr. Wellington will.

His laughter echoes through the trees, a manic cackle that fills the air with dread. "Shut the fuck up and come with me. You knew the rules and you broke them. Perhaps two months will teach you where you belong—on your back for all the rich fucks that want a piece of that untouched pussy. I’ve been doing you a favor, Rainebow, but now it’s time to cash in."

My heart races, a war drum pounding against the confines of my chest. "If you think I will be going anywhere near your whore house other than to save those poor girls, you’re sorely mistaken."

A shot rings out through the woods, tearing the fabric of the tense moment and sending birds scattering in all directions. I have to believe that it was Cole’s gun that went off, that he’s safe, if I want to continue this conversation. The thought of him, the warmth he brings, pushes me forward, fueling my resolve.

"You’re too late, Rainebow. You think that little toy could save you?"

"It's not just the recorder, Dad. It’s everything. I’m going to expose you, bring all of this to light. You’re done hiding behind your wealth and influence."

He narrows his eyes, the calculation rolling over his face. I can see his mind working furiously, plotting angles while I stand defiant, ready to take back the power he always wielded over my life.

Suddenly, the bustle of the forest fades as anger replaces fear in his eyes, “You’ll never escape me. I will always find you.”

“Not this time,” I declare, tightening my grip on the bow. The icy world around us seems to hold its breath, but I know I can’t waver now—not in the face of his darkness. I drop the recorder into the snow. “Thank you for that confession, father.”

Without hesitation, I flex the bowstring, ready to unleash a storm of strength that has taken years to cultivate.

"Let's see if you can shoot me down, little girl," he taunts, taking another step towards me.

The challenge ignites a burning fury inside me. "I won’t let you ruin another life. This ends here!"

My father’s eyes widen in realization, but it’s too late. “This is for Skye,” I whisper, releasing the arrow. It strikes true, andhe falls to the ground, the snow around him slowly turning crimson.

The trees stand sentinel as I draw back the arrow, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I am ready. This time, the version of me that he crafted in shadows and fear is vanquished. I am the flame, the reckoning that rises against the darkness. With a swift, calculated breath, I release the arrow, time folding around the moment like a cocoon.

As it pierces the air, everything hinges on that single act of defiance. I realize in this instant, it’s not merely about vengeance; it’s about freedom and reclaiming the life that had been stolen from me and my sister. A blur of noise erupts, but in the core of it all, I hold onto knowledge that I was never weak; that I carry with me the unyielding spirit of Skye and all the girls like her.

In this frozen wilderness of shattered expectations, I am ready to fight, for love, for truth, and ultimately—for myself.

My father is in a crumpled heap, blanketed by crimson snow and I take my first real breath in years.

The sound of another shot echoes through the forest, and almost instantly, I hear Huxley’s footsteps rushing towards me. He arrives just in time to see me standing over my father’s body, the bow still in my hands.

“Raine, I told you to stay in the cabin,” he says, his eyes filled with a mix of shock and admiration. “But I can see you didn’t need my protection.”

Huxley’s eyes are filled with pride. He steps closer, his presence grounding me. “You did it,” he says softly. “You’re safe now.”

I nod, but the weight of what I’ve done settles heavily on my shoulders. “I had to,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper. “For Skye, and for me.”

Chapter Eight

Cole

“Fuck, you look like a goddess wrapped in death,” I confess into the shell of her ear, loving to see her breath catch in her throat. Raine stands in the snow, crimson splatters painting the pristine white around us—her father’s blood against the backdrop of his lifeless body. The sharpness of the scene sends a thrill through me, and I feel my cock harden painfully in my pants. Memories of last night flash through my mind, the way she laughed despite the chaos, the way we both knew this was coming. I clear my throat.

“Wait here, I have a surprise for you, Firefly.” I haul ass inside, my heart hammering with anticipation as I rifle through the wardrobe, my fingers finally gripping a wool blanket. The moment I step back outside, my breath catches. Raine looks ethereal against the backdrop of death—her pale skin juxtaposed with the red splattered around her.

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