Page 107 of Bad for You

Oh, what a sight this is for all to see—Father Merry naked, bleeding, and crucified.

There is a statue of some saint, arm high as he raises a spear into the air. I pry it from his hand and walk over to Father Merry, whose chin droops to his chest.

I commit this to memory because this memory will now replace the others. I will no longer allow the abuse I suffered to rule me because this now replaces the pain I once felt.

Slapping him awake, I peer into his eyes as I stab the spear into his chest and cut downward. “Ring around the rosie,” I sing, severing through flesh and muscle.

The nursery rhyme he sang to me as if to make what he was doing to me okay.

I continue singing as I cut Father Merry from sternum to groin. I pry open the wound and reach inside, disemboweling him.

I would cut out his heart, but I want him alive.

“We all fall down.” The song is done. As is Father Merry. “I’ll see you in Hell.”

Stepping back, I admire my work and tip my face to the heavens.

I’ve been reborn.

The moment Father Merry stops breathing is when I leave. But not before I wipe my thumb down my forehead and over my eye, leaving a bloody slash to commemorate what was done tonight.

It reminds me of Lenny. How I wish he were here.

I know what I have to do. I have to make things right.

Opening the chapel door, I waltz down the hallway, whistling, uncaring that the sisters scream in horror because I sure as shit probably look a fright in my blood-splattered nightgown.

I know this is the beginning of the end…but I just don’t care.

And perhaps I never did.

It’s quiet, which worries me.

Nothing good ever comes from silence.

Bria won’t look at me.

The air is thick with hostility.

It’s everything Gianna wanted.

She wanted chaos. She wanted to drive a wedge between us all. And I hate to admit she’s succeeded.

I have no idea where Valentina is.

A small part of me thought that perhaps we would prevail and Gianna would lose. But that’s not the case. With Bria bound,Gianna has the upper hand, and without a doubt, Aldo will do anything to save his daughter.

And what about Lewis? He will be awake and looking for his next fix. I found him, only to lose him once again. But most likely for good this time.

“Stop thinking so loud,” Bria quips, breaking the silence.

“Are you all right?”

She peers at the chains around her wrists.

“Yeah, good point. That was a stupid question.” I sigh.

“My father will be here soon.”

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