Page 56 of Peep

“Cut the bullshit, Chris, I know everything. You were taken last night by someone whose life you fucking destroyed.”

“What?” He sits forward in his chair, failing to hide his wince. “I have no clue what you’re on about. Have you taken something? You can tell me, little bro. I won’t judge.”

I scoff, climbing to my feet. “Jahmar fucking Walker, you sick fuck!” I scream in his face.

Chris’ face falls, and his eye twitches.

“Bet that name rings a bell, doesn’t it!?”

“Keep your fucking voice down,” he snaps, jumping to his feet and towering over me. “Is that who took me? He’s a fucking liar, I’ve never touched him.”

“Stop fucking lying! If you care about me and want to salvage this relationship, you’ll tell me the truth.” There’s nothing to salvage here; I just need to hear him admit it.

Chris aggressively runs hands through his dishevelled hair. “There’s nothing to tell. He used to be a resident in my department. He wanted to get ahead and thought offering his arse would do that. I turned him down.”

Sick gathers in my throat, but I shove it down. How can he lie so easily? I clench my fists because if I don’t I’m not sure if I could stop myself from wrapping them around his neck. Taking a step back, I turn away from him. I can’t stand to look at him anymore.

“Chris, tell me the fucking truth, I need to know.”

“Why? How do you even know Jahmar? Why does it matter?”

I grit my teeth to stop myself from tearing his face to pieces. I just need him to confess.

“It just does, ok! Chris, fucking tell me. Did you rape him?”

Holding my breath as I wait for the answer, an answer that will destroy my family as I know it.

“Is it really rape? It’s not like he told me to stop. He wanted it.”

Lead lands in my stomach. A wave of fury distorts my mind, edging me closer to snapping completely.

“He fucking mutilated me! He won’t get away with what he’s done. I’ll make him pay,” Chris spits.

My resolve snaps. Twisting on my feet, I pull my arm back and swing for my brother. My knuckle cracks against his nose, making it pop. Blood floods his face instantly, painting his white shirt crimson.

Chris collapses back on the armchair, eyes wide and gasping. He tips his head back and pinches his nose, trying to stop the downpour, but I need to inflict more pain.

I lunge for him again, but he shields his face and starts rambling. “Anders, please. I can explain. I wasn’t well mentally at the time. The stress from work. You have to understand.”

He’s disorientated from the punch, so his weak attempt at holding me off quickly fails. I climb over him, wrap my hands around his throat and dig my knee into his groin.

Chris wails in pain as I grind my knee into his surgery wounds, the sound of his suffering feeding my fury.

“No!” I shout into his face. “There’s no fucking excuse good enough for what you did. You have no idea the damage you’ve caused! You deserve everything you got and more!”

His face reddens and his eyes bulge. The knee on his crotch incapacitating him. I squeeze tighter, my eyes not leaving his.

“Please,” he croaks, hands scratching at my wrists as I drain him of life.

Chris’ voice breaks, and all he can do is beg with his eyes for me to stop. Water swims in his eyes making them a shade lighter, reminding me of my mum’s.

“Fuck,” I growl, letting him go and stumbling back.

Chris splutters for air, clutching at his throat. I watch him in bewilderment. The past thirty seconds lost to me as I come back to my senses and resurface after my murderous rage.

“You tried to kill me,” he rasps, chest rapidly rising and falling.

I scoff. “Go ahead and report me, then. I’d love to see how you’d try to explain all of this.”

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